Retailers Now Able to Sell Downloadable Xbox Games Via Digital Download Codes

by William D'Angelo, posted on 15 August 2014 / 4,443 Views

Microsoft's Major Nelson has announced that consumers will now be able to purchase digital games and dlc for the Xbox One and Xbox 360 at retailers via digital download code cards. The plan is to give consumers another option to purchase its digital games.

The first set of cards that will be made available are for stand-alone games like Max: Curse of Brotherhood and State of Decay, as well as expansion and map packs for Forza Motorsport and Halo.

The cards will be made available later this month at retailers in the US and UK. Microsoft plans to expand the digital download code cards in other countries over the coming month. There will also be a wider selection of titles from both Microsoft and other publishers.

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A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. Outside, in the real world, he has a passion for the outdoors which includes everything from hiking to having received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.

7 Comments

torok (on 15 August 2014)

I think it's nice for people who prefer to do this on store, but I can't imagine why I would go to a store look at a retail copy of a game and just buy a voucher to come home and have to wait the download and use HDD space.

Show replies (2)

ganoncrotch (on 16 August 2014)

Well max curse of the brotherhood was never available at Retail.

nanarchy (on 21 August 2014)

because there are many of us (like myself) that want to purchase digital only and not have to be concerned with having/storing/finding disks, however purchasing directly from MS is at full retail price as they don't want to get in a price war with their retailers. So I for one will buy all my games this way in the future.

superryo (on 16 August 2014)

You can buy the card to give as a gift to someone else. For example for my nephews who do not have a credit card but still you want to give them the game and they are not in the same town as you - otherwise I would have bought the physical media

Show replies (1)

ganoncrotch (on 16 August 2014)

you can also gift someone an amount of cash for their mswallet since 2006 which they can use on any game they want on xbl

fleischr (on 15 August 2014)

It's a win for retailers & MS. They don't need to hold as much inventory or dedicate as much floor space for games -- yet can accomplish largely the same sales.

Show replies (1)

vkaraujo (on 15 August 2014)

Glad someone got it.

archer9234 (on 15 August 2014)

This seems odd. isn't the point of digital to avoid going to the store?

Show replies (4)

NobleTeam360 (on 15 August 2014)

I agree, if I was going to buy digital why would I wasted gas driving to the store when I can just go on my Xbox One?

Michael-5 (on 15 August 2014)

If you don't want to use Paypal/Credit Card and want to use cash.

BlkPaladin (on 17 August 2014)

There are some people who don't want their credit card numbers "out on the internet" as much as possible.

archer9234 (on 18 August 2014)

But just buy the generic points card. Then you can buy any game. A code for one game seems a waste. When I get a eshop code to buy whatever.

BlkPaladin (on 17 August 2014)

This actually surprises me, Sony and Nintendo have been doing this for years. And as for why, some people don't like using a credit card or other services because of safety reasons, and not leaving a balance on their account.