Report: GameStop halts used-games subscription service

GameStop’s all-you-can-eat subscription to used games has been suspended, apparently over concerns with how the aging computer systems in the company’s 7,000 stores can handle and track checkouts.

Kotaku first reported the suspension of GameStop’s PowerPass program. The retailer confirmed that it had halted the initiative in a statement, citing “a few program limitations we have identified” as the cause.

The retail giant announced the program at the end of October, with sign-ups set to begin Nov. 19. Under its six-month terms, the program would allow customers to take any used game from a local store’s catalogue, play it as long as they wished and exchange it for another until the subscription expired. At the end of the period, they could keep any one of the games they had checked out.

The program went through a soft launch in some locations earlier this month, with its full rollout to follow later. Those stores have been told to pull all promotional materials related to the PowerPass, according to Kotaku. Customers who got in on the soft-launch are being offered full refunds, plus their choice of a used game as a make-good for taking down the service.

There is no word when the program will be reinstated.

Update: Asked for comment, GameStop replied to Polygon with this statement.

We have elected to temporarily pause the roll out of the new PowerPass subscription service, based on a few program limitations we have identified. We feel this is the right thing to do for now to ensure we are able to provide our guests an exceptional service.

Those guests who have already purchased the service, we are allowing them to bring the pass and video game they have checked out, back to receive a full refund. In addition, we are allowing them to pick out any Pre-Owned video game for free.