The American games retail giant will now purvey everything from map packs to new characters and beyond...

American games retailer Gamestop is to start selling game add-ons across its 4,400 and then some stores. This means that along with the games themselves, you’ll also be able to buy map packs, new cars and so the list goes on.

The move is certainly an acknowledgement of the writing that’s on the wall when it comes to digital delivery; an attempt to muscle in on the odd buck or two. It’s also perhaps an admission that the future is not exactly rosy for games retail.

NowGamer posits that the next generation of consoles will be download-focused and perhaps even download only. If we think that’s a fair prediction, you can bet your bottom dollar that a company with the resources of Gamestop are coming to similar conclusion. The move then, should be seen as the first step in a global change for the games retail industry, so expect more radical shift in future and to see UK and European retailers swiftly following suit.