Hmm Maybe Gamestop has some Life Left According to Forbes

This article does make a lot of sense on why Gamestop may not go the way of Blockbuster.

But the fact remains that far and away most markets in the world are not ready for a digital-only games market. That was made abundantly clear by the Xbox One backlash, and the fact that both systems have relatively small hard drives for a digital games collection. Also working against the idea is the fact that both ISPs and the servers of publishers are having trouble with the concept of millions of fans trying to simultaneously download a game on launch day. See the meltdown that was the first few days of the GTA 5 launch for evidence of that.

This is certainly true for day one launches because servers get clogged and it is far easier to drive to Gamestop and buy the game instead of trying to download it. It would be a nightmare if you have to download a huge game at the same time as millions of other gamers. Although the wait time might not be an issue if you set the download in the morning and then go to work and you can play the game when you get home.

However, one major part of Gamestops business might be impacted. The idea of the physical used game might not be long for this world. If Sony and Microsoft do get smart and decouple the game from the physical media Gamestop will take it in the teeth. I'm betting they will go with the cripple-ware concept.

For instance you can buy the game and install it but the only way you can get the add-ons is by "registering it" with Sony or Microsoft. So no new maps (or patches) for Call of Duty unless you register the game. The act of registering the game ties it to your particular Xbone or PS4. You can resell the physical media all you want but once you register it the media can only be used for re-installation purposes. You can play campaign mode all you want but anything else is behind the registration wall.

Microsoft or Sony hasn't taken this step but I bet you any money they will wait about a year and slam it down on one of the new Call of Duties so gamers must make a choice of reselling or getting new maps and patches (or maybe even getting pushed out of online play entirely?) I can see a prompt saying "you cannot access online play unless you register this game." If you see that prompt Gamestop will eventually go the way of Barnes & Nobles. Hanging on but just barely.