Support NeoGAF

[Lunatic_Gamer]

Twitter user maiacelio shared a video in which a number of Forspoken SteelBooks had been found in the garbage. While it was not disclosed where precisely the items were found, it is still surprising to see such a new game treated this way. Seeing merchandise such as this show up in disposal bins and dumpsters isn't quite new. In similar news, Funko is disposing of $36 million worth of figurines following lackluster sales in 2022. While that product line seems to be dealing with more volume than Forspoken, the fact that this video game has only been out for a couple of months really doesn't seem like a good sign.




While avid collectors place a lot of value on PlayStation 5 SteelBooks, the added cost versus the regular packaging of the game could really affect the decision-making when buying items such as these. Understandably, while most SteelBook editions include other additional freebies or content, most consumers will tend to focus on purchasing games which they hold to a higher regard. In line with Forspoken's mixed reviews and continuous criticisms, it seems the trend for the game is downward. While it wasn't confirmed whether the steel cases had the discs inside, just seeing them thrown out for disposal does put a more negative light on the game.

Abandoned Forspoken SteelBooks Found at Dump

More bad news comes to Luminous Productions' Forspoken as several abandoned SteelBooks were recently found discarded in the trash.

gamerant.com

 

[StueyDuck]

Eh... seems to be fabricated for internet fame.

The game sucks but I'm sure retailers aren't "dumping their stock". They'd just knock the price down to dirt cheap.

 

[MMaRsu]

Empty steelbooks matbe

 

[nightmare-slain]

right where it belongs!

crazy to see this for a game that only came out not even 2 months ago what an absolute failure.

Eh... seems to be fabricated for internet fame.

seagulls ain't real man.

 

[digdug2]

Pure speculation here: Maybe this is one of those times when the steelbook doesn't contain the game? Maybe it was just a pre-order freebie and at this point, they're just taking up space.

 

[kanjobazooie]

Source is Twitter so it shall never be questioned.

 

[anthony2690]

Eh... seems to be fabricated for internet fame.

The game sucks but I'm sure retailers aren't "dumping their stock". They'd just knock the price down to dirt cheap.

Preorder steel books tend to be empty, these are preorders extras.

They are not dumping copies of the game.

I do think they should just give away the steel books with standard purchase of the game though.

 

[StueyDuck]

Preorder steel books tend to be empty, these are preorders extras.

They are not dumping copies of the game.

I do think they should just give away the steel books with standard purchase of the game though.

normally they do though, i've bought games before when they give me a steel case just to move stock.

i still don't think they are dumping copies of the steelbook cases either, it's still product, it's still has to appear on books and in records for the company, it's still cost them to get it.

this is some kid on twitter who maybe saw the netflix doc on ET and didn't really understand the nuanced issues behind that disaster and decided to pretend they found stock in the bin

they probably work for a retailer, saw they had lots of steelbooks boxed up back and then chucked them in the bin outside, made a quick tiktok/tweet because gamerrage, then took them back inside.

the OP even says themselves that they won't say where this happened, that should be proof enough that this is just someone trying to get internet famous.

 

[X-Wing]

Retailers can send unsold stock back to the publisher. Sounds like bullshit.

 

[Moses85]

Actually the best what this brand can offer.

The Game is such a

 

[ChoosableOne]

The word "abandoned" is so irritating that I couldn't even feel sorry for the "forspoken".

 

[Tams]

But... but... butt... I was told it was doing well and is an amazing game by a few on this very forum!

Poor environment. What a waste.

 

[John Bilbo]

 

[ANDS]

Amazing what folks will believe so long as it fits a narrative of what they know (in their feels) "to be true."

. . . as if any retailer would eat a complete loss on a product they could sell at a deep discount.

 

[mortal]

People are so eager to dunk on this game and I don't even get why.

 

[EN250]

People are so eager to dunk on this game and I don't even get why.

Part of it is being an average to bad game, another part is the fact that it's a PlayStation exclusive, so console wars...

 

[rofif]

I have one. It’s a beautiful steelbook. And the game is great. Fuck the haters. People are easily manipulated into someone else’s opinion.

 

[TheUsual]

The saddest thing it's just pretty much a forgotten game already. All the hooplah over it and already we're pretty much done talking about it. This time next year we're gonna be like "I forgot this game even existed,"

Edit: want to be clear I'm not criticizing the game. Do want to check it out in the future when it's cheaper.

 

[Aenima]

Guy in the video say its from a Gamestop. Is that how Gamestop operates? If they dont sell all the stock they just trow it in the trash instead of lowering the price?

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

Eh... seems to be fabricated for internet fame.

The game sucks but I'm sure retailers aren't "dumping their stock". They'd just knock the price down to dirt cheap.

Possibly. I don’t know though. There seems to be companies who rather throw away stock or send it back to the vendor or whatever than to heavily discount the merchandise for customers or even employees from my experience.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

No retail store is just going to dump stock instead of marking down or sending it back; y'all are some gullible ass fuccbois

 

[Goalus]

The game seems to have amassed roughly 3.3k user reviews on Steam so far, which roughly translates into 100k-150k unit sales. It's a solid start.

 

[Bragr]

Where can I find these dumps? I would fucking love to come across a dump of video games like that.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

People are so eager to dunk on this game and I don't even get why.

I feel it’s mostly because if one guy, influencer or reviewer says it’s bad on the internet, the mentality nowadays is it’s automatically bad without people even really trying the game out for themselves to formulate an opinion on it. I know a guy who wouldn’t even try the demo because he heard mixed reviews.

Also, maybe because it’s a PlayStation exclusive. Imho, when people say things like they cannot or refuse to play the game because of things like “cringe writing”, I sometimes wonder do they truly enjoy video games. Not saying what they have to accept or anything, but I thought that mentality was quite strict.

 

[rofif]

People are so eager to dunk on this game and I don't even get why.

I don’t understand why people who have never touched the game are so eager to make fun of it even months after release. Like why

 

[simpatico]

Forespoken reminds me of a day 1 launch title for a new console. A few technical niceties and stripped down everything else. Problem is they missed that window by a lot.

 

[Captain Toad]

I'm calling BS on this one.

 

[anthony2690]

normally they do though, i've bought games before when they give me a steel case just to move stock.

i still don't think they are dumping copies of the steelbook cases either, it's still product, it's still has to appear on books and in records for the company, it's still cost them to get it.

this is some kid on twitter who maybe saw the netflix doc on ET and didn't really understand the nuanced issues behind that disaster and decided to pretend they found stock in the bin

they probably work for a retailer, saw they had lots of steelbooks boxed up back and then chucked them in the bin outside, made a quick tiktok/tweet because gamerrage, then took them back inside.

the OP even says themselves that they won't say where this happened, that should be proof enough that this is just someone trying to get internet famous.

Back in the day when I would frequent game or gamestation, sometimes the guy behind the counter would ask if we wanted any of the preorder items as they were just going to be thrown out.

And give us a handful of codes or a couple steel books etc, even if that wasn't the game we was buying (maybe it's cause I chatted to the guy occasionally who knows)

If it's a few steel books here and there I wouldn't be surprised tbh, it's not like they are throwing millions of dollars of steel books away (say like with et and now funko pops)

I do think a lot of twitter users will over blow it for fake concern/console warrior bait though XD

 

[simpatico]

No retail store is just going to dump stock instead of marking down or sending it back; y'all are some gullible ass fuccbois

In some circumstances the write off is more valuable than the discounted proceeds from selling it. Wasteful, but that's the system we have right now.

 

[nightmare-slain]

I don’t understand why people who have never touched the game are so eager to make fun of it even months after release. Like why

The game hasn't been out for "months".

it came out 24th january. it's not even been out a couple of months. at least wait until the end of march to say that shit

 

[Aenima]

I'm calling BS on this one.

The only scenario where i can see this video being real. Is if the store got more steelbook empty boxes than the game. And since thers only 5 shown in the trash they did not bothered to sent them back and just dumped them.

 

[ANDS]

You know it is bullshit, or at the very least missing massive context (e.g., that those boxes aren't empty) because the poster doesn't actually open the boxes to clearly show what they are. GS is currently offering trade-in credit for FS, so it is odd that they would willingly toss out games they actually are giving money for.

. . .just an obviously nothing-burger story that wouldn't gotten ZERO traction, if folks didn't have such a massive need for this game to be an abject failure.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

I have one. It’s a beautiful steelbook. And the game is great. Fuck the haters. People are easily manipulated into someone else’s opinion.

You should venture out and dig for that "treasure" my friend. Help the environment and give the copies you procure to your most trusted allies.

 

[rofif]

The game hasn't been out for "months".

it came out 24th january. it's not even been out a couple of months. at least wait until the end of march to say that shit

It was hated before it even released

 

[Aenima]

Just took a look at the profile of the guy that posted the video...

 

[rofif]

You should venture out and dig for that "treasure" my friend. Help the environment and give the copies you procure to your most trusted allies.

How funny. Stay in your bubble.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

How funny. Stay in your bubble.

I'm just having a bit of fun. This is a hobby we share, and I don't think you should be up in arms around a game.

 

[ReBurn]

normally they do though, i've bought games before when they give me a steel case just to move stock.

i still don't think they are dumping copies of the steelbook cases either, it's still product, it's still has to appear on books and in records for the company, it's still cost them to get it.

this is some kid on twitter who maybe saw the netflix doc on ET and didn't really understand the nuanced issues behind that disaster and decided to pretend they found stock in the bin

they probably work for a retailer, saw they had lots of steelbooks boxed up back and then chucked them in the bin outside, made a quick tiktok/tweet because gamerrage, then took them back inside.

the OP even says themselves that they won't say where this happened, that should be proof enough that this is just someone trying to get internet famous.

When companies dispose of product they write it down or write it off so that the loss appears in their books. If they paid to produce something and it doesn't sell they don't just keep It forever. They get rid of it because it also costs money to store stuff.

It is possible that there weren't enough preorders or whatever condition was required to move the steelbook cases and they were just tossed. It would be more expensive to ship them to retail to just give away than to just toss them out. It's also possible that this person could have made the whole thing up for attention.

 

[ahtlas7]

If true, it’s possible these cases were damaged or imperfect in some way. Also, wtf is dude doing in a dump?

 

[Kilau]

The artwork is so boring, tired of the person staring at you design trope. Plus her pose always makes me think of the Captain America lecture.

So you bought a mediocre video game…

 

[ReBurn]

Retailers can send unsold stock back to the publisher. Sounds like bullshit.

Even if they can send it back to the publisher, what do you think the publisher does when the product comes back? They don't keep it forever. They either sell it at a discount, auction it off, or they destroy it by throwing it in the trash.

 

[MiguelItUp]

Retailers can send unsold stock back to the publisher. Sounds like bullshit.

When I used to work at Electronics Boutique, we were instructed to throw away items that dropped to a penny all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if this didn't change, lol.

 

[FalsettoVibe]

Just took a look at the profile of the guy that posted the video...

Seems like half the hate from this game comes from console wars and the fact that this game is a PS exclusive. If it was multiplatform or dare I say a GamePass exclusive, the story would be totally different.

 

[Doom85]

Seems like half the hate from this game comes from console wars and the fact that this game is a PS exclusive. If it was multiplatform or dare I say a GamePass exclusive, the story would be totally different.

Forspoken not on Gamepass: “OMG, Forspoken is the worst thing ever! …..no, I didn’t play it, why would I play it?!”
Forspoken on Gamepass: “HELL YEAH, THE BEST DEAL IN GAMING, BITCHES!!!!!”

 

[adamsapple]

 

[FalsettoVibe]

Forspoken not on Gamepass: “OMG, Forspoken is the worst thing ever! …..no, I didn’t play it, why would I play it?!”
Forspoken on Gamepass: “HELL YEAH, THE BEST DEAL IN GAMING, BITCHES!!!!!”

As much as I hate to say it, I feel you're right. The whole Forspoken drama started when that badly edited clip dropped and everyone complained about the dialog. Yet I've started playing Atomic Heart (on GamePass mind you) and the dialog is 10x worse than ANYTHING that is said in Forspoken and people look over it for reasons.........

 

[Doom85]

As much as I hate to say it, I feel you're right. The whole Forspoken drama started when that badly edited clip dropped and everyone complained about the dialog. Yet I've started playing Atomic Heart (on GamePass mind you) and the dialog is 10x worse than ANYTHING that is said in Forspoken and people look over it for reasons....

Like, it’s fine if people don’t like it, but it’s bizarre how determined people are to PROVE it’s bad. Like, three weeks ago when I played it, I was magic parkouring off the heads of a massive zombie horde, throwing spears made of fire through bears, and raining magical bolts from the sky onto my enemies. Like, it’s funny people bring up this was made by some of the Final Fantasy XV people because I did not care for that game’s magic system at all, but this game made me feel like a total battlemage.

So yes, people, she did do that with her freaking mind. And you know what? I had a good time doing it with her…..um, err, well you know what I meant, heh.

 

[Chukhopops]

Forspoken not on Gamepass: “OMG, Forspoken is the worst thing ever! …..no, I didn’t play it, why would I play it?!”
Forspoken on Gamepass: “HELL YEAH, THE BEST DEAL IN GAMING, BITCHES!!!!!”

I’m sure it will be easy to find port begging posts for Forspoken on GP or Xbox then?

Truth is there was never any hype for this game aside from 4-5 people pushing the « AAA Square Enix game » narrative. You can look at the old threads whenever a new video was posted trying to hype it up.

 

[StueyDuck]

When companies dispose of product they write it down or write it off so that the loss appears in their books. If they paid to produce something and it doesn't sell they don't just keep It forever. They get rid of it because it also costs money to store stuff.

It is possible that there weren't enough preorders or whatever condition was required to move the steelbook cases and they were just tossed. It would be more expensive to ship them to retail to just give away than to just toss them out. It's also possible that this person could have made the whole thing up for attention.

The game is barely a month old. Anyone who believes they are being binned by retailers need to smell the real life air and get outside from their little hovels.

What you are talking about is extremely old stock that has absolute proof of not being moved and there is literally no other option than to dispose of the product

 

[Saiyan-Rox]

Usually these just get given too anyone who buys the game preowned or new from the retailer if they don't sell enough on launch/preorders

Weird for a retailer to just bin them (and yes they're empty)