Gamestop Pulls Off PC Deus Ex Copies Off Shelves Due to OnLive Codes

In light of the whole OnLive code situation, Gamestop is now telling its employees to remove PC copies of Square Enix’s Deus Ex Human Revolution from store shelves. The publisher failed to warn the brick-n-mortar retail distribution chain that free OnLive codes were included.

An internal memo from the company told stores to remove all PC copies of Deus Ex Human Revolution to send back to the vendor and that returns will be honored with a receipt. The company cites its development with Spawn Labs to create a “competing streaming service” as the reason for the decision.

Square Enix has issued an apology to Gamestop and customers for failing to notify the company about the OnLive offer in new copies:

“As part of DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION’s boxed offering on PC, Square Enix included a third party coupon. GameStop was not made aware of this inclusion and Square Enix respects the right of GameStop to have final say over the contents of products it sells and to adjust them where they see fit in accordance with their policies.”

Gamestop’s actions, noted by an industry analyst, are probably legal. OnLive CEO Steve Perlman told Joystiq this promotion is “the first of many” to come.