Gamestop Manager Starts Controversial Policy, Later Suspended

Earlier this week Brandon Scott, manager of a local Gamestop store in Austin Texas, started a controversial new policy change called "Games for Grades." This policy change was limited to just the store he managed. "Game for Grades" changed the policy to require an adult to vouch for a student's good grades before purchasing a game, with poor students unable to buy games. Scott believed this was a good system.

"This is a socially acceptable, responsible thing to do," Scott says. "These kids, they are our future, especially if you sell products to kids," he said.

Earlier this week he had a live CNN interview. Gamestop voiced their opinion of Scott by later suspending him, although it isn't clear for his policy or because he went public about it. In an e-mail, Gamestop said they were evaluating Scott's policy. It should also be noted that his policy has drawn criticism from bloggers and web commentators, but has also garnered community support.

In Scott's defense, he is acting out for what he sees as the greater good. By refusing to sell games to poor students, he is creating an incentive for children to become better students. On the other hand, no one likes to be refused service, for whatever reason. And with a safeguard so easily circumvented as a parent vouching for a child, the effectiveness of this policy can be debated. As Gamespot claimed to be evaluating Scott's policy, perhaps it will come into effect some day. Were it to ever come into effect on a national level, it would more than likely raise education, though by a small bit. It would also add yet another incentive to working hard in school.

While Scott's policy does have some merit, it also has some disadvantages. For instance, good students would need to bring in a parent to vouch for them in order to get games. Even though I am a good student, it could still affect me negatively. If this were to ever become official Gamestop policy, I would advise a more effective checking strategy. I recommend forcing the students to show their student id's when purchasing games. Then their name would be checked on local "bad grades" lists, offered by schools. In this way, students would not be burdened by their parents when purchasing games. And, if other companies were found wanting to implement a similar system, then a "bad grades" list would already be in place.

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