Yankee Candle should make 'new game smell'. With that said I buy so many games I don't feel a need to sniff every one. (Wow, what a sentence.)
I typically buy quite a few games as well yet Gamestop is the only place where I have bought a "new" game that's opened already.
I don't get that seal too often. Returning games is rare for me and I understand why they'd limit it. People would treat them like rentals.
I don't usually return games often either. But the thing is to me new means buying something in a factory sealed package.
Once it's been opened it's considered used to me regardless of who opened it. So excuse me for wanting a factory sealed item that hasn't been subjected to innumerable people's snot, saliva and/or other bodily fluids from their filthy hands manhandling the case, artwork and any possible manual.
Nobody is making you shop at GS. For the most part we're talking about buying games for ourselves. If you actually need a wrapped product for a gift then make sure it's wrapped.
If you don't mind then that's fine. That's your thing. But, AGAIN, to me once it's opened it's USED and it should NOT be able to be sold as new.
Otherwise it should be sold as used with a decent shopworn discount.
Discs don't have a limited shelf life. 'New' is just a word, for me the thing to look for is the condition of the disc/case. I mean if you've ever gotten something from Gamefly those are practically new. Arguing over cellophane is silly if it saves $30. Then really it's just inventory control. You go to BB and they got those plastic boxes. Targ or TrU use locked shelves.
Opened isn't the same as used. New cars aren't exactly taped shut and rolled across the country. You all are just using this as a crazy reason to bash GS.