Support NeoGAF

[Coppertracks]

I wonder how this will affect Gamestation? Presumably if Game went bust then GS would sold off. To who I'm not sure, there's not another retail game company big enough to buy them up.

Hm, whilst it'd be disappointing to see one of the few high street game retail places close, Game really are crap. The service is doubtable, the prices usually horrendous and their stores are too clinical. They also turned GS into a Game clone.

These days, if I want a mainstream game I'll go to a supermarket where it all ways nearly be cheaper, and if it's niche I'll go to Amazon, who are again usually cheaper or at least priced the same.

When they have a sale, it should really be a sale. Not a whole £5 off.

 

[Chopper]

When GAME bought Gamestation, I always assumed that GAME would be the flagship, mainstream brand, and that Gamestation would be the quirky, enthusiasts' choice. At least, that's how it appeared considering how close they are on, apparently everyone's, high street. The fact that they now are both the same useless pre-owned peddlers is embarrassing. I haven't bought anything from them in years. Good riddance.

So what are the chances for a new up-and-coming retail outlet to cater for the enthusiasts? That ship has sailed, hasn't it?

 

[CrunchinJelly]

I wonder how this will affect Gamestation? Presumably if Game went bust then GS would sold off. To who I'm not sure, there's not another retail game company big enough to buy them up.

Hm, whilst it'd be disappointing to see one of the few high street game retail places close, Game really are crap. The service is doubtable, the prices usually horrendous and their stores are too clinical. They also turned GS into a Game clone.

These days, if I want a mainstream game I'll go to a supermarket where it all ways nearly be cheaper, and if it's niche I'll go to Amazon, who are again usually cheaper or at least priced the same.

When they have a sale, it should really be a sale. Not a whole £5 off.

It's the same company, just a different brand.

If GAME went down the shitter, so would Gamestation and Gameplay.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

I've got about £280 on a GAME gift card. Should I quickly goto GAME and buy a console using it with a few games then sell them on eBay before I lose it all when they go bust?

I'd cash that in ASAP.

 

[BGBW]

THey don't sell Nintendo prepaid cards online. DAMMIT GAME HOW AM I MEANT TO GET RID OF THESE LOYALTY POINTS NOW? No wonder you're going bust.

 

[Vortex566]

The day GAME dies is the day I'm a happier man.

Good riddance.

This, I know not having any game shops on the high street is bad, but why would you choose to go to a shop when you can get it cheaper online? Game buying GameStation was a massive mistake.

 

[Coppertracks]

Slightly selfish thought but imagine the clearance sales if they go bust... mmmmmmmm, could be good.

 

[radioheadrule83]

As much as I don't think they've been competitive enough, I do hope they don't go completely under. This is a big year for a number of games and platforms, and it would take time to replace these guys on the streets.

I've got to admit, more and more of my gaming money has been going via Zavvi and Amazon.

 

[PaulLFC]

*scouser high-five*

I miss Electronics Boutique Man, the day i saw Ridge Racer in there.
And the Virgin megastore too. HMV are useless.

I remember the Virgin Megastore in Liverpool having Dreamcast demo units with Virtua Tennis on, and being too young to have the money to buy one myself at the time, I'd go there whenever I could and spend ages playing on the DC, surprised the staff didn't kick me out to be honest!

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

This, I know not having any game shops on the high street is bad, but why would you choose to go to a shop when you can get it cheaper online? Game buying GameStation was a massive mistake.

It's not even the price. I expect to pay a premium (although not THAT much of a premium) on the high street.

It's the service. Forcing shit down your throat constantly. Horrible.

 

[FrankT]

And the hits just keep coming in this year. Hold on tight guys 2012 is going to be a bumpy ride.

 

[Ravensmash]

Well, that's given me an excuse to think about spending the £40 I have in gift cards with them.

In all honesty though, I hope they pull through. I understand the dislike for the pushing of pre-owned titles/the horrible trade in values, etc. but I think I'd really miss their presence.

They still have a large selection of titles (both new and used) one that isn't really matched elsewhere on the high street. Online may be easier, but it's nice to pop past a shop and look at the new releases, or maybe pick up a bargain.

 

[mclem]

When GAME bought Gamestation, I always assumed that GAME would be the flagship, mainstream brand, and that Gamestation would be the quirky, enthusiasts' choice.

I seem to remember hearing at around the time of the buyout that that was the actual *intention* of the sale. It just never really panned out like that.

(That said, the Gamestation that's now closed in Oxford City Centre did have SNES, Saturn and Megadrive titles right up until closure)

 

[pitcairn55]

What makes this even more absurd is GAME and Gamestation are literally 3 shops apart in my town centre.

We have two GAMEs within 100 yards of each other in my home town - one was an Electronics Boutique originally. I could never work out why they didn't shut the smaller of the two. We also have a Gamestation just round the corner.

Also, feel like sticking up for the staff. Most of the people I've dealt with in GAME have been pretty okay. I remember listening to the manager in one of the branches trying to convince a customer than Super Mario Galaxy was more fun than pretty much any other Wii game. Customer wouldn't have it though; Mario's for kids, he reckoned.

 

[grimshawish]

edit: i just noticed that all that share info is on Games website itself, in a huge shareholder section. Shows what they've always been about, share price and corporate bullshit. Feel almost sorry for anyone who invested in that money-pit.

Yeah cause no other companies do that /sigh
IF Game had concentrated on the 'corporate bullshit' they would be in a much better position than they are now. Their problem is a serious lack of strategy.

 

[frankie_baby]

You mean a future where videogaming is so mainstream that it has a dedicated section in most generic retailers in the same way that movies, music and books do?

And open competition between those retailers on price, rather than 'backroom deal' exclusives, preventing games being available via digital distribution on steam despite not selling those titles themself, and not openly taking advantage of competitor discounts not to make money but to deny consumers a cheaper purchase?

Absolutely I would.

When these generic retailers are tesco and Asda, with clueless staff that make GAME's staff look like gaming geniuses and only stocking "chart" titles is that what you really want?

 

[CrunchinJelly]

Slightly selfish thought but imagine the clearance sales if they go bust... mmmmmmmm, could be good.

Not really, they won't have anything to sell.

 

[mclem]

It's the service. Forcing shit down your throat constantly. Horrible.

They offered me a strategy guide with a game once. I gave them a Look. They've never dared try it again.

 

[industrian]

I find this news amusing after hearing the recent news that Sony were giving free Vitas to Game store managers.

 

[Chopper]

When these generic retailers are tesco and Asda, with clueless staff that make GAME's staff look like gaming geniuses and only stocking "chart" titles is that what you really want?

Honestly, the "new" stock in my local GAME is NO better than in Sainsburys. If you want pre-owned, fair enough.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

They offered me a strategy guide with a game once. I gave them a Look. They've never dared try it again.

You got off lucky. EVERY time I've bought something for the last year I've been offered a guide, controller, XBL points, etc etc. When I last bought something in there (months ago, unsurprisingly) I kept saying "No, just the game" and then went in to their next offer without missing a beat. Cunts.

Also, they're incredibly sexist. When I go in by myself I get asked maybe 10% of the time if I need help, but I don't think I've ever been in there with my girlfriend and they haven't asked her if she needs help. Pretty funny when she probably knows more than they do.

 

[StuKen]

I remember the days before trade ins became the main focus with Game.. You could walk in and pretty much be able to get what you wanted Brand new...

Trade ins do hurt the publisher.. because someone else who would normally buy the game at full price, puts the money squarely into Games pocket which is usually only £1 less (on brand new titles)...

Even when you trade in say 2 games to get another.. those 2 games that you trade in still get sold to consumers pre owned, "money in Games pocket".. whereas it used to be if you wanted a game you bought it new.. game got a cut of the price and the rest went to the publisher etc...

Where do those first game that you trade in come from in the first place? Thin goddamn air? the sale of the initial stock is all they are legally entitled to. The simple fact is this, publishers rights are exhausted the moment the purchase transaction finishes. That's it. End, goddamn, of. Talk of post sale revenue is, to use gaf's favorite term is "self entitled" shitbaggery. Gaf doesn't like self entitlement does it, unless its by faceless sociopathic corporate constructs, that is. Then its fine and dandy. Ream on guys, ream on.

 

[BluWacky]

So what are the chances for a new up-and-coming retail outlet to cater for the enthusiasts? That ship has sailed, hasn't it?

Indies, basically. Although honestly my "local" indie (Game Focus on Goodge Street in London) always seems to have exactly the same stuff that GAME does aside from a few shelves of unwanted Prince of Tennis Gameboy imports and some second hand stuff (I think other people have better luck with these things!).

Interestingly, one of the few places that doesn't appear to have a Gamestation near a Game is central London. I suppose we have the incredible overpricing at HMV fairly close by instead, though.

(That said, the Gamestation that's now closed in Oxford City Centre did have SNES, Saturn and Megadrive titles right up until closure)

Aaw, man, it's closed? I remember my student years of wandering between Gamestation and GAME in the Westgate Centre to see which had the better prices/selection. Online shopping may be cheaper, but it doesn't beat having the game in your hand now...

 

[Noaloha]

Huh? Its right there on the first page.

So it is! What I typed was absolutely accurate for ~9:00pm last night though, pinky promise. Not a whiff of anything SCV-related on either website.

 

[frankie_baby]

We have two GAMEs within 100 yards of each other in my home town - one was an Electronics Boutique originally. I could never work out why they didn't shut the smaller of the two. We also have a Gamestation just round the corner.

Also, feel like sticking up for the staff. Most of the people I've dealt with in GAME have been pretty okay. I remember listening to the manager in one of the branches trying to convince a customer than Super Mario Galaxy was more fun than pretty much any other Wii game. Customer wouldn't have it though; Mario's for kids, he reckoned.

I'm thinking a lot of the reason many towns still have 2 GAMEs is that they may be on long leases that they can't get out of and with current trading conditions they just can't sell the shops to other retailers (why take on the lease of an occupied GAME shop when there are 2 tonnes of empty shops elsewhere)

 

[Coppertracks]

Not really, they won't have anything to sell.

Ohhh I dunno... I could pick up Pokemon spin-off no.36 or Super Monkey Ball for every system :/

 

[Nocturnowl]

Not really, they won't have anything to sell.

Nonsense, they have mountains of various fitness games to snap up on the cheap!

 

[radioheadrule83]

I remember the Virgin Megastore in Liverpool having Dreamcast demo units with Virtua Tennis on, and being too young to have the money to buy one myself at the time, I'd go there whenever I could and spend ages playing on the DC, surprised the staff didn't kick me out to be honest!

I queued up many a year at Virgin Megastore for gig and festival tickets. Used to buy all my music there too... the internet put paid to that. I got my DS phat there. Queued up at midnight to get one of those "touching is good" packs!

First time I saw a Dreamcast demo unit was in Chip Shop 2000 (which moved to Slater Street and sadly shut down) - it was the first place I played the N64 too. Actually, the first non-indie place I saw a Dreamcast demo unit was in the Odeon on Dunningsbridge Rd.

There used to be a great software shop near the black bull in Walton -- I used to get Amiga disks in there and stuff, it was like the gaming equivalent of Hairy Records... then there was Bits and Bytes in town (might have been the same people?)...

Electronics Boutique / GAME up at the business end of town was where I did most of my game shopping in Liverpool -- got my Gamecube, Xbox, PSP and DS Lite in there. Spent a lot of money with them over the years but they're not what they once where. And Gamestation too -- it was great when they were niche and stocked old NES/SNES carts and stuff. Now they're gone, replaced by iPod socks and crap like that, they're indistinguishable from GAME stores apart from the branding.

 

[Hypertrooper]

The only store group which sells the Witcher 2: Dark Edition and Mass Effect 3 Collectors edition sigh.

 

[Dragnet]

Ugh, I literally just pre-ordered SSX with them online yesterday because they're in game unlock is Eddie, am I not gonna get this by release now? Don't wanna cancel and lose Eddie!

 

[AdventureRacing]

This seems like something that will just continue spiraling out of control. They are performing poorly which means they can't keep the stock they want which turns customers away even more.

Maybe they can turn it around (i don't know their exact situation) but this doesn't sound all that good.

 

[radioheadrule83]

I'm thinking a lot of the reason many towns still have 2 GAMEs is that they may be on long leases that they can't get out of and with current trading conditions they just can't sell the shops to other retailers (why take on the lease of an occupied GAME shop when there are 2 tonnes of empty shops elsewhere)

This is almost certainly true. Near the docks in Liverpool, some of those buildings are leased to businesses for 14 years! 14!

 

[ruttyboy]

Having no specialist games retail chains is stage one in the digital download future, so depending on your view on that, YAY!/BOO!

 

[Shorty11857]

Honestly I'm not surprised Game are terrible, here in Dublin half the time their shelves are empty and if not the games on the shelf will not even be in stock!

I remember I tried to buy Dungeon Siege 3 on PS3 and they had 15 copies on the shelf and then was told it was out of stock

 

[dose]

Slightly selfish thought but imagine the clearance sales if they go bust... mmmmmmmm, could be good.

Problem is, their clearance sale prices would be the same as the normal prices on online stores.

 

[dellingr]

So I phoned their online orders team and they said FFXIII-2 copies came in this morning and they'll be shipped out later today (that's why the order still says unshipped) in time for us to get it on release day.

I just hope they aren't lying!

It seems that they're telling the truth. I just got an email from them confirming my preorder and it says that it'll be posted soon. So looks like we're safe this time.

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

It'd be interesting to see how much they spend obtaining retailer exclusive DLC and other pre-order bonuses.

 

[123rl]

Honestly I'm not surprised Game are terrible, here in Dublin half the time their shelves are empty and if not the games on the shelf will not even be in stock!

I remember I tried to buy Dungeon Siege 3 on PS3 and they had 15 copies on the shelf and then was told it was out of stock

Probably used dummy cases. Staff hate them more than customers hate them, guaranteed. If their area manager was like mine (a real cunt called Shane) then the staff were probably told they have to label the boxes up like actual stock because "telling staff that it is out of stock will stop customers coming to the till" and customers should come to the till, told it's out of stock, and then sold an alternative title

 

[dose]

It seems that they're telling the truth. I just got an email from them confirming my preorder and it says that it'll be posted soon. So looks like we're safe this time.

The Game website used to be ran be a completely different company to the high street stores. Not sure if that's still the case, but it was a while back.

 

[NekoFever]

I've got about £9 credit. Time to find a cheap game I missed out on from last year, I think. And quick.

 

[dreamcastmaster]

The loss of Game will make supermarkets raise their prices in so doing allow new indie chains a chance at success. Game are a big old dinosaur about to become extinct. I await the next generation games retailers with great expectations.

 

[PaulLFC]

So what are the chances for a new up-and-coming retail outlet to cater for the enthusiasts? That ship has sailed, hasn't it?

Grainger Games is good, at least round here, and it seems to be expanding its number of stores quite rapidly. They're cheaper than game (in fact they have a "cheapest in town" promise), they stock a pretty good selection of games, and they do console preorders. I've looked round my local Game a few times lately, but I can't remember the last time I actually bought anything from them. They're just too overpriced, even preowned - you can get most games for the same price or less online, and they'll be new copies.

 

[Sephiroth503]

Honestly I'm not surprised Game are terrible, here in Dublin half the time their shelves are empty and if not the games on the shelf will not even be in stock!

I remember I tried to buy Dungeon Siege 3 on PS3 and they had 15 copies on the shelf and then was told it was out of stock

Almost exact same experience, went in to get Goldeneye Reloaded, loadsa copies on the shelf and "Sold Out" when I reached the till.....

 

[hurricanepilot]

So it is! What I typed was absolutely accurate for ~9:00pm last night though, pinky promise. Not a whiff of anything SCV-related on either website.

I pre-ordered it yesterday and can confirm that at about mid-day, it wasn't on the gameplay website either - only the fight sticks were available. All up there today though, and was up there the day before.

My guess is that they pulled it because of these problems, sorted out a deal with the publisher/supplier, then put it all back up.

 

[PaulLFC]

From the share page on Game's site, the market capitalisation of the entire company (Game, Gamestation, Gameplay and whatever else) is apparently £20 million. Now I don't know much about shares, but for a company the size of Game that doesn't sound good.

 

[The Emperor]

It seems that they're telling the truth. I just got an email from them confirming my preorder and it says that it'll be posted soon. So looks like we're safe this time.

Yeah just got that e-mail too!! *phew*

I was on the verge of ordering from Amazon, had everything filled and almost clicked "place order"!

 

[CrunchinJelly]

Just looking on their website and I didn't realise it was this bad... http://www.game.co.uk/en/games/?att...ttributeValue1=63&attributeName2=Release Date

[/IMG]

Yes, that's right, GAME - supposedly the biggest games retailer in the country - currently has 21 new Xbox 360 games in stock. 21. That's pathetic.

I would love to hear from someone who works in their warehouse.

 

[Shorty11857]

Probably used dummy cases. Staff hate them more than customers hate them, guaranteed. If their area manager was like mine (a real cunt called Shane) then the staff were probably told they have to label the boxes up like actual stock because "telling staff that it is out of stock will stop customers coming to the till" and customers should come to the till, told it's out of stock, and then sold an alternative title

The only thing is every time that happened to me I'd just walk out of the store and buy nothing.

I wouldn't mind if there was just the one copy on the shelf but when there's a shelf full of them it really annoys me

 

[grimshawish]

Just looking on their website and I didn't realise it was this bad... http://www.game.co.uk/en/games/?att...ttributeValue1=63&attributeName2=Release Date

[/IMG]

Yes, that's right, GAME - supposedly the biggest games retailer in the country - currently has 21 new Xbox 360 games in stock. 21. That's pathetic.

I would love to hear from someone who works in their warehouse.

Shows brilliantly as well how much PC gaming has shifted online - just look at the amount of stock their stuck with!

 

[scarybore]

The only store group which sells the Witcher 2: Dark Edition and Mass Effect 3 Collectors edition sigh.

Yeah, if this fucks up my Mass Effect 3 CE pre-order which I've had for what feels like an eternity, then I'll be pissed.

Can't say I'm surprised at the situation however as Game management is clearly shit. Still have 2 stores within a minute walk of each other where I am.