GAME exits Administration

[jcdentont1000]

But it is a loss. I don't like Game. But I certainly don't like the idea of being pushed further into a digital situation, which is where things are heading.

WHy not though? I love downloading games, maybe I'm in the minority, but give me a TB harddrive micrsoft, and I'll buy all my games of the demand service.

Have you seen the PSN recently? They are widely deemed uncompetitive on price compared to both the high street and other online retailers. In fact, games cost considerably more to download than to purchase physically. MCV reported that Vita games cost on average 17% more to download than buy in store; Asphalt Injection (name still makes me laugh) cost £20 on most of the high street (except GAME), but was £30 on the PSN.

[pratty]

I think when people say good riddence etc, it's not that they actually want one less retail store in the highstreet, I think we all agree the more retail choice, the better. What they really mean is good riddence to Game's practices and overall shopping experience.

I don't think anybody would be saying good riddence to Game if it was a friendly no-nonsense game shop with decent prices, and non-pushy service.

[theantmeister]

But it is a loss. I don't like Game. But I certainly don't like the idea of being pushed further into a digital situation, which is where things are heading.

WHy not though? I love downloading games, maybe I'm in the minority, but give me a TB harddrive micrsoft, and I'll buy all my games of the demand service.

Have you seen the PSN recently? They are widely deemed uncompetitive on price compared to both the high street and other online retailers. In fact, games cost considerably more to download than to purchase physically. MCV reported that Vita games cost on average 17% more to download than buy in store; Asphalt Injection (name still makes me laugh) cost £20 on most of the high street (except GAME), but was £30 on the PSN.

PSN and XBL still haven't worked that online pricing needs to be cheaper. Steam has proven again and again, that you can sell a ton of games at a lower price and still make more profit. Maybe one day they'll realise this. It certainly won't help if Game goes under.

I like Game. The staff are generally ok and aren't terribly pushy. I think maybe once they tried to sell me a Mortal Kombat strategy guide, but most of the time the staff are chatty, but they get on with it.

I've always wondered how Game can afford to have so many stores around the country. Especially when you add Gamestation into that equation. I guess I know the answer to that now...

[Fightersmegamix]

Where will we be able to listen to 10 year old nu-metal music played while we shop now?

[ALK]

Really don't want to see Game or Gamestation vanish from the high streets. Otherwise, I've got no gaming stores to pop in and have a browse for bargains, except CeX and HMV (Top dog for rip offs). Was going to preorder Kid Icarus from them to get some more Reward Points after ordering my lasr few new games from Amazon and Zavvi, but after this, now I'm not so sure. :/

And now I just got an email from Zavvi, offering double reward points for EA games. Didnt take them long to take advantage huh?

[theantmeister]

Where will we be able to listen to 10 year old nu-metal music played while we shop now?

Ugh, I hate gamestation. The music is always dreadful and the staff couldn't give a rats ass.

The only store I hate more is CEX. The staff in there scare me.

[Darran@Retro Gamer]

Where will we be able to listen to 10 year old nu-metal music played while we shop now?

Ugh, I hate gamestation. The music is always dreadful and the staff couldn't give a rats ass.

The only store I hate more is CEX. The staff in there scare me.

See it's the opposite for me. I know everyone by name in my local game and they me. Game staff constantly leap on you as soon as you get in the shop. Terrible service.

[jcdentont1000]

Where will we be able to listen to 10 year old nu-metal music played while we shop now?

Ugh, I hate gamestation. The music is always dreadful and the staff couldn't give a rats ass.

The only store I hate more is CEX. The staff in there scare me.

See it's the opposite for me. I know everyone by name in my local game and they me. Game staff constantly leap on you as soon as you get in the shop. Terrible service.

They are just doing as they are told, Darran, most of my colleagues used to work at GameStation in the 'good times' under Blockbuster. When GAME acquired them, they were forced to push preorders, trade ins, guides, t-shirts - and most of them jumped ship to Grainger instead for this reason alone.

I don't think there's a single sales clerk who enjoys being targeted on preorders and cross-selling - there is no commission or bonus or any incentive, it's basically 'offer this this and this or you're sacked'

[che_don_john]

So, should we be poised for a GAME closing-down sale, and expect some absolute bargains to fuel our collecting needs?

[retrojc]

Have you seen the PSN recently? They are widely deemed uncompetitive on price compared to both the high street and other online retailers. In fact, games cost considerably more to download than to purchase physically. MCV reported that Vita games cost on average 17% more to download than buy in store; Asphalt Injection (name still makes me laugh) cost £20 on most of the high street (except GAME), but was £30 on the PSN.

have you not sen the rest of my post?

So, £49.99 for the brand new COD on Live may seem high, but can't you remember paying £54.99 for Tekken on PlayStation? PSP Go was a learning curve that, looking at Vita Sony learned from.

I personally hate the current retail stores, i've been mistreated far too many times. I'm not wishing people loose their jobs as im sure there are nice people in the companies, but still, goodbye the the trash.

Accept it guys, we're moving into a digital age.

I don't want anyone to have a monopoly over the gaming retail, but I don't really care. Case point... I have spent hundreds on single games in the past, so I really care about paying £5/£10 extra for a brand new title of a download service that I'll be able to have forever on my harddrive, with no risk of disc damage? I am sold! hahaha

[Mootown]

GAME out of business means other smaller publishers lose lots of revenue, you would see publishers such as Konami, Capcom, Koei etc really struggling

Rubbish, most people who play games by those companies already buy online.

Actually buddy it's not rubbish - GAME can command over 70% market share on a lot of hardcore titles simply because they support/buy the smaller titles in larger numbers than anyone else can. GAME dissapearing would not automatically move this share into the online space, there would be some drop off. For example, an online retailer won't automatically take a publishers word for it that they can sell more if GAME weren't there. Smaller companies only have a certain amount of working capital. I worked with pretty much all the publishers over 5 or 6 years while at GAME and the support GAME give these guys is more than everyone else. I'm not saying someone else couldn't pick up the slack over time, don't get me wrong. I just wouldn't assume because you and your mates buy elsewhere everyone else does.

[retrojc]

GAME out of business means other smaller publishers lose lots of revenue, you would see publishers such as Konami, Capcom, Koei etc really struggling

Rubbish, most people who play games by those companies already buy online.

Actually buddy it's not rubbish - GAME can command over 70% market share on a lot of hardcore titles simply because they support/buy the smaller titles in larger numbers than anyone else can. GAME dissapearing would not automatically move this share into the online space, there would be some drop off. For example, an online retailer won't automatically take a publishers word for it that they can sell more if GAME weren't there. Smaller companies only have a certain amount of working capital. I worked with pretty much all the publishers over 5 or 6 years while at GAME and the support GAME give these guys is more than everyone else. I'm not saying someone else couldn't pick up the slack over time, don't get me wrong. I just wouldn't assume because you and your mates buy elsewhere everyone else does.

Will havw to agree with this, I buy all my niche retail games from Game or GS.

[pratty]

Game staff constantly leap on you as soon as you get in the shop. Terrible service.

They are just doing as they are told, Darran, most of my colleagues used to work at GameStation in the 'good times' under Blockbuster. When GAME acquired them, they were forced to push preorders, trade ins, guides, t-shirts - and most of them jumped ship to Grainger instead for this reason alone.

I don't think there's a single sales clerk who enjoys being targeted on preorders and cross-selling - there is no commission or bonus or any incentive, it's basically 'offer this this and this or you're sacked'

This is my main problem with Game and Gamestation, fix this and I'd be in there all the time.

The trouble is the higher-ups are too arrogant and stubborn to realise that what they think is a clever revenue increasing strategy is ironincally what puts people off. And actually putting off the "hardcore" gamers (who buy more) the most. I don't think they'll ever change though, and as I've said before, the more they squeeze the more customers slip through their fingers.

[retrojc]

e "hardcore" gamers (who buy more) the most.

Very very wrong.

[James A]

Retro JC you just have to look what Sony were charging for Mass Effect 2 digital when it came out £59.99. Not sure if its still the same price but that was a £20 mark up on even the most expensive retail price. Now i would gladly suffer being hassled for pre orders and stuff if in Game if in the end if i would save £20.

The main thing that annoys me with Game especially one of the ones in Coventry is that when you walk in you can see the manager start nagging the sales assistant to go over to you. Thats what puts me off going in there, if i want help ill ask for it.

So, should we be poised for a GAME closing-down sale, and expect some absolute bargains to fuel our collecting needs?

If that happend wouldn't the stock be absorbed up by Gamestation?