GAME over, man! GAME over!

[aubergine]

Retailer Game are in a spot of bother with 100 closures to occur in the UK and their "top brass" resigning after falling profits.

Any relationship between this news and a new retail agreement between GAME and Hyper magazine is purely speculative. I asked Chris Stead, editor of half-priced Gamestop-owned US-content magazine Game Informer for comment, and he said "Get the **** out of my bathroom, who the **** are you?"

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/game-shutting-over-100-uk-shops

[cube_punk]

Hope this doesn't spread internationally. I like my job, thank you very much.


[edit] actually it won't hurt them too much over there. They've got so many stores closing some down would save them a TON of money. I doubt they'd even consider closing Australian stores though. As far as I'm aware GAME is growing significantly here.

[Natrak]

It's been sounding like this would happen in the UK for a while now, I believe. So it doesn't really come across as a surprise. Hopefully it helps strengthen the chain in the long-term.

[Shaftoe]

I was in a Game store this afternoon, the manager was practically begging me to buy something. He reiterated 3 times that they pricematch, just in case I wasn't sure, the desperation was palpable. This is in a major shopping centre in Adelaide, there's an EB, JB, Gamestraders and Game. I've always thought it was a wee bit crowded in terms of competition here, and if you ask me it's blatantly obvious which store will be the first to go. Game really offers nothing unique next to the other 3, tres vanilla. (sorry Game employees)

[Lazlow]

Not to blow smoke up Cube's butt, but I currently prefer GAME. For one you get sealed games, and lately I've found their prices to be cheaper.

[BB2K]

I got Mirror's Edge for $4 today from there. If they start selling more games at that price I'm sure they'll get loads more customer. Probably lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, but still.

[Shaftoe]

Their prices are very competitive lately, I'll give them that. In my area Gametraders significantly undercuts everyone else, the store is huge, always crowded, good service as well, compared to the desperately cooler than thou posers at JB and the suits that seem to populate EB. Game has cool employees as well, I'll usually talk some shit with them about whatever they're playing and digging. This may sound silly, but I hate the aesthetics of Game stores, the layout and design put me off, right down to the bags and logo. Gametraders have the most pleasing store aesthetics for what it's worth (I'm aware this may sound dumb, but on a subliminal level these things count for something. They also have heaps of good dvds, comics, clothing, collectables, errthang. Their retro prices are nothing short of insulting though. EB keeps on ripping everyone off as much as they can get away with and JB don't seem to give a shit besides having reasonable release prices.

I think Game could use a makeover stylewise.

[Mr.Mew]

I got Mirror's Edge for $4 today from there. If they start selling more games at that price I'm sure they'll get loads more customer. Probably lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, but still.

Same here, for the PC. I asked "Why the craaaaaaazy price?" and the store guy was all like "We have about 6000 other copies back at head office that we still need to get rid of".

[aubergine]

I was a bit baffled by GAME from the very beginning over here. They were opening across the aisle from EBs but offering nothing different, were at first more expensive, and in terms of shop design and aesthetic are so beige as to make EB look stylish. A new one opened at a shopping centre 20 mins away that is a dead zone for retail anyway and already has a JB, EB and Big W thrashing it out for pennies and a Harvey Norman across the road. I go there for trade fodder because there's just no retail traction there, given low population density and the bigger, better centre barely 10 minutes further north with GAME, EB, Target, Kmart, Myer and, at one crazy stage, even Sanity selling computer games. Oh and Dick Smith. There's also a WOW nearby.

I'm not complaining though. So long as all these guys keep shanking each other in the privates the games worth having will be $25 and the universe as it should be. I just don't see how it can go on forever. Someone will get wise and simply cancel the entire Sunshine Coast.

[VanAce]

I got Mirror's Edge for $4 today from there. If they start selling more games at that price I'm sure they'll get loads more customer. Probably lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, but still.

I got ripped off I bought it for $19 a few weeks ago

I guess the more competition there is the only winner can be the consumer. Lucky its not a Coles/ Woolies kind of thing with.

[Starscream]

GAME over, man! GAME over!

I'd link the youtube video but it contains swears. :(

Stores closing down is bad for the employees but when you have online stores like zavvi.com that are way cheaper than a retail shop and offer free delivery within the UK, how can you compete?

[Shaftoe]

Yeah we've also got Target, K-mart, Big W, Dick Smith, all within a minutes walking distance of each other in the same mall, Harvey Norman just down the road too. I have no idea how the specialist game shops manage to co-exist, it's a reminder of an economic climate that doesn't really exist anymore. Someone's gotta get kicked off the island soon, and sorry but at the mo you are the weakest link GAME. I'd vote EB off if I could.

[AranchineD]

Well hopefully they do shut down completely because YAY FOR CLOSING DOWN SALES

[Starscream]

I think the GAME store in Lidcombe NSW is closed. Heard someone say if they have any queries/layby/etc or any other business at the Lidcombe store they would have to go to the Parramatta store.

[McChimp]

Someone's gotta get kicked off the island soon, and sorry but at the mo you are the weakest link GAME. I'd vote EB off if I could.

As a Game employee I find that a little offensive. My store ALONE craps all over my local EB's, quality and price-wise, AND customer service from what I hear from customers (who flat-out REFUSE to go back to EB due to the shitty attitudes of the staff). As far as I'm concerned, EB is the weakest link, as they haven't really upped their game since Game appeared and have, if anything, started to give less of a damn.

[Jickle]

I hope GAME stays open for a while. I've got $89 store credit and the only thing I intend to buy in the immediate future is the God of War Collection, which only costs $49. What would become of my other $40?!

[McChimp]

I hope GAME stays open for a while. I've got $89 store credit and the only thing I intend to buy in the immediate future is the God of War Collection, which only costs $49. What would become of my other $40?!

I'd take it and keep it. That's what I do.

[Lazlow]

EB stores around here are grubby and poorly presented; patchy shelf stock, tables with dog piles of game cases and way too much crap hanging from the roof and in the doorway.

I generally just stick with JB and GAME.

[cube_punk]

As a Game employee I find that a little offensive. My store ALONE craps all over my local EB's, quality and price-wise, AND customer service from what I hear from customers (who flat-out REFUSE to go back to EB due to the shitty attitudes of the staff). As far as I'm concerned, EB is the weakest link, as they haven't really upped their game since Game appeared and have, if anything, started to give less of a damn.

I'll second that. Don't know your position (casual, part time, etc), but as a store manager I'm constantly stoked to hear customers come in and praise my team's service, knowledge, and our store's pricing. Since starting work at GAME I've had so many customers rubbish EB due to their basically nonexistant customer service. It really feels good to know your store is doing something right. Another interesting thing to note is the Regional EB Manager's office is in their store just around the corner from my store. We see their regional managers in our store roughly fortnightly checking out our store. If you have to check the competition that frequently....

I'll also second the fact that EB are the one on the back foot right now, and to a lesser extent JB. I won't say that GAME are a powerhouse and smash everybody, but EB have made hardly any attempt to win back the business. All their strengths lie in pricematching, and special editions as they're the company that has the brand recognition. They offer next to nothing for trades, and while their console bundles are good, the rest of their pricing isn't. And has anyone seen JB's games prices these days? It's getting to the point where even they can't afford to sell games $25 cheaper all the time anymore.


When you talk about companies closing down, GAME would be as far away from that as you could get. And another thing people forget sometimes, is that at the end of the day it's a business. Sure, Kmart and Big W can sell games at $78 on day 1, but as we were demonstrated at our last store manager's conference, selling 500 copies of a game at $109.95 is way more profitable than selling 2000 at $78.

[Stevorooni]

I don't swear alligience to any particular store, I just go to where I can get the game I want for the lowest price, which is usually JB or places like Big W.

I think I've only bought 3 things from GAME, a play and charge kit, 12 month Live subscription and Uncharted 2 (using a trade deal and got a free bag)

That said I've always found the staff to be incredibly friendly, even if I'm just going in for a browse they're saying g'day (aching for a sale, but whatever, they seem genuine). Whenever I go to EB or JB I feel like they hate me.

So I hope GAME sticks around. and that they open a store near my house.

[Shaftoe]

As a Game employee I find that a little offensive. My store ALONE craps all over my local EB's, quality and price-wise, AND customer service from what I hear from customers (who flat-out REFUSE to go back to EB due to the shitty attitudes of the staff). As far as I'm concerned, EB is the weakest link, as they haven't really upped their game since Game appeared and have, if anything, started to give less of a damn.

No offense meant, I'm talking strictly about my local situation, not the franchise on a national/international level (I've literally been into one GAME store in my life). There just seems to be too much comp around here, I've actually bought a bunch of stuff from GAME and haven't really been in EB since there's been viable alternatives. It's just that EB has all the contracts for exclusives and whatknot, doesn't mean anything to me as I never preorder anything or even buy anything brand new, seems to hold a lot of weight for others though. I wish you the best of luck for nabbing your local commerce. The franchise could still use a design switch up.

Also, I've bought stuff there a couple of times recently and then had to take it back because they were sneakily putting sale stickers directly over product flaws. Was sorta annoying just on principle and put me off the store a bit (funky sale prices notwithstanding).

[Natrak]

Oddly enough, I've probably found my local EB staff to be better than those at my local Game.

[Lazlow]

What's everyone's beef with GAME's corporate image?

I think its fine, its clean, clear and striking.

[VanAce]

As a Game employee I find that a little offensive. My store ALONE craps all over my local EB's, quality and price-wise, AND customer service from what I hear from customers (who flat-out REFUSE to go back to EB due to the shitty attitudes of the staff). As far as I'm concerned, EB is the weakest link, as they haven't really upped their game since Game appeared and have, if anything, started to give less of a damn.

The EBs around my place are more concerned about hiring hot chicks than anything else.

[Lazlow]

Good strategy.

[FF Freak]

The EBs around my place are more concerned about hiring hot chicks than anything else.

That seems to be the case at a lot of EB stores. Before Game turned up in my local area I'd always go into the city to buy my games at Dungeon Crawl unless their was something I really wanted to Pre-order, simply because of the fact that I'd get decent customer service and be talking to people who actually knew what they were talking about when it comes to games. Now I mostly shop at Game because I've been getting similar service there and don't have to travel an hour by public transport.

[StorminNorman]

Since starting work at GAME I've had so many customers rubbish EB due to their basically nonexistant customer service.

To be fair, EB Eastland is probably the worst EB in Victoria. As soon as they figure out that hiring trendoid non-gamer staff is a really bad idea for a games store, they might actually get customers coming back.

All the good EB staff in Ringwood work down at the one in Centro. I don't understand why Ringwood needs two EBs, though.

Realistically though, the store that's struggling at Eastland is the Gametraders, which is a pity, because I really like the guy that runs it.

[VanAce]

That seems to be the case at a lot of EB stores. Before Game turned up in my local area I'd always go into the city to buy my games at Dungeon Crawl unless their was something I really wanted to Pre-order, simply because of the fact that I'd get decent customer service and be talking to people who actually knew what they were talking about when it comes to games. Now I mostly shop at Game because I've been getting similar service there and don't have to travel an hour by public transport.

I'd go to Dungeon Crawl more often but like you its an hour on public transport.

[Ad-Rock]

I think our local GAME store must be struggling to make a profit.

I live in a town of 25,000 trying to support EB & GAME + who have to compete with cheapo stores like K-Mart and Big-W. We also have Dick Smith, Retravision and Harvey Norman all trying to get in on the action too.

I try to spread my money between the two specialised stores, but if a game is $10 cheaper elsewhere I go there.

[cube_punk]

To be fair, EB Eastland is probably the worst EB in Victoria. As soon as they figure out that hiring trendoid non-gamer staff is a really bad idea for a games store, they might actually get customers coming back.

All the good EB staff in Ringwood work down at the one in Centro. I don't understand why Ringwood needs two EBs, though.

Realistically though, the store that's struggling at Eastland is the Gametraders, which is a pity, because I really like the guy that runs it.

I'm talking about Knox as well, considering I work there now ;) The ones at Knox are especially dodgy, I caught them once handing out flyers promoting one of their sales inside my store. So, I took them all back to them and basically told them to **** off, and center management weren't to happy to hear about it. I think they copped a fine of some sorts for that one ;)

[AranchineD]

At least my local EB had heard of Bayonetta.

And Mass Effect 2.

And actually say dodgy games are dodgy when people ask about them.

And think the DS Zelda games suck ass.

And will automatically give me a price matched price and a sealed copy of games without me even asking.

[McChimp]

And actually say dodgy games are dodgy when people ask about them.

I'm still unsure if this is a good tactic sales-wise, but I try to be as honest as possible and, if people ask, I'll give them my opinion. I'll also endeavour to offer an alternative to said-game, if they don't already have it. I've actually sworn people off a few games, only to get better sales than the ones I would've got had they taken their original choice, so that's a bonus.

[RunningMild]

Retailer Game are in a spot of bother with 100 closures to occur in the UK and their "top brass" resigning after falling profits.

Any relationship between this news and a new retail agreement between GAME and Hyper magazine is purely speculative. I asked Chris Stead, editor of half-priced Gamestop-owned US-content magazine Game Informer for comment, and he said "Get the **** out of my bathroom, who the **** are you?"

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/game-shutting-over-100-uk-shops

Chris Stead used to write for N64 Gamer. His middle name was 'is a complete bar'. ;)

[Bokracroc]

I think our local GAME store must be struggling to make a profit.

I live in a town of 25,000 trying to support EB & GAME + who have to compete with cheapo stores like K-Mart and Big-W. We also have Dick Smith, Retravision and Harvey Norman all trying to get in on the action too.

I try to spread my money between the two specialised stores, but if a game is $10 cheaper elsewhere I go there.

Heh, the shopping centre across from where I work has a GAME and EB across from each other, also a Big-W, Target, two Dick Smiths (One in the centre, a Powerhouse across the road) and JB Hi-Fi in the same centre.
The thing is the GAME generally auto-price reduce to match/just a bit more JB Hi-Fi for popular new games. EB you generally have to actively ask for the price-matching, as in they're aware of it but they'll charge you full price unless you ask to price-match.

The shopping centre next to me only has a EB, Cashies, Big-W and GameTraders though. EB is easy enough to price-match to JB though. Just drop you can't be bothered going up to the other centre to match JB's price and they will generally call them up to confirm the price.
GameTraders depends on where he gets his stock from though. Resonance Of Fate was $85 for the 360 but $99 for the PS3 version, he sold out of PS3 discs and had to order in from a different supplier that charged more.

[amcam]

Well, my local Shopping centre (Watergardens in VIC) Has Target, Big W, EB, JB, DSE and Game in the centre, no to mention Good Guys and Harvey Norman right outside. Thing is the Game is right between DSE and JB on one end of the centre, so their pricing is always beat. From memory, I think they also only have 4 or 5 employees rotating...

[VanAce]

To be fair, EB Eastland is probably the worst EB in Victoria. As soon as they figure out that hiring trendoid non-gamer staff is a really bad idea for a games store, they might actually get customers coming back.

All the good EB staff in Ringwood work down at the one in Centro. I don't understand why Ringwood needs two EBs, though.

Realistically though, the store that's struggling at Eastland is the Gametraders, which is a pity, because I really like the guy that runs it.

I was thinking that also The Eastland one even though crapper probably does better sales as the Centro is further from the train station.

Yeah the Gametraders seems to be stuggling a bit. Doesn't help that it is competeing with Big W, JB, Game, 2 EBs (One in the centre and down the road), K-Mart and a Target down the road. I've used them for my last few purchases so hopefully they pick up a bit now that they sell toys, t-shirts and anime.

I'm talking about Knox as well, considering I work there now ;) The ones at Knox are especially dodgy, I caught them once handing out flyers promoting one of their sales inside my store. So, I took them all back to them and basically told them to **** off, and center management weren't to happy to hear about it. I think they copped a fine of some sorts for that one ;)

I think they are more concerned about hiring hot chicks than anything else. Went in on a Monday afternoon and they 2 hot chick in there which looked like their previous work experience was most likely Supre.

[Lazlow]

So basically EBs are becoming like night clubs.

[VanAce]

So basically EBs are becoming like night clubs.

Yes. But under-aged kids are allowed in. But last time I was in there some kid came up to me asked me if I was over 18. My first assumption was he wanted me to buy him alcohol. But he wanted me to trade in a game for him.

[enrique]

My first assumption was he wanted me to buy him alcohol. But he wanted me to trade in a game for him.

So did you?

My local EB and Game are within the same complex quite close to each other (and Big W and DSE). I've found that Game staff usually ask if you need a hand when your browsing and EB never do but both stores have pretty good customer service so I usually go for the lowest price. My local EB has had hot chicks working in as well as the present time but they seem to know their job and do it pretty well in my eyes, no complaints here. Maybe I'm just lucky.

[Second]

Man, Last time I was in GAME I was served by this hot chick. She didn't seem very interested in the job and she looked a little tired.

I think her name was Hayley or something.

[cube_punk]

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuurn!

[Second]

I've totally added her on facebook. http://uyac.com.au/forum/images/smilies/discodolph2.gif

[aubergine]

We should have a competition to post pics of the most beautiful computer game sales people. I'd win if I could get a pic of the (Indian?) woman who works at EB Maroochydore, she's just stunning, elegant and generally terrific.