GAME Australia enters administration, takes Diablo III?

[Antitonic]

Looks like GAME Australia is following its UK counter-part. There's nothing officially announced yet, but Kotaku is reporting that staff got emails to the effect of "We're in administration". By itself, not great news, but that doesn't mean all the stores are closing. However, there is some other news:

"Due to the appointment of an administrator to our business this morning, it is with regret that I inform you all that our stores will not be receiving any stock of diablo 3 (sic). Because of this, we regrettably will be unable to fulfill any pre-orders. Also, we will be unable to refund any deposits paid towards a pre-order of diablo 3. If you need any more info, please email customerrelations@game.com.au"

That's apparently a copy of text messages sent to customers. The part that sticks out?

Because of this, we regrettably will be unable to fulfill any pre-orders. Also, we will be unable to refund any deposits paid towards a pre-order of diablo 3.

What annoys me is that under Australian law, it is legal for a company in administration to not perform refunds. So conceivably, people could very well end up with nothing.

Opinions? Anyone get this message?

Source: The Verge [http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/5/13/3018593/game-australia-goes-into-administration], Kotaku [http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/05/game-australia-has-gone-into-administration/].

UPDATE: According to the forums [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5007290816], Blizzard is willing to help out anyone who misses out on their copy of D3 due to the situation at hand.

 

[distortedreality]

Hardly surprising. It sucks, but not much that can be done about it unfortunately.

Having said that, pre-ordering a game from a company that has had serious financial problems for a while now probably wasn't the smartest move to make, especially when you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

If it was me, and for whatever reason i'd pre-ordered D3 through GAME, I would of cancelled and got a refund as soon as the UK situation looked like happening.

I do feel for people that this effects though.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Oh great, it's the whole ME3 and The Last Story all over again in Australia! Well ok this only apply for those who intend to buy the game over there but still I can feel their annoyances (I pre order The Last Story from GAME too).

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well people already knew this was going on with GAME, if they still gave them money I can hardly feel sorry for such stupidity, if $60+ is what it takes to learn the lesson then so be it.
None the less it is incredibly sleazy of GAME stores to even take in pre-orders knowing people will be getting fucked, but then again sleazy is their bread and butter and your job as a consumer to not let them rape you.

 

[Rawne1980]

Well, I hope this time one of those big retailers dies. Last time it was an equal disappointing ending like ME3.

Yay, it's great that a whole horde of people lose their jobs. That's fantastic and we should all celebrate.

Comments like this irritate me to no end.

 

[Iwata]

Well, I hope this time one of those big retailers dies. Last time it was an equal disappointing ending like ME3.

Speaking as someone who lost his job and has been unable to find another in this economy (oh, and I have a daughter on the way) when one of those "big retailers" died, I'd like to tell you things that'd get me in trouble in these forums... but I won't, because I'm a civilized man.

 

[wooty]

Well, I hope this time one of those big retailers dies. Last time it was an equal disappointing ending like ME3.

Yay, it's great that a whole horde of people lose their jobs. That's fantastic and we should all celebrate.

Comments like this irritate me to no end.

Couldnt agree with you more. Been down that road of losing my job due to administration and its not a pretty one.

OT: I thought they went down with the UK branches, or are the Aus ones not linked with us except in name?

 

[Craorach]

A lot of people are being screwed by this, employees included.

I stopped into my local Game after I was told, and it was clear the girl there had been crying, she'd been abused by dozens of assholes more concerned about their game than the money or this person's job.

I'm pissed that we won't see our money back, Aussie law basically means we're unsecured creditors and only get money after everyone else who they owe money gets theirs.

 

[Iwata]

Well, I hope this time one of those big retailers dies. Last time it was an equal disappointing ending like ME3.

Speaking as someone who lost his job and has been unable to find another in this economy (oh, and I have a daughter on the way) when one of those "big retailers" died, I'd like to tell you things that'd get me in trouble in these forums... but I won't, because I'm a civilized man.

There are always casualties in war.

Well, shit, man, that makes me feel a lot better that you feel that way! Talk about casually dismissing other people's problems for your own satisfaction. Any other clichés you feel like throwing to make those who are unemployed and yourself feel better?

The thing most people fail to realize is that GAME employees are gamers, just like everyone else. I worked at Gamestop and lost my job there for the very same reasons, and the ammount of people clapping and cheering made me realize just how cruel people can be. their petty dislike for a commercial chain overrides whatever humane feelings they may have towards the thousands of people who will have their lives screwed over because of stuff like this.

When I worked at Gamestop, I loved what I did, and I shared that with our customers. I never once gave anyone a bad deal, and I was ALWAYS honest with my opinions, sometimes at the expense of a sale. I treated every customer as if it was me walking through those doors. So to see some of the gaming community I happily served be all joyfull at the incredible mess my life suddenly became, well... it felt bad, let's just say that. Thankfuly, I know the majority of people are not like that.

 

[Iwata]

snip

Since you continued like a civilized man I'm going to answer you.

I don't want to imply that it is a good thing that people will lose jobs. It is actually the only thing that does not let me enjoy the sweet bitterness in the downfall of GAME like I'd like to.

But is this really the only argument in hoping to keep GAME afloat? Because to be honest, I find it a weak argument. It provides jobs... So do a lot more retailers without screwing over customers, the industry they get their products from and their employes.

Well, this are just my thoughts, I hope for you you'll find a job soon.

It's not just "they provide jobs".

It's "they provide jobs for people who are passionate about what they do, who often fight the company to keep customers happy, and who are the first thrown into the fire when the shit hits the fan, while others cheer". I have a lot of retail experience, and you don't find many places where the people behind the counter care as much for what they do than at GAME or Gamestop. Because like I said, we see ourselves in every customer.

And thanks for the best wishes.

 

[Iwata]

Well, I hope this time one of those big retailers dies. Last time it was an equal disappointing ending like ME3.

Speaking as someone who lost his job and has been unable to find another in this economy (oh, and I have a daughter on the way) when one of those "big retailers" died, I'd like to tell you things that'd get me in trouble in these forums... but I won't, because I'm a civilized man.

Sometimes progres requires a little suffering.

As for the people working there I have no sympathy for them. GAME in Australia has been on the verge of collapse for a long time now. Anybody smart enough would have realised this and already gotten a new job. You dont wait untill the sinking ship is completely underwater before you abandon it.

It must be nice living a life so certain of the capabilities and lives of others that you can so casualy pass judgement.