GAME in Trouble

[MatParker116]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a363351/game-struggling-to-supply-stock-amid-credit-concerns.html

GAME is facing possible supply issues after losing credit insurance with a number of publishing agencies.

The high-street retailer's ability to stock new games is in doubt, unless it is able to pay for new stock in cash.

Despite the concerns, imminent releases such as Final Fantasy XIII-2, Soul Calibur V and Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection are said to be moving through the system.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a363470/ea-concerned-about-financial-state-of-game.html

Electronic Arts has expressed concerns about the financial state of a "major European retail partner", thought to be GAME.

EA's John Riccitiello told investors that the retailer's financial condition could affect future earnings.

"We are concerned with the financial condition of one of our major European retail partners, which could lead to both increased bad debt and lost sales," he said.

Basically GAME is having trouble getting credit to stock its stores and EA is worried about it's fiancial state. If GAME were to go under it would pretty much leave HMV & supermarkets as the UK's only major games retailer on the high street.

Given that I mainly use Amazon and Xbox Live to buy games I doubt this will affect me much although this could seriously damage the gaming market here in the UK. Thoughts fellow Englishmen?

 

[Pinhead Larry]

Good riddance. It's sad to see any company go under, but Game was full of unkind managers, terrible prices and poor quality choices for actually buying games. I have CEX and Gamestation across from each other in my town as well as Game, and it will mean nothing to me if they go.

 

[GoaThief]

It's not good really, people singing the virtues of supermarkets as they are cheaper and GAME being some evil corporate entity... do they not realise the buying power of supermarket chains and the wrongs they do? We need dedicated gaming stores on the high street, many independents cannot survive there due to the astronomical costs involved so if that means only chains like GAME flying the flag, so be it. It's better than the alternative of none at all/supermarkets leading the charge.

On a side note, do you think it's possible to see a mini-run on GAME much like you would a bank? I have some loyalty points and will be cashing all of them out pre-ordering Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning due to this news, I expect others will be doing the same or buying Xbox cards, etc. It may not help GAME and slightly contradict my first paragraph but it is my money after all, and I might well have not previously placed and order with them if the reward points didn't exist.

Sad times for all involved, especially employees.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Well crap, GAME is where I buy my games from since I have a reward card from there. Well if they do go under, I probably will just start buying my games from HMV (again I havea reward card from there) or Amazon.

 

[Tayh]

I'll have to really change my stocks to be able to afford such a catastrophic beginning. I feel sorry for everyone, all of them, because I know that the medics won't reach GAME in time, and that unlike me, it'll go down like a lead brick, because that's free commerce. I remember GAME a little too well, I suspect, although what I did was all because of Father Hatch. One of these days, that big purple sign gonna tumble on down, down the line, and I won't be there, I'll be in Redding, for the hats. I don't know how people can't resist the temptation to pluck the fruits of our most fruitful of industries right out of the very air, since you can do that now, if you have a monolith purring beside you.

What... Your post... It made no sense at all.

 

[Mister Eff]

I'll have to really change my stocks to be able to afford such a catastrophic beginning. I feel sorry for everyone, all of them, because I know that the medics won't reach GAME in time, and that unlike me, it'll go down like a lead brick, because that's free commerce. I remember GAME a little too well, I suspect, although what I did was all because of Father Hatch. One of these days, that big purple sign gonna tumble on down, down the line, and I won't be there, I'll be in Redding, for the hats. I don't know how people can't resist the temptation to pluck the fruits of our most fruitful of industries right out of the very air, since you can do that now, if you have a monolith purring beside you.

I really have no idea what you just said, but I'm fascinated.

Also, I hope Game doesn't go down, It's the only place near me that sells games, since the HMV has opened and closed back down twice in the last 6 months.

 

[GoaThief]

He's saying that GAME will fall sooner or later due to distribution slowly marching towards digital downloads-only. He's not too fussed as he currently uses Steam and likes Valve's business model. He also doesn't understand why people are still so attached to hard copies of games when downloading is so easy, especially if you own a PC rather than consoles which are lagging behind.

fnord.

 

[Auron225]

I remember, back in the day, there was a game I really really wanted (for the PS1) but couldn't find anywhere. It seemed to not exist anymore. Then one day, not even looking for it, I stumpled into Game for the first time and found it. It made my day, I bought it, went out to look at the sign and thought "Thank you Game, I'm sure I will be back here very often from now on X)"

Every. single. time. I went back, they either didnt have what I was looking for, or were selling it for a completely unreasonable price. I order all of mine online now, or get them from CEX, so Im really not bothered if it goes.

 

[Mister Eff]

I'll have to really change my stocks to be able to afford such a catastrophic beginning. I feel sorry for everyone, all of them, because I know that the medics won't reach GAME in time, and that unlike me, it'll go down like a lead brick, because that's free commerce. I remember GAME a little too well, I suspect, although what I did was all because of Father Hatch. One of these days, that big purple sign gonna tumble on down, down the line, and I won't be there, I'll be in Redding, for the hats. I don't know how people can't resist the temptation to pluck the fruits of our most fruitful of industries right out of the very air, since you can do that now, if you have a monolith purring beside you.

Meth is a terrible thing.

OT: Well, fuck GAME. Its about time they go down.

I very much enjoy that you say that Meth is a terrible thing while your avatar is from Breaking Bad. Without meth, you wouldn't have that show!

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

I'll help them out and buy some pre-owned shit from them. LoljkEAonlinepass.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Good riddance. It's sad to see any company go under, but Game was full of unkind managers, terrible prices and poor quality choices for actually buying games. I have CEX and Gamestation across from each other in my town as well as Game, and it will mean nothing to me if they go.

Agreed, although GAME and GameStation are owned by the same companies.
Incidentally, the last time I used GAME was when I bought a Wii... oh no, wait, I didn't buy it from them because they wouldn't take my money. And I have no idea why!

 

[GoaThief]

Was it the Monopoly variant?

Sounds very strange, surely they said something at the time - can you elaborate more?

 

[Loop Stricken]

Was it the Monopoly variant?

No, it was the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.

Seriously, why are people not using proper English in this thread?

 

[daveman247]

Well, this sucks :/ True i use CEX or gamestation more but game still have good deals every now and then ^_^


And lol at the people saying it'll be good only having HMV and supermarkets. HMV have the most overpriced games out there and supermarkets only stock chart games. Anything a few months old will not be there.

And i dont care for digital downloads, when i buy something i like to, you know, actually own a physical copy. Plus then you have to pay what THEY want you to pay, no competition like with shops. AND digital downloads dont always get cheaper with age, like discs do.

 

[CrystalShadow]

Good riddance. It's sad to see any company go under, but Game was full of unkind managers, terrible prices and poor quality choices for actually buying games. I have CEX and Gamestation across from each other in my town as well as Game, and it will mean nothing to me if they go.

Only problem I can see is that Gamestation is owned by the same company as GAME. Unless they're very meticulous about segregating their finances, I suspect the collapse of one will cause the collapse of the other as well.

And CEX only seems to sell second-hand. Which is fine if you're looking for old stuff, but not so great otherwise.

 

[GoaThief]

Gamestation are essentially the same company as GAME, if the latter goes south so will the former.

I suppose that leaves only Blockbuster? Hardly a dedicated gaming store though.

*EDIT*
Beaten to it by a minute.