Australia Hampers Potential GAME Takeover

[LordFisheh]

This is actually kind of a good thing. Australia is losing business for its backwards and undemocratic stance on gaming. This is exactly how thing should work - just unfortunate for Game and Australian gamers.

 

[RicoADF]

I expect less racism in a news post on the escapist. To clarify to those that are unaware, the issue isn't videogame related, its to do with our monopoly laws that say that no one business can own over a certain percentage of an industry. GAME being the other major videogame retail in Australia would then make Gamestop (EB Games here) go over that level and thus alot of legal headachs. Frankely its a law I think the US and UK could do with, as one company setting the prices how they wish as expensive as they wish is dangerous and outright stupid to allow.

errm, don't think so. It more has to do with them already owning eb games stores nearly everywhere there is an existing GAME store. They just don't want to be owning duplicate stores.

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Also, what's with all you fellow ausi's on here being so up tight?
getting all hot and bothered cause of this article and it's 'insults' is very 'un-Australian' XD

Mostly coz its wrong
I still do think our anti-manopoly laws have alot to do with it, but the duplicate stores would also be an issue, perhaps its a mixture of both.

 

[Radelaide]

WTF was this article about anyway?

Are you serious? Obviously it's about pointing and laughing at Australia.

Sometimes you're a dick, Andy.

Australian GAME stores are doing considerably well compared to their UK counterparts. They're stocking Mass Effect, Catherine and other games customers want and they're not compromising on things.

Reeeeeesearch.

 

[Gardenia]

Oh, Australia. Is there anything related to videogames that you can't screw up?

I came here to say this. Verbatim. Oh well, guess I'll be on my way, as I haven't bought a physical copy of a game since 2004, and thus have nothing to say about this.

 

[PinkiePyro]

What, they already own EB? No wonder they're not interested in taking over Game in Australia, as they are one of the very few alternatives. EBs here are like bloody Starbucks in the US (not like Starbucks here which failed miserably). I can go to the shitiest shopping centre in Australia and still find an EB.

Are you serous how did you not know they bought them around 94 i think (some time mid 90's anyhow)

I remember being annoyed because my local EB became a gamestop and stopped renting N64 controllers

 

[iNsaneMilesy]

Dont really see an issue, GAME is relatively new in Aus. They are more expensive than EB Games and have worse promotions... also it doesnt help when they build all their stores within spitting distance of an EB store in every shopping centre... they shoot themselves in the foot.

 

[RicoADF]

What, they already own EB? No wonder they're not interested in taking over Game in Australia, as they are one of the very few alternatives. EBs here are like bloody Starbucks in the US (not like Starbucks here which failed miserably). I can go to the shitiest shopping centre in Australia and still find an EB.

Are you serous how did you not know they bought them around 94 i think (some time mid 90's anyhow)

I remember being annoyed because my local EB became a gamestop and stopped renting N64 controllers

Nothing changed over here, so if you didn't catch the news it'd be easy to not know. EB Games is still the EB Games I've always known. Atleast my local one is.

 

[Andy Chalk]

Allow me to address your concerns in order:

It's okay to admit that you had no idea how big the Game Group is/was, come and get me tough guy, "Australian" is a nationality not a race, I'm not American, and no u.

But hey, in all seriousness, I am glad to hear that the Australian arm of GAME is doing such a bang-up job of not selling the big-boy games that the rest of us get to play.

 

[Elijin]

Australia Hampers Potential GAME Takeover

It seems that GameStop is very much interested in coming to the rescue of flagging U.K. retailer GAME, but is hesitant to do so because it doesn't want to end up with two feet in the Australian muck.



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Find this to be pretty offensive, honestly. They're hesitant because they own EB games which is the major retailer of its type in AU, and there isnt a reason to own GAME, as it just creates a situation where in most major shopping centres, they own two stores.

Implying a company wouldnt want to 'get involved in Australian muck' in regards to anything based around the economy? Sorry America, I cant hear you over your floundering economy.

 

[Olrod]

Anyone who's paid any attention ever will already know that Australia is practically a 3rd World country when it comes to computer games. Did you all forget the furore over them banning some R18 games several months ago?

[edit: I live in New Zealand, so I'm entitled (some may say required) to take the piss out of Australia on a regular basis.]