Game to go into administration

[MatParker116]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a370355/game-management-told-to-prepare-for-administration-within-weeks.html

GAME's management have been told to prepare for administration, it has been revealed.

Earlier this week, CEO Ian Shepherd told senior staff that the retail group, which includes GAME and GameStation, has just two weeks to save itself, according to MCV.

There are still hopes that a buyer, such as US chain GameStop, will emerge to take over the chain.

Earlier today, GAME stores across the country initiated a 'fire sale', where certain stock was sold at low prices, a move which is assumed to keep the group afloat for a few more days.

Gamestop will probably wait as it's much cheaper to buy a company in administration than not.

 

[endtherapture]

I hope it dies and stops ripping off old grandparents paying for overpriced games for their family. It's exploitative and it disgusts me.

It's just bad for the economy if this happens, sigh.

 

[Qitz]

When I first read that title I thought this was going to be about a Video Game where the goal is to be in Administration at some company.

I am disappoint.

Though it's nice to see a company who can't sustain itself go down. I just wish more would follow suit instead of, you know, relying on bail outs or trying to lobby politicians to save them.

 

[Fishyash]

Although 5 years ago I would say I'd be missing them, I won't be now.

Good riddance, GAME. I hope gamestop doesn't buy you.

 

[MammothBlade]

Sadly, I can't help but think this will be a symbolic victory for everyone who hates video games, as well as effectively barring anyone without a debit/credit card from buying most games - there are more of those people than you think. Plenty of teenagers who save their pocket money for games, I feel that it's this younger market who will be impacted the most.

I won't be dancing over GAME's grave. I hope a better game retailer takes its place, so that gaming remains accessible to everyone.

 

[endtherapture]

Sadly, I can't help but think this will be a symbolic victory for everyone who hates video games, as well as effectively barring anyone without a debit/credit card from buying most games - there are more of those people than you think. Plenty of teenagers who save their pocket money for games, I feel that it's this younger market who will be impacted the most.

I won't be dancing over GAME's grave. I hope a better game retailer takes its place, so that gaming remains accessible to everyone.

CEX sell new games, and really cheap used games, so you know.

 

[Swifty714]

Is GAME a mainly European store? Also could someone tell about their 'Sleazy business practices' to me?

 

[Hal10k]

I won't be dancing over GAME's grave. I hope a better game retailer takes its place, so that gaming remains accessible to everyone.

As long as the demand exists, somebody will try to meet it. Such is the glory of capitalism.

If Gamestop winds up not buying them out and GAME just goes bankrupt, then it will probably be a while before another widespread, market-clearing exclusive gaming retailer claims dominance. Those ventures usually expand from smaller chains, and they'll be fighting it out for a while in the wake of GAME's passing. So you're obviously going to see a lot of new business for the smaller sellers, which might even lead to a drop in prices if there are enough of them (don't have any specific figures with me).

You can also expect to see an increase in gaming purchases from multipurpose stores like Walmart, who can afford to take the risk of knocking out a rack of clearance sweatpants to put in an extra shelf for the gaming section. Though this may be less of an effort to capitalize on the new found demand and more just meeting it once it increases.

 

[dimensional]

I dont think many people really care that GAME are going its not like anyone ever shops there why even go in when they only stock a few titles (even before the financial trouble) have prices that are largely exorbitant compared to those online and whos staff are by and large ignorant of the products they sell (outside of a few extremely well known titles).

 

[Iwata]

I for one do care. Our local GAME store has great staff, including friends of mine, and often great bargains. Gamestop has closed all stores here last month, and to see GAME follow suit would be truly bad news. I fear the day all purchases are digital, after my own personal nightmare with Steam.

 

[Terramax]

Nice to see people thinking about the hundreds of staff at GAME who are going to be out of their jobs soon.

Is GAME a mainly European store? Also could someone tell about their 'Sleazy business practices' to me?

Basically, they sell their games for a much higher price than on the internet. When a new game is released on Amazon, it starts at £25-30, where as GAME will have them for sale at £39.99-42.99.

Second hand copies will be as high at £35.

They get most of their sales out of selling to non-internet or non-game savvy people, such as naive parents.

I would, however, like to point out that if no-one does take over GAME, then the video game industry will, as a whole, likely fall into obscurity (again). People, especially on these forums, constantly complain about people not treating games as art, or on the same level as books, television, film, music, paintings, etc, but there will be nothing in public to represent this industry, other than stores that sell music other products alongside it.

Also, it may mean more naive buyers will resort to buying overpriced download games.

 

[Iwata]

Nice to see people thinking about the hundreds of staff at GAME who are going to be out of their jobs soon.

I was working at Blockbuster when it was shut down here. I lost my job there, in a really delicate moment of my life. Every time I went to a movie forum and saw people saying "I'm glad they closed", I wanted to punch them in the mouth.

Being happy about GAME closing its stores is no better than being happy when a studio does lay-offs or closes its doors for good.

 

[redisforever]

Ooh, really? Gamestop, please do the same in Canada.

No, I don't hate the people working there. They're all really nice people, well, nearly all. The ones at my local Gamestop stores are all really helpful and polite. My problem is with the way it's run. That and I want them to do a firesale thing, so I can get cheap games from them.

About GAME, I know nothing about them, but it always sucks to be let go from a job. Hope GAME at least helps them find new jobs, and good luck to them.

These chains closing are never because of the workers, but the management, who, more often than not, seem to be in it for the money, and would rather be doing something else.

 

[DanteLives]

Is GAME a mainly European store?

There's GAME stores in Australia.

 

[Terramax]

I for one do care. Our local GAME store has great staff, including friends of mine, and often great bargains. Gamestop has closed all stores here last month, and to see GAME follow suit would be truly bad news. I fear the day all purchases are digital, after my own personal nightmare with Steam.

Thanks for that. Whilst I understand people are happy that the higher-ups in the organisation are going to be out of pocket, getting their 'just deserves' for charging too much on naive buyers, I don't think the majority of GAME bashers are seeing the bigger picture here.

 

[isometry]

Nice to see people thinking about the hundreds of staff at GAME who are going to be out of their jobs soon.

I was working at Blockbuster when it was shut down here. I lost my job there, in a really delicate moment of my life. Every time I went to a movie forum and saw people saying "I'm glad they closed", I wanted to punch them in the mouth.

Being happy about GAME closing its stores is no better than being happy when a studio does lay-offs or closes its doors for good.

Agreed. People are talking about how GAME had exploitative prices, but the flip side of high prices is they support young people having jobs selling games.

Retail stores might charge more because they are inefficient, but they are also convenient sometimes, and as long as there are people willing to pay more for that convenience then the store provides a good service.

 

[Terramax]

You can also expect to see an increase in gaming purchases from multipurpose stores like Walmart, who can afford to take the risk of knocking out a rack of clearance sweatpants to put in an extra shelf for the gaming section. Though this may be less of an effort to capitalize on the new found demand and more just meeting it once it increases.

However, these kinds of stores will not be looking out for the gamer at all. Say what you like about GAME stores, but aren't I correct in saying they'd be more against decisions like EA's DRM fiascos, or buying games new to get exclusive DLC bullshit.

GAME may not have been completely in it for the consumer, but I'm sure they have a bigger vocal presence in the gaming industry than, say, HMV or Tescos (we don't have walmarts in the uk (thank God)).

Oh, but independant stores will take their place

I highly doubt inependant or semi-independant game stores will have the same kind of muscle GAME had controlling the way publishers sell their games.

 

[ipop@you]

I am torn somewhat about this, they've never really been good to me so I'm kind of glad they're going (plus fire sale means many cheap games) but on the other hand, despite a lot of other people's experiences, the staff at my local GAME are really helpful and they seem to know their stuff, I once spent half an hour talking to a guy there about SotC.

 

[AngloDoom]

Well, that's shit for my friends who support themselves with their job in GAME.

Despite all the hate GAME has, I'm still sad to see it go. It holds a lot of good memories for me and it is one of the few places I feel I can have a look around and browse for games physically, in a place dedicated solely to games. It's a shame to see such a place go.

 

[zombieshark6666]

To be honest, the employees are probably relieved to have a reason to look for work instead of staying with a shoddy organization.