UK Retailer (Kind of) Explains Shrinking Game Selection

[The Wooster]

UK Retailer (Kind of) Explains Shrinking Game Selection

"We can't stock absolutely everything. That's just not possible," says Game's marketing director.

Yesterday, imaginitively titled, UK-based game retailer Game, which describes itself as "the only specialist store in the UK," announced that it wouldn't be stocking any Ubisoft titles for the launch of the PlayStation Vita. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115952-UK-Retailer-Wont-Sell-Ubisoft-Titles-For-Vita-Launch] Many pundits speculated this was due to Game losing its credit insurance, meaning its stores now have to pay for stock with actual money instead of IOUs, but according to marketing director Anna-Marie Mason "there's no one specific catch-all reason for the lack of stock."

True, I suspect there's about 18 million [http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/38549/game-group-gets-breathing-space-despite-18-million-loss-38549.html] different reasons.

"With regards to the Ubisoft titles, that is one moment in time. It doesn't mean to say we won't have that title or that part of our proposition on an on-going basis," continued Mason.

"There isn't a definitive reason why we haven't been able to stock those two things most recently. But that may well change."

Ubisoft's launch lineup for the Vita consists of five games: Rayman Origins, Michael Jackson: The Experience, Lumines: Electronic Symphony, Asphalt Injection and Dungeon Hunter Alliance. Customers who pre-ordered any of those titles have been offered refunds. While I doubt any of those titles are going to be system-sellers, it's disappointing to see that the excellent Rayman Origins has been shafted yet again.

Source: Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-22-game-we-cant-stock-absolutely-everything]

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[RaikuFA]

Does the UK have a online store like Amazon?

I just checked, yes they do and Rayman is available for preorder.

 

[Anti-Robot Man]

Game is awful: their website has been practically broken since August, their customer service and product knowledge is poor and they're amongst the most expensive in the UK market.

Their main sales tack is tie up as many preorder DLC and CE's as they can as exclusives. After I get the ME3 CE I plan to never use them again - on a related note others have had their preorder of that edition cancelled without GAME even informing them.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

"We can't stock absolutely everything. That's just not possible," says Game's marketing director.

"Especially one's you can get on Steam [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.295811-UK-Retailers-Accused-of-Blacklisting-Steam-Required-PC-Games], when we can make far more selling annual console headliners." [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/112868-UK-Retailer-Unveils-Price-for-Modern-Warfare-3-Xbox-360]

"the only specialist store in the UK,"

Apart from Xpress, CEX, Gamespod, MG Games...But not Gamestop [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.339728-GameStop-Abandons-U-K-Stores].

"With regards to the Ubisoft titles, that is one moment in time. It doesn't mean to say we won't have that title or that part of our proposition on an on-going basis," continued Mason.

Just say they're French, that'll work.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Can't stock everything?

GAME stocks shit tonnes of shovelware but can't make room for Ubisoft titles?

Yeah, I'm not buying it. GAME are terrible anyway, I shop online, like a boss.

 

[Jaeger_CDN]

Can't stock everything?

GAME stocks shit tonnes of shovelware but can't make room for Ubisoft titles?

Yeah, I'm not buying it. GAME are terrible anyway, I shop online, like a boss.

A large number of Ubisoft offerings are shovelware anyways.

Makes the digital distribution systems even more attractive when the brick and mortar are unable to even bother to meet demand.

 

[Vault101]

Ive been to one or GAME stores in Australia

and their range is pathetic, JB HI FI has a better range and they arnt even specialist...

 

[Diluted Dante]

"the only specialist store in the UK,"

Apart from Xpress, CEX, Gamespod, MG Games...But not Gamestop [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.339728-GameStop-Abandons-U-K-Stores].

You know exactly what they mean. CEX only sell pre-owned and the rest are indies, with a single, or handful of stores.

A better example would have been Grainger Games, but given their antics at the Games Media Awards [http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2011/10/how-an-unknown-games-retailer-committed-suicide-at-a-gaming-awards-event/], I don't think that they're exactly a company that those that dislike Game should be embracing.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

"the only specialist store in the UK,"

Apart from Xpress, CEX, Gamespod, MG Games...But not Gamestop [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.339728-GameStop-Abandons-U-K-Stores].

You know exactly what they mean. CEX only sell pre-owned and the rest are indies, with a single, or handful of stores.

A better example would have been Grainger Games, but given their antics at the Games Media Awards [http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2011/10/how-an-unknown-games-retailer-committed-suicide-at-a-gaming-awards-event/], I don't think that they're exactly a company that those that dislike Game should be embracing.

God bless Grainger Games. Bringing Football Hooliganism to software events.

CEX sell some new stuff as well though. Being "the only specialist store" doesn't make you any good though; in fact, every experience I've had in there has been god-awful.

 

[Diluted Dante]

The only new stuff I've ever seen CEX sell has been when they went to other stores, bought a load of stuff from them and charged way over RRP for them. They're effectively a legal fencing service.

I do often wonder which stores people are going in to get a god awful experience, especially in anything more than isolated incidents. I'm going to assume somewhere on the south coast from the names you mentioned earlier.

 

[Smallells]

"the only specialist store in the UK,"

Apart from Xpress, CEX, Gamespod, MG Games...But not Gamestop [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.339728-GameStop-Abandons-U-K-Stores].

Weeeeeell, I can't speak for any of those since I don't recognise them, either suggesting that they're not particularly popular or I live in an area where gaming stores drop like flies (the latter more likely being true). Regardless, where I live there is the immensely popular Gamestation as well as a Game. Is that not a specialist store?

 

[bobmus]

"the only specialist store in the UK,"

Apart from Xpress, CEX, Gamespod, MG Games...But not Gamestop [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.339728-GameStop-Abandons-U-K-Stores].

Weeeeeell, I can't speak for any of those since I don't recognise them, either suggesting that they're not particularly popular or I live in an area where gaming stores drop like flies (the latter more likely being true). Regardless, where I live there is the immensely popular Gamestation as well as a Game. Is that not a specialist store?

Yeah Gamestation always seems to do great deals, so it's closer to online pricing and you get helpful service usually with that. GAME is always staffed by people who don't know the field and seem to be offended that you're asking questions like 'would this Xbox 360 headset that's USB powered therefore also be compatible with PC?', or confused when you want to buy a game that's been out over six months. They still stock Call of Duty from around 2 years ago, so you would assume they might have other titles from a similar era - crazy talk I know!

 

[Dandark]

Good job I still have Amazon.co.uk then. I have had great service with them so this doesn't really affect me, Game's prices are too high for me to want to use them just for some reward points most of the time anyway.

 

[Palademon]

Offered their money back?
I thought preordering at GAME was free unless it's a special edition...

Silly me, they must be talking about their online preorders.

 

[Quellist]

Game is awful: their website has been practically broken since August, their customer service and product knowledge is poor and they're amongst the most expensive in the UK market.

Their main sales tack is tie up as many preorder DLC and CE's as they can as exclusives. After I get the ME3 CE I plan to never use them again - on a related note others have had their preorder of that edition cancelled without GAME even informing them.

To be fair, their website prices aint so bad. I picked up Final Fantasy XIII-2 CE at the same price as Amazon.co.uk and with better preorder shinys too.

Admittedly they did the stupid thing of sending the game and bonus out separately but guess you cant expect common sense...

 

[Burnhardt]

Can't stock everything?

GAME stocks shit tonnes of shovelware but can't make room for Ubisoft titles?

Yeah, I'm not buying it. GAME are terrible anyway, I shop online, like a boss.

My local GAME seems to only stock pre-owned stuff these days.

Although it doesn't help that they also use almost half their shelf space to advertise upcoming releases.

 

[willsham45]

Game has generally been meh for ages ok for second games but you go to the PC section all you see is the BIG PC GAMES ei wow and cod...that is pritty much it.

 

[draythefingerless]

this is clearly part of the ongoing british-french wars. Game is secretly and slowingly undermining the french economic system.

 

[Strazdas]

well imo gaming industry should veto two things - ubisoft and vita. looks like this story just scored some bonus points with me.

P.S. capcha: water theriwa trololol