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Post edited by Hmmm... on 29/12/2018 at 18:19.
Tell us how your day was, say hello or just introduce yourself if you're new to the site.
Post edited by Hmmm... on 29/12/2018 at 18:19.
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Alfonse wrote:
Yeah it's a shame videogames can't be distributed via online download
I've been waiting a long time for the death of the gaming high street stores. Prices are absolute garbage
Screw downloads. I have no dedicated internet in my home and no chance of getting it because of my landlord. The only way I'm online now is because I'm cheating BT :) Downloads, even the smallest ones are impossible as is online gaming.
What would you do about everyone under 18 who doesn't have a way of transferring money, or those who are unhappy about buying online, or just those people who love owning a physical copy? Screw downloads.
Yeah it's a shame videogames can't be distributed via online download
I've been waiting a long time for the death of the gaming high street stores. Prices are absolute garbage
Screw downloads. I have no dedicated internet in my home and no chance of getting it because of my landlord. The only way I'm online now is because I'm cheating BT :) Downloads, even the smallest ones are impossible as is online gaming.
What would you do about everyone under 18 who doesn't have a way of transferring money, or those who are unhappy about buying online, or just those people who love owning a physical copy? Screw downloads.
With Pete with the thanks for the Manager insight.
I can even see the market changing from downloads to streaming - maybe in a similar way the film rental industry is heading towards. As internet speeds and technology advances, I'm sure this will eventually become an option - with subscriptions to the different developers allowing access to their titles on demand. We're beginning to see this with the online pass system and I'm sure it will slowly build from there.
Streamlining operations would be key - I live a stones throw away from Cardiff's main shopping area and there are two Game stores (not a Game/Gamestation, but to Games) withing 2 minutes walking distance. The smaller one seems manic every time I go by, yet the larger one seems to be pretty much just empty floor space and hardly any customers (in addition to a large number of bored-looking staff). Is there need for the two branches? Surely it must cost a bomb in rent?
I can even see the market changing from downloads to streaming - maybe in a similar way the film rental industry is heading towards. As internet speeds and technology advances, I'm sure this will eventually become an option - with subscriptions to the different developers allowing access to their titles on demand. We're beginning to see this with the online pass system and I'm sure it will slowly build from there.
Streamlining operations would be key - I live a stones throw away from Cardiff's main shopping area and there are two Game stores (not a Game/Gamestation, but to Games) withing 2 minutes walking distance. The smaller one seems manic every time I go by, yet the larger one seems to be pretty much just empty floor space and hardly any customers (in addition to a large number of bored-looking staff). Is there need for the two branches? Surely it must cost a bomb in rent?
Thanks for that insight Chas, really interesting and informative post.
The point you make about certain non-specialist retailers selling AAA titles as loss leaders (which some could argue is actually predatory pricing, which is supposed to be illegal in the UK) is a valid one. I know of a couple of instances when this has happened with other (non game related) items. Can't really go into the specifics here but I do know of occasions when at least 2 large national non-specialist retailers were definitely selling a particular item for less than they paid for it. One could argue that the winner in these situations is the consumer, but what does everyone think these retailers will do once they have a monopoly after putting their competition out of business?
As for the download to own market, I too believe that's the way the market will eventually go (particularly on the next-gen consoles), although downloading dual layer BD levels of data might not be a viable option for some. It would hammer my current Freeola bandwidth allocation for sure!
I for one would be sad to see GAME and Gamestation disappear from our high streets, if there is no room for both perhaps the GAME group could streamline their current operation so at least one of them could survive?
The point you make about certain non-specialist retailers selling AAA titles as loss leaders (which some could argue is actually predatory pricing, which is supposed to be illegal in the UK) is a valid one. I know of a couple of instances when this has happened with other (non game related) items. Can't really go into the specifics here but I do know of occasions when at least 2 large national non-specialist retailers were definitely selling a particular item for less than they paid for it. One could argue that the winner in these situations is the consumer, but what does everyone think these retailers will do once they have a monopoly after putting their competition out of business?
As for the download to own market, I too believe that's the way the market will eventually go (particularly on the next-gen consoles), although downloading dual layer BD levels of data might not be a viable option for some. It would hammer my current Freeola bandwidth allocation for sure!
I for one would be sad to see GAME and Gamestation disappear from our high streets, if there is no room for both perhaps the GAME group could streamline their current operation so at least one of them could survive?
First off, the idea of Game and Gamestation in the same town was not entirely avoidable- part of the conditions attached to allowing Game to buy Gamestation were for the two entities to remain separate, i.e. to have their own identity, accounts, management structure etc. This had the direct result of them HAVING to retain the competition between the companies. (I used to be a manager at Game, followed closely by a stint at Gamestation, so I've seen both sides of the fence as it were...)
Secondly, Game/ station made a huge chunk of their income from selling wall space and floor space, window space, hanging banner space, chart positions and promotional areas to gaming companies (yes, people, chart positions, as if it wasn't obvious..). As such, I am a little surprised that it has come to this. Surely it indicates that the games developers/ companies are just as responsible for this decline as anyone else?
Personally, I think the pressure is on FROM games companies, particularly the bigger names, for EVERYTHING to be downloadable. Given that it looks as if the next gen consoles will be geared up primarily for just that, I don't think it's much of a stretch to assume that the investment in high street marketing is and will continue to be in decline.
Add to this the fact that supermarkets/ non- specialist retailers can buy games for less than Game/ station could, or they are willing to sell them as loss- leaders, I guess it wouldn't take much to send the whole thing into the sorry mess it's in. I can in fact remember one occasion where Game/ station as a whole were selling a AAA title for £5 less than the buy in price AT RELEASE just to compete...
Secondly, Game/ station made a huge chunk of their income from selling wall space and floor space, window space, hanging banner space, chart positions and promotional areas to gaming companies (yes, people, chart positions, as if it wasn't obvious..). As such, I am a little surprised that it has come to this. Surely it indicates that the games developers/ companies are just as responsible for this decline as anyone else?
Personally, I think the pressure is on FROM games companies, particularly the bigger names, for EVERYTHING to be downloadable. Given that it looks as if the next gen consoles will be geared up primarily for just that, I don't think it's much of a stretch to assume that the investment in high street marketing is and will continue to be in decline.
Add to this the fact that supermarkets/ non- specialist retailers can buy games for less than Game/ station could, or they are willing to sell them as loss- leaders, I guess it wouldn't take much to send the whole thing into the sorry mess it's in. I can in fact remember one occasion where Game/ station as a whole were selling a AAA title for £5 less than the buy in price AT RELEASE just to compete...
I always prefer to have a physical game to play and love going through game shops and seeing what is being released. Sure, things are going to be cheaper online, sure digital downloads are cheaper (although games on demand on XBL are actually the same/more expensive than their physical product counterparts).
I miss going into the independents that GAME and its related companies have forced to close and now GAME is possibly going as well. Looks like we'll all be shopping at supermarkets in the future (clubcard points/cheaper deals may be a bonus to that). However, supermarkets generally have a poor range.
As for the poor marketing strategy mentioned (i.e. Game and then 2 doors down a Gamestation), this was just one of their weird business ideas. I was continually baffled by some of their rules and campaigns.
Am I right in thinking Edgy worked for Game as well? What did you think when you worked there?
(Should complain about dispensing more frequently...expected a traumatic lab today, but got to make our very own sunglasses...HM Sunwear to hit your shelves soon ;) )
I miss going into the independents that GAME and its related companies have forced to close and now GAME is possibly going as well. Looks like we'll all be shopping at supermarkets in the future (clubcard points/cheaper deals may be a bonus to that). However, supermarkets generally have a poor range.
As for the poor marketing strategy mentioned (i.e. Game and then 2 doors down a Gamestation), this was just one of their weird business ideas. I was continually baffled by some of their rules and campaigns.
Am I right in thinking Edgy worked for Game as well? What did you think when you worked there?
(Should complain about dispensing more frequently...expected a traumatic lab today, but got to make our very own sunglasses...HM Sunwear to hit your shelves soon ;) )
Alfonse wrote:
Nin wrote:
[i]pb wrote:
[i]It would be a big blow to the market and even to those companies who constantly complain about high street games stores selling second hand games. Where else are they going to stick all their advertising boards, standees etc now? It was a perfect place to advertise games and many of their customers would be mums and relatives buying in the high street who don't want to go online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.[/i]
Yeah it's a shame videogames can't be distributed via online download
I've been waiting a long time for the death of the gaming high street stores. Prices are absolute garbage[/i]
Pretty much blinkered approach.
What about:
1) people who want physical games
2) people who want to buy presents for others and don't have a console/PC
3) People who don't have internet/have one of those old fashioned capped internet services
4) Wii owners
Have you seen the price of games on the PSN and XBL stores as well? We're talking about proper games here, not PC stuff. ;)
Nin wrote:
[i]pb wrote:
[i]It would be a big blow to the market and even to those companies who constantly complain about high street games stores selling second hand games. Where else are they going to stick all their advertising boards, standees etc now? It was a perfect place to advertise games and many of their customers would be mums and relatives buying in the high street who don't want to go online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.[/i]
Yeah it's a shame videogames can't be distributed via online download
I've been waiting a long time for the death of the gaming high street stores. Prices are absolute garbage[/i]
Pretty much blinkered approach.
What about:
1) people who want physical games
2) people who want to buy presents for others and don't have a console/PC
3) People who don't have internet/have one of those old fashioned capped internet services
4) Wii owners
Have you seen the price of games on the PSN and XBL stores as well? We're talking about proper games here, not PC stuff. ;)
Nin wrote:
pb wrote:
[i]It would be a big blow to the market and even to those companies who constantly complain about high street games stores selling second hand games. Where else are they going to stick all their advertising boards, standees etc now? It was a perfect place to advertise games and many of their customers would be mums and relatives buying in the high street who don't want to go online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.[/i]
Yeah it's a shame videogames can't be distributed via online download
I've been waiting a long time for the death of the gaming high street stores. Prices are absolute garbage
pb wrote:
[i]It would be a big blow to the market and even to those companies who constantly complain about high street games stores selling second hand games. Where else are they going to stick all their advertising boards, standees etc now? It was a perfect place to advertise games and many of their customers would be mums and relatives buying in the high street who don't want to go online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.[/i]
Yeah it's a shame videogames can't be distributed via online download
I've been waiting a long time for the death of the gaming high street stores. Prices are absolute garbage
Nin wrote:
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.
That's a very good point, the gaming dept. in my local Asda is a joke these days. It's alright if you wanted the new FIFA or COD game but if you were after something like a BlazBlue title then I doubt they would have it even on day of release and they don't stock PC titles at all. They are exactly the same for Music CD's, great if you want the latest Jedward or Clubland Classix album but useless for anything else. HMV did stock the last couple of albums I wanted but they were way too expensive so I ended up ordering both of them online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.
That's a very good point, the gaming dept. in my local Asda is a joke these days. It's alright if you wanted the new FIFA or COD game but if you were after something like a BlazBlue title then I doubt they would have it even on day of release and they don't stock PC titles at all. They are exactly the same for Music CD's, great if you want the latest Jedward or Clubland Classix album but useless for anything else. HMV did stock the last couple of albums I wanted but they were way too expensive so I ended up ordering both of them online.
pb wrote:
It would be a big blow to the market and even to those companies who constantly complain about high street games stores selling second hand games. Where else are they going to stick all their advertising boards, standees etc now? It was a perfect place to advertise games and many of their customers would be mums and relatives buying in the high street who don't want to go online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.
It would be a big blow to the market and even to those companies who constantly complain about high street games stores selling second hand games. Where else are they going to stick all their advertising boards, standees etc now? It was a perfect place to advertise games and many of their customers would be mums and relatives buying in the high street who don't want to go online.
It would be a deathknell for the smaller games companies. Places like HMV are now refusing to stock anything but the big sellers.
Agree with the points pb and Nin made. In my town GAME and Gamestation are on the same street just a few hundred yards apart and for years have been effectively fighting with each other.
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