Is Gamestop Evil? The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Retail stores stopped carrying games because it's impossible for them to compete with digital downloads profitably. Activision can get away with it because they have a built-in fanbase who will buy their titles regardless of the price they set, which rarely changes. The "master race" comment made me laugh; we're not seeing these titles in stores because we're getting them at steep, steep discounts elsewhere.

Yeah, although surprisingly, my closest Target and Walmart both have a pretty decent size shelf of PC games still, especially Target.

[SwooshBear]

The Bad
Its official, spotted a placard that states "Starting April 2, 2012 Gamestop will no longer take in Gamecube games."

Well that explains it, Thanks noise. I'm gonna have to stop by my usual GS to see what they have left.

[Konacha]

I understand how people can get with Gamestop. I've pretty much stop going to Gamestop a while ago with the exception of a few things.

Like one is the Pre-order bonus they give out (such as Tales of Graces f and Sonic Generations) in which I can ONLY get at Gamestop or getting rid of random stuff I was planning to throw away anyway and can't really sell (such as license games that may slip my way) or even games that I can't get anywhere but Gamestop.

For newer games I just go buy at Target or Best Buy since sometimes I can find deals (I once brought Skyrim for 45 dollars then sold it for 55 dollars) and older games at retro game stores.

[BoringSupreez]

Retail stores stopped carrying games because it's impossible for them to compete with digital downloads profitably. Activision can get away with it because they have a built-in fanbase who will buy their titles regardless of the price they set, which rarely changes. The "master race" comment made me laugh; we're not seeing these titles in stores because we're getting them at steep, steep discounts elsewhere.

Yeah, although surprisingly, my closest Target and Walmart both have a pretty decent size shelf of PC games still, especially Target.

My Target's PC selection sucks, which is sad because they used to have one of the largest in town. Staple's selection has gone way down too, from having lots of big box AAA titles about 8 years ago to nothing but $10 budget titles. Hastings and Walmart have the best selection where I live now.

[sabrage]

My Target has a lot of PC games, but it's all shovelware, Call of Duty or Blizzard.

[BurningDoom]

I understand how people can get with Gamestop.

Really? You can't. It's pretty obvious to me: Large selection of games, large selection of cheap used games, and lots of locations including cities that may not have a lot of gamer-friendly stores.

That's not to say all the complaints lobbed against them are wrong. Most of them are valid. Its just pretty obvious why many of us continue to return despite those complaints.

[AppleQueso]

I understand how people can get with Gamestop.

Really? You can't. It's pretty obvious to me: Large selection of games, large selection of cheap used games, and lots of locations including cities that may not have a lot of gamer-friendly stores.

That's not to say all the complaints lobbed against them are wrong. Most of them are valid. Its just pretty obvious why many of us continue to return despite those complaints.

... the word "can't" is nowhere in his post...

[BurningDoom]

I understand how people can get with Gamestop.

Really? You can't. It's pretty obvious to me: Large selection of games, large selection of cheap used games, and lots of locations including cities that may not have a lot of gamer-friendly stores.

That's not to say all the complaints lobbed against them are wrong. Most of them are valid. Its just pretty obvious why many of us continue to return despite those complaints.

... the word "can't" is nowhere in his post...

[Luke]

The Good: Thanks to my pals at GS, I've been able to help a buddy on the board with two purchases at what I would consider more than favorable prices.

The Bad: Had to put in a few calls to make it happen, and my local GS manager, not knowing it was me, was a bit of a dick over the phone.

The Ugly: No copies of May Kate and Ashley on GBA?

[Gunstar Green]

Retail stores stopped carrying games because it's impossible for them to compete with digital downloads profitably. Activision can get away with it because they have a built-in fanbase who will buy their titles regardless of the price they set, which rarely changes. The "master race" comment made me laugh; we're not seeing these titles in stores because we're getting them at steep, steep discounts elsewhere.

Yeah, although surprisingly, my closest Target and Walmart both have a pretty decent size shelf of PC games still, especially Target.

My Target's PC selection sucks, which is sad because they used to have one of the largest in town. Staple's selection has gone way down too, from having lots of big box AAA titles about 8 years ago to nothing but $10 budget titles. Hastings and Walmart have the best selection where I live now.

Bigger retailers like Target and Walmart still stock a lot of video games, but a lot of the smaller chains have stopped.

As for PC games, it's safe to say that their existence in brick and mortar stores is a tenuous one.