I'm A Bit Cheesed

[Andrew D. Gable]

As the name says. Just a little annoyed: tonight, I went to the mall to pick up a copy of Warhammer 40K, and I discovered that the store I usually went to for PC games (GameStop) had a drastically lowered inventory of PC games, evidently phasing them out in favor of PS2 and Dustbox and the like. I don't know if that's chainwide, or just my local one.

Anyway.

I decide to check up at Electronics Boutique, which is up the mall a little bit, deciding I'll just have to do PC shopping there.

Same thing.

This annoys me to no end. I'll be danged if I'm going to order all my PC games offline.

 

[John Crichton]

Considering that Gamestop & EB are now one, I'm not surprised. If you look at most malls they usually have one of each of the stores. I wonder if this means that they'll buy more space to have bigger stores. Probably not, but worth conversation.

Both places typically have tiny stores. Games don't take up much space in a stockroom. My local places have more console stuff, but that should be because there are more of them. But then again, I buy just about all my games online so I'm probably not the best person to comment.

I loves me some online buying. Saves me a trip to the store.

 

[Greylock]

It's chainwide, and it's been going on for some time. They have determined that "A" and "B" catalogue titles are the only way to go. Screw the "C" and "D" stuff and the folks who buy them. Even the better PC titles don't rate when compared to console games, so you, me, and everyone else who loves them have been told we aren't wanted.

Pretty damned stupid, considering that in the process of making this come to be they ditched inventory that was bought and paid for. That, and the fact that they have tons of empty shelf space now.

Ooooh, let's watch and see if the used DVD business fills the gap...

 

[trancejeremy]

Don't you have Best Buy or CompUSA in your area? Generally speaking, both have far more room devoted to PC games than console. And there is Circuit City, which generally is a lousy store, but often has some computer software.

And unlike Gamestop/EB, they actually have sales from time to time.

 

[KenM]

I don't know about CompUSA, but BestBuy only puts out invemtory for Tuesday morning and Friday morning. So if a new game you really want comes out on Wendsday, it won't be on the shelf at best Buy until Friday. Unless its a big title (Doom 3, HL 2), thats the way its done. So while the prices are lower, you usally have to wait longer to get the game there.
I have an EB where I am, not a gameStop. I hope EB does not reduce PC games.

 

[Andur]

Also they are not one yet, that deal is still pending and has a few obstacles to overcome. That being said, one of the biggest reasons GS bought EB was due to the need for quality management at the district/store level. EB tends to have more footage for PC than GS, but it is still very smal compared to any other category.

Also if you do the "pre-order deal" they will still be able to provide you with the games you want, and usually a day early. Unfortunately it is the CompUSA, Best Buy, and the WalMarts that really determine the game distribution practices, they are pretty hit and miss with older games, but for anything in the last 6 months there is usually a copy or 20 on the shelf. If you can find a publisher that accepts direct orders with free or limited shipping, online is one of the best ways to go.

 

[Captain Tagon]

It's just the direction of the industry. I was talking to the manager of the local EB something like two years ago and they were just then moving their focus onto console games and beginning to limit amount of computer games they sold. Just a much bigger market out there for console stuff these days with near PC power, easier multiplayer, and a lot lower cost of entry.