Do casuals really go into GameStop stores? I wonder...

okenny :)

@fuchikoma:

Umm, they already sell pop CDs. They downscaled their used CD business until it was eliminated, and now put rotating kiosks with CDs: among them High School Musical 2, Hannah Montana, Fergie, 50 cent, Soulja Boy, and Now That's What I Call Music, and a few assorted hard rock bands as well.

blurayforever143

"merchandising to a broader consumer audience" huh?

This calls for a true knee-jerk pessimistic prophecy!
*dons cape*
They're going to start selling pop CDs and shovelware 7-11 grade DVDs alongside their shrinking games selection!

Ha! Top that for crazy... (probably doesn't mean much of anything, haha)

fuchikoma

@xpargas:

thats what you get for buying a NEW game that you didn't properly research.

Manjikengo

@doubtful: Good post.

A store dedicated to gaming is, for the most part, going to draw in gamer types already, why not cultivate a growing casual sector and try to make it think Gamestop instead of any of the big box stores.

ampillion : Will comment for money.

Maybe some of us are just blessed? But my local gamestop, while it gets a Nintendostop customer every few minutes, the real heart of the business is used PS2, used 360, and used PS3 games. People are always looking in the $19.99 and under bins for some gems, and there's no shortage of rare RPG's. Also, somehow, when the TV isn't on the gamestop channel, they're always playing fighting games.

blurayforever143

BTW, I do think that they should market to casual gamers, just not with the changes that they have been making. Market to the casual gamer by having games in stock from day 1 without the need to pre order, have a value bin for games that have dropped in price (not just bins for used games), group games by type rather than alphabetical but have a chart or something so the associates can find the game if someone asks where it is, and make trade-ins/buying used games actually worth the time of customers (hey, that benefits hardcore gamers as well).

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

@jayntampa:

I totally agree. The higher-ups wanted you to treat everyone like a sucker. Push, push, push. A lot of it was bully-sales tactics and some stores really followed this to the letter.

It wasn't really a matter of being unable to differentiate, but rather that you were expected not to deviate.

dunetiger

I personaly hate gamestop, the people are douchebags and they rip you off. one time i bought a brand new game for $50 but i didnt like it so the next day i traded it in and i only got 10 bucks for a game i only played once.

xpargas

@Shindokie (PSN and XBL): seconded.

@globones (PSN): But look at Japan.

DARK DVNT [XBL];8908-2379-8728-6953 [Wii]: Fused with juice!

Whoever thinks that gamestop will be around as the company it is today will be in for quite. This is nothing more than a reaction to the post"Wii honeymoon. What plan does Nintendo have for sustaining future success? The Wii was already old technology when it came out that I have a feeling all of the Wii's excitement will be gone by the end of this year. Gamestop's shift toward a fad product with an uncertain future plan for sustaining success may very well kill gamestop. Thanks for calling gamestop, your #1 toy store, how about reserving Pokeman: The Search For a New Nintendo Franchise

globones (PSN)

@zerbrechen: I'm not really saying that the upcoming releases are the best thing to have there, but it shouldn't be something that is elsewhere in the store. For the most part, the board at the top that says what games are coming out only deal with the most major releases whereas the upcoming release section had many more games on the list. While I usually know what games are coming out and most hardcore gamers know what is about to come out, it is still a good reminder for when you come in to buy a game that a certain game needs to be pre ordered since you can't ever just walk in and pick up a game on the day it comes out unless you pre order. Rather than a Family Entertainment section there, an associate's choice section would be better with the family games being sectioned off from the rest of the games in each system's respective area of the store.

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

The problem is that your typical GameStop employee doesn't have the cognative ability to differentiate between hardcore gamers and casual gamers to be able to change their sales tactics ... I think, if the company isn't careful, they could easily alienate one group and hurt growth. I say this as a former manager (not asst. -- full store manager).

As a hardcore gamer, I'm more and more heading to Amazon or eBay for my games and not dealing with the crap in the stores.

jayntampa

@Moonshadow101: eather pink or Yellow at this rate..

but seriously tho i feel as i'm a dying breed or something liking all 3 systems and playing games on all systems and likeing bloody games.

Raziel3333

Yeah, I got a suggestion, put an end to Gamestop. I don't mind losing my job.

Coldbrand

@doubtful: In a way I disagree with that. Casual gamers aren't going to buy the magazine subscriptions and they don't like coming in for one game and feeling like they were forced into walking out with 5 games, but they are more likely to ask "if they like this game, what other games will the person like" and then buy whatever games they are told to buy. Upselling on the casual gamer can be easy as long as you don't make them feel like you are trying to make them walk out with 5 different games. Also, perceived value goes a long way with them. If someone comes in and buys a Wii, it's easy to get them to buy WiiPlay because you get a free controller, the charging dock because the controllers suck down batteries, an extra nunchuck, a memory card because they don't realize they can save games directly to the system, Zelda because it is the game that everyone gets, and UR MR GAY because it has Mario in it. Then, while they don't like coming in to buy one thing and walking out with 5, they end up doing it anyway. Also, it is the casual gamers that buy the stupid peripherals like the shotgun kit or stickers to make the system pretty.

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in prof...:

When will it end?

Avinash_Tyagi

@Ceilingfanboy: I always hated that space. Why waste room with a rack of identical empty boxes when they can house actual games, no matter the level of h4rdc0rzzz. Besides, if you were really hardcore you'd know about the games without having to look at the upcoming games rack, and if you aren't even that hardcore you don't even need to pre-order.

See? Perfect sense.

zerbrechen

@suya123: how about you preorder that super rare atlus game?

Manjikengo

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in prof...:

If your store doesn't have that cool new giant sign that gives trade in credit and release dates, then I'm sorry.

But also the top shelf should be all coming soon. and coming soon is all around the store.

Manjikengo

@doubtful:

Yes, I'm lurking.

Great point, but I think casuals are more likely to already be in the Target or Wal-Mart instead of moseying about in a Gamestop. While many gamers would try Gamestop first and then other stores, casuals would be at other stores first. If, for example, Wal-Mart stocked a bunch of the product, Gamestop would probably be stuck with overstock.

dunetiger

Crap, that means the great Atlus games will be more than a hunt. It'll be an fossil dig for a dead species...

suya123

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in prof...:

Sadly, it really depends on if you've got some goob selling to walkins when he wasn't supposed to.

Personally, I don't do this. Morally, it goes against what we tell people so....I don't do it.

Manjikengo

I agree with doubtful. You guys are whining because they are going to market more, but not exclusively to, Casuals?

I think you need to go buy yourselves some ice creams.

zerbrechen

@ExtremeOne316: Yes, but they are taking the path of ignoring the hardcore gamer in order to cater to the casual gamer. They removed the upcoming releases space in order to place a "Family Entertainment" section, which was no less than 2/3 Wii games, and all games that are found 5 feet to the left. Walking in the door, you see DS games, Wii games, then the family section. The upcoming release section was a good way to let people know what games they were taking pre orders for (and people who pre order are generally the hardcore gamers) and those games were not on display elsewhere. It wouldn't have been as bad if they were displaying a selection of games that couldn't be found elsewhere in the store. I would have rather them taken the Wal-Mart approach that the Mature rated games are supposed to be on the top, out of the eye level of children, with the new releases directly below them and the kids games close to the bottom of the case.

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

It makes sense to target casual gamers. Why target hardcore gamers? They're already going to be into your products. As long as they don't scale back on their games selection in lieu of more plastic Wiimote add-ons, I won't have a problem with it.

To target casual gamers they need to fix a few problems.

Casual gamers don't preorder, so order more copies of a game. Right now on launch day, if you don't have a preorder you don't get the game. Granted, casuals are less likely to want a game on launch day, but if buzz for a game is big enough they'll stop in. If they don't have the game, but Target or Wal-Mart does, then you've probably lost them for life.

Casuals also are going to be put off by upsales, so pushing preorders, gimmicky afermarket products, and magazine scrips/memberships is probably a bad move. I think they will be more open to education about similar games. If they're sold on the game, they'll buy it. They may not preorder it, but they'll come in and buy it.

doubtful

@ExtremeOne316:

Exactly. Recall when Deer Hunter was the #1-selling game.

dunetiger

Maybe they understand that this industry is not only about the hardcore gamers. people need to remember Video games are for everyone not just the hardcore

ExtremeOne316

@Shindokie (PSN and XBL): I only go to the one by my house because locally it is only GameStop or Wal-Mart as the choices for my game shopping. At least one of the people up at the GameStop is cool, the manager is a complete dick though. I like that at GamesStop I am able to guarantee that I will get the games that I want on launch day, as opposed to Wal-Mart where games tend to take up to a month to show up (still no sign of UTIII among others).

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

Maybe they should start hiring decision-makers who actually know how stores and retail in general work. As a former employee at EB, I can very much say that the head office really has no idea what it's doing, at least as far as EB Canada is concerned. Among the atrocities committed by the remote management of Head Office, they continually hired buyers that had no idea what games were. There was one time where the buyer had made an insane purchase of a bajillion Barbie titles, and only an allotment of 1 Disgaea per store. Compounded with that was the Game Doctor fiasco (read: disc scratcher) that basically made the grunts' job one of cleaning up after a poor financial decision by pushing a bad product on unsuspecting consumers.

The ego is misplaced in that the product sells itself rather than through any effort of any suit, though they would believe the contrary. They had ridiculous stat tracking like door counters or sales vs. hours so that University graduates could justify the price of their completely-irrelevant text books. Their entire revenue is generated through their sales of pre-owned games and add-on peripherals, both of which have had their foundation in the store's very roots. Someone very smart back in the day put these two strategies into place and left the company. Every hotshot since has done nothing but make idiotic decisions and that, you can really only learn from the internal works.

I don't see why Gamestop should adopt any new pushy strategy to take advantage of any market. They should stick to their roots and take advantage of the fact that, like in their entire history, they have simply been at the right place at the right time.

Flame on. :D

dunetiger

What are they going to do to get the hardcore gamers back in the stores once the casual gaming fad ends?

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in prof...:

I stopped going to stores to buy stuff. I usually do it online because sometimes they're are better deals. I mean there is this one game stop where the people are cool and all but still the corporation is just following a trend which i really don't like, so i won't support it either you know.

Shindokie (PSN and XBL)

they could start by making the stores safe.

Grumps

I'm just as in the dark as you guys.

Manjikengo

It probably just means extending the DS and Wii sections on their walls. And condensing PS3 and PSP games. And I'm totally not flamebaiting here, the NPD has shown time and time again, those games don't sell.

scottyboy218

Does this mean that they are going to be even less likely to have a copy of Obscure Game the Average Person Hasn't Heard Of in stock? At least GameStop was good for having games that can't be found in non game stores such as Wal-Mart, but pretty soon it will probably just be a NintendoStop.

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

Red part of Gamestop logo being changed to pink confirmed?

Moonshadow101

Boo. That is all.

Shindokie (PSN and XBL)

My own personal hatred against the company aside.

I don't see how they hope to nail the "casual" market. They are essentially a specialty store akin to a hobby or comic shop.

In my mind I think it'd be rare for a "casual" gamer to buy their video games anywhere besides Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

Slick-Rick

@Fierfaerie: I meant ordering it after the game in the way that Wal-Mart has a site to store ordering system. You can order something and have it shipped to the store for free. It would be nice if there was a similar thing for GameStop so you could come in, order a game that has already been released but they don't have any of, and then come back a week or two later and pick it up.

ceilingFANBOY: gets shrinkage on Saturday

Casual person: Hi, I would like this copy of Poni Love, please?

Clerk: Do you have a card with us? Do you want a magazine? Oh, wait, no we don't have Poni Love, sorry empty box, let me put it back on the shelf though do you want to pre-order Poni Love 2? Horsie Love 3? What about Tiger Love 9? Poni Love 3? Do you want a magazine? What about this magazine? Oh, wait, sorry, cellphone call. Ok, wait. Ok, what? Who are you? You wanted Manslaughter 12: The Gutting, right? Here it is. Oops, empty box, let me put it back on the shelf though. Oh, wait, time for a bong hit. Gurgle gurgle. Oh wait, my friends are here, let me talk to them about poop for a few minutes and laugh because poop is funny, ok, who are you? Do you have a driver's license? No? Do you have a card with us? If you had a card with us, you would get 10% off the 15% discount, reversed, which means you now owe us 25% of the half cover price of this magazine. Do you have a card with us? Oh, sorry I am on break.

...

Just think. They can increase the number of people who hate their stores by 1000%!

blueoysterjoe

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile: @fearing: That's actually exactly my point. If you want the game, order it. Don't just expect the company to order it for you. As an RPG player, you, and myself, are in the minority. VERY few companies cater to the minority. The reason Gamestop doesn't order RPG's is that they don't sell. And, when they do order them, they sometimes order too many (we also have a few Disgaea 2s left, although I think we did sell our initial first shipment). It is up to the consumer to tell the company what they want, which is part of the reason I tend to get aggresive with my RPG customers. I reamed out a guy for not ordering Odin Sphere even though he knew he wanted it, because we only got in two copies. We only got in two copies because I had preordered it. 1:1 ratio right there. I wasn't really pissed, I was just upset because I don't want companies like Atlus and Nisa to leave our country because companies like Gamestop don't show enough faith in them. The only way to show that is to order. Show your support for the games so the company will follow.

Fierfaerie

I guess this probably is the death knell for PC games on Gamestop shelves. Damnit. To Steam!

Strangelove

I was hoping the 3rd party market would get better after seeing the sales figures for the wii but with this kinda of schlock, nintendo better release a few dozen more zelda mario metroid pokemon games since all the crap will be marketed to death.... again.

San

@Mit: Oh, I know that they don't make some of those games anymore. I was referring to newer games. For games that don't get a lot of publicity, a lot of their sales come from word of mouth. Therefore, prospective people buying the game are likely to not want the game until a month later when other people have had a chance to play through the game.

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

@Fierfaerie: Only problem with trying to support obscure game is actually the case of what happened with Disgaea 2. GameStop marketed it and order a lot of copies based on the demand for the first one and then got burned. My store still has twenty new copies left from launch day that will probably never sell. That's a big reason a lot of new releases get order based on pre-orders we had a few pre-orders for that game, but they over-ordered so that it wouldn't be as short supplied as the first Disgaea, and then it didn't sell well. Makes it hard to justify putting more support behind stuff like that. They'll support stuff that makes them money, it's up to the publisher to put out a good game and market it properly if they are realeasing a niche game or a new untested-in-the-marketplace sort of title and want it to do well. Problem is publisher's don't do that as well either, Beyond Good and Evil comes to mind as not getting the publisher support it probably deserved.

fearing

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in prof...: It would be nice, but games like Xenosaga 2, aren't made anymore. All those copies of it laying around in stores like Wal-Mart have been laying around for a long, long time. I think they may actually order old remaining copies that were made a long time ago and never sold, and then do things like package them in those "2 in 1" game packages and whatnot.

In any case, if there's something like an Atlus title or obscure game coming out that you want, all you have to do is pre-order it. And that's not to make the store's numbers look good either: GameStop actually bases shipments off of preorders now (except for big games). If an obscure game gets no preorders, we'll get two copies of it max (typically), maybe only one copy, and sometimes, we'll get none. If you preorder it, we'll probably get 3 copies, and hold you a copy so you can get it.

Preorders really aren't all that bad, and people are usually unsatisfied with what happens when they don't preorder something than when they do preorder something. Just hang on to that receipt if you want your cash back for the preorder (or else it's store credit only).

Mit

Gamestop will now sell Starbucks.

Glames

@Fierfaerie: I understand that the GameStops don't want to be like the Wal-Mart by me that has a copy of Xenosaga 2 and Kinetica still in stock, but they could at least get like 3 copies of these games that the average person hasn't heard of or be able to order games even after they are already released.

ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in profile

@xpargas: You ripped yourself off. If you wanted more, you should've sold it on eBay. GameStop isn't your replacement for being lazy and not learning to sell things on your own.

Anyhow, I work at GameStop, and there's no way they're going to tell us to slow down offering preorders and GI subscriptions. All this really means is they'll keep ordering "casual" gaming shovelware for DS and Wii (which I constantly file away in the 'library' sections of the walls and display only the good stuff) and keep having more and more in-store advertisements for casual gamers and whatnot (which 50% of our advertising already is almost.)

@blurayforever143: Only a very few amount of stores sell CDs. There's four in my area, and I've been to about 3 others in the state, and never seen CDs for sale (we do have a new DVD rack that Sony put in though).

@okenny :): Yes, they do, and they don't reserve stuff, which does wonders for my numbers (but whatev, we aren't super strict on numbers at my store, which makes my job about 300% more enjoyable, for me and the customers.)

Mit

@okenny :): yes, they do. People who don't even buy games do. It's cute sometimes. An old couple walked in last week and actually said they were "newbies". Isn't that cute!?

Fierfaerie

@ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PolarBearPlunge, link in prof...: Oh, I've pushed for an associate's choice section in my store on more than one occasion. We were actually greenlighted for it, but only if we had a tiny little box for each employee with our suggested and upcoming games. There was no point, because no one would have noticed it.

One of the things that bugs me the absolute most about working for Gamestop is that no one is allowed to have originality. Remember, everything that goes on the wall (i.e. the KidZ entertainment) is most likely paid for.

And for the love of God, people, if you want an ATLUS or NISA game, order the damn thing! Gamestop does not support the obscure RPG publisher. I was shocked as hell when there was a whole marketing section for Disgaea 2. That NEVER happens for an RPG unless it's Squeenix.

@dunetiger: Oh, they definitely want you to be pushy. I think that's why lots of my customers like me. Once I figure out what a customer likes, I quit pushing them unless I know there's something they like. And even then, it's not pushing, it's "hey, check this out it's cool. Look up some videos on the internet before you put your 5 dollars down though! See you next week!"... that sort of thing. I hate shoving crap down people's throats.

Fierfaerie

It's over.

Gaming is finished.

Ryumeka

@blueoysterjoe:

Yeah You're funny.

Every gamestop employee is a pot smoker. yep.

Manjikengo

The casual market is where the money is. If you have a pie, hardcore is like 15%, 84% is casual, and that 1% is the "Do you have Mario on the XBOX?" crowd.
The market has obviously gone casual. With Guitar Hero at over a billionty in sales and the Wii ridiculously sold out, GameStop knows where the money is. And these people who come into buy a Wii don't walk away with Super Mario Galaxy, Resident Evil, NiGHTS. No, they just want the system, so they can play Wii Sports...thats it. I'm sure over half of them won't use the Wii Shop. Most of them probably don't know you can surf the internet on it unless the store clerk tells them how.
It's just a big business now, another way to make money. :(

Dexor

meh, I only go to GameStop for 2 things:

Preording something I REALLY want
Browsing

I buy new games from Target, Best Buy, or Circuit City. And consoles from Best Buy, Circuit City, or in Nintendos case Target. As far as used games go eBay or Amazon FTW!

Sailorcancer

@ceilingFANBOY: gets shrinkage on Saturday: Well, we used to be separate companies, and so sprouted near each other to compete. Then, we merged, causing confusion among...everyone, including ourselves to a certain extent. We still get customers who tell us Eb is better than Gamestop, our prices are better, etc. I understand the EB thing being a frame of mind, but the price thing cracks me up. Our stores are sort of competing. They sell outrageous amounts of product, while we do better on attachments. We both make sustainable money, so we're both still open.

Fierfaerie

@Fierfaerie: It seems odd that they would have you so close to another location.

ceilingFANBOY: gets shrinkage on Saturday

@ceilingFANBOY: gets shrinkage on Saturday: Yep. Even better: the store across the street (we're an EB still, they're a Gamestop) suffers complete cumputer crashes if you try to run a transaction that requires a dial-out on both computers simultaneously. They sent people our way quite a few times during Christmas.

Fierfaerie

@Fierfaerie: I stopped up at GameStop on my lunch break the day after Christmas and the store was crowded...then they lost their dial up connection. Priceless.

ceilingFANBOY: gets shrinkage on Saturday

Meh, all these game stores make their revenues recycling used games.

Just that annoying little bugger between the teeth

fyren

@ceilingFANBOY: gets shrinkage on Saturday: Oh yeah, that would be awesome. I need to get another Growlanser CE in so I can pick it up...

That will probably never happen though. *sigh* Gamestop, ironically, is not a fan of technology. I remember when the companies merged and I saw all the lovely EB tech (district look-up mainly) go away. We only recently got that back, and it's not as accurate. I mean, Gamestop was on DOS before Eb merged with them. DOS! Most Gamestop stores have pretty archaic tech in them. No capture pads for signatures, dial-up modems, other things that make me sad...

Fierfaerie

I must say that I stopped shopping at EB/Gamestop a long time ago due to the fact that most of the sales people are know-it-all dipshits. I recently purchased a 360 arcade system from EB and actually had a sales person smirk at another when I asked for the arcade system. As if I was dumb for not getting the premium. If you assume that I didnt know the difference how about tell me, dont be an arrogant asshole. The internet allows consumers to do there own research on any product and simply walk into a store and make any purchase.

philnyc718

@Fierfaerie:

Ya, I never had a problem with sales, either. My approach to it was to always be honest and always make the customer feel like he's among friends rather than among "help". The Gamestop philosophy makes absolutely no investment in the long-term customer, something that "old world" service excelled at. After my stint at EB (which lasted a horrendous 3 years), I went to work for a few privately-owned stores and did really well simply because I got to know all the regulars and never got pushy with stupid promotions.

The thing most people don't understand about good sales is that it can't be broken down into a statistic in terms of percentages and overhead and all that rot. It's not a science - it's an art. The darker side is that it's all a con, and the lighter side is, well, if you treat people well, they'll come back to you. Gamestop/EB has never understood that.

Thankfully, my regular EB hangout these days is under the coolest manager and she doesn't run it like she's supposed to; she runs it like she ought to. haha

dunetiger

@ ninjapirate2000:

Stuntman: Babyz

globones (PSN)

I just want babyz 2 from ubisoft

ninjapirate2000

As a former store manager who walked away of his own free will, I can say with all sincerity that I will never give another dollar to that company. The reasons are too great to discuss on a forum such as this, but I can assure you all that integrity and this company shouldn't be included in the same sentence. And Dunetiger, I understand what you mean about running the store like it should be in the business sense. I did that as long as I could. But eventually your friend will have to make a choice as I did. It's a real shame.

GUAR6DIAN

My god, as if I didn't have enough Wiitards in my store as it is. Dunetiger hit it right on the head. Don't run it like your supposed to, run it like you ought to. that's what we do at my store as well. I actually just got rid of that god awful EA display that all stores are supposed to have. Thank god.

SoulPunch

To be honest I don't think the existing game retail chains will ever really work for the new casual market... The DS mums of the world don't want to be seen going into a shop like Gamestation...

I think a brand new casual-centric chain needs to be opened, perhaps by the same parent company, but with a totally different image.

DrLilo

The job is awesome for part time goofing off money. I don't mind working minimum wage hell. I friggen hang out all day, don't push pre orders, chat with people, read magazines and talk about video games a lot. And I *love* video games you guys. I've played just about everything all three systems have to offer, I've got a pretty insane collection built up from when I was a kid. So this job is perfect for me.

As for the way the store/company is run, however.

ITS BULLSHIT. We are given such barebones hours that, get this, I had to do ten thousand dollar (and upwards) deposits nightly, by myself, having to walk to the bank down the road. So this was 9:30-10 at night I had to carry this money with me all christmas. I still have to do deposits, just not for much anymore.

But that aint right. Thats so goddamn foul, having to walk down the street with that much money by yourself, after working the last few hours and closing the store by yourself. Because theres not enough hours to even give you a second employee. Hey, guess what that means, no bathroom breaks for four hours.

Plus, they want you to force and push pre-orders and games without incentive (no commission!) . I generally found the best way to get people to buy this shit is to not push it, just let them figure out what they want and talk about it with them, but hey...

Im tired of having people hate me for saying no wiis all the time. My boss put a sign up that said 'no wiis!' last year, but management told him to get rid of it.

All this casual gamer nonsense will just mean GBA, PSP, PS3 games will go to the small shelves, with xbox. 360 and PS2 will take middle displays, and the DS/Wii is going to be 1/3rd of the store (the ds/wii combined is already 1/5th of my store).

Komrade_Kayce

@Glames: Good suggestion! That would mean even less room for games, though.

I would like the EB Games/Gamestop stores better if when the clerk tries to engage me in conversation and discovers a) the games are for me or my husband and that b) I like shooters that they didn't stare at me in disbelief. It's good manners, people!

Signed your grouchy grandma in CH

Chilly Hollow

@blurayforever143:
?!
Oh my god...
We just have EBGames in Canada and I haven't seen that here yet.
I'm starting to understand the Gamestop backlash even better...

fuchikoma

Being a hardcore gamer, I'm really terrified of no longer being the center of attention in the video game industry. Yah, it's weird, but that's how I feel.

Kenninator

It probably just means the first store display you see as you walk in is for Dogz, Catz, Hanna Montana, Horsez, Ostrichez, Sealz, Hanna Montana, Hyenaz, Penguinz, Hedgehogz, Hanna Montana...

MikRoBot

Oh no, people are having fun without playing hardcore videogames, the tragedy! The terror! Make it stop PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! [/sarcasm]

Really, I didn't know people having fun was so bad... do you think everyone gets a computer to look up porn? Just because half the internet is Porn related doesn't mean everyone uses it for Porn.

I don't see what's so bad, Nintendo's last casual game was Wii Fit, it's not like they have an entire line up of casual games coming out... the top viewed games on all the sites are Wii games that aren't "hardcore" however Wii Fit is one of the few among the others that are hardcore.

Shaoko

@Manjikengo: Yeah, it's true. I am pretty funny. I like using satire to criticize what I see. For further information on satire and its use of hyperbole as a descriptive tool, please seek a university or community college in your area.

I am not sure if you are a Gamestop employee, but if you are, I will be sure to include "humorless" in my next reflection on my personal experience with Gamestop employees.

blueoysterjoe

@Shaoko: Whoops, typo!

the top viewed games on all the sites are Wii games that are hardcore however, Wii Fit is one of the few among the others that aren't hardcore.

Shaoko

And at the end of next quarter expect to read "Gamestop sells opened "new" games to casual gamers, buys millions of games from fools for pennies, makes lots more money than last quarter.

curtisawa