Over the years, I've learned to live peacefully with GameStop. I still avoid the place for games and accessories whenever I can, but if I'm looking for a quick discount, there's nothing like there shops [anymore, because of these buyouts].

.endejas.

Why would that mean there would be closures if there are 8 stores spread over 5 cities? Are they small towns? I live in a city of around 140,000 people, and there are 4 Gamestop/EB Games locations here.

Spartan1308™

See now, I've only ever used The Gamesman once, and I was let down severely (pre-ordered Beautiful Katamari, and three weeks after release day, it still hadn't come. Canceled it in the end.)
Since no jobs are lost, this isn't tragic news. There are still other contenders in the "Kiwi-Owned" game company sector. GPstore.co.nz for example.
Though I'm sure it sucks for anyone who's ever had a positive history with The Gamesman and a negative one with EB Games.

psxman

I remember when this happened to Rhino Video Games. Used to be a great place to trade in old stuff. They had this deal running for as long as I can remember where you trade in 2 games of a specific generation for a brand new game of the same generation.

Now I either wait for bonuses to exploit Gamestop or use eBay :( ...

Grahf

Hrmph. I have a good friend who's a kiwi, he isn't going to like this.

Lyrai

That's what happens when you don't support your own countrymen.

fraggenstein

I'm far from New Zealand, but that sucks. Local stores are usually better.

Poison

Damn you EB Games, DAMN YOU!

They rarely have the games I want anyways.

LastFace

Eight stores in five cities just sounds so odd when I can think of seven places to buy video games in a two mile radius of where I live.

Oh and like a billion places to get a cheeseburger.

Capitalism FTW.

Absent Blue

It's unfortunate that this has to happen, but if there were a bright side, don't regions like that have a rough time importing some newer games?

Perhaps full control by a large company will help bring them new stuff...

Then again, they already could've just gone across town to get it at the other EB.

So...

Yeah.

That's awful.

Gavbot

Hey entire world, don't you ever learn?!

supercrap

I really hope they don't change the policies of the existing EBs too much.
Currently they have a really great policy where if you're not happy with your game purchase for any reason then you can hand back it back in a week after purchase!

popadophalis

If those stores are competing successfully against existing EBs in the area, I don't see any need for any store to be shut down.

liquidnumb

I buy all my games from gamesman's website. If it's in stock they have it at your door the next day, and if you preorder (Like I did with the PSP Crisis Core bundle) they have it on your doorstep the morning of release. Extremely reliable.

I've had the odd mishap where somethings been delayed (Guitar Hero, Sonic Heroes come to mind), but that was a nationwide thing. It's not a matter of sourcing, it's a matter of our shipments don't get to the country on time because bigger countries pinch them on the way. Ordering from EB wouldn't solve that (In fact, I did have an EB preorder for GH too, because the guy convinced me he'd have it before Gamesman. He got it two days later. Take from that what you will)

Cydewinder

@Savage505:

Yer it's true. Hopefully they keep the specialty stuff going. I.e. the dvd's, movies, etc

JAYJAYS

Captain Capitalism scores one for the economy! Kiwis, shut your gobs and bow down to the new corporate overlord. We demand it!

MOP88

Today's episode brought to you by the word, "monopoly."

GiantEnemyCrab

Im a kiwi and gamesman pretty much sucks anyway.

Savage505

In my girliest Darth Vader and Doc Ock voice I would just like to say...NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

J-Fro

so pretty soon the only real game specific stores out there outside of a couple mom and pop shops are going to be gamestops? i give an enthusiastic/sarcastic "whoo" -_-

demonknightinuyasha

speaking on behalf of new zealanders everywhere.... Screw globalisation, screw monopoly style business's, and further screw the trade commision for actually allowing buy outs like this to happen, we need to see more funding for NZ owned and run business as well as tax incetives to start your own brand.

Stop trying to imitate America NZ! look at whats happening to the american economy, then when you consider NZ's economic model is based off that... well it doesn't leave me with high hopes for our education, health, and justice systems. not remotely game related, but DANG PEOPLE! get a clue!

Tycus

God damn it. EB are pretty much crap, as stated above. I don't hate EMO's , but for some reason they are the only ones who work at EB.

Goodbye Gamesman, I loved you like a brother I only visited every now and then.

Crab_Botherer

This is a real crying shame.
I can't speak for every gamesman store - but my local store in cuba st, wellington has provided the best service and customer relations over the last few years.

The staff always remembered the systems i own, and the games i purchased. The website always had my orders out promptly and at cheaper prices than eb. It was a much more personal experience than buying from eb games.

In fact, after dealing with the arrogance of a couple of EB workers, i refused to shop there ever again mo matter how good a special was. Most of the staff are jumped up prats in a tie with too much hair gel.

As long as the staff stay, and the policies dont change too much - then i will continue to shop there. otherwise, time to find a new gaming supplier!

dystopia

It's unofficial word aka rumor. I'm not going to panic just yet... Although the gamesman store in lower hutt usually has awesome deals.

munkah

I'm not sure whether this is bad or not (assuming it is actually true). The local EB stores are definitely hit and miss with some being downright awful, but I've not been especially impressed with the Gamesman stores I've been in either. I don't really have much time for any of the local bricks and mortar games stores these days.

MattB

meh, havn't been to a gamesman in ages. The one in my town closed down years ago.

juliopalio

Gamesman was terrible. I preordered twice from there, and both times were a disaster. They 'forgot' to keep my order the first time, and the second time they got a shipment in a week later than most of the other retailers here. I've been using Gameplanet ever since, they've never missed an order in the 3 years I've been using them and it's far more convenient to order online and get the game in the mail the next day.

Irafe

Although I'm American, this still annoys me.

Where's the competition anymore in game-specific retailers? You might see several names out there... GameStop, FuncoLand, Babbage's, Software Etc., Planet X, EB Games... But they're all the same thing: GameStop.

Without any DIRECT competition (while there certainly are other retailers for games, it isn't their primary means of income), GameStop has little reason to improve service or product selection. Hell, they often charge $5 more for GBA/DS games than other retailers do.
Or the insane markup they'll get on used games. They may give you $5 for a game, then sell it back for $30. I understand businesses have to make money, but that kind of markup seems wrong.

BPMκ

I hate EB as much as the next man but Gamesman has kept pretty static since I first saw their stores open 10-ish years ago..never much in the way of creative marketing etc.
They'll usually overpriced too.
Gpstore ftw

pottsynz

That is pretty tragic in my opinion.
EB has some of the best prices and they seem to be in a constant state of MASSIVE SALE, but the quality of their staff tends to be pretty poor.
And it is only fairly recently that they got off their asses and put up a NZ website to order from.

Fortunately the best place to buy games is still around and going strong (GPstore.co.nz).
Gamesman didn't have a branch in Hamilton but I would have shopped there if they did.

kovac

Wait - New Zealand has electric power now?!?

I kid, I kid.

EB Games = Monopoly

Vanguarde

We don't have a dedicated games store where I live, but I have to agree that gpstore.co.nz has to be the best online store.

I've always had great service from them, never anything bad to say. So unless a local store sets up shop, I'll continue to support GPstore.

dnzperson

That kind of pisses me off. Fortunately I'm a kiwi who learnt how to use his wings and has since left the country, but that's a real damn shame.

*slaps Vanguarde for his comment* ;)

Catsi

You need to get it right. It's the GAMESTOP empire that is taking this. Gamestop bought out EB, remember.

Good to see my former employer is still up to trying to monopolize video game retail.

AZRockslide

Catsi is a traitor

*waves an angry fist

kovac

@Vanguarde: I know! Today, I discovered you can light a room without a candle! Oooooooo...

But yeah, GPStore is awesome, usually have good prices on non-new release games, and free delivery is always nice.

TheJeanGenie

I for one will welcome our new overlords with open arms.

PyramidKazoo

i think this sucks. the guys at gamesman treat you like people not like the arogant (forgive bad spelling) dickheads at eb games. no where will i buy my anime from? eb doesnt do anime over here

chozo_hybrid