![Skyrim Being Sold In Select Stores Across Australia – Street Break Could Be Imminent [Update 2]](https://www.kotaku.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/10/skyrim1.jpg?quality=80&resize=1280,720)
We’ve just gotten off the phone with a store clerk in South Yarra’s Big W, Victoria, who has confirmed that they are now selling Skyrim for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Numerous other Targets are also reported to be selling copies of the game ahead of the official release date.
All other specialist retailers are currently standing strong with the Street Date, although there are numerous rumours from several different sources stating that EB plan to start selling at 3pm — presumably they’re waiting for all stores to get stock before pulling the plug on the Street Date.
At the moment it definitely appears as though the game is being sold only in select stores across the country — not all Big W stores are selling, and it could be the case that those selling may stop once distributors get wind of the break.
However, we fully expect that all specialist retailers will follow suit at some point today. Stay tuned for updates.
UPDATE: The South Yarra Big W is reportedly no longer selling Skyrim. However, there have been plenty of fresh reports of other mainstream retailers such as KMart selling.
UPDATE 2: Both GAME and EB are now selling across all stores.
Just break it already FFS!!!!
Yes please I need my Skyrim fix tonight
just bought my for 56 dollars, downloading on steam right now
Virtual IP?
PC version is steamlocked so breaking street date is irrelevant.
Of course, but there’s a lock on the Big W inventory system so you can’t actually BUY it…
When will kotaku realize that’s Oblivion not Skyrim in that picture
I don’t know why I did that. I know! That’s twice now! FIXED!
but the piratres have had it all week i am literally afraid to go onto 4chan because of spoilers
Yeah, cause that’s the main reason to be afraid of going onto 4chan 😛
I’ve got mine pre-ordered in the City so I won’t be picking it up until I go to Uni tomorrow anyway.
Thanks for the update tristan
is there some reason you have to be such an arse?
I lol’d
Then you can go back to the MCR and come up with a better pretend surname
Oh, yay. These date breaks aren’t good for anyone.
They work for me.
I like them
Why do we even HAVE a street date anymore?
#thingsiexpectedtoreadtoday
Oh and I finish work early today! Been on call all week and get off tomorrow – weekend of Skyrim? I think so.
I’m keen as for this game, but shame on you Australia… at least keep one street date in-tact you bloody idiots!
I really hope these retail stores get in trouble over this, I’m getting sick of it. Bethesda have picked a great date, worked hard to release the game on time and it all gets shat on by some idiotic retail monkey, followed by the money grubbing of the rest of the retail troop.
Modern Warfare 3 held firm.
I would expect that people handing over their hard earned money for the product would be recogntion for the hard work put in by Bethesda.
I actualy give bethesda credit for finally doing worldwide release and its a shame that the game will break the date by a couple of hours but in this day and age the release date should really be the date when the store gets the game in. In most cases your local EB/JB?etc will get the big AAA release in their store a week before its ment to be released
and if this one does break nationally you can expect this to be the last time Australia is included in a bethesda worldwide launch date
RAGE and SKYRIM both broken, not good. If only you guys knew….
Remembrance day is a terrible street date
You’re an idiot, The Netherlands and other European countries have already broken the release date, that is why EB and JB are considering releasing it
I really don’t see how breaking a street date bis bad for the publisher. Its not like people are going to go “Oh Game X is coming out a day early, time to cancel my preorder”. Publishers just say its bad and call in the spin doctors to bullshit everyone.
for true aussies its not the best date as 11th of november is rememberance day so today is better
Considering Australia get every single game, movie, album days (and sometimes weeks/months) after the US and Europe; and considering we pay way more for our games for no good reason than you guys do … I couldn’t give a flying fuck.
Cry harder next time.
Besides it’s not like PC versions can unlock until Steam says so.
Hope Eb in box hill breaks it 😀
I literally just rang them(south yarra big w), and spoke to games, she said its not available, its on sale tomorow…..so who did you speak to kotaku???
Haha, I’m tempted to report this comment 🙂
I even mentioned this in the story. It could be shut down already. She even told me she’d sold it, and had told six people to come in and get it already!
The powah of reading compels ye!
I’d say after this article, she’s probably had several dozen calls from people doing exactly what you did and has done a massive backpedal.
@Jarvgrimr the end result? We get to play earlier.
Thats all that happens, the whole “bad for the industry” thing is bullshit. Want to lobby against things in retail that hurt games? Fight Pre-owned,
In other news, I’ll be playing this afternoon and I have tomorrow off, all is right with the world.
@Ivan: Not for those on PC, sadly. I can understand the desire to get it early. I just feel bad for Beth that their aimed plan goes down the shitter for such paltry reasons.
I don’t know the specifics about “bad for the industry” but it certainly isn’t helping anything.
I am against pre-owned titles, very much so. I never get ’em as the money just goes to the middle man. I hate middle men.
She has lol, said i dont know who told everyone this, everyone is calling for this skyrim thing, its on embargo, we arent selling it, its not on the shop floor etc
‘Bout time. Maybe they can stop that f-ing live action trailer they’ve played non-stop for two weeks.
Also heard that EB was planning to start selling this “morning” Perth time. 3PM EST sounds plausible.
No, breaking street date allows me to play from 9pm tonight. W.A. FTW
I think we need to stop asking for street date breaks. It’s not going to be good in the long run.
Target are selling them, through an oblivion gate. They are popping up everywhere!
And that checkout chic with the spider body told me it was just a halloween costume…
COME ON COME ON COME ON COME ON!!!!!!!
hmmm and 11:11:11 was such a brilliant date
Just rang EBGames in Launceston Tas and they have no word of a street break yet
I doubt that the Eastgardens GAME would break the street date. Though I will leave on the first bus if they did.
*has Skyrim Dovahkin choir theme on repeat*
MW3333… i mean, SKYRIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Rang EB in Firle SA. They’re holding firm until tomorrow. So far.
LOL
I just rang my EB, pretty much said if they keep selling it, EB probably will. He’s got the stock already so I’m just gonna go there after work anyway and see if he sells me one.
I know someone in Big W is going to get a beating for doing this…
I remember when i scanned in a game pre-launch date and head office called the next day asking why.
So its interesting to note Big W actually follow up on these…
Did the rounds at my local mall while I was there, nothing on sale at the moment. (So I bought shirts instead, witnessed the customer in front of me get projectile vomited on by her daughter.)
I would also like to bring everyone attention back to this comment y Tracy
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/while-you-were-sleeping-262/comment-page-1/#comment-430394
🙂 How is the clean up going Mark 😛
I won’t sleep tonight…. I need this.
I think I may pick this up. It looks like a great world to lose hours in, & I luv the setting. Tbh ive been really let down by alot of new releases of late (Uncharted 3, Arkham City)
I crave an epic fantasy adventure. Heres hoping its on the shelves by knock off time!
deleted
You have no idea. The phone rings every five minutes and it doesn’t stop all day.
HN, 2*EB, JBHiFi and Target in Adelaide CBD all say tomorrow, however EB will realease it today if they get the all clear from HQ.
Adelaide ‘burbs will have it by the end of the day, I think. Plus it’s extended trading hours. I see at least 5 hours of skyrim selling time today.
I sincerely hope you’re right, i’ll head into my local EB/HN tonight after bubs is in bed, and I definitely feel a fever coming on at the moment.. *cough*cough*
Yeah you dont look so good dude. I’d rest up.
South Yarra, you’ve already done the damage, no point stopping now.
Burning through the sky… yeah.
200 degrees, that’s why they call me mr faranhei-ight.
I’m trav-lin at the speed of liiight.
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you.
Freddy, You look an awful lot like Smile Time Angel.
Just sayin.
ebgames usually puts friday releases on their shelves on thursday night. Not sure why, maybe because they need to have it ready for friday morning or something but they can’t exactly say no to someone once it’s on the shelf.
I’m gonna ring up my local Big W now though and ask if they are selling it.
What “reports” are these which stores?
The real question is – Y NO MIDNIGHT LAUNCH?
this is driving me INSANE!!! i can’t wait any longer…. hmph
Doesn’t matter for PC gamers, we’ll have to wait until steam unlocks it to play. Darn Steamworks.
Being able to play for a few hours around midnight vs having to wait til tomorrow night…I’d rather grab it today and get a quick look when it unlocks
Just rang my local EB here in Adelaide and they’ve heard nothing about a broken street date nor do they know of any plans by EB to start selling at 3 today.
EB Games Armadale WA has closed its doors with a sign up saying “Closed due to computer crash”
It’s Armadale, the guinea pig must have fallen out of the wheel at the power plant again.
LAWLS! And by ‘computer crash’, they probably mean everything was stolen 😛 (just a joke, don’t get offended Armadale folks).
Godammit JB, just sell it!
How do you know when JB’s selling it? Does it say on their site or something?
First time I’ve preordered with them, usually I get a text from EB if something has broken street date.
Christ, my hands are actually shaking at the thought of playing this game tonight.
I’m excited but my hands are sweaty, I feel nauseous, the last time I felt like this I was about to get married.
Unfortunately she managed to break the cellar lock and get away before the ceremony.
Theres a crowd outside my local EB waiting for the break 😀
I called up EB Games Watergardens / Taylors Lakes in Melbourne – when I asked about the street date being broken he pretty much paused and said “…where’d you hear that from?” I explained and he told me there was nothing as of yet. Could happen.
Im waiting on this store too
Bleh, so used to Thursday release dates.
As this a single player game and there is no advantage to playing it from day one I think I’ll wait for the hype to die down and for patches to be released. Should be a little cheaper on ebay or Ozgameshop by than.
Kick any puppies lately?
Lol.
Seriously this game needs to break today. Got tomorrow off and i have this game preorded at JB near my work, 45mins from my house. I do not want to have spend an hour and a half travelling tomorrow to pick this up.
Who releases games on a Friday anyway.
ouch that really hurt! … who throws a shoe? honestly
That’s precisely why game manuals were invented. To tide you over until you can pop that bad boy into a system. You know, like how all the french fries never seem to make it to the destination either…
I read game manuals while driving too!
Just checked (30 minutes ago) Canberra city’s Game, EB an BigW – no early release says they.
KOTAKU: STREET DATE BREAKS ARE BAD FOR THE INDUSTRY
one week later
BREAKING NEWS: POTENTIAL STREET BREAK – STAY TUNED!!!
bad for industry.
Good for us. Duh
If people want to know they want to know. You’ll notice I haven’t said a single positive thing about street dates.
im with you! I love street date breaks!
Be gone, Troll Trollington.
“Earthquakes are bad for humans. Let’s not cover them in the news!”
+1 Serrels. Is the jetlag gone yet, Mark?
Yep, if anything a street date breaking is just the ultimate verification of a games popularity, irregardless of whether it is right or wrong for the industry. It’s probably important to note that it seems that system specific games such as the Halo’s and Uncharted’s don’t seem to break as easily. Larger threats from the publishers methinks??
Just spoke to EB Games Knox City to pre-order the limited edition (late, I know). Anyway, they said that they have sold out their allocation, however, they are expecting a store to break street date later today. They will then start selling copied immediately!
Gonna check at 3pm!
I just called that exact same store and they told me they aren’t selling it, they will be selling it tomorrow. When I said I had heard of other stores selling it the guy sounded surprised then said unti they hear something from their head office they won’t be selling.
I’ll wait a while longer, see if more EB stores start selling it which will likely mean that they will.
update mark!!??!
There’s nothing concrete to report — sorry mate!
Can someone tell me why it’s bad for the industry if a game breaks street date?
yeah i also wanna know.. is good for us.. the game gets alot more hype when it breaks, like whats happening now.. and everyone still bloody well gets paid… everyone wins IMO
The street date thing allows retailers to start selling at the same time and thus levels the playing field and stops everyone from buying at the first place to get a shipment.
On the other hand everyone follows suit so quickly when there’s a break that the losses have to be largely negligible.
As far as publishers and developers go I can’t see how people being excited to purchase a game and then buying it and therefore making money for them is something to complain about at all.
With the exorbitant prices they charge us here I’m happy to think of it as the tax they get for overcharging us.
I wonder if JB will give me mine at 9pm when they close tonight as that will be midnight in nsw/vic? hmmm… might have to ring them
More importantly, when’s it unlocking on Steam?????
Hey guys, I just called JB bourke st melbourne, and they arent selling it until tomorrow. 🙁
I might go “hang out” at EB, sneek into the back room and leave my preorder docket in its place. It has my name on it afterall!
Midnight.
just been to eb Dandenong and the shela said that they had them sitting in the back room but can’t hand’em out…
Paying $100 for the exact same game that retails for $60 in the US, even though the Aussie dollar is above parity, is still the biggest stunt in the industry. Us aussies should get games early and break street dates because we get shafted bigtime on value.
Lol the guys at eb chapel st said they are waiting for the email from HQ.. but this isnt the first time bloody Big W Prahan have been selling games pree-release because they also did it for Space Marine lol
hay u guyz,
You can sells dis game now to teh peeplez.
frum
EB Hed offis
This sounds legit right?
hey Spid8r if your in melbourne go & buy games from Dungeon Crawl they sell their games for the same price as the yanks do.
But they don’t have Skyrim in stock yet. *twitch*
yeah but you know those guys they would sell it straight away as soon as they get it delivered lol
I just went to dungeon crawl in hopes of getting it early.. 🙁
That’s what I’m waiting for.
I went to the video store yesterday. To my surprise, they had Skyrim for hire. I’m playing it right now 😀
I’m loving it, so plan on buying it 🙂
Meh. I’m happy to wait the extra week or so for my 360 copy and save myself the $40 by getting it elsewhere. Paying in excess of $90 for games is for saps.
what if i got that $200 collectors edition with the statue and books and shit
Harvey Norman will be selling it for $78. I picked up Uncharted 3 Special Edition for $78 from there too. Not bad 🙂
I tried target, kmart and bigW in ringwood, none would sell it to me.
I’m disappointed =(
Any word on Sydney CDB shops breaking date?
EB Games says keep checking the Facebook page, my adorable local store guy said he’s making some calls and if it’s officially being sold else where then they’ll sell it with the next three hours.
Plus the midnight launches have been cancelled for EB Games which seems to hint copies will be available earlier.
Nothing as yet.
Watching the EB games twitter like a hawk. Please break.
EB GAMES BROKE IT 2PM! TTP – S.A.
iv’s rung up, EB Games Knox, Eastland and Chadstone, also GAME at Knox and Eastland and none are selling it until tomorrow, or have even heard about this….
No luck at any stores at Forest Hill & Eastland, VIC here 🙁
If anyone happens to buy it early, produce a receipt. Otherwise it didn’t happen.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/farugah/6331007772/
Legit?
Technically not broken street date, that’s a postal order.
omg the poor guys at eb Chapel st have been having nonstop calls all day about skyrim lol
SKYRIM IS ON SALE AT EBGAMES CHAPEL!!!!!!!!!!
Proof? Has it?!
Out in EB stores NOW!
david is right just called them
Confirmed EB selling now!!
Called an EB in Howrah, Tas. Confirmed street date has been broken.
Just got the call….off to pick up my Skyrim CE up from EB now.
Which store?
EB are officially selling it now. Cmon bethesda break the steam embargo! 😀
Update: EB officially selling Skyrim as of 1.45pm just picked mine up from the Forest lake store in Brisbane where their shelves are stacked 😀
for serious? their website hasnt changed
Photos!
PHOTOS!
EB Facebook confirms.
http://www.facebook.com/EBGamesAus
Confirmation here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=278041985567492&set=a.119672524737773.8312.107605795944446&type=1&ref=nf
“We can confirm that Harvey Norman have broken the street date, and Skyrim is now on sale. THE TIME HAS COME! GO GO GO!”
So Harvey Norman was the straw, ey?
GAME just tweeted, selling skyrim
Let the SKY-RIMMING begin!
Images of the sky baring its full moon and saying ‘Bring it baby…’
Confirmed EB have been given go ahead to sell 😀
LOL!! SWAP MEETS ….MARKETS…2 WEEKS OR LESS 10-15 BUX….FUCK EB GAMES..FUCK TARGET..FUCK BIG W..AND MOST OF ALL INTEL AND AMD..IM GONNA RUN IT ON A Q8200 AND 9600GT..YOUS CAN GET FUCKED TOO FOR RIPPIN ME OFF 3 YEARS AGO…FILTHY BASTARDS!!!
Best post ever.
Posters Gunna Post…
Haters Gunna Hate…
Going to pick up my 360 copy from EB West Lakes in Adelaide now!
How about JB HI FI?
How about CANBERRA, theres no late night shopping tonight so are they selling it till 5:30? MIGHT HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY FROM WORK LET ME KNOW LOL
Any news on JB Hi-Fi?
I was tossing up between the EB steelbook version and the game guide pack from JB and got suckered into JB. 😛
Anyone bought a copy for the PC yet? Is there a way around the steam lock? or are we waiting till 12am friday to play?
Anyone know if JB is selling it yet?
Just called EB in Tuggeranong Canberra and they have broken Street date. Work mate is going down now to get 6 copys for us xD
all interactive has released an email to their resellers (atleast HN) saying Skyrim can now be sold on all platforms
EB Games Australia Facebook page have a message saying Harvey Norman broke street date and Skyrim is for sale.
EB Games in Warwick QLD selling it.
Literally waiting by the mobile phone waiting for the call or I’ll call them but they give Pre-orders a call when it breaks.
God damnit can’t wait calling them now
Just called JB Hi-fi chermside and they said they are selling, heading there now.
Ladies and Gentlemen. I am on the train home from EB Chatswood Sydney with Skyrim in my hands.
EB Glen just sold their first copy to me 🙂
dont get too excited kiddies, my pc copy arrived by delivery a few hours ago and its steamlocked
console player wills be lucky though
im happy they broke the street date. The eleventh of November shouldn’t be remembered for skyrim. Its Rememberance day for christs sake!!!
Rememberance Day where though… US company remember. 11/11/11 is numerically significant date and won’t happen again for another 100yrs. That was the reason for the date choice – plus it leads into a runup to Black Friday in a few weeks, a major corporate date as it traditionally signifies the ‘break even date’ when corporates (especially retail) run at a profit as they head towards the Christmas season. Have to think globally, not locally 😉
except that the US is the only major market with that situation. Throughout the EU and in Australia, 11/11 is remembrance/armistice day, and quite often marked by memorial services. While in the US, it is the leadup to major sales time. So yeah, Bethesda is not thinking about the international market when they though up that release date.
Memorial days are irrelevant when releasing (non military shooter) video games.
Does anyone know if JB World Square is selling?? I have the game + guide preordered with them and havent got any text yet.
Bah, doesn’t matter if it broke street date. Doesnt unlock on steam until midnight (and nobody (should) cares about console gamers anyway. Lesser platforms should know their place.)
it sucks that im stuck at school on a bloody laptop.
Thank god i preordered 🙂
Raistlan- actually console gamers overtake the pc gamers by a mile 🙂
Got it 2 hours ago at EB Chapel for $78…seems everyone knows about it now, they only had about 20 copies…got a cloth map too and didnt even pre order.
does anyone have news about EB Ayr?
EB Fyshwick in Canberra sells it, plenty in stock.
can confirm that it is steam locked on the retail disc for pc version 🙁 till 10pm WA time i think
Got mine from EB at 3:05 pm. unfortunately i cant play it until it is released. Talk about a tease.
i had the chance to buy but i want my receipt to show 11.11.11 11.11.11AM
Can confirm… EB Forest Lakes (Brisbane) had it on sale as of 3:20pm EST. Big ‘OUT NOW’ display at the entrance to the store. So much for my online order – next time i’ll think twice.
I just picked up my copy from JB Hifi in Brisbane City. However the Big W close by had not broken the street date yet, seems the street date is being broken by some of the specialty store.
Bloody jammy Aussies….. Retailers here in the UK are tighter than a nun’s chuff when it comes to the street date 🙁
Dammmit, my phone ran out of charge and missed the txt from my local ebay telling me I can pick up my pre-order grr, why aint they open at 11pm
Am currently playing. Is awesome. That will be all.
Stellarborn – You dont know what you are talking about kid…Vanilla Skyrim which u have on 360,ps3 cant compare with 100001 mods that will be available for PC and make the world bigger,better,more beautiful..thousand other things..something u can only dream off on console kiddo..
Fallout / Fallot Las Vegas has 25% of content that is avilable now with mods on PC…
There is just no comparison…