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[CrunchinJelly]

UPDATE: 26/03/12 - THE FOLLOWING STORES ARE NOW CLOSED.

Abergavenny  Unit 3 Cibi Walk, Frogmore Street
Accrington   29 Broadway 
Aintree  Comet 
Altrincham   97 George Street 
Andover  49 High Street 
Antrim  Unit 42, Junction One Outlet Centre 
Ashford  18 County Square 
Ashington  12 Station Road, Ashington
Ashton  Unit 28, The Arcade 
Athlone  Unit 44 Athlone Town Centre 
Aylesbury  Units 36-37, Friars Sq. Shopping Centre 
Ballymena  Unit 15 Fairhill Shopping Centre 
Banbury  4B Castle Quay Shopping Centre 
Bangor NI  9 Bloomfield Centre 
Barking  Unit 17 Vicarage Fields Shopping 
Barnet  Unit 10 The Spires Shopping Centre 
Barnsley   32 Market Street 
Barnstaple  30 High Street 
Barrow In Furness  Unit 26, Portland Walk 
Basildon  84 Town Square 
Basingstoke  3 Mayfair House 
Bath  SU7 St Lawrence Street, Southgate Centre 
Beckton  19 Gallions Reach, 3 Armada Way 
Belfast  Unit 55 Castle Court Shopping Centre, Belfast
Belfast (Conns)  Unit 20, Connswater Centre 
Belfast (Forestside)  Unit 12, Forestside Shopping Centre, Upper Galway 
Birkenhead  35-37 Milton Pavement, Grange Precinct 
Birmingham  Unit 52, The Pallasades 
Birmingham  138 New Street 
Birmingham Fort  Unit 3a The Fort Shopping Park 
Bishop Auckland   59 Newgate Street 
Blackburn  Unit 7 Victoria Court, The Mall 
Blackpool  Unit 19, Houndshill Shopping Centre 
Blanchardstown  Unit 112, Blanchardstown Town Centre 
Bluewater  LO42 Lower Thames Walk, Bluewater 
Bolton   37 Newport Street 
Bootle  Unit 7, 63 Parkside, Strand Shopping Centre 
Boston  23 Strait Bargate 
Bournemouth  Unit 4, Avenue Centre, Commercial Road 
Bournemouth  49 Commercial Street 
Bracknell  39 Princess Square 
Bradford  Unit 2, The Broadway 
Bradford  4-6 Darley Street 
Brent Cross  Unit B15, Brent Cross Shopping Centre 
Bridgend  12/14 Adare Street 
Bridlington  Unit 11 The Promenades 
Brighton  69 Western Road 
Bristol  SU16 Cabots Circus, Broadmead
Bromley  68-68A High Street 
Burnley   68/70 St James Street 
Burton on Trent  7 Underhill Walk 
Bury   20 Princess Parade 
Buxton  Unit 13, Spring Gardens 
Camden  124 Camden High Street 
Cannock   6 Market Hall Street 
Canterbury  14 High Street 
Cardiff  92 Queen Street 
Chatham  152 High Street 
Cheltenham  100 High Street 
Chester   39 Foregate Street 
Chesterfield  22 Vicar Lane Shopping Centre (10 Vicar Lane) 
Chiswick  350 High Road 
Cirencester  26, Cricklade Street 
Clacton on Sea  20-22 Station Road 
Colchester  3 Shewell Walk, (Unit 13 The Culver Centre) 
Coleraine  16 Kingsgate Street 
Collierswood  Unit 9a Tandem Centre, Christchurch Road
Congleton  45-47 High Street 
Cork  6 Mahon Point, Cork 
Cork  66 Patrick Street, , Cork, Eire,  
Coventry  Unit 22, West Orchards Centre, Smithford Way 
Cowley  107 Pound Way, Templars Square Shopping Centre
Cramlington   4 Dudley Court 
Crawley  Unit 8, County Mall 
Crawley  10-12 The Martlets 
Crewe  Unit 7, The Market Centre 
Croydon  98/99 Whitgift Centre 
Croydon (Purley Way)  Comet 
Cumbernauld  Unit 29, Antonine Shopping Centre, Tryst Road
Dewsbury  12 Longcauseway 
Doncaster   43/44 Market Place 
Dorchester  55 South Street 
Dublin  2 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Eire,  
Dublin  Unit 18, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1 
Dublin (Dundrum)  Unit 10, Level 3, Dundrum Centre, Dublin 
Dublin (Dundrum)  Hamleys Dundrum 
Dublin (Liffey)  Unit 37, Liffey Valley Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin,  
Dudley  7 Churchill Parade 
Dudley (Merry Hill)  Unit L87, Merry Hill Shopping Centre 
Dumbarton  77/79 High Street 
Dundee  40 Murraygate 
Dunstable  6-8 Nicholas Way, Quadrant Shopping Centre, Dunstable, LU6 1TD 
Durham  Unit SU40, Land Of The Prince Bishops Shopping Centre 
East Ham  111 High Street North 
East Kilbride  5 The Olympia, Town Centre 
Edinburgh  127 Princes Street 
Edinburgh (Leith)  Unit RU4, Ocean Terminal 
Ellesmere Port  18 Mercers Walk 
Enfield  37 Church Street 
Enniskillen  Unit 23, Erneside Shopping Centre 
Evesham  Unit 16, Riverside Centre 
Exeter  SU19 Princeshay 
Falkirk  Unit 34, Howgate Centre 
Fleet  16 Hart Centre 
Gainsborough  Unit 13b, Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough
Galashiels  Unit 8 Douglas Bridge, Galashiels
Galway  5 Eglington Street 
Glasgow  Unit L3/22 , Buchanan Galleries 
Glasgow  Hamleys Glasgow 
Glasgow  146 Sauchiehall Street 
Glasgow  83 Sauchiehall Street 
Glenrothes   42 Unicorn Way 
Gloucester  16 Kings Walk 
Grantham  53 High Street 
Great Yarmouth  Unit 10 Market Gates Shopping Centre 
Gretna  Unit 53, Gretna Outlet Village 
Grimsby   24 Victoria Street West 
Halesowen  38 Hagley Mall, Cornbow Centre, Halesowen
Halifax   12 Woolshops 
Hanley  Unit F, The Potteries, Hanley 
Hanley  214-215 The Potteries 
Harlow  8 Broad Walk, Harlow
Harrogate  2D Cheltenham Parade 
Harrow  68-70 St. Anns Road 
Hartlepool   92 Middleton Grange Shopping Centre 
Hastings  19 Queens Road 
Hemel Hempstead  Unit 201, The Marlowes Shopping Centre 
Hemel Hempstead  Unit 12, The Marlowes Shopping Centre 
Hereford   56 Commercial Street 
High Wycombe  16 Church Street 
Hounslow  Unit 13, The Treaty Centre, High Street 
Hull  Unit G46, Princes Quay 
Huyton  Unit 5 Cavendish Walk, Derby Road, Huyton
Hyde  8 The Square, Hyde 
Ilford  172 - 174 High Road 
Inverness   6-8 Ingliss Street 
Jarrow  25 Viking Precinct, Jarrow
Kensington  185 High Street 
Kettering  27 Gold Street 
Kidderminster  82 Worcester Street 
Kingston  64-66 Clarence Street 
Lakeside  Unit 282 Lakeside Shopping Centre 
Lancaster  Unit 15, Ashton Walk, St. Nicholas Arcade 
Leamington Spa  83 Parade 
Leeds  50-52 Albion Street 
Leeds   18 Kirkgate 
Leeds (Birstall)  Unit 8b Birstall Shopping Park 
Leeds (Crossgates)  58 Crossgates Shopping Centre
Leeds (Crown Point)  Unit 5b Crown Point Retail park 
Leicester   42 Granby Street 
Lewisham  68 Lewisham Centre 
Limmerick  Unit 11A, Cruises Street, Limerick, Eire,  
Lincoln (Valentine)  Unit 2a Valentine Retail Park 
Lisburn  6 Bow Street 
Lisburn  Unit A10, Bow St. Mall 
Liverpool  Unit 43/44 Clayton Square Shopping Centre 
Liverpool  Unit 44, South John Street
Llandudno  46 Mostyn Street 
Llanelli  Unit 1, Llanelli Shopping Centre 
Long Eaton  10 Market Place 
Lowestoft  43 London Road North 
Luton  142-144 Andale Centre 
Luton  39 George Street 
Macclesfield  25 Mill Street 
Maidenhead  75 Queens Walk, The Nicholson Centre 
Maidstone  351 Chequers Centre 
Manchester  Unit L16 Arndale Centre 
Manchester  Unit 59, Arndale Centre 
Manchester (Trafford)  124 Peel Centre, Trafford Centre 
Mansfield   38A Westgate 
Meadowhall  Unit 29, High Street, Meadowhall Shopping Centre
Meadowhall  Unit 52, High Street, Meadowhall Centre 
Melton Mowbray  14-15 Market Place, Melton Mowbray
Merthyr Tydfill  4 Graham Way, Tydfils Shopping Centre 
Merthyr Tydfill  Unit 3 Beacons Place Shopping Centre 
Metrocentre  Unit 112 Lower blue hall, Metro Centre 
Middlesbrough   108 Linthorpe Road 
Middleton  G14 Middleton Shopping Centre 
Milton Keynes  Unit SU 10, Midsumer Place 
Monaghan  Unit 27 Monaghan Shopping Centre 
Newark   9 St Marks Place 
Newbury  63A North Brook Street 
Newcastle  8 High Friars, Eldon Square 
Newcastle  Fenwicks Concession 
Newcastle   78 Grainger Street 
Newport  13 Commercial Street 
Newport Isle Of Wight  63 High Street 
Newry  Unit 12A, Buttercrane Shopping Centre 
North Finchley  776 High Road 
North Shields  Comet 
Northampton  17 Abingdon Street 
Norwich  17 St Stephens Street 
Norwich  3-4 Castle Mall Shopping Centre 
Nottingham  Unit 2, 33 Listergate 
Nuneaton  2A Market Place 
Oldham  Unit 18, The Spindles Shopping Centre 
Omagh  Unit 5, Main Street Development 
Orpington  79 - 81 The Walnuts, Orpington, BR6 0TW 
Perth   9 Scott Street 
Peterlee  21 Yoden Way 
Plymouth  81/83 New George Street 
Portadown  Unit 6, High Street Mall 
Portsmouth  7 Meadow Walk, Cascades Shopping Centre 
Preston  8 Fishergate Centre 
Preston   172 Friargate 
Putney  Unit 28, Exchange Shopping Centre 
Ramsgate  30 High Street 
Reading  Unit 17 Oracle Shopping Centre 
Redcar  Unit 8, Regent Centre 
Rhyl  64 High St 
Rochdale  54 Market Way 
Rugby  45-46 Clocktower Centre 
Runcorn  48 Forest Walk, Halton Lea Shopping Centre 
Salisbury  11 High Street 
Scarborough   112B Westborough 
Scunthorpe  58 High Street 
Sheffield  Unit 22/24, Fargate 
Sheffield   37/41 The Moor 
Shrewsbury   3-4 Castle Street 
Skelmersdale   UNIT 27 Upper Mall, The Concourse Shopping Centre 
Slough  N21 Curzon Mall, Queensmere Centre 
Solihull  Comet 
South Shields  89/91 King Street 
Southampton  Unit SU8, West Quay Centre 
Southampton  82 Above Bar Street  
Southport   203 Lord Street 
Speke  Comet 
St Albans  Unit 32, The Maltings 
Stafford   21 Gaolgate Street 
Staines  54 High Street 
Stevenage  64 Queensway 
Stevenage  54 Queensway 
Stirling  Unit 24, The Thistle Centre 
Stockport  Comet 
Stockton-on-Tees  Unit SU32, Wellington Square 
Stockton-on-Tees  134B High Street 
Stratford  88 The Mall 
Stratford upon Avon  13 Town Square Shopping Centre 
Sunderland  251 High Street 
Sunderland   27 Blandford Street 
Sutton  192 High Street 
Sutton Coldfield  Unit SU7, New Hall Walk, Lower Sutton Parade 
Swansea  12 Union Street 
Swindon  9 Havelock Square, Brunel Shopping Centre 
Swindon  7 Regent Sreet 
Tallaght  Unit 307, The Square
Tamworth  Unit 18, Ankerside 
Taunton  47 North Street 
Telford  Unit 6, 159 New Mall, Telford Shopping Centre 
Telford  32 Sherwood Street, Telford Shopping Centre 
Torquay  5 Union House 
Truro  Unit 2, 4/6 Pyder Street 
Uxbridge  13 Market Square 
Victoria  10 Victoria Place, Buckingham Palace Road 
Wakefield   17 Kirkgate 
Walsall   42 Old Square Shopping Centre 
Walthamstow  Unit 11A, Selbourne Centre 
Wandsworth  61 South Mall, Wandsworth Shopping Centre 
Warrington  46 The Mall 
Washington  Unit 30 Albany Mall, The Galleries 
Washington  26 Albany Mall 
Welwyn Garden City  21 The Howard Centre 
Wembley  458 High Road 
West Belfast  Unit 4 Park Centre, Donegall Road 
Weston Super Mare  85 High Street 
Weymouth  Unit 5, Bond Street Centre 
Wigan   23 Market Place 
Winchester  106A High Street 
Windsor  21 King Edward Court 
Woking  4 Middle Walk 
Wolverhampton  27 Dudley Street 
Wood Green  83 High Road 
Woolwich  112 Powis Street 
Wrexham  42-43 Hope Street 
Wythenshawe  18 The Birtles, Wythenshawe
Yeovil  13-15 Vicarage Walk, Quedam Shopping Centre 
York  Unit3, 5 Spurriergate 

Ruh-oh.

http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1228070/uk_retailer_game_publishers_to_withold_new_games_source.html

UK Retailer Game: 'Publishers To Withold New Games' - Source

Publisher credit assurance runs out for UK retailer, source tells NowGamer.

Published on Feb 1, 2012

UK high street retailer Game has "lost credit assurance with most of its publishers," meaning it won't be given stock of upcoming game releases, a source has told NowGamer.

If true, it could have a huge impact on the upcoming PS Vita launch, as well as anticipated games such as Mass Effect 3, SSX and Twisted Metal.

Game struggled over the traditionally profitable festive period last year, with year-on-year sales down 17.6 per cent in the UK and Ireland for the eight weeks ending 7 January.

Our source said Game has "lost credit assurance with most of its publishers," and "won't have stock of the upcoming releases."

The source added that there is also speculation within the company that staff's wages will be withheld in an attempt to boost the retailer's year end figures in March, with a press release set to outline the company's stance.

Two weeks ago, Game CEO Ian Shepherd recently told MCV: "We take our relationships with our partners in the industry very seriously. Without them we are nothing. And without us I think the video games industry would be a very different and much smaller place. We support each other and we have done a very good job of it over the last year."

He also conceded that Game "had a bad year financially," in 2011 and that "2012 will also be a difficult and challenging environment in which to trade."

"I don’t think the consumer economy is suddenly going to turn around anytime soon," Shepherd said. "And so we will be very careful. But fundamentally the wider context is, we have a clear vision about where we are taking this business. And when I talk to investors and banks, I hear a great deal of support for that strategy."

 

[Dabanton]

Uh GAME are pretty shitty in some respects but a lack of game shops on the high street would be a bad thing imo.

I like being able to drop in and pick up a few cheap games.

 

[gofreak]

Ummm, wtf. I just put down a 'non-refundable' Vita deposit with them. If I don't get my Vita from them it damn well better be refundable

 

[twisteddeeds]

Game going bust by 2013?... My prediction was correct...

Go me... wohoo

On a serious note.. they rarely have any new games stock instore anyhow... its all about preowned and tradeins..

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

It's really strange, as GAME outlets are always among the busiest shops on the high street, and this would still be the case with that big a drop.

Not that I shop there. Perhaps more and more people are relying on online retailers/Supermarkets?

 

[Lima]

And they are the exclusive carrier of the Mass Effect 3 limited edition. I said damn!

Is the UK market in such deep shit right now ?

With the price fights going on? I'd say yes. You can get games for half a week or two after they came out. Crazy times.

 

[bitoriginal]

As much as I hate on Game, this isn't good news.

 

[DBT85]

Game and gamestation are the only ones that have Vita demo units direct from Sony. I can't believe they will have any issues selling the Vita at launch.

 

[Nemesis_]

Jesus.

I wonder if this will affect the Australian brances of GAME?

 

[bigtroyjon]

Ummm, wtf. I just put down a 'non-refundable' Vita deposit with them. If I don't get my Vita from them it damn well better be refundable

Good luck, sounds like you are going to need it. If they are actually going to withhold pay, I bet they'll withhold refunding your deposit as well.

 

[JosephManderley]

If the story is true then they are finished. They'll end up following Zavvi and becoming online-only.

 

[gofreak]

Game and gamestation are the only ones that have Vita demo units direct from Sony. I can't believe they will have any issues selling the Vita at launch.

That is true...I presume Sony is a publisher they don't have credit problems with at the moment given that they seem to be a semi-official launch partner.

 

[bigtroyjon]

That is true...I presume Sony is a publisher they don't have credit problems with at the moment given that they seem to be a semi-official launch partner.

good point, could be they have held off from paying some companies but not necessarily all of them.

 

[NHale]

I doubt it will reach that point. Publishers know they need GAME group to sell more games.

 

[Kyoufu]

As shitty as GAME are, they're the only retailer at my local high street now, so this is not a good thing.

 

[grimshawish]

Poor Game :'( UK economy is fucked.

 

[Moobabe]

Ummm, wtf. I just put down a 'non-refundable' Vita deposit with them. If I don't get my Vita from them it damn well better be refundable

You can always put it towards something else in store

You know it's sad when you hear about your own wages being potentially withheld because of a news story rather than company higher ups...

 

[CrunchinJelly]

It's really strange, as GAME outlets are always among the busiest shops on the high street, and this would still be the case with that big a drop.

Not that I shop there. Perhaps more and more people are relying on online retailers/Supermarkets?

HMV are one of the busiest shops on the high street, as well. They're also in deep shit. Basically the stock management of these stores is fucking awful.

Same happened with Zavvi near the end, same happened with Woolworths near the end.

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

As much as I hate on Game, this isn't good news.

Part of the issue is they've destroyed or eaten up the competition, so if they go down, B&M stores are fucked.

Game pricing in general needs to change IMO. There should be more elasticity with pricing depending on the game's budget and scope. Also, games should sold for the same or a bit less next generation, but without the need for constant price drops.

The whole "launch at £40/$60" mantra has resulted in this crazy scenario where people are getting games half-price a few weeks after release, which just isn't healthy in the long-run, despite being awesome for us in the short term. PC games have started to lead the way when it comes to pricing strategies, and perhaps consoles should follow.

 

[weeaboo]

there are plenty of rumors in Spain too about GAME closing everything (here they have nearly 200 shops)

 

[pitcairn55]

On a serious note.. they rarely have any new games stock instore anyhow... its all about preowned and tradeins..

I was in my local Game for the first time in ages the other day, and I couldn't believe how few new games they had in. Racks and racks of pre-owned stuff though.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

I wonder if this is why they only had 2 copies of RE: Revelations per store, and didn't even stock it online.

They also stopped FFXIII pre-orders on their website for a few days.

Hmmm.

 

[Zutroy]

It's sad but inevitable. Why would I go there and buy it at full price when I can get it for a fraction of that online? I think even the casual market are clicking on to this.

 

[twisteddeeds]

I think they'll end up shutting down the smaller branches and go mostly online.. but when they have the business model that they do, is anyone really that suprised that publishers are getting fed up with them cashing in on trade ins/ pre owned..

 

[reptilescorpio]

Well that sucks, GAME are awesome here in Australia. Their online store has free postage that is super quick, the opposite of EBGames.

EB pushed them out of most retail spots near me by running insane deals all the time. Picked up a hell of a lot of games from it, including Bayonetta for $15 only a few months after launch.

 

[Moobabe]

I wonder if this is why they only had 2 copies of RE: Revelations per store, and didn't even stock it online.

They also stopped FFXIII pre-orders on their website for a few days.

Hmmm.

We had to stop taking FFXIII-2 deposits for the collector's edition (and for ME3) about 3 weeks ago...

 

[FleckSplat]

What does "on the high street" mean? I've seen it used in this thread a few times. Is it a British-ism?

 

[BGBW]

Cashing out all my loyalty points now. I'll just buy a bunch of Nintendo prepaid cards.

 

[Unagi]

This explains why I couldn't order Metal gear solid HD collection from their site yesterday.

Could only find this page full of comments.

 

[gofreak]

You can always put it towards something else in store

You know it's sad when you hear about your own wages being potentially withheld because of a news story rather than company higher ups...

Very sorry man :\ I hope it works out OK for you and everyone else working there.

 

[Slayer-33]

Is game UK's GameStop or something? People seem to hate it lol

 

[VOOK]

What is a 'high street'

 

[twisteddeeds]

I was in my local Game for the first time in ages the other day, and I couldn't believe how few new games they had in. Racks and racks of pre-owned stuff though.

The amount of times i've called in on launch day at 9 am just to be told that they have no stock (even with preorders) and don't know when they will be getting it in.. then to find out a few days later from my mate that works there that they had 1 copy in.. (and on more than one occasion) bought by a staffer and sold on ebay *tales of they abyss 3ds was the last one* is shocking..

Is game UK's GameStop or something? People seem to hate it lol

Pretty much yeah

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

What does "on the high street" mean? I've seen it used in this thread a few times. Is it a British-ism?

Essentially, it refers to the main street(s) in a town centre, which traditionally is the commercial centre of a town or city. The issue is that the traditional high street has been eaten away for years now by out of town shopping centres and retail parks (malls, essentially) and obviously, the internet.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

This explains why I couldn't order Metal gear solid HD collection from their site yesterday.

Could only find this page full of comments.

They won't be stocking the HD Collection at all? Really, really bizarre.

Sounds like they are well and truly fucked with a few publishers, then.

 

[Moobabe]

Very sorry man :\ I hope it works out OK for you and everyone else working there.

Yeah we'll be fine - we have a Gamestation store about 50 yards from us as well - I can't imagine they'd close both of us down. And to be honest - management even on a store by store level is pretty shocking...

 

[Bradach]

i just spoke to Game in Dublin yesterday about prebooking a Vita. I told him i was on the fence and might drop in and pick one up at launch but he told me that they were just receiving the amount of units that were pre-ordered. he said there would be no extra stock.

 

[Mafro]

I wonder if this is why they only had 2 copies of RE: Revelations per store, and didn't even stock it online.

They also stopped FFXIII pre-orders on their website for a few days.

Hmmm.

Yeah they finally started selling Revelations online a few days after release.

 

[MrNyarlathotep]

Personally, I think the world will continue just fine without Game in existence.

In the same way Our Price (a UK chain devoted to only selling music) became obsolete with the rise of online retail and digital distribution and supermarkets expanding their entertainment selection, Game can go the same way.

Also, now they can't blackmail publishers into not selling their PC titles via Steam.
Karma's a bitch.

 

[gofreak]

What is a 'high street'

It's what is referred to as 'main street' in America (I think).

The traditional street shops/retail.

 

[Mpl90]

Part of the issue is they've destroyed or eaten up the competition, so if they go down, B&M stores are fucked.

Game pricing in general needs to change IMO. There should be more elasticity with pricing depending on the game's budget and scope. Also, games should sold for the same or a big less next generation, but without the need for constant price drops.

The whole "launch at £40/$60" mantra has resulted in this crazy scenario where people are getting games half-price a few weeks after release, which just isn't healthy in the long-run, despite being awesome for us in the short term. PC games have started to lead the way when it comes to pricing strategies, and perhaps consoles should follow.

Dynamic pricing system needs to happen the soonest possible. The situation could become even worse if they continue for too much time.

 

[twisteddeeds]

Yeah we'll be fine - we have a Gamestation store about 50 yards from us as well - I can't imagine they'd close both of us down. And to be honest - management even on a store by store level is pretty shocking...

GAME own Gamestation though..

 

[Family Fry]

GAME say this week will be ok.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-releases-will-be-at-game-this-friday/090551

 

[SmokyDave]

Inevitable. There's no room in the high street market for GAME, only indies (interesting stock, not just the latest games) and supermarkets (cheap prices on the new mainstream stuff). Online takes care of everything else.

Try as I might, I can't say as I'll miss them.

 

[gofreak]

GAME say this week will be ok.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-releases-will-be-at-game-this-friday/090551

They're also denying the wages claim.

But that anon publisher comment sort of sounds worrying, like maybe things aren't quite as under control as Game's claiming.

However, that’s not to say that GAME is not facing stern challenges. The chain admitted last month that it will struggle to meet EBITDA covenants requirements by February 27th.

And speaking anonymously to MCV, once publisher executive stated: “No credit from the agencies means no stock for the stores. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. You won’t find a new release this Friday.”

 

[Mpl90]

So, in UK right now, the biggest collectors of gaming customers right now are supermarkets, if I understand correctly... right?

 

[bigtroyjon]

GAME say this week will be ok.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/new-releases-will-be-at-game-this-friday/090551

So this week is fine, doesn't sound good for the future though.

However, MCV can also confirm that GAME is facing challenges regarding its credit insurance and that its financial landscape has changed significantly since the beginning of the year. It is now having to work individually with publishers to find answers to the financing problems

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

Sounds like it's now under control but really, what a fucking joke.

 

[grimshawish]

I think they'll end up shutting down the smaller branches and go mostly online.. but when they have the business model that they do, is anyone really that suprised that publishers are getting fed up with them cashing in on trade ins/ pre owned..

1 - What has trade ins got to do with anything? They'd be dead already without it!
2 - Tradins boost sales for publishers, their just all too stupid to research it (basically shareholders seeing $$$ signs everywhere - think the Film industry backing SOPA; they don't realise this is an audience who won't go to cinema anyway, and need engaging (music industry doesn't complain too much these days!)) - someone who trades games in will be able to buy more, and buyers will likely not be able to afford games anyway, and so wouldn't buy anyway - yet their still financing publishers through their third party who can now buy the things.
3 - Same can be said of game. Without trade-ins they'd be stocking even less, and pushing up other prices for profit (if their not dead yet) - selling this games.

So thats not the issue here.


On an unquoted note. Inflation also kills Game, its very high atm (because the Bank of England think reducing the value of all our money is a good thing /sigh) - and over the years games have stuck at the same prices. Sometimes raising £10/£5 for a new-gen, but thats about it. Games store running costs are up, yet their profit margins are getting attacked. Not a great system really, or an affordable one.

The games industry is weaker, but thats not enough to explain the effects on numerous companies. Online retailers don't have the same affects of inflation (hell they can just raise their delivery costs to make up most!) and so its difficult for the likes of Game to compete with them - as with other retailers.

 

[gofreak]

Eurogamer's $0.02

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...e-as-doubt-cast-on-ability-to-stock-new-games

Eurogamer has heard from multiple UK industry sources that the specialist video game retailer has lost credit insurance with a number of publishers.

This means that publishers are now forced to take the risk on games that do not sell - something they do not wish to do. "Sale or return" meant publishers would pick up the slack on stock that did not sell, but GAME is not getting this currently.

GAME is now being asked by publishers to pay for new stock up front with cash.

This week sees the launch of Final Fantasy 13-2, SoulCalibur 5, NeverDead and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Eurogamer understands GAME will stock these games on Friday.

So basically...as long as they can keep paying cash up front for games they can keep stock coming. But how long can they do that? Is there prospect of them getting back their credit insurance/assurance soon?