"GAME Is Full Of Good People"
After GAME announced administration filings yesterday, EA has spoken out to suggest that the chain - and its employees - could definitely survive in some form. However, apparently a different approach will be needed for whoever decides to take over the chain.
Speaking at the Westminster Media Forum earlier today (via GamesIndustry), EA's UK managing director Keith Ramsdale suggested that there's still space in the market for GAME, but that big changes would be needed regardless of who takes over the firm. He pointed at strong sales figures for Mass Effect 3 and FIFA Street to illustrate that other retailers have the right idea.
I do hope and believe there will be a phoenix rising from the flames. GAME is full of good people, it’s a good store, I just think they need a different approach and I’ll think they’ll have one.
GAME is one retailer out of many, albeit historically a very good retailer. Without talking numbers I can tell you that when we shipped Mass Effect and FIFA Street we were very pleased with our numbers in the UK and GAME were unable to buy them.
Ramsdale also suggested that GAME (or their future buyers) should use a "multiform" approach to retailing, and distance themselves from the traditional notions of selling "just the shiny discs."
Would I rather there is a GAME? Absolutely I would. I believe that a specialist retailer does a lot for this industry. One of the opportunities for a specialist is to be much more multiform at than they currently are, to the point of Apple or Android.
If you look at the current retail base, HMV seem to be stepping up and seem to be more solid. Amazon have done a good job of picking up content, so yes, there’s more than just GAME. The opportunity for video game retailers is think broader than just the shiny discs.
It's a beacon of hope for the retailer, though it's worth noting that EA's relationship with GAME became incredibly frosty (and Mass Effect 3 was arguably the straw that broke the camel's back).
Current rumours suggest that no less than six buyers may be interested in securing GAME's assets, and Gamestop is reportedly holding off due to owning too many French stores already. Watch this space.
