Looks like it’s probably just about over for GAME, one of the high street’s most recognisable icons for gamers. This afternoon trade magazine MCV went live with a follow up story to what we’ve all been hearing for weeks, the emphasis being that administrators are, according to the article, just around the corner, with the guys at the top getting the heads up.
“MCV has learnt that senior members of the GAME management teams have been told to brace for the possibility of administration,” wrote the site’s Ben Parfitt, who has been meticulously following the ongoing story with the company. “Senior staff were told at a meeting with CEO Ian Shepherd earlier this week that the chain has approximately two weeks to turn its fortunes around.”
This, presumably, is where all the sales are coming from.
The worst thing about all this is, as far as we can see, the guys working in the shops simply aren’t being kept up to speed, with forum posters apparently working for the group finding out the latest as the days go on by reading stories on the net and around community sites, rather than through the organisation itself – some are still hopeful for a GameSpot buy-out, and we hope this is the case.
It’s those guys that we feel for, and hope that – if all this does fall apart in a matter of weeks – that they’ll find other employment.
Foxhound_Solid
Game after work tom….
Burgess_101
I never really liked GAME everytime I walked in to my local one I could feel them feeding off unknowing customers and I just hated it. I havent bought from retail in a long time I wont miss it and considering I game on PC pre-owned isn’t really an issue for me. GAME shot themselves in the foot without re-branding the store once, stupid prices and a small variety of games to choose from. Had they moved with the times they would not be in this mess. I know usually costs of being retail usually result in not being able to give games at a cost price but I think cutting a few quid off RRP wouldn’t do them any harm. Its merely because they thought you could boss the market well we can see consumers are smarter than they thought if you want to get rid of your repeat buyers (Core gamers) then you are going to lose more sales than those couple of Wii’s you managed to sell. Just hope someone takes over from GAME, In an ideal world ShopTo but in retail form would just be amazing.
Toby M [Dexter17]
Making a special trip into town tomorrow to get rid of my remaining credit – hope everyone within the company adversely effected are dealt with fairly and find new employment when the time inevitably comes.
gideon1451
Been foreseeing this for a while now. managed to get five PS3 games for a mere £21 yesterday, though I’d rather see GAME still in business.
BIGAL-1992
They’ve had it unfortunatly. The worse thing is it doesn’t surprise from what i’ve heard over the years.
DirtyHabit
“the guys working in the shops simply aren’t being kept up to speed” Yup. Unfortunately from my experience you are generally treated as cattle.
I’d say the best thing the staff can hope for is a buy out.
Good luck to all.
Rocket_345
Think i’ll take a trip to my local one tomorrow. My bro has reward points and i have store credit so we’ll be getting rid of that.
CrawFail
Looks like GAME…
*puts on shades*
Just lost the game.
YYYEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
Mike
Pffft, my one liner is better ;)
Kreisash
Why not just simply “Game Over”? (with a Sega Rally style “Yeahhh-!” on the end if so desired.)
Awayze
CSI Miami FTW. Although Las Vegas was miles better until Warrick and Grissom left :(
Sab7786
Sad to see this happen, ive been there and experienced losing my job through a company closure and it aint nice at all. I have my fingers crossed for all the guys there that they can somehow save game
SH Number 7
I opened the start menu early but it wasn’t at a save point unfortunately.
SH Number 7
*ealier
freezebug2
It seems that they have tried almost everything possible to save the company with the online retailers gameplay and gamestation being merged, slimming down the number of stores open and then the huge used sales in store, apart from the one thing that might have worked…new Management!
SH Number 7
Agreed.