Is GameStop going to close?
Without hesitation, I can say that I am going to GameStop for all my gaming needs. I love the store. I like to go in and search for hidden gems. I like to reserve games, buy used games, and occasionally have a little chat with the friendly, if somewhat nerdy, staff.
Aside from their amazing used game return policy and sometimes reasonable pricing, I don’t think GameStop is a generous, price-conscious company. I know from the beginning that they are in this for the money and to be fair, for the money, they mostly deliver.
I know they buy my old sets for coca caps and sell them for gold bars. With all that said, I still love GameStop. if you are a gamer, how not?
This is what worries me. I think of GameStop as a necessary bad friend, or a necessary evil; whatever, you know what i mean. They are like your drug dealer, if you are addicted to crack. They don’t really care about you, but they have what you NEED and are always there when you need them.
With that said, I’m afraid I could lose my dealer and here’s why.
First
GameStop is in a mad rush to get rid of its inventory. I bought 47 games for $ 108. That’s with two-day shipping and delivery.
Second
The rumors, the Hopi Indians, the web-bot and even the “talk” that is being picked up by the NSA point to a fully digital gaming market. All downloads … No more buying CDs or cartridges.
Third
GameStop is not a publisher or a developer. It’s a retail business, like Best Buy, and in case you haven’t heard, they are closing a bunch of stores.
Four
GameStop bought Kongregate, no doubt to diversify its revenue stream.
I’m speculating, of course, but the future doesn’t look good for GameStop. Or does it?
After all, GameStop has built a game empire, a mecca, a military industrial complex, universal healthcare, the utopia of smelly kids, the game retail business that Donald Trump would be proud of.
They sure have something up their sleeve. Please tell me you have a plan.
I know one thing for sure:
GameStop executives are working hard to survive the coming video game apocalypse. You know, the one the Mayans predicted. You can be sure that GameStop’s corporate offices are tense and fierce. And in this environment they will either succeed and survive, or alter their business model and be relegated to “publishing” browser games.
We will find out on Friday, December 21, 2012.