Games retail braces for hectic May release period

UK games stores are facing one of the most congested spring release slates in history.

May in particular is rammed with six major titles arriving within four weeks: Battleborn, Uncharted 4, Doom, Homefront: The Revolution, Overwatch and Mirror’s Edge Catalyst will all be fighting for gamer attention.

We will be working closely with publishers to give each title their deserved pre-order and launch campaigns,” said ShopTo’s head of commercial Alison Fraser. It will be important to ensure customers know the differences between Battleborn and Overwatch. Each title is worthy in their own right.

The plans for Doom are shaping up nicely and, even though Uncharted 4’s release date has moved a couple times, the title should have brilliant results. There are also a lot of fans of the Homefront and Mirror’s Edge franchises eager for their new releases to come out.”

A senior buyer at a major High Street games chain added: It’s the biggest May release slate for many years. Although, to be fair, May was very good last year with The Witcher 3 and Project CARS.”

Each of these games will consider themselves as certain chart toppers. Although stores warn that some may want to consider moving into June, to spread the spend for consumers. Games Centre boss Robert Lindsay said: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s the bugbear of our industry that there’s no major releases for weeks then a few in succession. A little coordinated planning would benefit the whole industry.”

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Battleborn (PS4, Xbox One, PC)May 3rd

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4)May 10th

Doom (PS4, Xbox One, PC)May 13th

Homefront: The Revolution (PS4, Xbox One, PC)May 20th

Overwatch (PS4, Xbox One, PC)May 24th

Total War: Warhammer (PC)May 24th

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (PS4, Xbox One, PC)May 26th