EA: GAME will rise again

Keith Ramsdale, the boss of EA UK, has predicted that a new-look GAME will rise from the ashes of the current company.

"I do hope and believe there will be a phoenix rising from the flames,” Ramsdale told an audience at today’s Westminster Forum event. GAME is full of good people, it’s a good store. I just think they need a different approach and I’ll think they have one.”

Ramsdale, perhaps spurred by the tension behind the scenes that has seen GAME fall out with many of its former allies, did however point out that although the UK would be poorer for losing GAME, it would cope.

"GAME is one retailer out of many, albeit historically a very good retailer,” he added. Without talking specific numbers I can tell you that when we shipped Mass Effect 3 and FIFA Street we were very pleased with our numbers in the UK, even though GAME were unable to buy them."

"If you look at the current retail base, HMV seem to be stepping up and seem to be more solid. Amazon has done a good job of picking up content so there’s more than just GAME. The opportunity for video game retailers is think broader than just the shiny discs.

"But would I rather there is a GAME? Absolutely. I believe that a specialist retailer does a lot for this industry.