Retail

Video games will play a major part in HMV’s ambition to become an ‘entertainment superbrand.’ The firm wants to be seen as more than just a retailer, and already sells music tickets, owns music venues and cinemas. And during its entertainment conference last week, the retailer called upon the games …

All Argos stores will offer a video game trade-in service from Saturday July 24th. The pre-owned offer coincides with the launch of the firm’s 74th Argos catalogue. Customers will have the chance to trade in around 250 different titles for Argos gift cards that can be spent on any product …

After a successful couple of years at Camden’s Jongleurs, the games media’s big night out is moving upmarket – but will still stop short of being ‘formal’. Now at The Bloomsbury Ballroom in London, the event will be able to accommodate a larger audience, meaning more journalists and industry guests. …

Having been caught up in a minor controversy surrounding its pre-owned intentions last week, GameStop CEO Paul Raines has asserted the chain’s commitment to the pre-owned model – and issued a warning to the many retailers hoping to muscle in on the sector. Used games is a great business for …

Sales of online gaming cards have risen dramatically over the last year. Incomm, one of the leading providers of these cards, told MCV its sales have increased by 200 per cent since 2009. The company delivers cards for a number of leading games brands in the UK, including Xbox Live, …

Mafia II is the latest title to deter pre-owned sales with DLC incentives – this time exclusively on PS3. 2K Games have announced that a code for the PS3-exclusive downloadable mission pack The Betrayal of Jimmy will be included with every new copy of the game. Pre-owned buyers will have …

Crackdown 2 holds onto the No.1 spot of the GfK Chart-Track charts for a second week. The Microsoft title held off the rise of Ubisoft’s Dance on Broadway, which jumps from fourth to second place and pushes former chart-toppers LEGO Harry Potter and Red Dead Redemption down one place each. …

Shooter Alien Swarm has become the latest title to get a Source engine revamp – and Valve has chosen to give it away over Steam. The original Alien Swarm was released as a mod to Unreal Tournament and the team behind, who call themselves Black Cat, were acquired by Valve …

The value of the UK games hardware market for year-to-date is 2010 has dropped a disappointing 32 per cent compared to 2009, representing a total value loss of 122m. Mirroring what was seen in the US, portables were the biggest offender thanks to a 40 per cent decline. Home consoles …

Those super keen to get their hands on the very shiny new Xbox 360 S will get the chance to do so at midnight tonight with news that GAME and Gamestation are to open the doors to dozens of its UK stories tonight at midnight. Stock will be available to …