MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
While Game Retail Limited, the new owner of retailer GAME, appears in good health, the future looks less certain for its flagship Oxford Street Store in London. The Telegraph reports that the outlet could be forced to close its doors after the landlord, Lazari GP, won a court order last …
Read More »"A number of parties" looking at GAME Australia
Administrator PriceWaterhouseCooper has said that it is already talking to a number of parties” about a possible acquisition of GAME’s Australian arm. "Initially we will continue to trade all stores, operating these on as close to a ‘business as usual’ mode as possible whilst we get a clearer understanding of …
Read More »GAME Australia can’t refund Diablo III pre-orders
Customers who have paid a deposit for Diablo III at GAME Australia have been left out of pocket. Having entered administration yesterday, the retailer has confirmed not only that it won’t be stocking Blizzard’s RPG, but also that it can’t afford to refund any deposits placed. Due to the appointment …
Read More »GAME Australia enters administration
After a lengthy battle to secure additional backers to keep it afloat, GAME Australia has gone into administration through PwC today. The chain in Australia is an independently owned company, trading as TGW Pty Ltd, and employs around 500 people. PriceWaterhouseCoopers is handling the company’s administration process, and has stated …
Read More »Dixons reports 3% like-for-like sales dip
Dixons Retail says its like-for-like sales fell three per cent for the 52 weeks ending April 28th, while overall sales remained flat. The group – which owns PC World, Currys, Dixons and other retail chains worldwide – ‘enjoyed good performances in the UK and Ireland and Northern Europe, trading ahead …
Read More »What’s Out Today? w/e May 11th, 2012
Sci-fi action fans can now pick up Sony’s Starhawk for PS3. The multiplayer-centric shooter is the spiritual successor to 2007 PlayStation hit Warhawk. Players take on the role of a hired gunman and battle for control of planets. The new Build and Battle system allows them to turn the tables …
Read More »Rumour: GameStop to start selling Steam vouchers
Claims emerging from the US suggest that retailer GameStop is to start selling gift vouchers for Valve’s digital PC games portal Steam. Kotaku claims to have word of the move from a GameStop source”. It also claims that the decision to stock such cards is a direct result of its …
Read More »OPINION: Nintendo’s digital strategy shows it’s still box clever
Where Nintendo leads, others often follow. Sure, the finer points of Virtual Boy, N64 and 3DS pulled in directions others didn’t want to go. But they are exceptions to the rule. Broadly, when the Kyoto HQ’s bright ideas cause the market to jump, everyone jumps. Platform games, motion control, shoulder …
Read More »Blockbuster: Games retail would not survive without pre-owned
Specialist games retailers cannot survive without second-hand, says Blockbuster. The firm’s UK commercial director Gerry Butler has hit back at trade-in critics, and told MCV that the current new release business model is broken and in need of a radical overhaul. If you’re a specialist you need certain margins to …
Read More »Starhawk release delayed in India
Starhawk, the PS3 exclusive from Lightbox Interactive, which was originally set for release in India today, will now be delayed by up to two weeks, Sony has confirmed. A Sony representative told MCV that the delay was forced by logistical issues, adding that the game will be in stores within …
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