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It's on: Wii kiosks are going up
Check around all the usual haunts for Wiiosks this weekend. A few are already up across the country, like this one reader Scott Johnson caught as it was being put together. Thank all that is holy for cell phones and fast action!Several readers have tipped us that they've heard this is the big weekend for the debut of the kiosks, but this is the only photo we've seen. If you catch a kiosk in the wild this weekend, break out that camera phone and send us a picture!So, uh ... the question has to be asked. When seeing the setting-up process in action, anyone have the urge to snatch one and run like mad? [Thanks to everyone who's keeping us posted on this!]
EB-Gamestop & eBay not conspiring to cancel PS3 pre-orders
The rumor -- PlayStation 3 pre-orders sold on eBay will be cancelled by EB-Gamestop -- was a stretch when it first surfaced two days ago, and now EB-Gamestop's director of public & media relations Chris Olivera has officially debunked it. "Are we canceling pre-orders that appear on eBay? The answer to that is no," Olivera confirmed.eBay will continue to moderate PlayStation 3 (and Wii) pre-order auctions using these guidelines: Only one of each console can be listed per eBay account prior to the launch of the console The seller must only accept payment through PayPal, and have at least 50 feedback with a 98% or greater positive rating so that they qualify for PayPal Buyer Protection The pre-sale item must be listed in the 3, 5, 7 or 10-day formats, and cannot use Buy It Now The listing must include a photo of your pre-order receipt in the description
EB-Gamestop wants your Halo 3 money -- now!
EB-Gamestop has launched an aggressive campaign to secure your Halo 3 pre-order, today -- well, technically, yesterday. Chances are if you're on file, the company spammed you yesterday, via phone, to let you know that pre-orders for three different Halo 3 editions are now being accepted.First, the details (or lack thereof): EB-Gamestop is collecting $5 for the standard edition, $10 for a collector's edition, and $25 for Legendary Edition (a.k.a. Master Chief's bust). The company cannot confirm the final retail price for any of these items*, nor does it know when it will stop accepting your free money. "We stop taking pre-orders the day they call and tell us to," a Gamestop employee in the New York area told us today.Certainly there's a pre-order cap, but what is it? Collectively, retailers sold more than 1.5 million Halo 2 pre-orders. Let's assume each of those pre-orders cost $5 -- knowing that many were sold for more. That's $7,500,000. Say, EB-Gamestop secured 30% of those pre-orders; then the company alone pulled in $2.25 million, plus interest.Accepting Halo 3 pre-orders now is taking advantage of us, the consumers. The game isn't due until at least next year, but for fear of pre-orders suddenly ceasing, for fear of not owning Halo 3 on day one, we go out there and hand over our security deposits; and the retailers sit on it, making money off of our money -- the money that bought us nothing more than a promise.It's fine to offer pre-orders a few months in advance. In fact, it's a good idea -- but only once the release date is known; the retail prices confirmed; and shipment numbers allocated. But asking for our Halo 3 money now? Today? C'mon, you really gonna play us like that?*Legendary Edition is rumored to be priced at $100.[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
EBGames is watching your PS3 E-Bay auctions...
All right, let's sum up the quote before we toss it on here: essentially, if you bought your PS3 from EBGames or Gamestop, be careful about putting it up on e-Bay. They're watching for those receipts that are mandatory to be placed up as the picture and cancelling your auction. Here's the quote from Evil Avatar:"Today during a conference call, managers of EB Games stores in Canada were told that a list is being made of all pre-orders for Playstation 3's that have been posted for sale on eBay. Lists will be distributed to individual stores and all pre-orders that have appeared on eBay will be canceled by EB in the very near future. According to the information I've been given, this is a joint initiative between EB Games, Sony and eBay. eBay's new policy regarding pre-order sales has made this possible by requiring that all pre-order listings include a photo of the receipt."Basically, be careful if you plan to do this money-making scheme of sorts. If you pre-ordered elsewhere, knock yourself out -- all it means is that you'll probably get higher bids because there will be a lot less auctions.
Rumor: EB/Gamestop workers fired if PS3/Wii listed on eBay
One of our moles reports that EB/Gamestop corporate overlords are tracking eBay PS3 and Wii sales, with the promise of termination if an employee-bought system is listed. Our own digging corroborated the story, but we think this plan is a threat at best.Retailers scan game hardware serial numbers into their databases when making a sale; the receipt may even list the ever-so-unique number. But you shouldn't need to list the serial number on eBay to make a sale, so why do it? The EB/Gamestop bosses could buy specific listings and hope to catch employees, but that seems like a lot of costly work. Even then, the odds will be in favor of the EB/Gamestop worker-turned-profiteer.People will make money reselling scarce launch hardware; that's a fact of gaming. We like the idea of EB/Gamestop trying to get consoles into the hands of gamers, but this plan may have little impact.See also: eBay's PS3/Wii auction cancellations are a good move
It stops: GC Zelda DOESN'T go poof [update 1]
Nintendo of America's offical reply to all this nonsense: Online reports about the Nintendo GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are incorrect. The amazing game will be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13.Apparently, Gamestop and EB Games used a separate SKU for preordering. Since preorders had been maxed out, the SKU was removed. However, this confirmation is news in itself: it looks like America won't be receiving the EB Games-only Aussie treatment or online-only Japan treatment. Sweet! We'll try to refrain to excessive commentary in this post ... similar topics have been covered in regards to Japan and Australia ... but now North American major retail chains EB Games and Gamestop have reported that the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess has been mysteriously deleted from their computers. The SKU is simply gone. Though we might refrain from calling this an outright cancellation, the only other conceivable option is for the game to sell exclusively through Nintendo's online store, as they've decided to do in Japan.(sigh) Comment as you will, but try to keep it civil. What the eff, Nintendo. [via Joystiq]
More ridiculous Gamecube Zelda news
Right on the heels that Nintendo of Japan will sell the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess exclusively through their online store, Nintendo of Australia sends yet another blow to our poor, left-handed Link: The GC Zelda will be only be distributed though that prodigal retailer, EB Games. While this in itself isn't quite as bad as an solely online offering, further rumors persist that there will be one shipment and one shipment only, delivered in January (the Australian release date of the GC version).Nintendo appears to be doing everything in their power to discourage the purchase of discs smaller than a standard DVD. They're not technically breaking their promise, but ... dammit. Any Aussies care to speak their mind?[Check out those mad Photoshop skillz!]
Deal of the Day: Me and My Katamari $20 at EB/Gamestop
If you never got a chance to play Me and My Katamari this is a perfect opportunity to do so since EB Games/Gamestop just lowered the price to $20 in store.The game currently has a 75 metacritic score and IGN said "Its small stage design, propensity for backtracking, and obvious slowdown and camera issues certainly keep it from being one of the premier PSP titles -- but that doesn't mean it isn't fun."However, you can't really go wrong with spending only $20 on a solid PSP title. If you have no idea what the game is about check this out and it will explain everything to you.[Via Cheapassgamer - Registration required]
Wii Kiosks
We could have named this post "Wiiosks", but we have more respect for you than that. Anyway, in IGN's generally uninformative "Nintendo Minute" section, George Harrison takes the opportunity to reveal a few of the more specific details about the upcoming Wii kiosks. The rumored Gamestop/EB Games exclusivity might still be true, as it appears that the pre-built, completely self-contained units will only go toward "certain retailers". However, many other retailers will simply receive a Wii console and Wiimote or two, and will be left to their own devices in regards to display and setup. Also, despite some worries about safety and theft, it appears that the Wiimotes will indeed be wireless. This could be some clever wordplay--a Wiimote tethered by a non-electrical cord is still technically wireless--but we'll give George the benefit of the doubt. Now, when will these kiosks be rolling into stores? Your guess is certainly at least as good as ours.[Note: the picture shown is not necessarily of the final unit, or in fact in existence at all.]
Zune now available for pre-order
So unless you were one of the handful of people who woke up at the crack of dawn and pushed aside children and the elderly in order to secure a place near the front of a GameStop line, you probably missed out on the one of the few chances to secure a PS3 before the holidays. Well if you're looking to listen to a sad song while all your friends are having a blast with their next-gen consoles in a few weeks, we have a bit of news that might buoy your spirits somewhat: EBGames has started taking pre-orders on Microsoft's premiere entrant into the portable audio space, the 30GB, sharing-is-caring Zune. Don't have an extra $250 laying around? No problem -- just grab your synthesizer and put together a little ditty we can use as the Engadget theme song; assuming that your jingle wins us over, a complimentary Zune should do wonders in helping you get through the difficult PS3-free times ahead.[Via MobileWhack]
Burning Crusade: Collector's Edition sold out?
Added to the Amazon.com page for preording the BC: CE:"Availability: This item is currently not available.The Collector's Edition of World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade is sold out. Please visit our detail page for the regular edition."A few outlets are also reporting that EB Games claims to be sold out as well. All this even before Blizzard announces an official release date? How exactly can you be "sold out" when it's likely we don't even know how many copies are going to be printed and released yet?I'd say this was a ploy by these gaming retailers to sell more copies of the game, but they don't need to use a ploy-- this thing is going to sell like hotcakes in the middle of a syrup convention. Could the Collector's Edition be sold out even before one disc is printed? Especially shocking since we were originally told (by a third party, I realize) that there were going to be "plenty to go around." Drysc, however, says quantities will be "limited," and if you want one, to hurry. Way to drive people into a frenzy, Drysc.Personally, I'll probably give my local stores a call tomorrow and call it quits if none of them are taking preorders. With all the expectation for this game, I don't see how Blizzard (or Vivendi, the group they belong to) wouldn't want to print about fifteen gajillion copies and sell them all. My guess (I'm not as sure about this one) is that these stores are creating demand by cutting off supply. Until we hear an official release date (and these retailers hear an official product quantity) from Blizzard, I'm guessing the CE will be back on sale soon. Then again, if you're not willing to take my word for it, better get on that phone...[ via moukin ]
Why living in a college town sucks
And the answer? There are too many intelligent, dedicated people. As such, way too many gamers knew exactly what moment the local EB Games and Gamestop would be taking preorders, and our little town of Gainesville didn't seem to be of high priority for those little gremlins over at corporate.
The Wii-order experience
It's Wii preorder day! But is it such a cause for celebration? Unfortunately, it seems a bare few fanfolk walked away from their local EB or GameStop this morning clutching a receipt for the Wii. Reader e-mails are pouring in, lamenting the reserve numbers -- which in some cases were even lower than the number of PS3s allocated to a given store. Disappointment is rampant. For those of us who arrived early to spend hours cold lamping with our brethren, it was a tense morning, because no one really knew what would happen -- except that some people would go home empty-handed.Reader Matthew Ryan snagged some pics at his EB Games in Virginia, near Washington, D.C. That store had 30 systems available for reserve (far more than many other stores), but nearly double that showed up in hopes of slapping money down on a system. And this blogger snagged a few shots herself at a nearby store. Check out the full story after the jump, where we've tucked a few of Matthew's pictures as well.
We wait for Wii (Maryland edition)
At 8 a.m., these four hearty souls waited with me in the near-freezing weather for the Wii preorders to open up at the EBGames on Route 198 in Laurel, MD. University of Maryland students Adam McClure (second from left) and Tristan Edmondston (far left) had been driving by the store to check for potential lines since midnight, finally parking to stake out the location at 5 a.m. Their main motivation for coming out: There was nothing better to do. "It's more of an adventure than anything," McClure said.
Sorry Canada, gotta wait 'til Monday
Oh, hello Canadians, didn't see you there. How are you? Good? Great, we're glad to hear. How's that Swiss Miss treating you? Oh yeah, we love marshmallows in ours as well. Oh, you're getting ready to go sit in the cold, long lines outside your local GameStop/EB so you can pre-order yourself a Wii? Sorry, but you're going to have to wait until Monday. I know, I know, life is truly not fair.So while you're performing your weird, almost satanic Canadian rituals cursing all of the United States of America's citizens, down on your knees, head raised to the heavens, loudly crying out that you, and you alone, will in fact destroy everything they hold sacred, at least you can feel good about, well ... about something. Sorry, we're a bit taxed from our lack of sleep in having to get up early to pre-order our Wii.
Gamestop Wii pre-order confirmed for tomorrow [update 1]
[update 1: Gamestop has just sent an e-mail to newsletter subscribers confirming that stores across the U.S. will be taking Wii pre-orders for $50 tomorrow. Only one reservation will be accepted per household and the e-mail warns that allocations are likely to sell out within minutes. The e-mail also confirms that Canadian stores will be taking pre-orders for the Wii and PS3 on Monday, Oct. 16]While we still haven't received official official word from Gamestop in the form of an e-mail alert or press release, reports from Gamestop and EBGames employees across the country confirm that the major retail chain will indeed be taking Wii pre-orders when they open on Friday, Oct. 13. Word apparently filtered down through an e-mail sent to the chain's 3,600 stores late last night. Three different stores confirmed to Joystiq that $50 down would be enough to reserve a system.Reports on how many units are available per store vary -- one employee told Joystiq they'd be receiving 36 units, another said 32, yet another told us "under 20." Still other stores seem unwilling or unable to officially confirm the pre-order date or units available without the official word from Gamestop corporate. Regardless of what your local store tells you over the phone, though, tomorrow is definitely the day to line up if you want to reserve your Wii. We recommend you start packing your pup tent now.
On the phone with GameStop ... and GameStop, and GameStop ....
Looks like we weren't the only ones who were frustrated with waiting around for information on U.S. Wii preorders. 1UP 's Dan Dormer took the quest for the truth a step beyond and called a GameStop or EB in every single state. After all, the more answers, the more likely a pattern will emerge from the chaos and the truth will be revealed, right?Of course, now we know, and instead of hunting for clues, we're free to hunt for the humor ... not that we have to look very hard. From the hardcore salesman to the clueless counterjockey, the responses from stores across the nation, the various responses offer an entertaining cross-section. Check after the jump for a few of the best.
Rumor mill take two: preorders Friday?
Just yesterday, we were waxing hopeful that Wii preorders would kick off today. And believe me, we were ready, money clutched in our grubby little fists, and were turned away by bemused GameStop employees. Well, it's a new day and a new rumor, and today's word is that Friday is Wii Day at GameStop and EB. But we're going to try not to get our hopes up too much, though The Wiire promises that a GameStop rep confirmed to them that this is it, for real, there will be preorders on Friday. We're going to check tomorrow too, just in case. Wouldn't it be something if everyone said Wednesday or Friday, and it turned out to be Thursday?[Via Joystiq]
Wii pre-orders at GameStop/EB begin this Friday?
We're not really expecting PlayStation 3 or even Xbox 360-level scarcity for Nintendo's Wii come this holiday season, but just in case you want to be certain-sure of a Wii on launch day, and won't be around NYC to grab the console from the very hands of Reggie Fils-Aime at the Nintendo World store, GameStop and EB Games look like they'll be offering up pre-orders for the system this Friday. Apparently The Wiire just got confirmation on the October 13 date straight from GameStop, but our pals over at Joystiq haven't quite had that luck, only confirming that pre-orders will begin sometime this week. It'll cost you somewhere between $25 and $50 to get your name on the list, quite a bit less than the $100 you'll have to fork over for a PS3 -- which is to be expected.[Via Joystiq]
Wii pre-orders at Gamestop Friday?
Wii news site The Wiire is reporting that an unnamed contact at Gamestop/EBGames says the retailer will start taking pre-orders for the Wii in North America on Friday, Oct. 13 (spooky!) for a $25 to $50 down payment.A representative at Gamestop's corporate office refused to comment on pre-order plans, but a local Gamestop employee told Joystiq he was "being told to tell you to call back every morning" and that pre-orders would be available "some time this week." This echoes previous rumblings from around the internet that Gamestop would begin taking pre-orders this week.The official word on Gamestop's PS3 pre-orders came less than 24 hours before the doors opened on Tuesday morning, so be sure to keep checking Joystiq for confirmation as soon as we get it.
