future-shop
Latest
More information about the Wrath of the Lich King midnight launch
Blizzplanet's got the deets on a Future Shop midnight launch going on in Canada (eh?), so plans of Wrath midnight launch events are starting to sneak out into the world. Blizzard will be doing their usual schtick in Los Angeles, and this time also in New York, San Franscisco, and Austin, where developers go out to stores to sign and say hi while people buy their game. Our good friends BRK and Mania are hosting an event in Orlando, Florida, and I'll be picking up my game at the Gamestop just south of Clark and Diversey in Chicago (and I'll probably invite you all out for a drink or two beforehand at a bar around here, if you're interested). We're also planning some more events around the country here at WoW Insider -- stay tuned for more information about when and where things are going down.And if you've got information about a special midnight launch event going on around the country (or if, hint hint, you happen to work for a retailer and want to give us an inside scoop on what they've got planned, anonymity assured), please do drop a note on our tip line. The Burning Crusade launch was the biggest expansion launch of all time ever, and Wrath, with its return to Warcraft III lore and the increase in Blizzard's playerbase, is shaping up to be even bigger.
Future Shop feels really bad about Touch Pro mixup, offers Touch Diamond blowout as peace offering
When it comes to the retailin' biz, apologies don't really mean a lot to us -- unless they're accompanied by some sort of financial recompense, of course. Canada's Future Shop is graciously extending an offer to sell Telus' HTC Touch Diamond for just $99.99 CAD on a three-year contract (a $100 discount) after it was unable to deliver on its flyer's promise of a Touch Pro this week for $239.99. The store blames the "vendor's shipping delay" for the gaffe, and you know what? We believe them.[Via MobileInCanada]
Canada gets Nariko LBP pre-order from Future Shop
People who pre-order LittleBigPlanet in the United States already know where to go, but the Canadians up north ... they're still wondering what's to become of the second half of their early-payment campaign. While it's been know for some time now that Canucks could get the adorable Kratos Sackboy from EB Games, it's only now that we find out that Nariko Sackgirl will be available via Future Shop.That's all according to the Future Shop website as pointed out by one of our Canadian readers. Now all that's left is for Media Molecule to confirm this and it's solid as gold.[Thanks Andrew!]
New Mac placeholders appear in Future Shop stock system
If there's one thing we've learned over years (aside from the fact that Segway users will always be looked at strangely), it's that Best Buy's inventory systems are famous for turning us on to forthcoming wares. Just this year, strange part numbers in its stock system have correctly predicted the arrival of new MacBook Pros, the Nikon D90 and an unlocked US 3G Touch Diamond. Now, we're feasting our eyes upon the latest snippet from Future Shop's (Best Buy's Canadian sibling) inventory system, which shows a half dozen new Mac placeholders for French and English language machines. Unfortunately, "Apple Mac" is about as vague as it gets, but we wouldn't be shocked one iota to see new MBPs surface in the near future. C'mon stock system -- don't let us down.
Future Shop offers $100 trade for HD DVD players
We didn't think HD DVD early adopters could get any luckier when Best Buy started handing out $50 gift cards, but we were wrong. Future Shop, Canada's largest retailer of consumer electronics, is offering a $100 trade-in promotion on all HD DVD players towards the purchase of select Samsung or LG model Blu-ray / HD DVD combo players (which retail for $499.99 CND each). Future Shop has sweetened the deal to consumers by promising to donate returned HD DVD Players the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada for use in their after-school and evening programs. Charity and a discount in the HD format war? That's the Canadian hospitality we're accustomed to hearing about! The promotion began on March 7 and will run until April 3 across Canada.
Future Shop offers trade-in credit for HD DVD players, will donate old decks to charity
Slowly but surely, we're seeing retailer after retailer conjure up its own trade-in / exchange program to deal with the finality of the format war. Canada's Future Shop, however, has certainly put an interesting twist on things. First off, it'll accept standalone HD DVD players purchased from anywhere. In exchange, you'll receive $100 off the purchase of an LG or Samsung Blu-ray / HD DVD combo player, but not a standalone Blu-ray player of any kind. Unfortunately, that means your options are pretty limited, but we can certainly understand the retailer's desire to wash its hands of anything with an HD DVD logo on it. Better still, Future Shop will be donating all of the returned HD DVD players to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada "for use in their after-school and evening programs." Now if that's not a reason to trade-up, we don't know what is.[Thanks, Josh]
Canada gets in on the Mass Effect LCE fun [update]
Update: BioWare made this announcement a few days ago. And sorry for being so hard on you guys. We're just sensitive to being mislead, because we've been hurt in the past. Thanks, Evan.Someone over at BioWare must have thought lying to us about the worldwide availability of the Mass Effect Limited Collector's Edition would be funny when they said that the LCE wouldn't be available to Canada. Because it is. Evil Avatar spotted the LCE purchasable exclusively from the Canadian Best Buy and Future Shop websites, which are both firmly rooted in Canada quarantined internet space. So, if you were initially bummed about BioWare's "confirmation" that the Mass Effect's LCE wouldn't make it to Canada, then you can be a happy camper knowing that your LCE love will not be denied. [Via Evil Avatar]Read - Purchase at Best Buy CanadaRead - Purchase at Future Shop
Rumor: Rock Band delayed in Canada until Dec. 19 [update 1]
Harmonix and Electronic Arts' love child Rock Band is supposed to launch its North American tour in a little over a week, but Canada might not be seeing this game until just before Christmas. Canadian retailer Future Shop (owned by Best Buy) has updated its listing for the game with a new release date: December 19 for Xbox 360 and the day after for PlayStation 3. (Curiously, a version of Rock Band without instruments is also listed for those dates.)A number of readers have also reported that their local Canadian EB Games are corroborating the four-week delay. There's no official word from EA or Harmonix yet. Online retailers are prone to error, and with just a week before the game is slated for release, we hope that's all it is. Otherwise, given such short notice and such a noticeable delay, local EA offices might have a mosh pit of angry Hockey fanatics to contend with.Update: bits bytes pixels and sprites has an interview with Harmonix where it is noted that packaging regulations (i.e. Canadian boxes must have English and French text) might cause a short delay -- though we hardly doubt that would justify four weeks of absence. It should also be noted that the PS2 version of the game is due out December 17 which, if the delay is indeed an error, would explain the origins of the miscommunicated release date.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Canadians get 4 games free with 360 purchase
Canadian gamers are in for a treat this week, because Future Shop has an Xbox 360 deal you can't refuse. This week Future Shop is offering the Premium Xbox 360 Forza 2 bundle for $499, but they are also throwing in three free games to boot! The three free games included are Crackdown, World Series of Poker: Tournament Of Champions, and Hitman: Blood Money plus Forza 2 equals four free games with a 360 purchase. Now that's what we call gaming in a box. Though, we recommend holding out until tomorrow night to see if the rumored 360 price drop happens. If not, go get yourself a 360 ... you deserve it.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Future Shop wants Canadians to get 360s; Free gift card if out of stock
Future Shop, the Canadian equivalent to Best Buy (who actually purchased the franchise in 2001), promoted the Xbox 360 as a worthy next gen console in a recent "Ask the Expert" column. The article brings up various points about how the 360 stacks up to the competition, mentioning price, resolution and available titles. It's good that they're giving an honest look at the hardware. They finished up with the following:"Even better, Future Shop guarantees that the Xbox 360 will always be in stock - or you'll receive a $30 Future Shop Gift Card - so you can join in the future of gaming anytime. "So you fellow Canuck fanboys keep your eyes peeled next time you're at Future Shop, because you could snag a gift card that could go towards your next game.[Via Digg]
Sweet Xbox 360 bundle from Future Shop
We got a great deal for all the Canadian readers in Xbox 360 Fanboy land. Future Shop (the "it" electronics retailer in Canada) is offering an irresistible Xbox 360 bundle. What's included is a premium Xbox 360, G.R.A.W, XBL Arcade: Unplugged, Ridge Racer 6, and our little gem Gears of War. The price is pretty nice and may make you want to slap yourself and call your pet salamander Sally. You get everything for the low, low Canadian price of $449.99. Better than playing hockey in the Summer and is just an all around good deal isn't it, eih?[Thanks, Randy]
