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Games 4 Girls aren't
We've all seen the pictures this week of GameStop's ridiculous new display featuring "Games 4 Girls." We've read the vitriol, and it's largely spot-on -- this little marketing campaign is insulting, stereotypical, and in fact damaging to budding girl gamers.But not really because of the marketing, atrocious as it may be. No, the blame for this one can largely be pushed at the developers themselves who cannibalize characters that young girls recognize and identify with for their crappy, low quality games. Sure, we could spend our time railing against the very notion that young girls identify with Bratz characters, but those are symptoms of a deeper disease, one that we're not going to cure any time soon, no matter how much we wish we could. That cancer will have to be dug out of society over time. So let's instead rail about something that is meaningful here, to us, to gamers ... a song we often sing ... can we stem this tide of craptacular pseudogames, please?
PS3 launch shipments restricted to top 5 retailers?
According to a memo obtained by GameDaily BIZ from smaller video game chain Rhino Video Games, Sony has "decided to limit the supply of hardware (systems and accessories) to its top five volume retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)" on the November 17 launch day. However, we know of at least seven major retailers receiving PlayStation 3 units on launch day. In addition to Target and Wal-Mart, we know GameStop / EB Games, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears and Toys 'R' Us are having PS3s on launch day. We know supplies will be very limited and GameStop won't be fulfilling all of its PS3 pre-orders (already conservative figures).That smaller retail chains will not have PS3s on launch day is not that surprising, but only the "top five retailers" is wrong and makes the memo a bit suspect. Rhino Video Games will not be getting PS3s on launch day -- a fact reaffirmed on its website -- the rest is not true. Rest assured, there will be PS3s for sale at all retailers by the end of 2007. We hope.
GameStop/EB Games not getting as many PS3's as thought
Egads! The numbers just keep crunching into smaller and smaller amounts! If numbers were air, we'd probably be suffocating under the pressure of all these crunched, decreasing numbers. That really made more sense in my head. But the underlying message is the same -- GameStop isn't getting as many PS3's in to match the preorders they took. Not that we expected them to, honestly. Wal*Mart has bought up so darn many (approximately 10 for every single store, which brings the total to about 412 million... joking, joking...) that it isn't surprising the electronic entertainment store won't get their initial allocation.Some of you who did preorder your system may have gotten a call from your friendly neighborhood gaming store saying that your PS3 will be available and waiting for you. You get excited, pumped, whatever. A few hours roll past and just as you break out that special bottle of champagne, you get another call. "Oh, nevermind," the GameStop employee says matter-of-factly, "you're going to have to wait until the next shipment. We're not getting as many as we thought." Then, you drink the champagne. Not out of celebration, but out of the biting realization that not only will you not get your system, but the champagne will go bad unless you drink it. As Lucille Bluth says about wine, "It only becomes alcohol if you let it sit." Go ahead, fellow readers, now is the time to sit in a hypothetical circle and crack a hypothetical brew... give us your sob story, or your celebratory story. Cheers![thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Wii hits the mall
Now this is the sort of marketing Nintendo needs to be spending money on -- it's a Wii mall tour!Don't take this the wrong way. After all, we love the ads. We're full of ad love. But the best footage we've seen of how the Wii works isn't in the polished ads. It's not any of the Red Steel guys or the kids throwing down with Bleach. No, the best of what we've seen is tucked away in the Wii experience videos, because they showcase the vast oceans of fun that the Wii can provide. How to communicate that to the masses of nongamers? Let them get their hands on a Wiimote. Perhaps this mall tour can do a little more of what the kiosks are supposed to do. And if you're near a Westfield mall between November 15th and January 13th, maybe you can see it in action. Take a nongamer friend and put a Wiimote in their hand. It'll work, because peer pressure is what friends do best.Full list of mall tour locations after the jump. We do not have specific dates for each location yet, but we'll guess they go in order. So if you're around Arcadia, CA, start making some calls!
Rumor: don't fret over your preorder in the US
Word from the super-secret network of GameStop minions is that the retail chain got plenty of Wii units in to cover all preorders, so if you were worried, enjoy that big sigh of relief. We've heard, however (and so have others), that the same is not true of PS3; GameStop received so few units that employees are forced to pass on their own preorders until after all others are filled. The rumor is that GameStop received only 60% of their expected PS3 units -- an allocation that was already far under demand. Another strike for Sony in the delivery department. We'll invite you over to play, Sony fans!For all those Nintendo lovers who preordered at other retail outlets -- this is probably good news for you as well. It seems unlikely that they would fill full allocation at one place, but not at others. We've heard that our comrades in Europe may not be so lucky ....
GameStop cannot fill PS3 preorders
Retail chain GameStop has confirmed to news outlet GameSpot that, despite playing it cool with PlayStation 3 pre-orders (approximately 8-12 units promised per store), the retail chain cannot fulfill all the initial preorders after receiving a launch allocation number from Sony. That's right, folks: even though you've already given the store $100 to reserve the system, you may not get one at launch. GameStop has done the smart move of asking its employees to wait on their purchases until the second shipment. A representative who spoke to GameSpot is "anticipating having systems to cover reservations before Christmas." Those who have a preorder through GameStop should be contacted by phone and given a status update. The unfortunate souls who have a PS3 preorder but will not receive one at launch will be given a free used game or DVD valued less than $20 ... whenever they finally get their PS3. After having promised $100 to the company, it's unlikely most customers will be willing to spend $600 elsewhere -- or wait in line, for that matter, when they already did so a month prior. It's too soon to tell who's fault this is, the retail outlet or Sony itself. We'll know soon enough just how many units will be sold on launch day. What happens to those who put their PS3 on eBay and now get it delayed? Will they be faulted for GameStop's actions? See Also: Japan to get fewer PS3 launch units due to part problemsMath fun with the PS3 and GameStop (PS3 Fanboy)[Thanks, DawgOnU and everyone who tipped us off!]
The legality of bundles
When we say $699 for a game console, a PS3 (plus game and tax) is likely the first option that pops into a respondent's mind. That may be true (given varying tax rates) but we're thinking of something completely different -- the GameStop Wii bundle. Most gamers find the bundle amusing, especially since the Wii is going to be available in droves on launch day. However, some people actually think the idea of bundling games and accessories with a console is (scary music theme) illegal. In a discussion with GameDaily, an antitrust litigator by the name of Bob Freitas says that gaming bundles could fall under antitrust law. While he admits the grounding is weak, he points to a concept called "line forcing" -- forcing extras that are not needed to utilize the product before the product will be sold -- which is a key indicator of an antitrust violation. That method of thinking is all well and good, but we find that to be a bit of a stretch. Bundling games and accessories with the Nintendo Wii may be unethical, but we can't find much ground for it to be illegal. For starters, GameStop is not the only place we can buy our Wii; we could always send our business to Wal-Mart or Best Buy or Third Street Gaming Emporum and Pet Store. A Wii is not a necessity to life like food, medicine, or even a car in many American cities (except to maybe Eric Cartman). Maintaining a healthy economy requires a balance between consumer and business rights and calling a game bundle illegal tilts the balance of power too much toward the consumer side. We should keep our legal system out of the bundle decision, they have better things to think about. Just vote with your wallet and then sit back and watch GameStop Online try to explain to R. Richard Fontaine, CEO of GameStop, why they have a warehouse full of $699 Wii bundles when everyone else is sold out.
Wii kiosks using composite cables
... or, at least, on the Wii kiosk pictured above. Reader wigglesxjr, who is responsible for taking the above picture with his camera phone, assures us this is totally real and comes from his local EB Games in West Covina, CA. Using Samsung LCD TVs for their kiosks, you'd think that Nintendo would go the extra mile and use component cables for all of their displays, right? I mean, you could even have the EB/GameStop folks pushing the cables saying customers won't get as clear and good a picture as on the kiosk at home without them.
Details on GameStop's Wii bundle
GameStop has updated the site with the details on their super-mega-ultimate-pricey Wii bundle, and it looks nice ... until one sees the $695 price tag and runs for the hills. Six games is a really nice package, but this is certainly not the bundle for everyone. And as with any bundle, there's always extra random stuff that no one needs.Here's the full breakdown: Nintendo Wii (with everything included in the box, from sensor bar to Wii Sports) 1 GB SD memory card Additional Wiimote Game Informer subscription 1 year replacement plan (this is a GameStop warranty, on top of Nintendo's service) Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Madden NFL 2007 Marvel Ultimate Alliance Red Steel Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz Trauma Center: Second Opinion This is an online-only preorder (and remember, does not guarantee a console), and according to a source at GameStop, it may open as early as 4pm CST, but he wasn't sure. So if you want one, you'll want to be refreshing the page late this afternoon and early into the evening.[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in!]
GameStop unveils $700 Wii-mega bundle
Beginning Thursday evening (and lasting maybe a few minutes), hopeful gamers will be able to go on EB Games / GameStop's online page and pre-order Nintendo Wii. Akin to the Xbox 360 pre-orders last year, GameStop will not let you order the Wii outside of a bundle package that totals $694.88, or approximately 280% the price of the Wii console alone. The bundle, which we're dubbing Wii-mega, includes: The Wii console ... $249.99 1GB Wii-emblazoned SD card ... $59.99 Additional Wiimote ... $39.99 Six Wii titles: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center, Red Steel, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, and Madden NFL 2007 ... 6 x $49.99 = $299.94 12-month Product Replacement Plan Game Informer Gift Subscription Assuming "gift" means complimentary (i.e. free), the 12-month product replacement plan values $44.97. Savvy shoppers can find 1GB SD cards for a little over $30, and those savings could be used to buy a nunchuk for the second Wiimote. And while the games listed do span a wide demographic of gamers, we can't assume all consumers are going to want to invest in every game.The fine print is also amusing, with the safety words "contents subject to change" and "ordering this bundle does not guarantee shipment at launch." After $700, you are not guaranteed the listed contents nor a launch window assurance. We're sure these bundles will sell out, even if the store shelves don't. Our advice: if you simply have to spend $700 on Nintendo, buy the pieces a la carte on launch day, and then give the rest to Child's Play.[Thanks Sam and everyone else who sent this in!]
PSP Sega Genesis Collection doesn't ship alongside PS2 version
Sega recently announced Sega Genesis Collection is now available in stores ... on the PS2. In the press release, Sega said the PSP version will ship later this month.This really surprises me, because I've been expecting the two versions to ship simultaneously, and even IGN still has the PSP version with a Nov. 7 ship date. However, if we can believe Gamestop, they have the game set at a pre-release date of Nov. 16.Sega gave no reason for the delay, but did mention the game will be rated "T" for Teen. I guess 15-year-old Genesis games can be too much for those 12-year-old kids out there.
GameStop's mega Wii bundle
Been waiting for a chance to get the ultimate Wii bundle pre-ordered? Dying to spend just as much as you would on a PS3, but with more shinyz? GameStop is there for you. Can you smell the sarcasm? Just what are they including in this bundle that jacks the price up to right under $700? Some of us (*koff*) went a little crazy with the piling-on of games at preorder time, but still topped out at under $600. We'll be watching this one with bated breath ....We're also trying to find out the exact makeup of the bundle, since GameStop is playing coy with what's to be included in their super awesome ultimate Wii power bundle.Here's what we know: GameStop is going to open preorders for a Wii bundle ("the best games, accessories and more in one convenient package") on Thursday, November 9, sometime in the evening, Central Standard Time, and the bundle will cost less than $699.Here's what we don't know: What time the online preorders start How many they will have (and they're not guaranteeing a console to anyone, $700 or no) What's included, besides the Wii itself and the packed-in Wii Sports If it's also going to shine your shoes, since you may have to sell a kidney to pick one up So, uh, if this one makes you excited, go to. [Thanks to the flood of tips on this one!]
Wii-osk in action at Gamestop
We visited a Gamestop in California last night, only to find a darkened Wii kiosk, which was very sad. Although it was almost made up for after we found a Gears of War console case, that thing is just flippin' sweet. Anyhow, digression aside, we asked the guy behind the counter when the Wii would be switched on, and he said "We need an ID." Stupid us replied with, "Oh, so someone from Nintendo has to come out and set it up? When will that happen?" And he said, "Uh ... no, dude. I need your ID." Clearly, we be geniuses.So we handed over our IDs and a major credit card (what's a minor credit card these days? Discover? Diner's Club?) and were handed two Wii-motes. He fired the system up and left us to it. They hold on to your plastic to make sure you don't run down the street laughing with their hardware in hand. The only game they had on display was Excite Truck, but we had a blast playing it and literally everyone in the store, which was oddly packed for a Sunday night, came over to watch us play.Quote of the minute from the whole experience by two teenage bystanders:Guy #1 -- "Dude, those graphics don't look that good ..."Guy #2 -- "Are you kiddin'? They look pretty good to me, and check out the badass controllers!"We assume he meant the Wii-motes and not us. Check out pix and video after the jump.
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.
Gitaroo Man pre-order swag (and other less important games)
Gitaroo Man Lives! plans on burnin' down the PSP come November 14th, and if you pre-order the game online at Gamestop, you'll not only secure yourself a copy of the game, you'll also get a 5-pin set (which looks suspiciously like the ones given away in Europe a while back). Although the game is merely an updated port of the PS2 cult classic, there are tons of people out there that haven't had a chance to play this rad game from the creators of import-favorite Ouendan. It received some rave reviews, so don't be afraid to break out the dough.It appears as if you'll be able to pre-order Pimp My Ride and NFL Street 3 and get some swag too, but I stopped reading 'round there. You can head over to Gamestop Gamespot (why are they named so similarly???!) to get all the details.
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
EB / GameStop GoW preview video [update 1]
12 minutes of fresh Gears of War footage from the EB/GameStop preview! Update: Video is now embedded after the break. [Thanks Krazy Koala]
