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Wii accessories list, courtesy of Gamestop [Update 1]
EB Games/Gamestop/EB Gamestop or whatever they're called these days occasionally gets some inside information before the press. (I say occasionally; please hold off on the "my local EB Games employee told you the Wii was coming out December 17th" tips.) A quick search of Gamestop's online store in the accessories section yields some interesting results, shows as follows:Wii Controller Glove 9.99 Wii G-Pak Travel Case 29.99 Wii Game Wallet 9.99 Wii HD Premium Component Cable 59.99 Wii Memory SD 1.0GB 59.99 Wii Memory SD 512MB 39.99 Wii S-Video Premium AV Cable 39.99 Wii Sling Bag 29.99 Wii Storage & Protection 1.0GB Kit 69.99We knew about the Power Glove, but the SD cards just seem like a convenient excuse for Gamestop to take people's money; the prices are quite high. The premium component cable is insanely expensive, but hey, it's premium. Other than that, your classic game-toting sling-bag take-it-anywhere-but-not-really-because-no-one-ever-does-that accessories are on the list. With the immediate need for extra controllers, memory, and games at launch, is anyone going to pick up any of these other things?[Thanks, Randy!][Update 1: Clarified that the SD cards are not officially from Nintendo, and realized that you can in fact get SD cards for far cheaper.]
Wii kiosks are for reals!
As is shown in this video, the leaked pictures of Wii kiosks are actually real. "For really real?" you ask. "Why yes son, as real as anything real in this world. As real as leprechauns, unicorns, and the ever-elusive Yeti, or his North American cousin, the Sasquatch," we replied. We then noticed there wasn't anyone else in the room.We'd also been narrating to ourselves.[Via Wii UK]
Just say no to pushy game retailers
Ben Kuchera at Opposable Thumbs is a little bit miffed about the pushy salespeople at his local GameStop and Best Buy. While annoying experiences at game stores are nothing new, having to turn down six separate over-the-counter offers when purchasing a memory card must be some sort of record.We understand that pushing used games, strategy guides and other protection plans on customers can lead to bigger game store profits (and employee bonuses), but if the hard sell starts driving away customers it can offset this advantage. Between the rude salespeople, limited selection and endless offer-pushing at many game retailers, is it a wonder that some are looking to digital distribution as the wave of the future?
Metal Gear Solid case free with pre-order
You're probably going to get Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops anyways, but if for some crazy reason you're still on the fence, Konami has offered one of the cooler pre-order bonuses I've seen in quite some time. Pre-order the game at Gamestop and you'll get a case for your system for free. Not just any case, though. A pretty spiffy-looking silver case with the image of Snake giving a salute. This is some classy stuff, and is sure to be as eye-catching as the $500 Signature Edition PSPs.[Via Gamespot]
GameStop memo lists 36 PS3 games at $59.99, 19 potential launch titles
GamersReports.com has posted an alleged internal GameStop memo, which documents 36 PlayStation 3 titles scheduled for release between launch (November 17) and May 1*, all listed at $59.99. While hardly official, these details will likely alleviate some of our fears that PS3 games will retail for more than $60.According to the GameStop memo, the PlayStation launch lineup could include these 19 titles (exclusives in bold): Bladestorm: Hundred Years War Call of Duty 3 Fatal Inertia Full Auto 2 Genji 2 Lair Madden NFL 2007 Marvel Ultimate Alliance MotorStorm NBA Live 2007 NBA 07 Need for Speed: Carbon Rainbow Six: Vegas Resistance: Fall of Man Sonic the Hedgehog Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 Tony Hawk's Project 8 Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom Warhawk *The memo suggests that some games could be released before the PS3 console.
Oh snap! It's the Power Glove!
Someone must be paying attention. A placeholder has turned up on Gamestop for a Wii "controller glove." Alas, there's no image, but this is worth keeping an eye on. BD&A, the company attached to this exciting new prospect, has a few other product placeholders for the Wii at Gamestop as well.[Via Go Nintendo]
GameStop fails to meet profit forecasts
Video game retailer Gamestop today posted lower profit numbers than expected, sending its stock price down four percent on heavy trading. Despite strong sales across the industry and last year's acquisition of competitor Electronics Boutique, net income for the company fell four cents per share from the same time last year.The disappointing profit announcement goes against recent analyst reports that predicted profits substantially above estimates and halts a recent rally that had the company's stock up 28 percent in the last seven weeks. Apparently, the strong performance of video game companies like Electronic Arts and THQ have yet to translate to good news for the retailer. Still, with two new system releases coming by the end of the year, there may be reason to believe that the stock is still a "strong buy," as some analysts put it.
Yet another classics compilation, this time from EA
If the upcoming Capcom Classics Reloaded or the insanely awesome Sega Genesis Collection aren't enough retro games for you, then you might want to check out EA's offering. Gamespot recently spotted a Gamestop listing (these names always confuse me) called EA Replay, and it should feature the following games:B.O.B.--1993--SNES and Genesis Budokan--1990--Genesis Desert Strike--1993--SNES and Genesis Jungle Strike--1993--SNES and Genesis Haunting Starring Polterguy--1993--Genesis Mutant League Football--1993--Genesis Road Rash--1992--Genesis, later on 3DO Road Rash II--1993--Genesis Road Rash III--1995--Genesis Syndicate--1995--SNES, 3DO, Jaguar Ultima: The Black Gate--1994--SNES Virtual Pinball--1993--Genesis Wing Commander--1993--SNES Wing Commander: The Secret Missions--1993--SNESWhile these may franchises may not be as famous as Sonic or Street Fighter, there are still some heavy-hitters there. Personally, I can't wait to get back into Road Rash, while many should get excited about Wing Commander. But, compared to Sega's 30 game offering, will EA's less than blockbuster lineup be able to compete?
GameStop sued by Louisiana store managers
Six Louisiana GameStop managers have filed a collective law suit against the company, declaring that they have been wrongfully denied overtime pay. The problem derives from the Fair Labor Standards Act, which states that those persons "employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity" do not receive overtime pay. The GameStop employees, whose suit stems from having to work up to 50-60 hours some weeks without overtime pay, claim that they have no manegerial abilities. According to those involved in the suit, GameStop employees are not allowed to: Determine how much to pay the store staff Make any decisions regarding price Make any decisions regarding what and how much to stock Decide the location of items on shelves Control the hiring and firing of their own employees (such a decision was made by district managers) It does seem like "manager" is merely a title. As GameSpot (note the swapped 'p' and 't') reports, a similar suit is ongoing in New York, where Electronics Boutique employees (pre-GameStop merger) in 2004 filed suit about unpaid overtime and denied minimum wage. GameStop is asking that the Louisiana case be dropped due to the similarity of both suits, though the New York case is in the early stages of settlement.[Thanks, Mole]
Pre-order Saints Row, get the demo
Up for a little Grand Theft Demo? Pre-ordering the sinfully similar Saints Row at certain Toys 'r' Us and Gamestop stores now gets you a disc with the following gangster goodies: Saints Row Demo Saints Row Trailer Making Of Video Art Gallery Music Tracks Downloads (gamer pics and theme) K1lla's Xbox Domain has a bunch of impressions from people who have played the demo, which appears to be a technically impressive, if not grand, car-jacking experience with plenty of cursing and derivative gameplay. Now for the question even Tommy Vercetti is asking: Why the f isn't this stuff on Xbox Live Marketplace?
Buy 2 used games, get 1 free at Gamestop/EB
The July issue of Game Informer has a "Buy two used games, get one free" coupon for use at Gamestop/EB, pictured above in post rip-out condition. They discount the cheapest game so you need to buy three $55 games to get the full value out of it. There's also a $20 extra trade-in credit coupon for when you trade in that crusty old system.
Free Oblivion horse armor coupon with PC version
Interested in buying Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the PC but the $1.99 horse armor at obliviondownloads.com is scaring you away? Lucky for you, EB Games / GameStop is now offering these coupons with every purchase of Oblivion for the PC, featuring a promo code good for one free download of the Horse Armor pack.Running the Xbox 360 version, you're still stuck ponying up the MS points. Already bought the PC version and the horse? Well, better late than never, right?[Thanks, Matt]
GameStop announces record earnings for 2005
GameStop is reporting a record profit of $100.8 million for the fiscal year 2005 -- $85 million of which was generated in the fourth quarter ending January 28. Strong holiday sales and the October acquisition of Electronics Boutique helped boost the retail giant's earnings 135% over their previous fourth quarter.It would be interesting to see the breakdown of these sales for new and used games by platform, as well as strategy guides and other accessories.
PS3 to outsell Revolution by 33%-60% in 2006 (USA)
According to a research report published today by Michael Pachter and Edward Woo of Wedbush Morgan Securities, GameStop expects to receive stock of approximately 750 thousand Nintendo Revolution consoles and 1 to 1.2 million Sony PlayStation 3 consoles when those consoles go on sale in November. If those expectations are accurate, and if GameStop's shipments are proportionate to shipments to other American retailers, and if both consoles manage to sell out of their November and December stock completely (not unlikely, given the history of console launches), then that means that the PS3 will outsell the Nintendo Revolution by 33% to 60% by the end of 2006. There are many variables that will likely alter the ultimate outcome of the contest between Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. Either Nintendo or Sony (or both) could stumble in getting supply to stores, in which case the number of consoles put on store shelves will fall short of these estimates. Whatever the eventual outcome, it's nice to finally get a sense of retailer expectations for the November battle between the PS3 and the Nintendo Revolution.
Used games and MMOs are "bright spots" in games
The New York Times' Seth Schiesel looks at the recent poor performance of EA and the anticipated performance of other domestic publishers. While much of the poor performance may be attributed to common culprits, like the dearth of Xbox 360 consoles and transitional difficulties, there is one other thing.Schiesel writes, "... game publishers in the United States are still almost entirely in the same business they have been in for 20 years: selling new games at retail." Subscription-based MMOs and used-games are both profitable avenues that represent "a major challenge to the publishers' traditional business model."Game retailers thrive on the used-games market; even big-box stores like Best Buy want to get in on the action, much to the chagrin of developers and publishers everywhere. For now, the bad blood between retailers and publishers will continue: Gamestop's most recent quarterly earnings were "eye-popping" while EA's shares are down 11 percent over the period.
