GameStop talks casual customers
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Sep 12th 2007 at 12:30PM }
Speaking with the New York Times, Daniel DeMatteo, COO of GameStop, says that he's expecting the casual market to change the way they do business. No, it doesn't mean they'll give their employees more than minimum wage or stop customer service shenanigans, but it does mean they'll have sections in GameStop stores designed to help the casual player. For example, one section will focus on rhythm titles and another on family-friendly titles that'll make shopping easier for the non-typical GameStop shopper demographic.
DeMatteo also says the PS2 is the "only one real value video game machines out there" and he believes that when Sony lowers the price to $99 that they'll be selling the system well into 2010. He also says the whole RRoD issues haven't affected "enthusiasm for the 360." As for focusing on the casual market, financially speaking, GameStop can do very little wrong at this point.
[Via GameDaily BIZ]
DeMatteo also says the PS2 is the "only one real value video game machines out there" and he believes that when Sony lowers the price to $99 that they'll be selling the system well into 2010. He also says the whole RRoD issues haven't affected "enthusiasm for the 360." As for focusing on the casual market, financially speaking, GameStop can do very little wrong at this point.
[Via GameDaily BIZ]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ska Oreo @ Sep 12th 2007 12:38PM
OMG!!!! IT'S HAPPENING!!! THE CASUALS ARE TAKING OVER!!!!! GAMING IS DOOMED AS WE KNOW IT!!!!! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!
Shagittarius @ Sep 12th 2007 1:37PM
As long as they keep it in a private area separated by saloon doors and a strict no admittance unless your over the age of 40 rule I'm ok with it.
Phranctoast @ Sep 12th 2007 2:04PM
LOL at the SP reference.
Adam @ Sep 12th 2007 9:57PM
RABBLE!!!!
NATO_Duke @ Sep 12th 2007 12:39PM
Let today's installment of gamestop flaming begin!
iiijeremy @ Sep 12th 2007 12:43PM
I have never understood the shots Joystiq fires over the bow at GameStop. Charging $5 or $10 for a preorder doesn't bother me and I'm assuming that Best Buy and Circuit City do the same thing, no? I highly doubt anyone's salary is paid off of the interest that is generated by my $5 preorder, LOL.
Not sure that targeting the casual crowd will work, but as that doesn't appeal to me, can't say I really care too much. As far as their employees go, I definitely understand the sentiment that they aren't gaming experts .... but come on, who really walks into a retail store and expects to deal with an expert? The internet is full of information, so do you're research at home and go buy whatever product you settle on.
And it's retail for crying out loud. When I was working retail in high school, I too made minimum wage, just as most of you did. Society at large needs to get past the entitlement mentality .... duh!
HineyWipe @ Sep 12th 2007 12:47PM
It's not the preorder gimmick, it's the way they rip you off for used titles. Your trade in (worthless) for store credit. No wonder Gamestop has a nice cash balance: you allow them to.
Sell your game on eBay, you'll atleast get double what Gspot offers.
iiijeremy @ Sep 12th 2007 12:59PM
Never tried selling games on Ebay, but I'll give it a whirl. I know GameStop also offers cash for games, but I always take store credit because you get more value that way.
Donald @ Sep 12th 2007 12:42PM
And the oh-so-hardkor (sic) clerks will serve to no doubt turn them off Gamespot forever.
This is good.
Donald @ Sep 12th 2007 12:44PM
Er, GameStop.
Either way, both need to die in a fire
hvnlysoldr (NDF - Wind Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 12:49PM
PK FIRE!
Kye (NDF - Earth Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 1:04PM
what does that mean? PK FIRE
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 1:37PM
PK Fire
PsychoKinetic
Its what the earthbound kid screams when he does his fire attack in Smash Brothers Melee.
And pirates wore eye patches for night vision.
Kye (NDF - Earth Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 3:34PM
Now it all makes sense.
borland502 @ Sep 12th 2007 12:44PM
Well, someone is buying from them. My minor shares in Gamestop blew through the roof recently. Of course, that someone isn't me. I typically order online.
Word of the street. @ Sep 12th 2007 12:49PM
Okay....but when are they going to help Hardcore’s by firing their moronic clerks and hiring hot chicks instead…or at least clerks with a better attitude?
borland502 @ Sep 12th 2007 12:52PM
Take a good look around in gaming circles. The only thing that differentiates gaming clerks is that they are younger, and forced to ask you if you want to buy a strategy guide.
Ok, strike the younger part. I've seen some aging guys work there.
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 1:40PM
They're getting on that "hot chicks" thing. In my state, the top 10 pre-order and Game Informer salesmen are all women.
Its because your average gamer can't say no to a pretty face, and everybody knows it.
borland502 @ Sep 12th 2007 1:58PM
@Crono
Smart, very smart business plan. I'm surprised Hooters hasn't opened a chain of video stores.
Phranctoast @ Sep 12th 2007 2:06PM
those shorts would definitely make me pre---order....yeah
borland502 @ Sep 12th 2007 2:30PM
(Mmmm, boobies)
Hello Kitty Island Adventures? Sure, I'll buy a copy.
J @ Sep 12th 2007 12:51PM
Gamestop can sell PS2s because stupid parents come in looking for the PS3 their kid wanted for christmas and the gamestop employee convinces them that the ps2 is the same thing.
Ska Oreo @ Sep 12th 2007 12:55PM
Or maybe it's because the ps2 is cheap and parents are willing to spend $500 for a christmas present. Yeah I think my reason is a lot more logical.
Ska Oreo @ Sep 12th 2007 12:57PM
I meant are not willing.
J @ Sep 12th 2007 1:00PM
this is true, but lets face it. Gamestop employees really don't know what they are talking about.
HB96st @ Sep 12th 2007 1:09PM
EB Games was better..
iiijeremy @ Sep 12th 2007 1:10PM
Not real sure you thought that one through, spanky. If I'm working at a store and have the option of selling someone a $500 unit and a $100 unit, I think it's pretty clear which one I choose. Facts are stubborn things, eh?
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 1:41PM
Except Gamestop gets a higher margin on PS2s than PS3s, Sparky.
DarthDavid @ Sep 12th 2007 1:20PM
I tend not to shop a GameStop/EB, I only pre-order if it comes with exrta crap (Castlevania Portrait of Ruin is a good example). What I don't like is when stupid parents come in the store to buy something for their dumb kid (like Pokemon) and the employee tricks him/her into buying a used copy. Yeah the parent saves like 5-10 bucks but EB makes about double/triple profit and the parent doesn't know better......really they can go to hell =]
DangerMouse @ Sep 12th 2007 1:52PM
Agreed, i hate that shit. I would've grabbed the used copy if wanted a fucking used copy.
Evan @ Sep 12th 2007 2:17PM
Yeah, it's horrible how GameStop/EB employees trick parents into spending $5-$10 less for the exact same game.
Vegnagun @ Sep 12th 2007 3:27PM
Trick? At my Gamestop they call it used and when I open up the game there's codes written in the back of the manual and the disks are scratched. New?
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 4:12PM
The best part is when they sell you a game thats "new", only to get it home and discover that your copy is the game they used to demo it in the store, so its got all this stupid data all up in it.
But its *new* because its the store copy.
Chris @ Sep 12th 2007 1:31PM
So sad indeed.
Mr Slavio @ Sep 12th 2007 1:36PM
"GameStop stores designed to help the casual player"
And when we say "casual player" we mean the ones that don't know any better.
ZippyDSMlee @ Sep 12th 2007 1:43PM
Ah yes game stop has been the place for casuals for the last 8ish years and their march on hardcore gamers the kind that return bad titles and boycott brands becuse of poorly made games, the ban on used PC games is most disturbing, this is just another step in GS/EBs path to remove thinking from video game buying.
Chaotic (NDF - I Want a Sandwich Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 1:53PM
This was easily one of the funniest things I've ever read on Joystiq.
Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Sep 12th 2007 1:46PM
Oh crap the casuals the casuals the casuals! What is this, the 80's? Hey remember when games were easy to play and casual? You could walk into an arcade and play Pac-Man, a game with zero buttons. Anybody could play it. And well, nothing's changed. As long as Madden is the best selling game of EVERY SINGLE YEAR, the "hardcore" can just shut up and suck it down. The casuals have always been in control.
Evan @ Sep 12th 2007 2:27PM
'80s games were easy? Maybe the first couple of levels, but after that... many games would take dozens of attempts to clear a level. You really had to practise and master your skills. Games today lead players by the hand, so that you can walk through many games. They are always tossing you new weapons, more powerful magic, or faster vehicles, so that you can advance through a game without actually having to become better skilled at the game.
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 3:42PM
yes, its one thing I can't stand about new games is taht they hold your hand through the whole damn thing. Let me figure something out again, for once.
Thats why MP3 is cool, the hand-holding is kept to a bare minimum.
blooh @ Sep 12th 2007 1:47PM
gamestop will do anything to make a buck
Scaught @ Sep 12th 2007 2:31PM
This is just like when the casuals took over the porn industry.
ZippyDSMlee @ Sep 12th 2007 6:18PM
Chaotic (NDF - I Want a Sandwich Ring)
It could be worse I could be serious :P
But really EB/GS are pushing things beyond anti consumerisim the ban on used PC games, no return of crappy games but you can sale them back at 20-40% off as used, casuals wont care they have woolie brains it leaves the rest of us to find a better place to buy games from, personally I wont touch EB/GS with a ten foot pole.... and find better deals off ebay and amazon!
jynxycat @ Sep 12th 2007 8:30PM
But really EB/GS are pushing things beyond anti consumerisim the ban on used PC games, no return of crappy games but you can sale them back at 20-40% off as used, casuals wont care they have woolie brains it leaves the rest of us to find a better place to buy games from, personally I wont touch EB/GS with a ten foot pole.... and find better deals off ebay and amazon!
consumerisim!
Anyhow. Ban on used pc games ? Funcoland never took them, Gamestop never did, it was just EB. Honestly, what good are used PC games ? If it has any online comoponent, it's worthless. People can just make copies of anything, and trade them in. You can buy any used console game and play it online, you couldn't buy any used PC game and play it online without someone else probably still using the key.
As far as not returning crappy NEW games, what retail store does that ? No one. What dvd/cd/game have you used and then returned at a store. Good luck.
Honestly, any good GS/EB employees probably have quit by now having to deal with this new influx of clueless "casual" gamers. The ones that are left, are the ones that only work 1-2 days a week, are are useless in the store anyhow.
Shockgamer @ Sep 12th 2007 3:10PM
Look on the bright side....
At least now the people with no taste will be huddled in one section, leaving the people who want more out of life than the latest movie tie in/minigame fest free reign.
Andy S. @ Sep 12th 2007 3:48PM
People with no taste are already huddled in one section in most game stores.
It's usually wherever the Madden games are.
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 12th 2007 3:43PM
Except most game store shelves are alphabetized, meaning if your hardcore extreme action RPG just so happens to start with "Ma", then you're going to be mingling with the unwashed masses.
Time @ Sep 12th 2007 5:00PM
"'80s games were easy? Maybe the first couple of levels, but after that... many games would take dozens of attempts to clear a level. You really had to practise and master your skills. Games today lead players by the hand, so that you can walk through many games. They are always tossing you new weapons, more powerful magic, or faster vehicles, so that you can advance through a game without actually having to become better skilled at the game."
I wouldn't so much say that, it could be that those games were poorly designed.....I remember along time ago watching this video on youtube about this guy who still plays and reviews some of the earliest and oldest games.....he often reviewed them saying that those games wasn't hard or challenging, just badly and made and after I watched the guy play through a few levels I have to agree........God Of War at times made me want to throw the controller through the TV
thebigwhif25 @ Sep 12th 2007 10:07PM
A. In many states its illegal to sell used pc games (key code is 1 time use).
B. gamestop is a company, there whole ideal is to make a profit. Do you expect them to reach a goal and say "ok, give everything away free, we made our goal?" Please
C. "trick" Parents into buying used? they save 5 bucks and they profit. LOL do you honestly expect a company to trey as hard as they can to not make money? I buy used all the time, they always have discs in good condition, and the clerks dont mind helping me find them because well, I have a store with very nice ones.
this gamestop bashing is getting really old and stale. Because when it comes to keeping the stores running, im sure it costs quite a bit of money. Have any of you seen the costs for the company?
TegDagNe20o7onthebackhandside @ Sep 12th 2007 10:44PM
[quote]and the clerks dont mind helping me find them because well, I have a store with very nice ones[/quote]
have one as in work ther
or
have one as in own like a franchise