Rise, my apprentice: GameStop names new CEO
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Aug 29th 2008 at 5:15PM }
(Post contains optional musical accompaniment. Play video after break, then read for full effect.)
The imperial cash masters of GameStop announced today that Daniel DeMatteo will replace Richard Fontaine as the company's Sith Lord chief executive. Fontaine will focus on international domination through "acquisitions and strategic development." DeMatteo, who previously held the position of chief operating officer, will see that role filled by new apprentice Paul Raines, a former executive VP at Home Depot Inc.
Fontaine, who will continue attempting to solidify GameStop's global supremacy at the age of 66, had been the company's master since 1996. His new title will be that of executive chairman once the management changes take effect Sept. 7. Look out world: Fontaine's coming.
Fontaine, who will continue attempting to solidify GameStop's global supremacy at the age of 66, had been the company's master since 1996. His new title will be that of executive chairman once the management changes take effect Sept. 7. Look out world: Fontaine's coming.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GreyFox @ Aug 29th 2008 5:20PM
Pre-order Madden or he'll Force Choke you.
Nassin @ Aug 29th 2008 5:21PM
I was more expecting a Bioshock reference than Star Wars.
Dirty @ Aug 29th 2008 5:22PM
Would you kindly preorder the new crash bandicoot game?
Odowan @ Aug 29th 2008 5:25PM
Would you kindly pre-order?
LaughingTarget @ Aug 29th 2008 5:28PM
I'm just waiting for them to ask me to beat them to death with a golf club.
Mr.ESC @ Aug 29th 2008 5:34PM
Would you kindly pre-order Battletoads? or Ranas de batalla?
Dirty @ Aug 29th 2008 5:21PM
Death to gamest...-gasp- - gasp------
sicsided @ Aug 29th 2008 5:32PM
I will never tell you the location of my wallet
please @ Aug 29th 2008 5:41PM
Same People who cry about gamestop will cry about steam style activation for consoles
Wiinterfang @ Aug 29th 2008 10:02PM
Dirty, I hope you have found your bucket on heaven *snif* *snif* ;_;.
Mr.ESC @ Aug 29th 2008 5:27PM
C'mon Digital distribution,you are my only hope.
please @ Aug 29th 2008 5:51PM
Doesn't have to be Digital Distrubution, but Digital Licensing. Buy game from store Internet locks it to your console.
DarkNessBear @ Aug 30th 2008 8:41PM
I've always been against Digital Distribution. (I've always enjoyed hard copy over software) But, I have now changed my tune, I LOVE all my Download able games on my PS3 because its so fast and easy to go between them! And you always have a vast array of games at your fingertips, and it's actually easier to show off your DLC then it is your hard copy stash.
And I've always been a huge fan of EBGames (worked there many times), they were truly a great game retailer. Gamestop however... is utter horrid evil. I hate Gamestop. Quick Story: I use to be pretty good friends with one of the guys working at GS, but one day I went in and wanted to transfer my 1 preorder into my other (I didn't have much money) and than he came out of the back room (didn't know he was there) and the one sales girl told him what I did, and from that point on every time I came into the store he's looked at me really mean and says, "Hi. Why you hear? Canceling more preorders?" SO fucking annoying and rude.
Colin @ Aug 29th 2008 5:40PM
What are your guys' problems? o.o
Gamestop is awesome!
Vcize @ Aug 29th 2008 5:41PM
You probably love the wii too, right?
zuburi @ Aug 29th 2008 6:31PM
Buying a used game at Gamestop puts the same amount of money into a developer's pocket as pirating the same game does.
I'm just sayin', is all.
neko to kuruma @ Aug 29th 2008 10:45PM
@zuburi: So does buying the game from someone on Ebay.
Also, my hair is a bird; your argument is invalid.
AwesomeTown @ Aug 29th 2008 5:40PM
I've been to a few Gamestops lately (there's three within 2 miles from where I live) and not once did they ask me to pre-order anything. AND the employees were really nice. I came away pretty impressed, especially considering other times I've been to Gamestops.
Dirty @ Aug 29th 2008 5:45PM
Jedi mind trick works every time.
Mr.ESC @ Aug 29th 2008 5:50PM
Then you were talking to rookies.They are easy to recognize because they still have hopes and dreams.
Vcize @ Aug 29th 2008 5:41PM
Whew, good thing they got Atlas out of there.
Moffka @ Aug 29th 2008 5:41PM
I request that this article be written in a 2nd version with BioShock references and accompanying BioShock music. Thank you. FONTAINE!
rTwelve [xbl:chilblane] @ Aug 29th 2008 5:43PM
http://24.wikia.com/wiki/Paul_Raines
>deceased
what the
ottoman673 @ Aug 29th 2008 6:11PM
Would you kindly buy our games here?
Aerostratos @ Aug 29th 2008 6:15PM
I just came from a gamestop. Every time I walk out the door I instantly start to question what on earth ever made me walk in there in the first place.
Their modems are always down. I don't know how many times I had to swipe my card cause they didn't know how to remedy the problem, of course shortly after I had to show him my ID and Card, verifying I was me. That didn't set me off as much as when after the modem FINALLY came back on line, and after I signed.
The guy would not accept my signature. Say what? He tried to remake me sign so I did again the same exact way then all hell broke loose. He tried to act like I was somehow trying to pull a fast one. Say wha? You just saw my card with my name and my Drivers License with my name and Picture and signature. So what's the hold up? After he lost his fight he wouldn't look at me and basically dropped the controller and battery pack I just bought on the counter hard.
Of course the whole time the modem failed to initialize and we had to "wait" he bombarded me with would you like to pre-order (insert name of game) Modem failed again and like some macabre scene. Would you like to pre-order (insert name of a different game)
I was really frustrated when I walked out. And this sums up my usual experience with them.
DaRabidDuckie @ Aug 29th 2008 6:36PM
As much as I can't stand Gamestop, I remember meeting Dick Fontaine when I was a manager for EB Games and found him to be a very likeable and sharp individual. He sported hair down to his shoulders and wore jeans to a presentation at a manager's conference. I even caught him having fun playing a few games during some of the vendor presentations. I'll miss him.
Dan DeMatteo, however, was a corporate douche in a suit and tie. This does not bode well for gamers. I'm very glad that a Play N Trade just opened up in my town.
SpikeDelight @ Aug 29th 2008 7:07PM
Hilarious musical accompaniment. Oh, Joystiq this is why I love you.
Purple Haze @ Aug 29th 2008 7:38PM
Hopefully this turns out like the John Riccitielo(?) thing did and he tries to turn the entire company around into something that people like.
juju187 @ Aug 29th 2008 9:16PM
ive met this guy when I worked for gamestop,
He's orange from the fake bake.
j.howlett @ Aug 29th 2008 9:20PM
wise fwom your gwave. wrong reference. i only shop at gamestop by way of ebgames because they were bought. i hear talk of game companies not liking be cut out of money by the pawn shop model but they give them exclusive preorder stuff. i don't sell games but i wouldn't buy a bunch of older cheap used ones if i wasn't there for exclusive extras.
UNC_Samurai @ Aug 30th 2008 12:03AM
Good riddance to Fontaine. That man destroyed everything that was good about EB in the merger. He developed the mindset of the upscale pawn shop, not paying employees worth shit, and building up the company for the quick big sale just like Wayne Huyzenga did with Blockbuster (which fell through). He represented everything wrong with the short-term approach of American business corporations. Enjoy whatever multi-million-dollar bonus you get as a severance package while your full-time employees barely get paid enough to pay the bills.