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On The Future Of PC Games At Retail

Posted by simoniker on from the bye-bye-market-share dept.

Thanks to GameSpot for their article debunking rumors that EBgames and GameStop would entirely remove PC titles from their stores in the New Year, but still painting a somewhat bleak picture regarding the PC game's strength at retail. The article cites recent GameStop SEC filings showing "...just seven percent of its total sales were PC games, compared to 64 percent of revenues coming from console games." A games analyst also commented that, while a complete denuding of PC racks was probably out of the question: "It wouldn't surprise me if there was a pretty serious cutback in shelf space though, as that demographic is really only served by a handful of games." Although EBgames' top policy-maker clearly states: "PC games are and will continue to be a very important part of our business", with such a relatively small market share, where does the PC gaming market go from here at retail?

3 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. PC Games bought elsewhere by Zathrus · · Score: 4, Informative

    I suspect that most people simply don't buy PC Games from EB or GameStop, but instead from CompUSA, BestBuy, or similar.

    Why? Because they're cheaper. Almost every game will come out at one of the mall stores for $50 and be available at CompUSA, etc. the same day or a few days later for $40. And they rapidly fall to $30-35 (except for the hottest titles), while the mall stores keep them at $50.

    I don't question that console gaming is more popular than PC gaming, but I don't think that's the whole picture here.

    1. Re:PC Games bought elsewhere by hymie3 · · Score: 2, Informative

      My EB and CircuitCity both price match BestBuy. Unless I know for *CERTAIN* (ie, i've already got a pirated copy) that a game is going to be good and will work with my system, I *REFUSE* to buy from BestBuy. Their return policy is the pits. Basically, if it doesn't work or if you don't like it, tough. They'll be happy to give you another copy to replace the working merchandise, but woe to those who get suckered in by lousy games (FF7 for PC was one that really nailed me) while shopping at BestBuy.

      EB's one week no-questions-asked exchange policy is a clear win for me.

  2. Re:agree 100% and more. by JediSB · · Score: 2, Informative

    The specialty chains (which really is all just rebranded gamestop outlets now)

    Not entirely true. EB and Gamestop are competitors. It is true that Gamestop owns Babbage's, Funcoland, Software Etc., and Planet X. And Gamestop Inc. is owned by Barnes & Noble. As a part time GS employee we heard rumors last year that GS was going to buy EB but it never happened.