Publishers EA and Nintendo have confirmed rumours that Mass Effect 3 and Mario Party 9 will not be stocked by GAME or Gamestation.
Though neither has officially commented specifically on the GAME situation, both have omitted the retailers from their list of supported stockists.
“The Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector’s Edition will now be available at the following retailers: Amazon.co.uk, Play.com, Zavvi.com and ShopTo.net,” an EA statement read.
“For customers who have pre-ordered the N7 Collector’s Edition please re-order your copies through these retailers. For further information regarding the Mass Effect 3 Standard Edition with the N7 Warfare Gear in-game weapons pack, please check this page later today.
“If you have placed a deposit for a pre-order or are uncertain that your existing pre-order will be guaranteed, please contact your local retailer. Your local retailer is doing everything possible to make this process as smooth as possible to ensure you get your copy on launch day.”
Retailer Blockbuster will also be stocking the game.
Nintendo added of its release: “Mario Party 9 is available to buy on the high street via Argos, Asda, Tesco, Dixons Stores Group, GameStop, Sainsburys, Smyths Toys, Toys R Us, HMV, Blockbuster or online at Amazon, The Hut, Play.com, zavvi.co.uk, johnlewis.com and Littlewoods.com, as well as most good games retailers.”
Advertisement
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
7 comments
Trouble's a brewing at Game - when arguably the biggest publisher doesn't stock you with arguably the biggest release of the quarter you know your attempts at mediation have went badly!
Allan Mounce ELITE GAMER
0 1Feb 29th 2012 at 12:23PM
Worrying times indeed. Best of luck to The Game Group.
David Salman INDUSTRY
0 0Feb 29th 2012 at 12:26PM
It is seriously a worrying time for Game. However, to try and put a silver lining on all of this, it may allow smaller independent retailers to grow.
Callum Mitchell INDUSTRY
0 0Feb 29th 2012 at 12:52PM
Problem is that smaller independent retailers cannot compete with what Supermarkets will do to them, especially these days where the value of money is sharply in focus if you can save yourself 25% of the price on an item you will do so unless you're extremely loyal. Unfortunately these days it's more difficult to remain loyal when essentials are on above inflation rises while your wages remain stagnant.
Allan Mounce ELITE GAMER
0 0Feb 29th 2012 at 1:10PM
I doubt GAME waging wars on publishers with boycotts - particularly with EA - in the past has helped the retailer make many friends in the industry.
I also strongly suspect GAME's penchant for constantly pimping of pre-owned over new stock has also played a hand in publishers not being so keen to leap to their aid.
I think GAME have perhaps brought a lot fo this upon themselves.
Joseph Brown INDUSTRY
0 0Mar 1st 2012 at 8:21AM
I doubt it's a case of Game waging war on anyone and more a case of EA recognising the problems with the chain & limiting it's potential exposure to risk - after all, why bother giving product to a "partner" in trouble when you can give it to sources without such issues where you know they're good for it. This is more from EA's side i feel and while i think it's a dangerous move for Game i don't blame them (EA), ultimately they evaluated the risk involved with supplying Game and have decided it's not a risk worth taking.
Allan Mounce ELITE GAMER
0 0Mar 1st 2012 at 11:23AM
You're probably right Allen, but my point was I doubt GAME's stance on certain issues in the past have helped their cause.
Joseph Brown INDUSTRY
0 0Mar 1st 2012 at 1:29PM