It has just lately been confirmed that over the subsequent few months, GAME will not be accepting trade-ins on pre-owned video games. The favored UK gaming retail chain, which is owned by Frasers Group, has simply introduced that it is going to be discontinuing its trade-in, pre-owned, and Sport Elite packages shortly.
You’ll nonetheless have the ability to buy pre-owned video games in shops throughout the UK till shares run out, however as soon as they do, you’ll not have the ability to purchase or promote used video games after that. GAME Elite, the rewards membership that provides members 10% again on every thing they purchase or promote, is predicted to nonetheless function up till the top of summer season.
Beginning February 16, 2024 all GAME areas throughout nation will not settle for recreation trade-ins and can hope to dump what’s left of its provide of pre-owned video games quickly after that. This would possibly imply some upcoming reductions and extra offers on GAME’s pre-owned titles, in an effort to shift the used merchandise, however this has but to be confirmed.
With the retail gaming business in decline, and increasingly avid gamers now shopping for their video games on-line digitally as an alternative, GAME executives imagine that shifts are actually crucial. It is going to be an uphill battle to bridge this now ever-growing hole between the digital and bodily online game areas, however it’s a battle that GAME is keen to combat.
GAME has defiantly said publicly that it’s keen to be the final man standing in promoting bodily video video games if want be. With that stated, the corporate is assured that it may stand robust and even usher in new prospects shifting ahead, getting them off on-line retail platforms in favor of the bodily expertise.
With an emphasis on bodily merchandise, GAME sees its place available in the market going ahead as one thing akin to the vinyl file retailer. Lately, classic vinyl shops have exploded in recognition, and this proves that there’s nonetheless a powerful marketplace for and place within the hearts of shoppers for bodily merchandise.
Packaged items reminiscent of vinyl information or video video games may even be seen as artwork – in addition to items of historical past – with objects reminiscent of collector’s editions promoting for a whole bunch of {dollars} to the best purchaser. Regardless of this optimistic and romantic outlook, GAME is life like in its expectations and understands that the general business of ‘bodily’ video video games is in decline.
Finally, the destiny of GAME and comparable shops can be dictated by powers largely exterior its management. With that being stated it will be an actual disgrace if, sooner or later, you might not purchase bodily video video games and will solely get hold of them on-line digitally.