Picture: AVM Photographs/Shutterstock
It has lately been confirmed that over the following few months, GAME will now 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 will probably be discontinuing its trade-in, pre-owned, and Recreation Elite applications shortly.
You’ll nonetheless be capable of buy pre-owned video games in shops throughout the UK till shares run out, however as soon as they do, you’ll now not be capable of purchase or promote used video games after that. GAME Elite, the rewards membership that offers members 10% again on all the pieces they purchase or promote, is predicted to nonetheless function up till the tip of summer time.
Beginning February 16, 2024 all GAME places throughout nation will now not settle for recreation trade-ins and can hope to unload what’s left of its provide of pre-owned video games quickly after that. This may 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 trade in decline, and increasingly players now shopping for their video games on-line digitally as an alternative, GAME executives consider that shifts are actually needed. Will probably 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 prepared to combat.
GAME has defiantly said publicly that it’s prepared to be the final man standing in promoting bodily video video games if want be. With that mentioned, the corporate is assured that it could possibly stand sturdy and even herald new prospects transferring ahead, getting them off on-line retail platforms in favor of the bodily expertise.
With an emphasis on bodily merchandise, GAME sees its place out there going ahead as one thing akin to the vinyl report retailer. In recent times, classic vinyl shops have exploded in reputation, and this proves that there’s nonetheless a powerful marketplace for and place within the hearts of consumers for bodily merchandise.
Packaged items resembling vinyl information or video video games may even be seen as artwork – in addition to items of historical past – with gadgets resembling collector’s editions promoting for tons of of {dollars} to the proper purchaser. Regardless of this optimistic and romantic outlook, GAME is sensible in its expectations and understands that the general trade of ‘bodily’ video video games is in decline.
In the end, the destiny of GAME and related shops will likely be dictated by powers largely exterior its management. With that being mentioned it could be an actual disgrace if, sooner or later, you could possibly now not purchase bodily video video games and will solely receive them on-line digitally.