GameStop Invades France

[lost]

GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz) brings along news that North America's most derided games outlet is expanding into France.

US games retailer GameStop has acquired French chain Micromania from private equity fund L Capital, for approximately USD 700 million (EUR 480).

GameStop picks up all 332 Micromania stores in France, increasing its European store count to 1077.

"As we have accelerated our growth in Europe over the years, we have kept a close eye on the European retailers whose passion for the business is reflected in the quality of their stores and evident knowledge of their staff. Micromania has been that type of retailer," offered R. Richard Fontaine, executive chairman of GameStop.Full article right Here (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/gamestop-acquires-french-retailer-micromania-for-700-million).

[Craigtheplague]

I don't think there is a Micromania in my town. I'm curious if they'll be pushing pre-orders and used games.

[OldeWolf]

I suddenly feel sorry for the French Gamers :p

[net7runner]

I eagerly await the news of their surrender.

[Amalor]

Wow, I'm sure they would rather have the Nazis back than this. Poor bastards.

[KlausFlouride]

7lb 8oz Baby Jesus wept...

[Emabulator]

The Maginot Line fails yet again!

[BigLebowski]

I don't think there is a Micromania in my town. I'm curious if they'll be pushing pre-orders and used games.

Do not forget about the Gamestop phenomenon known fondly as "newsed": you might pay full price for a "new" copy of any given game, yet what they actually hand you is a clamshell completely denuded of shrink wrap. It is now hermetically sealed by a circular sticker, two inches in diameter, which proudly proclaims that the item you have just purchased is, indeed, brand new. Point this fact out to your salesperson and there is a good chance you will never be seen again.

[CapnBob]

Do not forget about the Gamestop phenomenon known fondly as "newsed": you might pay full price for a "new" copy of any given game, yet what they actually hand you is a clamshell completely denuded of shrink wrap. It is now hermetically sealed by a circular sticker, two inches in diameter, which proudly proclaims that the item you have just purchased is, indeed, brand new. Point this fact out to your salesperson and there is a good chance you will never be seen again.

Or, as soon as it's apparent that only the shelf copy is left, tell them you don't want it and try to find the game at another store. I used to get my panties in a bunch over this too like 10 years ago, but it really isn't a big deal unless you're just retarded. There's plenty of other ways to get games.

[Johan]

So, it's a communicable disease then, spreading internationally?

What a shame...I refuse to patronize a store with GameStop's business model. I buy the vast majority of my games from Amazon; decent deals, free shipping, and no guilty conscience for supporting a corporate cancer on the gaming industry.