GameStop Shutters Large Number of US Stores with Usual Tact

As the rise of digital games beating physical games continues, it seems its a matter of when instead of if Gamestop will close.

It's too bad, really. The stores I loved growing up were dead and gone a long time ago. Even while the GameStop locations themselves are still open (for now), and the walls are how I remember them, the actual game content is barren and overrun with obnoxious merchandise in its place (Funkos, anyone?) 😓

GameStop is an awful company that's awfully run, and it's baffling that as a society we've given them a free $2 billion from newly issued stock which they've just stuffed in their pockets instead of doing anything to try and save their failing company.

The only thing they reinvested in was an attempt at a NFT scam

It’s just a shame there is now a decrease in physical game media and stuff now, because I loved going to GameStop (before they did the whole NFT thing) and seeing what games and accessories they had on shelves and the plushes and game merch they had, plus I would read a ton of unread Game Informer magazines my dad had. But given there is now a rise and push for all-digital games, content and consoles and physical games are sadly becoming less popular, game stores were going to be affected too…

In the Netherlands we have Nedgame they changed their formula its only 7 stores that also sells Limited Run Games and online store with good service online. They have trade ins and a good complaint section were they send you a new steelcase without to much hassle to make a example and suggestions which they actually carry out ass a store.

@ThomasHL Got to line those pockets of the rich the executives and those investors. They could have done something like working with Limited Run Games to name something. Upped the quality less garbage like Funco its a pity. Bring back things like trying games in store maybe being less scummy with secondhand games, exclusive steelcase games maybe a international store with exports.

Are you really at the stage where you’re using AI generated images in your articles now?

Gamestop is just barely hanging on by a thread. It's surprising that they are still in business.

This is rather concerning. I enjoy going to GameStop often. Even if I don’t get any games. I do enjoy going with my brother and seeing how happy he is to find something he’s looking for, mostly collectibles. I like going there, I know everyone has problems with it for whatever reason. But it’s important because it’s where we can get physical copies of games. We don’t have any game stores where we live, so the numerous GameStops are a great option here.

If they add one more section with Funko Pops, they'll for sure to be able to survive. Right?

@Broosh GAME in the UK's had that problem for years now where merch and stuff takes up way more space than the actual games do. I even saw one that started selling fizzy drinks too.

@nessisonett Didn't notice at first, is Pushsquare really sinking so low as to use AI art now?

@nessisonett sorry maybe I’m missing something, what are you referring to? I just see a red image with white text that says GameStop and a couple of social media posts that were copied

I’ll be real, this isn’t surprising. A friend in Toronto worked at their flagship and he said it’s the worst place in the world to work, as they literally don’t give you hours solely so that they don’t have to pay benefits when you leave. Managers get transferred in from other recently closed or soon to be closed locations. Baffling.

This is sad. I still shop regularly at GameStop and I hope they don’t close totally. My location see to be doing well thankfully and the customer service is excellent.

I know everyone hates GS and wants them to close, but to me it makes me sad. I know there not a great company, but I feel like they are the last beacon from the brick and mortar stores for physical games. Probably just my nostalgia talking from when I was younger, but I feel like physical games really will die after they close. And with how games get delisted randomly nowadays that's a scary future for game preservation.

@somnambulance Same over here, we have one game store that just is not worth going to. So GameStop is the only option. We mostly have to go out of town elsewhere, but it’s just too hard.

@Logonogo Looks like they changed the picture. It was a cat.

Everyone remember when the Wii digital store closed and more recently the Xbox 360 store?
Anyone remember how SONY tried to close the PS3 Store but took a lot of heat and it’s still open? Then the Wii U and 3DS stores closed!
Anyone notice how Nintendo changed the verbiage from owning a digital game to leasing it when you’re making a purchase??
Buying digital is NEVER a good thing ever. We don’t REALLY OWN THEM! We have to all get our butts to the stores and buy physical games then afterwards you can sell it, trade it in or whatever. We’re all gonna miss it when physical games are gone forever!! It’ll be a shame! Won’t be good for collectors either! 😑

I walk in on occasion but only few times even find something different I already don't own or didn't consider. I pick those up, as rare/uncommon as they are.

I'm surprised by how many actually buy the merch, some but however often no idea.

If they become like we have Kmart and it's the last of it sure. But I don't know if they will do that with EB versus Gamestops. As the others phase out PS4/Xbox One or even barely have the other types of games just the safe ranges I never go to department stores because they just barely have anything there and got other things of purpose to get at them instead but check on occasion.

Otherwise ordering now whenever can as well if available but otherwise it's retro Cash Convertors or local stores that 'happen to' have games for sure.

As many of the same fewer PS4/Xbox One or PS5/Series games are there in bins or on shelves.

I already got the Powerwave third party (not great but good enough) PS3/360 controllers as well. I don't have much to get really.

I see people in there every so often for things but also sometimes it's empty as well.

Mine doesn't have retro stores as it's a US thing so for me it's other sources for those. I rarely return a game too as I check what I'm getting first. Only if I absolutely have to. But I do my research or know enough of what something is anyway.

@joey302 It wasn’t exactly Nintendo changing the wording, it was a law that was passed. But I do agree with you that physical is better for those very reasons.

i enjoy shopping in person at gamestop..

@Ken_Kaniff I don't hate Gamestop despite knowing how terribly the company has been run for, well, decades at this point. It's more so a combination of the fact that I love physical media and makes me sad to see it dying off, combined with GS being one of the only gaming stores in my area. Well I still buy digital games I'm tired of all the BS that's associated with delistings and whatnot. Even with all the progress Microsoft made with their BWC program on xbox, overtime more and more of those games have been delisted, which leads me to try to snatch up some of those more hard to get title on disc 💿. The future of physical looks sad indeed. 😭

@LavenderShroud 100% it is the law now and Nintendo as usual is being proactive with it. Failed to mention that thx. Haven’t seen Sony or Microsoft adapt to this language yet but I’m sure they will soon.

Well, that's what happens when every single video game news outley is trying to promote digital over physical. You guys destroyed jobs, or at least you participated a little.