Gamestation
Encyclopedia
Gamestation is a chain of UK retail shops selling used and new video games, and was the second-largest specialist video game retailer in the UK until it was bought out by Game
in 2007
, a group which owns many different gaming stores throughout the UK and Europe and by whom it is now fully owned and operated.
Gamestation was founded in 1993 in York and by 2002 it had 64 stores across the UK. In 2002 Gamestation was sold during the peak sales period of PlayStation 2
to American video rental giant Blockbuster who invested heavily in an aggressive store roll out program. This, coupled with competitive pricing subsidised by the buoyant video rental market of the time, elevated the chain to second highest market share in the UK games industry; behind Game.
2006 saw their American parent company file massive debts in the region of $550 million, leading to widespread speculation that the company was either rife to a take over or teetering on the edge of administration - however Gamestation was in fact still making healthy profits, Blockbuster went through a process of consolidation and sold any outlets not branded 'Blockbuster' in an effort to concentrate on its core business.
The Gamestation brand is run in parallel with the parent company's Game brand.
2010, Gamestation temporarily added a clause to its online sales contract claiming that "By placing an order via this Web site on the first day of the fourth month of the year 2010 Anno Domini, you agree to grant Us a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul." Besides the humorous reference to a deal with the devil
, the prank was meant to illustrate the problems with fine print
in clickwrap
license agreements that allow companies to hide unfavorable conditions from their consumers.
since 2009. The company plans to maintain and grow Gamestation as a separate brand, as its image is that of a store for "gamers."
Online operations are through Gamestation.co.uk, managed by Game Group's 2004 acquisition Gameplay GB ltd. Pricing structures are similar to the groups other UK websites, but maintains the Gamestation identity.
Gamestation has evolved since the takeover from GAME and is now following its parent company's model much more closely than was at first anticipated. Since the integration to GAME group some Gamestation stores have been closed in order to streamline the business.
were considered to be Gamestation's primary competitor. Gamestation's main method of attracting customers is to put on more special offers than its competitor as well as focusing on pre-owned games and large discounts on older titles.
The chain focuses on the current generations of consoles: PlayStation 2
, PlayStation 3
, Xbox
, Xbox 360
, Nintendo GameCube
, Wii
, Nintendo DS
, Game Boy Advance
and PlayStation Portable
as well as the PC
. They also sell, and accept as part exchange, games and consoles from older generations, such as the Sega Master System
, Mega Drive, Sega Saturn
, Dreamcast, NES
, Super NES
, Nintendo 64
and PlayStation
, although this practice looks set to cease due to Game disposing of old "retro" stock. Game accessories for the older consoles are also available.
Gamestation advertised their Christmas promotions with 'Fat Chris' which is a parody of Father Christmas (advertised as "What's half of Father Christmas?" - "Fat Chris!"). He was used for Christmas 2006 and 2007, and also reappeared in the 2008 Christmas advertising campaign. In 2009, however, it was dropped with the shop promotions "starring" the branch manager of the particular store, to encourage the customers to talk to the staff and give the stores a more personal feel.
GAME (retailer)
The Game Group plc is a British video games retail company. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index....
in 2007
, a group which owns many different gaming stores throughout the UK and Europe and by whom it is now fully owned and operated.
Foundation and sale to Blockbuster
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
to American video rental giant Blockbuster who invested heavily in an aggressive store roll out program. This, coupled with competitive pricing subsidised by the buoyant video rental market of the time, elevated the chain to second highest market share in the UK games industry; behind Game.
2006 saw their American parent company file massive debts in the region of $550 million, leading to widespread speculation that the company was either rife to a take over or teetering on the edge of administration - however Gamestation was in fact still making healthy profits, Blockbuster went through a process of consolidation and sold any outlets not branded 'Blockbuster' in an effort to concentrate on its core business.
Sale to GAME
Blockbuster Inc. announced on 2 May 2007 that it had sold Gamestation Ltd. to British-based Game Group Plc for about £75 million ($150 million) in cash. 217 Gamestation stores were sold in the deal. Gamestation's smaller "concession" stores, that operated inside of some Blockbuster stores, were not involved in the Game takeover and are now owned by Blockbuster exclusively. These stores have since been re-branded as 'Blockbuster Games' stores and no longer operate under the Gamestation identity.The Gamestation brand is run in parallel with the parent company's Game brand.
April Fools' 2010
On April Fools' DayApril Fools' Day
April Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness...
2010, Gamestation temporarily added a clause to its online sales contract claiming that "By placing an order via this Web site on the first day of the fourth month of the year 2010 Anno Domini, you agree to grant Us a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul." Besides the humorous reference to a deal with the devil
Deal with the Devil
Deal With The Devil is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Lizzy Borden released in 2000 .A return to form, featuring a cover by Todd McFarlane.2 covers were recorded...
, the prank was meant to illustrate the problems with fine print
Fine print
Fine print, small print, or "mouseprint" is less noticeable print smaller than the more obvious larger print it accompanies that advertises or otherwise describes or partially describes a commercial product or service...
in clickwrap
Clickwrap
A clickwrap agreement is a common type of agreement often used in connection with software licenses. Such forms of agreement are mostly found on the Internet, as part of the installation process of many software packages, or in other circumstances where agreement is sought using electronic media...
license agreements that allow companies to hide unfavorable conditions from their consumers.
Current operation
Gamestation currently has over 250 outlets in the UK. Its current base of operations is at Unity House in BasingstokeBasingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of...
since 2009. The company plans to maintain and grow Gamestation as a separate brand, as its image is that of a store for "gamers."
Online operations are through Gamestation.co.uk, managed by Game Group's 2004 acquisition Gameplay GB ltd. Pricing structures are similar to the groups other UK websites, but maintains the Gamestation identity.
Gamestation has evolved since the takeover from GAME and is now following its parent company's model much more closely than was at first anticipated. Since the integration to GAME group some Gamestation stores have been closed in order to streamline the business.
Deals and appeal
Until they bought Gamestation, GameGAME (retailer)
The Game Group plc is a British video games retail company. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index....
were considered to be Gamestation's primary competitor. Gamestation's main method of attracting customers is to put on more special offers than its competitor as well as focusing on pre-owned games and large discounts on older titles.
The chain focuses on the current generations of consoles: PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
, Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
and PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
as well as the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
. They also sell, and accept as part exchange, games and consoles from older generations, such as the Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
, Mega Drive, Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
, Dreamcast, NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
, Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
, Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
and PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, although this practice looks set to cease due to Game disposing of old "retro" stock. Game accessories for the older consoles are also available.
Gamestation advertised their Christmas promotions with 'Fat Chris' which is a parody of Father Christmas (advertised as "What's half of Father Christmas?" - "Fat Chris!"). He was used for Christmas 2006 and 2007, and also reappeared in the 2008 Christmas advertising campaign. In 2009, however, it was dropped with the shop promotions "starring" the branch manager of the particular store, to encourage the customers to talk to the staff and give the stores a more personal feel.