EB Games and Gamestop to merge?

[Guest Vitamin X]

Yeah, I agree strongly with that first post. Gamestop's biggest issue is that they're way too concerned with trying to get you to buy shit instead of providing quality customer service. That exact same thing that happened to Smues up there with Fable, happened to me last November (Ironically as I was trying to pre-order Fable) with this guy who would not stop hounding me to buy Halo 2, even though I had no interest whatsoever in it. He kept like hesitating to ring me up and would stop and keep trying to sell me on it before I snapped and told him to ring up the fucking sale. I would've complained to management shortly after, but what's the use?

 

Companies like them and Blockbuster (and this comes from my exp. working at Blockbuster) look specifically for pushy (or as they'd say "persuasive") salesmen instead of actual Customer Service. It's like, to make up for all the mergers and ridiculous amount of stores either one has, they try to even it out by trying to force their customers to buy shit (or in Blockbuster's case, outright fuck them over by saying there's no late fees, and then charging them full price for the game/movie AND a late fee)

[Rendclaw 0]

Both of them are obnoxious. They treat me like a little kid or something, like I know nothing about games and need to be hassled.

They stopped getting the majority of my business a long time ago. The people that work a GameStop almost always are snide little pricks who think they should be the head of a gaming corporation or something.

 

Game Crazy and Media Play do it for me. I almost pulled the trigger on buying DBZ sagas for the Cube for 15 bucks, when its brand new for the ps 2 for 39, I think.

 

And Anyanka, it sounds sexist, but because there are still fewer girl gamers out there than guys, most of the time they are going to assume you don;t know shit until you prove them wrong.

[AndrewTS 0]

I'd like to think if I worked at either one, I wouldn't adopt that sort of behavior. Whenever I'm at my local EB and haven't decided on something yet, I often chill for a bit and offer help to other customers.

 

Plus, since none of the employees at my EB are as tall as me, often I save them the trouble of needing to fetch the ladder.

 

Some of my marketing professors would be appalled at some of the Gamestop employees' behavior.

[Black Lushus 0]

to follow up on Rendclaw's post, It's just like with cars, the general assumption is that girls don't know shit about shit...

[AndrewTS 0]

to follow up on Rendclaw's post, It's just like with cars, the general assumption is that girls don't know shit about shit...

 

Or it's assumed that they'd go for specific niches--like Sims and RPGs--which has some truth to it for certain, but if she knows what she wants and they're trying to sell her on something else, that's messed up.

 

I've actually encountered a few rare hot chicks at Gamestops. They didn't know shit. But there was one geek grrl I met in NY and we BSed for about 10 minutes straight about games.

[Anya 0]

well it sucks. I don't want the sims. Or a magazine subscription.

 

Guys are always amazed(and often really angry) that I know what I'm doing at the arcade.

[Black Lushus 0]

To be honest with you, here in Nebraska Arcades, the only games girls really play are DDR and ParaPara Paradise...very few play anything else...there's the occassional female phenom on the fighting games, but she's usually not one that would get asked out a lot...

 

If gals really do play a lot, it must be happening at home only...

 

As far as most male gamer thinking goes around here anyway, Morgan Webb and those chicks from G4TV and that SMOKIN HOT gal on Cheat are anomalies and rarities...

[Rendclaw 0]

My former roommate back in Florida, I met in an arcade. She was a Street Fighter player, and a damn good one too. She knew more about games than 95% of the people I have met before or since then. She could manage a gaming store and do it well. Hell, she worked at a local games store for three years until the idiot owner ran it into the ground.

 

To be honest with you, here in Nebraska Arcades, the only games girls really play are DDR and ParaPara Paradise...very few play anything else...there's the occassional female phenom on the fighting games, but she's usually not one that would get asked out a lot...

 

If gals really do play a lot, it must be happening at home only...

 

As far as most male gamer thinking goes around here anyway, Morgan Webb and those chicks from G4TV and that SMOKIN HOT gal on Cheat are anomalies and rarities...

 

Amen to that. Although I think that Morgan is more of a true gamer than the Cheat chick. God only knows how big of a following Morgan has these days. I just wish she still a redhead. She looks too damned goth with black hair.

 

Guys are always amazed(and often really angry) that I know what I'm doing at the arcade.

 

That's because:

 

1): They don't want to get shown up by a girl when playing SC2 with their geek buddies.

 

2): They would rather have a chance to "show you how its done" in the hope that you will be so awestruck by their gaming prowess that your clothes will just fall of your body and they can have your way with you.

 

I know I have said this before and its an old bit, but FF X-2 (or FF Dress Up Barbie, as I like to call it) was such a blatant attempt to market to girls (leaving the FF crackheads out of the equation), it was pathetic.

 

Ann Arbor only has Pinball Pete's and its mostly the dancing games, and fighting games for which I has lost interest. At least they give a nod to the old school by having a corner with classic games.

[Black Lushus 0]

Rendclaw, that's EXACTLY what we have going on here in Omaha at the Family Fun Center, our biggest, most popular arcade...Bemani, fighting games and car games...THAT'S IT...there's the occassional classic spattered here and there...

[AndrewTS 0]

That's because:

 

1): They don't want to get shown up by a girl when playing SC2 with their geek buddies.

 

2): They would rather have a chance to "show you how its done" in the hope that you will be so awestruck by their gaming prowess that your clothes will just fall of your body and they can have your way with you. 

Or maybe 3) They're used to the gender roles that have existed for so long that a female showing any interest at all in a genre driven by violence and arcane movements and techniques that it comes as a bit of a shock to meet a girl who doesn't fall into them.

 

Girl gamers who enjoy yanking out people's spines in MK are even less likely to crop up. And considering how she shamelessly displays a number of fangirlish traits here on the forums, she probably projects an image that conflicts.

 

If I know a girl who plasters her walls with fanart of Squall and Cloud, I'd be really freakin' surprised if I find out that she can parry, combo, super-cancel, etc on SF3. If she has a clue how to play a fighting game that immediately separates her from most fighting game players of either gender.

 

On the other hand, if a t-shirt/jeans, rather broad-shouldered, possibly gay girl shows those same skills, it won't come as nearly as much of a shock.

 

Why do you hate men so much, Rend?

 

I know I have said this before and its an old bit, but FF X-2 (or FF Dress Up Barbie, as I like to call it) was such a blatant attempt to market to girls (leaving the FF crackheads out of the equation), it was pathetic.

 

Plenty of girls in Japan absolutely loved it, though. Square wasn't really too out-of-touch considering that they were familiar with what their culture taught them about women. They're taught to be girly, submissive, and giggly--and on top of that, there's Japan's stunting of individualist ideals.

 

Didn't Anya like X-2 as well, even though at the time I was sickened as how it tried to pander to both Square's impressions of fanboys and fangirls?

[Black Lushus 0]

Now that I think about it, though, there seems to be tons of chicks working at our local Gamestops/Gamers...they tend to be of the "skater chick"/"punk chick" variety, so if that's what ya like, there ya go!

[AndrewTS 0]

Now that I think about it, though, there seems to be tons of chicks working at our local Gamestops/Gamers...they tend to be of the "skater chick"/"punk chick" variety, so if that's what ya like, there ya go!

But do they, as you put it, "know shit about" the products they're selling?

 

Except for that one, the female Gamestop employees I'd met apparently got the job so they can bs with her boyfriends.

 

One time, one of the GS's just had the female employee out front and nobody else, and a customer in front of me asked her to get him the "NES" in the case behind her. She looked completely confused. The guy then clarified "Nintendo Entertainment System." She grabbed an N64 at first.

 

I get the impression most of the female G4 hosts are like that, except for Morgan (Diane I can't really tell).

[Guest Vitamin X]

I met a really attractive girl on the plane ride (ironically enough, to go see my g/f in Cali..while the relationship still wasn't official too) who was a total video game geek and kept showing off her DS to me. She was young, but very extroverted, geeky, and talkative. My type.

[Black Lushus 0]

actually Andrew, they DID know their shit, which surprised me...but usually those sorta chicks tend be down to earth and cool in OUR opinions anyway so...

 

is Diane the one on Cheat? Damn those legs are niiiiiice...i watched an episode yesterday simply because she was in a very short skirt...

[AndrewTS 0]

I met a really attractive girl on the plane ride (ironically enough, to go see my g/f in Cali..while the relationship still wasn't official too) who was a total video game geek and kept showing off her DS to me. She was young, but very extroverted, geeky, and talkative. My type.

Sounds like she'd be fun to meet.

 

I wouldn't have to date a gamer girl, but she'd have to be intelligent. My last g/f (way back in high school) I pretty much fell for after she'd read an essay she'd done.

 

We need more of those and fewer stupid, shallow girls.

[AndrewTS 0]

actually Andrew, they DID know their shit, which surprised me...but usually those sorta chicks tend be down to earth and cool in OUR opinions anyway so...

 

is Diane the one on Cheat?  Damn those legs are niiiiiice...i watched an episode yesterday simply because she was in a very short skirt...

 

Diane's the Asian one who does Filter.

 

I never watch Cheat (last I saw it was just that guy with the annoying voice hosting it), but g4's site says it's "Kristin Holt." Never seen her hosting, though.

 

I do know some sweet/nice "punky" kind of girls, too. Usually they're taken.

[Anya 0]

And considering how she shamelessly displays a number of fangirlish traits here on the forums, she probably projects an image that conflicts.

 

 

What??? Like what? What do you mean by "fangirl"? I am not biased.....

 

 

Didn't Anya like X-2 as well

 

 

It was my favorite game that year. Although looking back, I ended up liking KOTOR more.

 

 

 

We need more of those and fewer stupid, shallow girls.

 

 

Yeah, like me.

[AndrewTS 0]

And considering how she shamelessly displays a number of fangirlish traits here on the forums, she probably projects an image that conflicts.

 

 

What??? Like what? What do you mean by "fangirl"? I am not biased.....

"Every game should have Squall in it?"

[Anya 0]

That just means I like him.

[Guest Vitamin X]

It was my favorite game that year. Although looking back, I ended up liking KOTOR more.

Yes. And if you want to talk about empowering females...

 

Bastila >>>> Yuna..

[Rendclaw 0]

Rendclaw, that's EXACTLY what we have going on here in Omaha at the Family Fun Center, our biggest, most popular arcade...Bemani, fighting games and car games...THAT'S IT...there's the occassional classic spattered here and there...

And unfortunately thats what its always going to be like. No mega-arcades like The Fun Machine in Orlando. To me, that was the last great arcade: It was HUGE, had at least 70-80 machines, ranging from Sprint 2 all the way to I think SSF2T. It had cutting edge, it had classics that I played way back when I was like 6 or 7. It was perfect.

 

Or maybe 3) They're used to the gender roles that have existed for so long that a female showing any interest at all in a genre driven by violence and arcane movements and techniques that it comes as a bit of a shock to meet a girl who doesn't fall into them.

 

Or 3a) They are threatened by that person in some way. I've seen it in arcades when my former roommate and I would go to an arcade to play SF. To a lot of these kind of guys, the girls should be playing the simple games like Ms. Pac Man and the like and stay over in the corner. When my roommate would go through every guy that put up a quarter/token, one of three things would happen. They would instantly become obsessed with beating her, they would hit on her, or they would give her a real nasty look and stomp off while their friends laughed at him because he got beat by a girl.

 

If I know a girl who plasters her walls with fanart of Squall and Cloud, I'd be really freakin' surprised if I find out that she can parry, combo, super-cancel, etc on SF3. If she has a clue how to play a fighting game that immediately separates her from most fighting game players of either gender.

 

On the other hand, if a t-shirt/jeans, rather broad-shouldered, possibly gay girl shows those same skills, it won't come as nearly as much of a shock.

 

Thats leaning a bit on a stereotype, Andrew. Does it truly matter that much how someone looks to you, that you would be shocked if she had actual game?

 

 

Why do you hate men so much, Rend?

 

I hope thats a joke. Me bashing on some game-oriented minor misogyny does not mean that I hate my gender.

 

Bastila >>>> Yuna..

 

Tifa > Bastila >>>> Yuna.

[AndrewTS 0]

Or 3a) They are threatened by that person in some way. I've seen it in arcades when my former roommate and I would go to an arcade to play SF. To a lot of these kind of guys, the girls should be playing the simple games like Ms. Pac Man and the like and stay over in the corner. When my roommate would go through every guy that put up a quarter/token, one of three things would happen. They would instantly become obsessed with beating her, they would hit on her, or they would give her a real nasty look and stomp off while their friends laughed at him because he got beat by a girl.

 

Fine, as long as you don't completely ignore the possibility that they have some innocent misconceptions that have held true for 99% of the time.

 

Incidentally, I suck at Pac-Man and would give anyone props that was a hell of a lot better at it than I. And I've been beaten on MvC1 at the arcade by a girl (with Morrigan, with "that" special of hers). It surprised me, but hey, it happens.

 

Thats leaning a bit on a stereotype, Andrew. Does it truly matter that much how someone looks to you, that you would be shocked if she had actual game?

 

It doesn't "matter", really. It's just that it would be unexpected. It's the same way with people (male or female) who prefer KoF over SF strictly because of the character designs. Usually they aren't actually very good at the game because they're caught up more in aesthetics than they are gameplay.

 

Everybody likes to rail against stereotypes, and the more extreme ones (racist ones, especially) deserve mockery. However, categorizing things are an essential part of the learning process, and stereotypes are part of them.

 

I remember when a poster--I don't recall who it was--but he commented he's a big fan of Final Fantasy because he was an artist/going into graphic design and enjoyed character designs, the quality of the FMVs, etc. I dropped the argument and said I respected that. He admitted he liked it a lot based on the aesthetics.

 

If you see somebody who bases much of their gaming tastes on aesthetics rather than gameplay, it isn't illogical to assume that they may not be 'all that' on a skill-intensive level. Sometimes it's wrong. So, yes, I would be surprised, but until something like that would happen frequently, I'd still hold expectations like that.

 

I hope thats a joke. Me bashing on some game-oriented minor misogyny does not mean that I hate my gender.

 

Yeah, it was. Mocking the way Hannity (FAUXNEWSLOLyadda) would ask liberal guests "why do you hate America?"

 

....what the hell was this topic originally about?

[Anya 0]

I've said many times aesthetics are important to me in a game, especially RPGs, and it's never stopped you from getting on my case...

 

 

and for the record I don't have pictures of Squall or Cloud on my wall. At least not anymore. Now I just have Angel and Buffy stuff. Oh, and a poster of Yuna & Tidus.

[AndrewTS 0]

I've said many times aesthetics are important to me in a game, especially RPGs, and it's never stopped you from getting on my case...

It's in the way you say it.

 

Plus this folder would be a lot more boring if I didn't get on your case. Our public demands it.

 

Although sometimes you post a non-sequitor that I figure doesn't really require a response.

 

and for the record I don't have pictures of Squall or Cloud on my wall. At least not anymore. Now I just have Angel and Buffy stuff. Oh, and a poster of Yuna & Tidus.

 

I was using that a hypothetical example, but shockingly close.

 

I meant more like Yuna Firerose, the TSM member. I kid you about being a fangirl, but she's a full-on fangirl and I still like her. She's hilarious.

[Anya 0]

I don't see much difference between Yuna and myself. She just doesn't play as many different games.

[AndrewTS 0]

I don't know if this is all since the merger started, or coincidence...

 

But I noticed Gamestop jacked up the prices on all their used N64 stuff. Anything that was $4.99 is now $7.99. If it was $14.99 it is now $17.99. $24.99 stuff now costs $27.99--well, that is, Harvest Moon and about it. EB's N64 seems cheaper (mine had Harvest Moon 64 recently for $19.99).

 

On the other hand, stay the hell away from EB if you're buying Gamecube games.

 

Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes

EB: 24.99 used, unknown new

Gamestop: 19.99 new, 17.99 used

 

Tales of Symphonia

EB: 44.99 used (!!!)

Gamestop: 19.99 new, 17.99 used

 

I've seen a handful of Gamecube stuff that's used at EB for 17.99 that's used at Gamestop for 14.99, and used at Gamestop for 12.99 and 9.99 that's 14.99 used at EB.

 

Metroid Prime is 9.99 at Gamestop and 12.99 at EB used.

 

In a rare exception, Metroid Prime 2 is 36.99 used at EB and 39.99 used at Gamestop.

 

Overall, it seemed to me that EB's got the better prices on used PS1 and PS2 stuff, at least prior to the merger. Fatal Frame 2 for 19.99 vs. Gamestop's $24.99, for instance (both used). Although there are exceptions, and this may change of course (and I guarantee you it will).

 

My EB just got in a used, original release (not greatest hits) Xenogears, and they want $29.99 for it. Yeah, that'll fly.

 

Browsing their sites are good indicators, but *many* times their website prices are more than their in-store prices, especially in Gamestop's case.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

The Gamestops here are horrible. They hound me to buy shit and then give me attitude when I have a question. I've been playing games for over 20 years I don't need fucking attitude when I ask a question. The worst part is they chased a good chain of local stores known as Video Games Express out of town. They used to have 10 NES games for $20. Now I can't even fucking buy a copy of Zelda II because Gamestop wants $12 for it.

 

Another bad story. My friend was dying for a copy of Crono Trigger and they wanted $70 for a copy.

[haws bah gawd 0]

I never watch Cheat (last I saw it was just that guy with the annoying voice hosting it), but g4's site says it's "Kristin Holt."  Never seen her hosting, though.

If you haven't seen Kristin Holt yet, you should make it a point to watch cheat. I'm guessing shes the permanent replacement for Cory, the guy that used to host the show. Shes extremely hot, but acts like a complete tool. Watch the Halo 2 edition of Cheat to see what I'm talking about. Cory may have had an annoying voice, but he was much more tolerable than Kristin in the irritation department.

 

About EB Games and Gamestop though, any idea what could become of the malls where there is 1 of each store? For instance, we have a Gamestop and EB Games in the mall here (Im sure there are thousands of other malls like this as well). Do you think Gamestop would shut down one of these stores? This would seem pretty foolish when you look at the business each store does, especially on the weekends.

 

AndrewTS, you should look at the price differences for the Zelda Collectors Edition if you want o see true insanity.

 

Gamestop - usually $39.99-$49.99 depending on the store

EBGames - $59.99!!!!!!!! (One store here wanted an ungodly $69.99 for it, and it still sits there to this day. Wonder why?)

Rhino Games - $17.99 (can get around $25 store credit for it at EBGames)

[AndrewTS 0]

Another bad story.  My friend was dying for a copy of Crono Trigger and they wanted $70 for a copy.

Strange. My EBs (previously, anyway) charged me 24.99 for a CT cart, and I picked it up when they were having a buy 2/get 1 sale.

 

AndrewTS, you should look at the price differences for the Zelda Collectors Edition if you want o see true insanity.

 

Gamestop - usually $39.99-$49.99 depending on the store

EBGames - $59.99!!!!!!!! (One store here wanted an ungodly $69.99 for it, and it still sits there to this day. Wonder why?)

Rhino Games - $17.99 (can get around $25 store credit for it at EBGames)

 

My EB's charging $49.99 for it, and so have the Gamestops I've seen. *shrug* Although it holds true to the trend.

 

However, I've seen EB charge $39.99 for the OOT/Master Quest disc while Gamestop charges $29.99.

 

I wish somebody would clue these places in, though, that if they're missing the instructions and manuals, they should charge us less than for a complete copy. *They* do the same crap if you try to trade in things, after all.

 

If you haven't seen Kristin Holt yet, you should make it a point to watch cheat. I'm guessing shes the permanent replacement for Cory, the guy that used to host the show. Shes extremely hot, but acts like a complete tool. Watch the Halo 2 edition of Cheat to see what I'm talking about.

 

Yeah, I saw a clip of her doing it on Cheat. They want us to think she actually plays Halo if you check her profile. LOL. Suuure, guys.

 

I've seen rumors G4 is going to be doing a pageant for video game babes. You know, Croft, Rayne, etc. I expect it to be as retarded as any of the SpikeTV video game awards, if not moreso.

 

About EB Games and Gamestop though, any idea what could become of the malls where there is 1 of each store? For instance, we have a Gamestop and EB Games in the mall here (Im sure there are thousands of other malls like this as well). Do you think Gamestop would shut down one of these stores? This would seem pretty foolish when you look at the business each store does, especially on the weekends.

 

My EB's guys say all they've heard is "business as usual."

 

I think both will stay open, but they'll jack up the prices on the games, and one store will gouge you for PS2, while the other will for GC, used older games.

 

You know, just like competing gas stations across the street from one other, where one has the lowest price for unleaded, but its prices for higher octanes are absolutely insane. The other will have a high price for unleaded, but the higher octanes are relatively cheap.

 

Next year--OH BOY!! Gamestop will have a used Halo 3 for 57.99, compared to EB's 58.99.

 

With Gamecrazy, Gamerush, etc having such relatively small market share, it makes perfect sense from a business standpoint.

[Black Lushus 0]

I never watch Cheat (last I saw it was just that guy with the annoying voice hosting it), but g4's site says it's "Kristin Holt."  Never seen her hosting, though.

If you haven't seen Kristin Holt yet, you should make it a point to watch cheat. I'm guessing shes the permanent replacement for Cory, the guy that used to host the show. Shes extremely hot, but acts like a complete tool. Watch the Halo 2 edition of Cheat to see what I'm talking about. Cory may have had an annoying voice, but he was much more tolerable than Kristin in the irritation department.

 

I think that's exactly the episode I was watching where she's sitting on the couch with that extremely small skirt...yum...

 

I tell you what though, when the Bemani craze hit here hard and heavy 3 or so years ago, there were a lot of good looking gals playing...I'm sure they don't play Halo, though...