90°

Strong Q4 can't help GameStop escape downturn; Hardware sales fall sharply

International games retailer GameStop has reported a year-on-year increase in profits from $943.2 to $974.9 for the 14 weeks ending February 2nd.

That’s despite a fall in net sales from $3.579bn in the same period last year to $3.562bn. Operating profit jumped from $302.5m to $412.3m. Net income jumped from $174.3m to $261.1m.

Like-for-like sales for the period fell by 4.6 per cent, although digital sales climbed 60.3 per cent, offsetting what the company described as “a weakness” in its core business.

Tetsujin4037d ago

I don't want to sound mean, and I do hate the thought of people potentially losing jobs; GS needs to hire more knowledgeable employees, and stop trying to force pre-orders every time I buy something. I understand there's a quota that needs to be met, however I don't need to reminded every damn time about new releases AFTER I specifically mention what I want and don't want.

Also they need to do something about this "bonus trade-in" that supposedly helps the customer - when all it does is makes the offers "half" legit. I remember they made me an offer for one game I had, I laughed so hard I almost fainted, and left the store still laughing.

FreshRevenge4037d ago

I don't really shop or buy my games at Gamestop. I think you are right when you say they need more knowledgeable people. The other night, a friend of mine was getting Bioschock Infinite at the midnight release. We got there early and my friend paid for his game in full. However, the guy started to yap about some extra bonus that you get with your MP. I being the up to date gamer knew very well, that there was no MP in Bioshock. I told my friend that there was no multiplayer. The guy behind looked at me like I was wrong. I said that Ken Levine express it a number of times that there is no MP. The guy behind the counter looked at the manager and the manager said there was MP. I said there was no MP. The manager had to look at the box and see that there was no MP. So the guy looked upset that he was wrong and now wasn't able to sell his special bonus. The bonus was actually referring to the SP unlocks and stuff.

The problem is that Gamestop is so desperate to stay in business that they are spending millions of dollars to get these exclusive deals with game developers that they have this pressure to sell, sell, sell.Basically every Gamestop employee and manager have to follow a list of directions.

I usually buy my games on Amazon or get them at Best Buy. I have never had a problem with people trying to sell me extra stuff or to preorder another game in those places. I think Gamestop needs to be destroyed! As far as Gamestop employees, start looking for another job!

Tetsujin4037d ago

Lately I've been shopping on amazon because there's a lot of deals that I find impossible to pass up - even when GS swears "you get extra 30% trade in credit towards X game" when on amazon it's that price WITHOUT having to trade in your games; that alone is a deal breaker. I agree with the poster below about selling new games opened - If they don't have an unopened copy I refuse to buy it, regardless of how much they try to swear on it being new. Anymore I'll go to GS if there's something they have where other places (including online) doesn't have it available, and even then I still think twice just because as soon as I buy it "oh would you like to buy this along with it?" or my favorite "Would you like to pre-order X game while your here today?"

3-4-54036d ago

I traded in 5 games 2-3 weeks ago when they were offering +50% trade in value and I walked away with $120 in store credit.

You need to buy the right games that will have re-sale value and you need to look for the right time to trade them in.

I've bought so many "free" games because of doing this.

There is a system in place....understand how to work it.

Tetsujin4036d ago

I agree with you on the whole system thing; and yes there is times where you can go to one store, buy a game, open it, trade it to GS for double/triple the worth. I'm speaking more of a general sense, and from a personal standpoint there's better shops that offer both cash and a higher deal. One store here offers new releases $50 (if it's a $60 game) within 14 days of release date, which to some means they "rented" the game(s); and if you haven't used the DLC codes that's an additional $5, so in a sense you buy a new release, either hate it or beat it, don't use the pass/codes, and your only out $5; instead of going to GS and sometimes advertised new releases are bought back at $35 (They pulled this with countless games).

Like I said I agree there is a system and learn how to work it, however again it's not all the time and there's better alternatives when selling/trading games.

RE_L_MAYER4037d ago

They change their employees all the time, dont keep new (sealed) games unless you pre order it-usually poor service and I have to deal with them due to stupid pre order deals as well so maybe it is time for them to dissapear

josephayal4037d ago

digital sales climbed 60.3 per cent?? I really hope this isn't true because not everyone has an internet connection

JBSleek4037d ago

If you don't have internet you have bigger priorities then getting a $400 system and $60 games.

Tetsujin4037d ago

Honestly I don't think GS will go anywhere anytime soon, if anything they will be like a lot of other stores started doing - Retro gaming; Carry the latest greatest however sell vintage games and consoles that's probably collecting dust in some warehouse. I know a few gaming stores where I lived started this and made MORE money off a lot of collectable games dating back to the NES days, and some dating back to the Magnavox (sp) Odyssey days.

rainslacker4037d ago (Edited 4037d ago )

It raised 60% from the year before. This is in line with a report a couple weeks ago saying that digital sales have increased(~140% I believe) from the previous year. It doesn't mean that digital sales make up 60% of all game sales now. Retail still trumps that for the console market.

The digital sales increase also includes DLC, Micro-transactions, Xbox Live/PSN cards, phone games, etc. So it's not all just for actual console games.

Honestly, retail could play an important part of getting digital to go more mainstream. If they had some sort of way for people to download their content at the store through high speed internet(or possibly local storage), then it could make it easier for those that are willing to buy digital, as they wouldn't have to worry about keeping up an internet connection. Some things would have to be worked out, such as what happens if the people lose that data and need to re-download it.

@tetsujin

That would make them kind of like play and trade. Unfortunately GS doesn't really understand the value of keeping manuals and cases and how people that like older games, typically like those things. It saddens me to know how much of that stuff they throw away every year just to throw it into a generic box, which ironically takes up the same amount of space. On top of that, the retro market is a place where people aren't likely to take in crappy trade in values for their games. There may be some stupid ones out there, but game collectors can be pretty savvy. Either way they'd have to build up a pretty sufficient amount of stock before they could make it viable nationwide(offline). That's going to be hard to do since collectors know there are better places to sell their games at.

josephayal4037d ago

I had the 50Mbps service, is fast enough to help the space shuttle

Jaqen_Hghar4037d ago

A man has come to prefer Amazon far more and a man will get his 2 or 3 PS4s there

Donnieboi4037d ago

Lol don't buy em all. I need at least 2 for my home, y'know :D

Jaqen_Hghar4037d ago

a man will sell all but one on Ebay...for $800+

fatstarr4036d ago

its getting to the point where im impatient and I cant wait for the game to ship 2 -7 days from now...

Jaqen_Hghar4036d ago

a man gets Amazon prime for free because he is a college student. A man gets everything release day with the 2 day shipping if he pre-orders.

M-M4036d ago

Why do you start all of your sentences like that? xD.

Show all comments (22)
320°

GameStop Boss Says Disc Drives Should Be Required On Game Consoles

"It would be great if people had to buy more of the thing," says guy who makes money selling the thing.

XiNatsuDragnel226d ago

Absolutely consoles needs disc drives.

wesnytsfs226d ago

Nah should be optional. Not a PS fan but I like their strategy of selling an optional external optical drive. Its all about Options and this will let everyone get their way. Cheaper for digital only and then you can chose to pay more for the optical drive if that is important to you.

Profchaos226d ago

That's not official yet it's only a rumour

Eonjay225d ago

@Profchaos

But what he describes already exists in the 2 base models. If it is a rumor you can blame Microsoft for really backing it in court but if we are honest we all know it's true.

Profchaos225d ago

@Eonjay I'm not denying the appeal of it I can see it being a useful mechanism for allowing gamers to upgrade as needed however until there's concrete proof and not speculation and remember ms still bases that court submitted document off of the same leaks we see on Reddit, 4chan etc I just can't believe it.

The system would be further opened to exploitation and they would need to release an overpriced drive for consumers to buy for it and sure as they do we will hear complaints over the cost of it

ChasterMies225d ago

Absolutely consoles don’t need disc drives. My house has 2 PS5 digital editions, one since launch. Zero issues with the lack of disc drives. In fact, the digital purchasing lets us all share each other’s games, usually mine, and play the same game at the same time on-line.

shadowT226d ago

Optional drives would be best strategy.

-Foxtrot226d ago

If they did then collectors wouldn’t be getting f***** over with discless collectors editions

jeromeface225d ago

yea they would, discs cost extra... even when you're already paying a premium

-Foxtrot225d ago (Edited 225d ago )

Lmao

We are paying roughly the same now without the discs. There’s literally collectors editions which are roughly in the same price range that have a disc.

I’d rather pay a little more for something physical anyway

RupeeHoarder226d ago

No shock, GameStop is alive because of trading. If they don't have used games on their shelves they are absolutely donezo.

darthv72226d ago

Well of course the GS boss thinks this... that's their bread and butter business. That and funco pops and clothing, though those two were added as a means to supplement the decline in people buying used games or even new games. GS just sucks overall when it comes to gaming. I buy my physical stuff on Amazon or Best Buy.

As for "requiring" disc drives... nah. Not anymore, but i like having them as an option. They had a means back when games actually ran off the discs and were more/less complete. Now they are incomplete and the disc is really an installer with a license to play. If you want to change games you have to take out the disc and put in another. Its more convenient to just use digital. I have been into digital for years now and when the PSPortal comes along i wont even have to go into my game room. I will just play my PS5 from my couch downstairs. I have a bunch of digital installed games to my 5... I'm all set.

Show all comments (46)
520°

Xbox Series X owners can effectively grab a 'free' PlayStation 5 right now

Gamingbible writes: "Luckily, if you’re living in the US you can trade your Xbox into Gamestop, where you’ll receive a hefty amount of cash as well as a $50 bonus for certain customers, just short of enough to buy the PS5."

Read Full Story >>
gamingbible.com
Jin_Sakai255d ago

A good deal for those who want a console with games.

S2Killinit253d ago (Edited 253d ago )

Lol well, we tried. But you cant save a person from drowning if they wanna hold on to their fur coat.

Im kidding off course.

Hypertension140254d ago

@Julion0715 @ichdich

So you guys won't change consoles?, give me reasons.

Your answers will probably explain why I'm so f**cking pissed off at Microsoft for buying two large mulitplatform publishers.
It isn't easy right? but you guys don't care because is not happening to you.

Lightning77254d ago

No thank you? N4G won't stand for this blasphemy!

SF releases next month hopefully that should give ppl incentive to keep their console. I know there's PC you can play there to but not everyone wants to play on PC.

Rockstar254d ago (Edited 254d ago )

@Hyper,

My guess is they love either their piece of plastic, their corporate overlords or gaming on the cheap.

Likely a combination...

itsmebryan254d ago

@hyper
Gamepass and I have a gaming PC so, I can play all the Sony "exclusives " at a higher frame rate and graphical fidelity. Why would I trade my Xbox for PS5.

After adding ABK they will have even more games at a great value.

Lexreborn2254d ago

@bryan

By that same logic what would be the point of having an Xbox? If you have a pc that handles both ps5 and Xbox games you don’t need either.

Rockstar254d ago

@ Lex,

Bringing logic into it?
That's low!

itsmebryan253d ago

@lex
I got my gaming PC last year to replace my old PC and I already had a XSX. It's pretty simple.
So, Zero horizon was disappointing and Spiderman/ miles ( got both for $50)are just ok. I might get R&C when it goes on sale.

Zhipp253d ago

@Hypertension
If I had time for a PS5 I would have bought a PS5 by now. I intend to someday, but at the moment my backlog is too big. Not only would I have to trade in all my games (for pennies on the dollar) and rebuy them for PS5, but Xbox actually finally has some exclusives coming out in the near future that interest me. I'll get a PS5 whenever Naughty Dog's next game comes out, at the latest.

fr0sty253d ago (Edited 253d ago )

@itsme

"I can play SOME the Sony "exclusives " years later. Some of them run better, some run worse." - Fixed

MrNinosan253d ago

@bryan
Your logic is amazing.
Not even close to all the Playstation games is being released on PC, and if they are, it's years past release, and often in a state when PC masterrace people cries anyways.
By logic, you should have a PS5, a PC and maybe a Switch if you're into that crap.

Especially as 100% of the Xbox games is also release on the PC, day and day.

Toncsipapa253d ago

Obsivously you get dislikes on this ps fanbooooy page :D

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 253d ago
Rockstar254d ago

@Jin

Judging by the replies here some of these people don't prefer games :).

On topic, I wish I could trade in my xbsx for a steam deck!

Julion0715254d ago

Then sell the x and get a steam deck 🤦🏾‍♂️

Rockstar254d ago

Why didn't I think of that?
Thanks for the tip! /s

goldwyncq253d ago (Edited 253d ago )

What games? FFXVI is the only true exclusive PS5 has right now and that's going to PC eventually too.

itsmebryan254d ago

@jin-Sakai
What games are you looking forward to this year?

Jin_Sakai253d ago

Spider-Man 2 and there’s plenty of great games to play that released over the years. Can’t say the same for Xbox.

DarXyde253d ago (Edited 253d ago )

There's a pretty decent slate of games coming out this year for all platforms. Armored Core looks great, Mortal Kombat 1 looks great, the info we're getting on Tekken 8 has me thinking it's coming this year. Sea of Stars can't be slept in either. If we're just talking about PlayStation games, Spider-Man 2 and Stellar Blade are expected to release this year and both look great.

I believe jin-sakai has an Xbox Series X (I could be wrong), but I reckon they're interested in those games, along with Starfield. That aside, Mario Wonder, Super Mario RPG, Star Ocean, and Suikoden I and II are all very welcome titles for the rest of the year.

I think no matter what platform you're playing on, there's enough there to generate a backlog.

EDIT: How the hell did I forget Lies of P? 🤡

shinoff2183253d ago

Darxyde

"Starfield. That aside, Mario Wonder, Super Mario RPG, Star Ocean, and Suikoden I and II"

Enough said. That's my game slate for the rest of the year.

DarkkMinion254d ago

That ain't a deal at all. Trading in a beast of a console for that, I don't think so.

Jin_Sakai253d ago

It’s a beast alright. Lol

“Digital Foundry about XSX teraflops advantage : It's kinda all blowing up in the face of Xbox Series X“

Jin_Sakai253d ago

All these “No thank you” comments from duplicate accounts. Lol

Christopher253d ago

I mean, I wouldn't trade in one console for another but instead buy both, prioritizing one over the other based on games I like.

Jin_Sakai253d ago

That would be the obvious choice but some might only be able to afford one or the other. And you have fans who will only support their console of choice regardless.

FinalFantasyFanatic253d ago (Edited 253d ago )

The PS5 is a better deal in the end, I really can't see the appeal of sticking with the Xbox.

DOMination-253d ago

"A good deal for those who want a console with games."

Like what? After all that bravado, the only game you could name was one that isn't out yet (Spider-Man 2)

Don't get me wrong, the XSX lineup in pathetic. But lets not pretend that the PS5 is any better. You can count the number of console exclusives for both on one hand.

If you're looking at games announced with release windows, there's only one console to get as it stands if you want games and it's not the PS5.

Jin_Sakai253d ago

PS5 has one slow year yes but they will start pumping out games soon and everyone knows the quality of their first party games are unmatched.

shinoff2183253d ago

Did the Xbox get any legend of heroes games, alot of jrpg type games skip the Xbox so unless your not into those types of games Xbox isn't a good choice at all. Alot of us from what I see have stuck with sony for the longest because they've had a great jrpg catalogue from 3rd party developers that xbox just can't touch. Those of us that enjoy alot of different games will get both consoles , I bought my series x about two weeks ago for starfield. It will only get used for a game here or there, most likely anything rpg related.

crazyCoconuts253d ago

Hard to tell who are in the Xbox Ambassador program from some of these comments. But for the masses, the console sales numbers are telling us which way the winds are blowing. XBox is in an important/pivotal moment right now imo

The_Blue253d ago

It's cool, I'll stick with my Xbox.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 253d ago
Elda254d ago

At this point in time If I didn't own a PS5 I would have done this in a heartbeat but I had already acquired a PS5 first before I acquired an XBSX.

darthv72254d ago

I'll stick to keeping both. Gamestop though... seems kind of desperate to take in Series X units. What could they be plotting???

Eonjay254d ago

Almost certainly their plan is to charge obscenely high prices for a used Xbox.

myfathersbastard253d ago

They make pure profit on used consoles. They don’t share any of it. And they’re generally only like $50-$100 cheaper than new.
So they “sell”a PS5, make their small cut from that. Then sell the refurbished Xbox and get to keep all of it. It’s win win. They get a small cut on PS5, and a large cut from the Xbox.

Profchaos253d ago

Could be two fold sell as much base ps5 stick before the slim or pro drop and resell the xsx for those after a starfeild machine

jznrpg253d ago

PS gamers buy games number one. And they make money off used consoles. It’s a double benefit for them

Charlieboy333253d ago

Collecting more Series X consoles to sell on to MS for the cloud

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 253d ago
Lexreborn2254d ago

I just want some games for my series X I have both since release and after weighing the offerings in PS Essentials to Gamepass I quickly realized I Owned anything of worth in both catalogs. And, the things I didn't I didn't see as justifiable for maintaining both subs.

Since then my series X is a legacy machine that I play my old games on and that's it. 3 years ago I really thought from that Xbox showcase we were going to have some great games by now. Instead, it's just been a lot of meh

Chevalier253d ago

Yep. That's why I waited this generation to have a reason to buy the Series X. Got horribly burnt buying the Xbox One because I decided they had games I was interested in then they canceled the games I wanted right after.

Was tempted after they had that great showing awhile back and am glad I waited because it would have collected dust for 2 years otherwise. Couple games out and on the horizon that look pretty good. Might be a good purchase in a couple years.

Show all comments (88)
70°

GameStop CFO to Resign in Latest Executive Departure From Retailer

GameStop’s chief financial officer is resigning, in the latest of several executive departures from the video game retailer.