Posted Apr 11, 2006 at 01:22PM by Heath N.
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Publisher sales reps inform Wal-Mart buyers of games in development; the games' subjects, titles, artwork and packaging are vetted and sometimes vetoed by Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart tells a top-end publisher it won't carry a certain game, the publisher kills that game. In short, every triple-A game sold at retail in North America is managed start to finish, top to bottom, with the publisher's gaze fixed squarely on Wal-Mart, and no other. |
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There is an interesting article over at the escapist which covers the topic of how much influence Wal-Mart really has over the video game market. Looks like the Wal-Mart goes as far as to tell the publishers what the box art will look like and they choose which publishers to carry and which to not carry which is devastating to not be carried by the biggest retail chain in America. Who knows maybe next they will tell us what is cool and what isn't.. oh wait we already have that and it's called MTV.66 Comments
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-11 |
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» oaky
so if you are saying a hot title like the #1 game ever has some bad cover art they wont sell it? bs.
and stop the whole walmart is evil. they do give insurance to their employees part time or full time. and you only get treated like crap if you treat your managers with disrespect. i told my girlfriend not to talk to them the way she was, and they did a 180 with how they treated her.
best buy fanboys ha! as bad as ps fanboys
so if you are saying a hot title like the #1 game ever has some bad cover art they wont sell it? bs.
and stop the whole walmart is evil. they do give insurance to their employees part time or full time. and you only get treated like crap if you treat your managers with disrespect. i told my girlfriend not to talk to them the way she was, and they did a 180 with how they treated her.
best buy fanboys ha! as bad as ps fanboys
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-11 |
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» What
Walmart is the *****test brick & mortar store in the US, their shady business practices and hiring of illegals is atrotious.
Whoever says they have influence over the game industy must be on crack or something similar.
Walmart is the *****test brick & mortar store in the US, their shady business practices and hiring of illegals is atrotious.
Whoever says they have influence over the game industy must be on crack or something similar.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-11 |
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» But it does matter for the little game publishers...
The GTAs and the MGS's are going to sell no matter what.
Hit Walmart where it hurts...just buy online. All they do is sell products from another country anyway and pass themselves off as patriots. 70% of what you buy there is made in a country other than the USA.
The GTAs and the MGS's are going to sell no matter what.
Hit Walmart where it hurts...just buy online. All they do is sell products from another country anyway and pass themselves off as patriots. 70% of what you buy there is made in a country other than the USA.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-11 |
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» misunderstood
Untill we hear from developers that they are shooting down visionary ideas that would change the face of gaming, I dont think its that big of a deal.
If a cover has two dildos sticking out of a sand dune shooting bullets into the pope(who happens to be wearing not much more than crotchless edible undies)...yeah....we might not want that on the shelves.... be it at wal-mart, ciruit city, or best buy.
GTA:SA was droped everywhere, not just walmart.
the only thing wal-mart is doing is making profits whether it be from you or your mom while being able to offer rock bottom prices(lets stay on topic though - whether or not this is the work of the anti-christ). If i were them i'd bet your mom has more money than you and dosent want to see the aforementioned cover in her store or in your room
buy your games from a porn store if you feel like going all indie
gaming fanboy.....all your systems suck and your pc is *****e too
Untill we hear from developers that they are shooting down visionary ideas that would change the face of gaming, I dont think its that big of a deal.
If a cover has two dildos sticking out of a sand dune shooting bullets into the pope(who happens to be wearing not much more than crotchless edible undies)...yeah....we might not want that on the shelves.... be it at wal-mart, ciruit city, or best buy.
GTA:SA was droped everywhere, not just walmart.
the only thing wal-mart is doing is making profits whether it be from you or your mom while being able to offer rock bottom prices(lets stay on topic though - whether or not this is the work of the anti-christ). If i were them i'd bet your mom has more money than you and dosent want to see the aforementioned cover in her store or in your room
buy your games from a porn store if you feel like going all indie
gaming fanboy.....all your systems suck and your pc is *****e too
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by Mr Toasty - 2006-04-11 |
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» hehe
"gaming fanboy.....all your systems suck and your pc is *****e too"
Hey HEY no badmouthing mystery systems :P
Man, I hate walmart. I go to Future Shop (canadian) for all my games. So much better, cheaper and they know what the hell they're talking about
"gaming fanboy.....all your systems suck and your pc is *****e too"
Hey HEY no badmouthing mystery systems :P
Man, I hate walmart. I go to Future Shop (canadian) for all my games. So much better, cheaper and they know what the hell they're talking about
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by Vecha - 2006-04-11 |
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» why would anyone love walmart?
The store is so depressing...what they sell is so depressing...
it seems only money pinches, trailer trash, and idiots shop there...
The store is so depressing...what they sell is so depressing...
it seems only money pinches, trailer trash, and idiots shop there...
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by Vecha - 2006-04-11 |
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» why would anyone love walmart?
The store is so depressing...what they sell is so depressing...
it seems only money pinches, trailer trash, and idiots shop there...
The store is so depressing...what they sell is so depressing...
it seems only money pinches, trailer trash, and idiots shop there...
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by andunny - 2006-04-11 |
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» sorry
sorry toasty (.-.)!!
im just realizing how much fanboy's ruin the scene...wal-mart dosent have much to do with it.... i think
sorry toasty (.-.)!!
im just realizing how much fanboy's ruin the scene...wal-mart dosent have much to do with it.... i think
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by Advertising - |
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-11 |
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» okay w/e
seriosly, walmart is the best store, its cheap its good and they even have food which is cheapest of all food stores n its good too. I love walmart i got nothign against it, but what i dont like is how they use SELF CHECKOUT lanes. They save money on paying employees instead of getting the lines to go faster. Tho i do love walmart and someone does need to monitor what type or stuff they will include on shelfs...its all business and save your butt type of deal from lawsuits. i got nothing on them
seriosly, walmart is the best store, its cheap its good and they even have food which is cheapest of all food stores n its good too. I love walmart i got nothign against it, but what i dont like is how they use SELF CHECKOUT lanes. They save money on paying employees instead of getting the lines to go faster. Tho i do love walmart and someone does need to monitor what type or stuff they will include on shelfs...its all business and save your butt type of deal from lawsuits. i got nothing on them
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» It ain't just Walmart, people....
Anyone who thinks this is bull needs to learn more about how much power retailers have.
This happens with places like Game and PC World as well (at least in the UK). They might not have much influence with the big boys like EA etc, but for smaller independent publishers, they can and will dictate things like packaging. And as the smaller guys are struggling even more these days, they fall into line with what the retailer wants.
I've seen it happen first hand - it stinks - but the retailers (in the case of smaller publishers) often call the shots when it comes down to what gets on the shelf and how it looks.
Anyone who thinks this is bull needs to learn more about how much power retailers have.
This happens with places like Game and PC World as well (at least in the UK). They might not have much influence with the big boys like EA etc, but for smaller independent publishers, they can and will dictate things like packaging. And as the smaller guys are struggling even more these days, they fall into line with what the retailer wants.
I've seen it happen first hand - it stinks - but the retailers (in the case of smaller publishers) often call the shots when it comes down to what gets on the shelf and how it looks.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» Wal-Mart Gamers?
I think I've bought one game at Wal-mart ever. They're never the cheapest, they never have what I want in stock, etc. I usually buy my games from Best Buy or EB Games. Most of the tiume they have the games I'm looking for. I don't know that many people that buy games at Wal-Mart erither. I don't think Wal-Mart has as much clout in teh gaming industry as this article seems to think.
I think I've bought one game at Wal-mart ever. They're never the cheapest, they never have what I want in stock, etc. I usually buy my games from Best Buy or EB Games. Most of the tiume they have the games I'm looking for. I don't know that many people that buy games at Wal-Mart erither. I don't think Wal-Mart has as much clout in teh gaming industry as this article seems to think.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» huh?
lol at MTV, but did u say that almart tells publishers what to put on the box art?!!?
lol at MTV, but did u say that almart tells publishers what to put on the box art?!!?
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» yeaaaa
wal mart *****in' rawkssss... people don't stop and think about how other companies would be if they were that rich. THEY'D DO THE SAME *****. and illegal immmigrants are illegal, and should be glad taht it's barely a problem to come here. if they come here, it's got to be better than down there, right?
wal mart *****in' rawkssss... people don't stop and think about how other companies would be if they were that rich. THEY'D DO THE SAME *****. and illegal immmigrants are illegal, and should be glad taht it's barely a problem to come here. if they come here, it's got to be better than down there, right?
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» lies
who would believe such bull*****
who would believe such bull*****
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» Actually...
Anymore, I just go to Gamestop to buy games. I buy clothes and groceries at Wal-Mart ;-)...LOL. AND for CDs I go to Target ( THEY sell explicit CDs ).
Anymore, I just go to Gamestop to buy games. I buy clothes and groceries at Wal-Mart ;-)...LOL. AND for CDs I go to Target ( THEY sell explicit CDs ).
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» Why is that BaD
Being a marketing major for an MBA, I have to say that this article is bull*****. If a retail outlet doesnt have confidence that a product as is will sell, they have every right to say they wont stock it. Game publishers shoudl appreciate the fact they will stock the product at all as without the retailers support they would indeed be in deep doo-doo.
With that said, can we dispense with the mickey mouse BS of 'they are controlling our creativity.' If they dont want to stock it, that is there choice. If you want them to carry your product, get with the *****ing program, simple as that.
no2morro
Being a marketing major for an MBA, I have to say that this article is bull*****. If a retail outlet doesnt have confidence that a product as is will sell, they have every right to say they wont stock it. Game publishers shoudl appreciate the fact they will stock the product at all as without the retailers support they would indeed be in deep doo-doo.
With that said, can we dispense with the mickey mouse BS of 'they are controlling our creativity.' If they dont want to stock it, that is there choice. If you want them to carry your product, get with the *****ing program, simple as that.
no2morro
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» Random
First of all, I don't like Wal-Mart. I only go there when all the other stores are closed.
Second, they can stock whatever they want. It's their store.
Lastly, and most important, who the F buys games from Wal-Mart anyway? The only gaming anything I ever bought from Wal-Mart was a USB cable for my PSP in the middle of the night.
First of all, I don't like Wal-Mart. I only go there when all the other stores are closed.
Second, they can stock whatever they want. It's their store.
Lastly, and most important, who the F buys games from Wal-Mart anyway? The only gaming anything I ever bought from Wal-Mart was a USB cable for my PSP in the middle of the night.
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by Advertising - |
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» high school hobby
hey guys, wanna make some money doing nothing? since you're sitting around the computer alot you can make money just by signing up to offers -->
http://www.treasuretrooper.com/25827
i already made $100 this month. no joke
hey guys, wanna make some money doing nothing? since you're sitting around the computer alot you can make money just by signing up to offers -->
http://www.treasuretrooper.com/25827
i already made $100 this month. no joke
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» ripping them off
yea i dont like walmart but its the only place to go thats fun around here, 3am visits anyone?
well a few times iv tried ripping off walmart by returning games that i bout at other places.
yea i dont like walmart but its the only place to go thats fun around here, 3am visits anyone?
well a few times iv tried ripping off walmart by returning games that i bout at other places.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» hmm
america is not the world..
america is not the world..
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by osiris010 - 2006-04-12 |
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» This is long, but it explains a lot...
Theres a lot that most people dont know about chain stores like these. Stores have a HUGE impact on prices, amongst other things. For example: In order for Crest to make a profit on a tube of toothpaste, they need to sell it for $3/per tube (thats probably wrong, idk the real price). Walmart dosent want to buy it at that price, so the set it lower, say $2.50. Now Crest can do one of four things. One, give in and sell to Walmart - even if it means less profit (obviously they wouldnt sell if Crest made NO money what so ever). Two, try to reason with WM to raise the price. Three, dont sell at all, or Four, look to sell to another buisness.
Now lets think about this. Isnt WM worried about losing Crest? Well, no. Cause WM has so many other toothpaste companies that make up for the loss of Crest.
Now where the box art thing comes in to place is, its all about how the shelfs work! Companies have to pay MORE to get their product in a better location of the store (generally this is only in chain stores, like WM). Therefore, if Crest is willing to pay extra, but WM dosent like the way Crest designed their box, then WM can afford not to support Crest - cuz their not going to advertise something that looks bad (going by WM's deffinition of "bad"). This is more common with smaller companies then with bigger ones (like Crest, which is well known). But it still does happen w/ the big guys too.
See, WM is like the really hot popular chick, and the companies that want to sell their product to WM are like the class geek who gets strait A's w/o having to study. She won't even talk to him unless he looks a certain way that she approves. Get it? Good.
Theres a lot that most people dont know about chain stores like these. Stores have a HUGE impact on prices, amongst other things. For example: In order for Crest to make a profit on a tube of toothpaste, they need to sell it for $3/per tube (thats probably wrong, idk the real price). Walmart dosent want to buy it at that price, so the set it lower, say $2.50. Now Crest can do one of four things. One, give in and sell to Walmart - even if it means less profit (obviously they wouldnt sell if Crest made NO money what so ever). Two, try to reason with WM to raise the price. Three, dont sell at all, or Four, look to sell to another buisness.
Now lets think about this. Isnt WM worried about losing Crest? Well, no. Cause WM has so many other toothpaste companies that make up for the loss of Crest.
Now where the box art thing comes in to place is, its all about how the shelfs work! Companies have to pay MORE to get their product in a better location of the store (generally this is only in chain stores, like WM). Therefore, if Crest is willing to pay extra, but WM dosent like the way Crest designed their box, then WM can afford not to support Crest - cuz their not going to advertise something that looks bad (going by WM's deffinition of "bad"). This is more common with smaller companies then with bigger ones (like Crest, which is well known). But it still does happen w/ the big guys too.
See, WM is like the really hot popular chick, and the companies that want to sell their product to WM are like the class geek who gets strait A's w/o having to study. She won't even talk to him unless he looks a certain way that she approves. Get it? Good.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» y wal-mart
id much rather go 2 GAME or E-PLAY
id much rather go 2 GAME or E-PLAY
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» THIS SUCKS
got nothing to do with wal-mart (lol wat a s*** store) but i live in UK so my posts are always 8 hours ahead the time right now its 22:20 pm........anyway i h8 walmart because everything is over protected there
got nothing to do with wal-mart (lol wat a s*** store) but i live in UK so my posts are always 8 hours ahead the time right now its 22:20 pm........anyway i h8 walmart because everything is over protected there
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» lol
i ment behind the time
i ment behind the time
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» EVERYTHING THIS ARTICLE SAYS IS TRUE
I work in a similar industry and everything we do is presented to WalMart for their approval before we go into production. I think what a lot of people don't realise is that their distribution channel is so enormous and they control such a significant part of the retail market that not being carried in their stores can bankrupt a company. This forces companies to bed over backwards to appease WalMart's buyers. I personally have had to change product designs simply because a WalMart buyer decided to play 'art director'. They have too much power and I don't think the average customer really understands how much influence WalMart has over what they see, hear, play and wear.
I work in a similar industry and everything we do is presented to WalMart for their approval before we go into production. I think what a lot of people don't realise is that their distribution channel is so enormous and they control such a significant part of the retail market that not being carried in their stores can bankrupt a company. This forces companies to bed over backwards to appease WalMart's buyers. I personally have had to change product designs simply because a WalMart buyer decided to play 'art director'. They have too much power and I don't think the average customer really understands how much influence WalMart has over what they see, hear, play and wear.
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by BloodWolfpsp - 2006-04-12 |
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» I have have had a bad
I had a bad experience at walmart one time. I am 17 now, and tried to buy socom, for the psp. Well its rated M, and Ii asked the guy to get it out of the case. He said do you have id for your age. i said yes and showed him my drivers liscense.
He said oh you got to be 18 to buy this game, and I said look on the ESRB rating, it says 17 or older. He then says well its my company that doesn't allow you to buy these games.
I then was pretty angry and went to another part of the store a little bit, and then came back when he was off in another isle. I asked this girl with black hair, and she said let me find a guy with keys. Well thank god she found a different man than the one I had earlier, and this man opened up the case. Well to my luck the one man I asked came back and saw me. He then said to the other guy this kid isn't old enough to buy the game.
Well I was really mad and I said I am 17 you idiot, old enough to buy this game. I got ID. well the other guy was a lot nicer and said it does say 17 on the box. and in the end I got the game.
I hate the morons at walmart. please don't be like them and smoke pot.
I had a bad experience at walmart one time. I am 17 now, and tried to buy socom, for the psp. Well its rated M, and Ii asked the guy to get it out of the case. He said do you have id for your age. i said yes and showed him my drivers liscense.
He said oh you got to be 18 to buy this game, and I said look on the ESRB rating, it says 17 or older. He then says well its my company that doesn't allow you to buy these games.
I then was pretty angry and went to another part of the store a little bit, and then came back when he was off in another isle. I asked this girl with black hair, and she said let me find a guy with keys. Well thank god she found a different man than the one I had earlier, and this man opened up the case. Well to my luck the one man I asked came back and saw me. He then said to the other guy this kid isn't old enough to buy the game.
Well I was really mad and I said I am 17 you idiot, old enough to buy this game. I got ID. well the other guy was a lot nicer and said it does say 17 on the box. and in the end I got the game.
I hate the morons at walmart. please don't be like them and smoke pot.
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by Anonymous Coward (Unregistered) - 2006-04-12 |
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» to post 60
i am 15 and i could have bought the game with the ESRB rating as this isnt an official rating it is just the recomended rating for the game.
i am 15 and i could have bought the game with the ESRB rating as this isnt an official rating it is just the recomended rating for the game.
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by Thorlord - 2006-04-12 |
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» HA
not once, have i EVER bought a game at wallmart, Kmart, or target (ok once at target)
developers should care more about what EBgames, Bestbuy, Circuit City and other more game and technology centered businesses say than some crappy chainstore that sells things for $0.12 less than everyone else.
if i was the head of a publishing company, and wallmart told me they wouldent carry the game, i would laugh at them and say "Fine, dont carry it, when other game stores make thousands from selling it and getting YOUR business im sure you will change your mind in a heartbeat."
seriously, to hurt these demaning companies, you just have to ignore them, if everyone doesnt do what they say then they will lose money until they finally submit and conform with your product.
not once, have i EVER bought a game at wallmart, Kmart, or target (ok once at target)
developers should care more about what EBgames, Bestbuy, Circuit City and other more game and technology centered businesses say than some crappy chainstore that sells things for $0.12 less than everyone else.
if i was the head of a publishing company, and wallmart told me they wouldent carry the game, i would laugh at them and say "Fine, dont carry it, when other game stores make thousands from selling it and getting YOUR business im sure you will change your mind in a heartbeat."
seriously, to hurt these demaning companies, you just have to ignore them, if everyone doesnt do what they say then they will lose money until they finally submit and conform with your product.
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by Thorlord - 2006-04-12 |
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» To post #61
no the ESRB is NOT just a recommended rating, it is THE rating of the game, if you sell an M rated game to somone under 17 the business will be fined a HEFTY fine.
you are probably thinking of MSRB which governs price, and is not required to be a certian price.
also, Wall-Mart NEVER has the best price on games, ive found 6 month old games at $49.87.. when at bestbuy or Fries its $30.
no the ESRB is NOT just a recommended rating, it is THE rating of the game, if you sell an M rated game to somone under 17 the business will be fined a HEFTY fine.
you are probably thinking of MSRB which governs price, and is not required to be a certian price.
also, Wall-Mart NEVER has the best price on games, ive found 6 month old games at $49.87.. when at bestbuy or Fries its $30.
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by mitch111 - 2006-04-13 |
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» to post 63
i live in UK and the ESRB isnt the official rating unless its a 12,15,18 rated game with a red circle around it
i live in UK and the ESRB isnt the official rating unless its a 12,15,18 rated game with a red circle around it
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