So, some folks may have shown concern about Gamestop closing up hundreds of stores in the US at the start of the new year and I am wondering why people are so concerned. Aren’t we supposed to hate GameStop because they’re scummy people? Or has the narrative changed at some point?
Obviously, you feel bad for the people losing their jobs and also you kinda, sorta feel bad for losing a place that sold your games… but honestly, you step into a GameStop these days and what do you see? Walls of Funko pops, random anime and comic book merchandise, toys, action figures, collector’s pieces… and then somewhere along the way, you’ll find a small space dedicated to, you know, games.
But then again, this has been the GameStop operandi for years, hasn’t it? Once I stepped into a GameStop and started seeing more Funkos than games, that’s when I called it quits and stopped going to GameStop for my gaming wants or needs. GameStop used to be the place where you could get used games for decent prices and I’ve amassed quite the collection of Xbox and PS2 games as a result… but nowadays, even the used games hold their worth, even with they’re just selling the disc or Switch card.
And even when I did dive into a GameStop once or twice, it’s mostly to pick up a figure or two… maybe a game if they had a used copy cheap enough… but even that, I can get from Amazon or Best Buy.
If anything, I’d feel bad for the smaller, genuine gaming shops if they were to close down. My usual place at the old flea market shut down and I just barely made the final week… and the other place that’s still there is becoming more of a merch place than a gaming store. Fortunately, I found this other place in Montreal that specializes in video game stuff… if only the parking wasn’t so shit… and also, obviously, the pricing on these things. The loss of THAT place, along with others like it, would pain me more than the loss of a GameStop that I haven’t stepped foot in for years.
Still, some folks will lament the loss of these stores and hopefully if you’re one of those folks who has a GameStop close to them close up shop, then hopefully, you’ll find some other means of continuing your gaming needs in some form or another. But just to level with you folks… Gamestop going away isn’t worth shedding a tear over.
Not these days, anyway…
dtm666 