Xboxist

GameStop Looking After Grandma

Speaking to the New York Times yesterday, Daniel DeMatteo, vice chairman and COO of GameStop believes that casual gamers are playing an increasingly important role in the video game market today.

“There is a real breadth of properties now appealing to a much broader audience than we’ve seen before,” Mr. DeMatteo said. “Honestly, we are having to retool the way we think of things in our stores in terms of merchandising, layout and also customer service because it is no longer only the hardcore gamer walking in who knows exactly what he wants.”

He went on to announce that GameStop will be putting in place new dedicated sections in all stores ready for the holiday season to attract this new breed of customer. One will focus on music games pioneered by the likes of Activision's Guitar Hero III and Dance Dance Dance, whilst the other will cater for families and children. Now you won't escape your kid brother, and even grandma's gonna be tagging along. Did I say grandma?

Mr. DeMatteo also said the demand for Nintendo’s Wii game console would continue to outstrip supply. “The audience is extremely broad these days and don’t be surprised if your grandmother wants a Wii for herself.”

In addition to the Wii, DeMatteo believes that the PS2 will still shift significant numbers for years to come.

“There’s only one real value video game machine out there now and it’s the PS2, especially since Microsoft gave up on the original Xbox and Nintendo gave up on the GameCube,” he said. “And if and when Sony lowers the price to $99, I expect we will still be selling PlayStation 2’s in 2010.”

Also, despite the Xbox 360's reported technical issues, hard-core gamers will be pleased to that someone is still thinking of them. Halo 3 is still helping to maintain the buzz around the 360. maybe they should call it the Halo 360 machine and have done with it.

Bob McKenzie, GameStop’s senior vice president for merchandising said, “Halo 3 is on track probably to be the largest release that we have had in the history of the company.” The GameStop executives said they expected strong sales from other games as well, including Call of Duty 4 from Activision; Assassin’s Creed from Ubisoft; WWE Smackdown vs. Raw from THQ; Mass Effect from Microsoft; BioShock from Take-Two; Lair from Sony; and Heavenly Sword from Sony.

Source: [New York Times via Kotaku]

A scene from Rock Band, which will be up against Guitar Hero III in the rock ’n’ roll game genre this holiday season.