GameStop CEO:We Want To Be a Gaming Platform

July 20, 2010

GameStop's new CEO, Paul Raines, imagines a GameStop web site that is more of a platform than an online retail space. In an interview with The Street, Raines said that he sees a future where the company's official website becomes "a multi-channel aggregator for gaming." buying content no matter what platform they enjoy - "mobile, console or any other platform."

But Raines concedes that U.S. consumers are slow to migrate to online sales of boxed and digital content. The biggest challenge, he claims, is consumer education. He also noted that Netflix is the model they are looking at as they formulate a strategy to create a one stop gaming platform:

"We have studied Netflix a lot, and most of their users still absorb physical content rather than streaming. Now we are looking to see how gaming compares. We are focusing on consumer acceptance. The world won't be all digital tomorrow, even though that's what people are claiming. In this business, users still want physical content," he added.

Of course the reason for that is how Netflix handles streaming; a good percentage of that content is rarely ever new and content owners have deals with cable companies and DVD sales to contend with. How GameStop can plug into an existing system like Xbox Live or PlayStation Network remains to be seen but it's certainly thinking outside the box.

Source: GI.biz

Posted in

GameStop

Comments

Re: GameStop CEO:We Want To Be a Gaming Platform

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 19:58.

If they want to be a platform get acouple dev teams and build a system, otherwise sit down shut up and sale the mofo games you got......

I have a dream, break the chains of copy right oppression! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/cigital-disobedience/

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Re: GameStop CEO:We Want To Be a Gaming Platform

Submitted by Thad on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 15:41.

"Of course the reason for that is how Netflix handles streaming; a good percentage of that content is rarely ever new and content owners have deals with cable companies and DVD sales to contend with."

Right -- if I get a DVD from Netflix instead of streaming it, IT'S BECAUSE IT'S NOT AVAILABLE TO STREAM.

Re: GameStop CEO:We Want To Be a Gaming Platform

Submitted by MonkeyPeaches on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 15:14.

Yeah, I prefer to have physical copy of games so I don't have to worry so much about how much harddrive space I have or I can just play the game right away rather than waiting for it to download.

Re: GameStop CEO:We Want To Be a Gaming Platform

Submitted by Thad on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 15:52.

I prefer it because I like to own things.

But the Netflix analogy is apt -- digital consumption is more like renting than owning.

Shout box

MaskedPixelante: I'm thinking that in two weeks or so, Microsoft will announce a $300-$350 subsidized Xbox One, depending on the monthly price of Gold next gen.06/17/2013 - 7:04pm

Andrew Eisen: And what, super-over-deliver the value?06/17/2013 - 5:44pm

ZippyDSMlee: Then price it at 299. >>06/17/2013 - 5:32pm

Andrew Eisen: Microsoft says it's "over-delivering value" with it's $499 price point for Xbox One. http://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-xbox-one-overdelivers-value--256472.phtml06/17/2013 - 3:59pm

Conster: My phone may have the possibility of an internet connection, but I consider that inferior to it having a radio functionality, allowing me to listen to songs, and record them, for free. Internet is overrated sometimes.06/17/2013 - 1:48pm

Andrew Eisen: Probably should have said Mattrick STILL doesn't seem to realize...06/17/2013 - 12:23pm

E. Zachary Knight: Didn't he say the same stuff before E3?06/17/2013 - 12:18pm

Andrew Eisen: Don Mattrick doesn't seem to realize that smartphones, tablets and PCs still work when they're not online. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125083-Xbox-President-Says-World-Has-Changed-From-Offline-to-Online06/17/2013 - 12:18pm

E. Zachary Knight: Nolan Bushnell talks about learning through games. Great interview with Reason TV.06/17/2013 - 12:04pm

E. Zachary Knight: That would be neat, but I am thinking more of case mods that still show off the real size of the Ouya. I will have to see what else is out there. The 2600 Joystick may work, but I don't have one to check.06/17/2013 - 12:03pm

Imautobot: Or how about an old Atari 2600 casing?06/17/2013 - 11:57am

Imautobot: Why not just put the thing in a old SNES/N64 console housing? I know it would be much bigger, but it's still Nostalgic.06/17/2013 - 11:55am

E. Zachary Knight: But if it is going to run too hot and fry, it wouldn't be worth it. I guess I will have to think of something else.06/17/2013 - 11:23am

E. Zachary Knight: That is why I wanted to check before attemping it. I had hoped that I could fit it inside a cartidge for an old school system like the SNES or N64.06/17/2013 - 11:22am

Imautobot: EZK, I noticed that thing puts out some serious heat, without the fan I doubt it would run long.06/17/2013 - 11:09am

E. Zachary Knight: According to Ouya Support, it is not recommended to remove the fan. I want to do a case mod, but if I can't remove the fan, that puts a wrinkle in it.06/17/2013 - 10:29am

Conster: Still happily rowing my 3DS+PC canoe - ships are overrated.06/17/2013 - 10:01am

Imautobot: I'll be keeping my 360, but I don't play online enough to justify keeping XBL. Besides, I'll likely direct those funds to the Playstation Plus Service.06/17/2013 - 9:39am

PHX Corp: @Imautobot, I'll still support the xbox 360, just not the xbox one. but I'll be thinking about preordering the PS4 for myself06/17/2013 - 7:57am

Imautobot: I pre-ordered my PS4 over the weekend. Oh, and I canceled the auto-renew on my XBL account. That means I've officially jumped the Xbox ship.06/17/2013 - 7:28am

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