In what might be the final nail in the coffin of embattled computer game retailer Game Group, news has leaked that they will not be stocking any EA games past this week’s SSX.
This means that the intergalatic RPG Mass Effect 3 will not be on sale at any of Game Groups’ Game stores or Gamestation.
The news came from staff at the retailer who have alerted Eurogamer about the situation after a company-wide memo was sent out at around 10.30am this morning.
Eurogamer has spoken to staff at the retail chain and the story appears to be true, and could be the final nail in the coffin of the retailer who hit the headlines after they couldn’t get insurance for its stock, meaning it had to buy all stock upfront – something it can’t do with its current financial problems.
If you have pre-ordered Mass Effect, Game will refund you via in-store credit rather than cash, which is no doubt going to leave consumers less than pleased.
EA hasn’t made an official statement, but has stated: “For customers who have pre-ordered the N7 Collector’s Edition please re-order your copies through these retailers: Amazon, Play, Zavvi and ShopTo.
“For further information regarding the Mass Effect 3 Standard Edition with the N7 Warfare Gear in-game weapons pack, please check this page later today
“If you have placed a deposit for a pre-order or are uncertain that your existing pre-order will be guaranteed, please contact your local retailer.”
HMV told Eurogamer it couldn’t comment on a competitor’s situation, but confirmed it would be stocking Mass Effect 3 and the rest of EA’s titles.
*UPDATE*
A memo from GAME HQ, penned by UK channel director Tom Devine explains the decision not to stock EA Games.
“We committed to only stocking products on which we could get the right credit terms, regardless of the title or the supplier. We will not stock products if the terms are not right for our business – we will not sacrifice long-term credit requirements for short term sales opportunities,” the memo reads.
“As a result of us taking this position – a position that we believe is critical to our long term health as a business – we have taken the very difficult decision to not stock EA’s March releases, including Mass Effect 3.
“As a specialist retailed dedicated to games and gaming, it is never easy to make a decision not to stock a title, particularly one with such a strong fan base. But it is imperative that we treat every supplier evenly, that we stick to our commitments, and that we don’t sign up to payment terms that will hamper us further in the future.”
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