GAME Refutes Claims of Abandoning Physical Game Sales

GAME has officially disputed claims that it intends to discontinue the sale of physical games. Earlier in the day, a report emerged via Gfinity suggesting the UK-based retailer planned to limit physical game and hardware sales to online pre-orders, with options for in-store collection or home delivery. In response to these claims, a spokesperson for GAME asserted, "These reports are completely false." The spokesperson continued, "GAME remains committed to the physical gaming sector, providing an extensive range of physical games, hardware, software, accessories, and digital gift cards both in-store and online." This development comes on the heels of the retailer's recent decisions to end its reward scheme and Xbox All Access program. Additionally, GAME initiated the phase-out of trade-ins and pre-owned game sales earlier this year. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz last June, managing director Nick Arran expressed his confidence in the market for physical games, stating, "We will be the last ones standing in the sale of physical games." Arran further emphasized the importance of physical games, likening collector's editions to vinyl records and highlighting their appeal as gifts, particularly during holidays like Christmas.