Game Stores - Scott The Woz

Summary

In this humorous and relatable script, the narrator reflects on the changing experience of shopping for video games. From nostalgic visits to GameStop as a kid to the frustrations of dealing with modern retail practices like aggressive sales tactics, membership offers, and an overwhelming stock of non-gaming merchandise, the narrator expresses a sense of disillusionment. Despite the conveniences of online and big-box retailers, they find themselves longing for the simpler, more engaging days of browsing games in stores. Ultimately, the narrator vows to avoid game stores entirely, resigning to a life of online shopping or supporting smaller, independent stores.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scott reflects on the past excitement of visiting GameStop, where browsing and exploring games was a fun experience.
• 😀 The speaker misses the nostalgia of opening new game discs, reading manuals, and enjoying the 'smell' of a fresh game.
• 😀 GameStop's shift to a more sales-driven environment, with constant pushes for memberships and pre-orders, has made it less enjoyable.
• 😀 The speaker dislikes the pressure to sign up for GameStop's PowerUp Rewards program, often pushed by employees during visits.
• 😀 The GameStop store now contains more merchandise unrelated to gaming, such as toys and pop culture items, which detracts from its original purpose.
• 😀 Scott prefers Best Buy for its large selection of games and the ability to browse without aggressive sales tactics from employees.
• 😀 GameStop's focus on used games, trade-ins, and the financial advantage it offers is highlighted, though the speaker dislikes the quality of cases and cleaning of used games.
• 😀 Frustration with GameStop's tendency to sell 'new' games that have been opened or mishandled, such as selling unsealed copies at full price.
• 😀 The speaker dislikes GameStop's practice of sticking price tags on game box art, which often damages the packaging and reduces its value.
• 😀 The speaker suggests that GameStop should focus more on retro gaming to cater to older gamers who are nostalgic for older consoles like the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox.
• 😀 Scott expresses support for independent, mom-and-pop game stores, which he feels offer better trade-ins, a wider variety of games, and a more personalized experience compared to corporate retailers.

Q & A

Why does the speaker prefer physical video games over digital ones?

The speaker prefers physical video games because they enjoy the experience of handling the games, such as browsing, opening new games, and reading through the manuals. They also enjoy the physicality of the games and dislike waiting for shipping when buying digital games.

What was the speaker’s favorite part of visiting GameStop as a kid?

As a kid, the speaker enjoyed browsing video games in GameStop, even if they didn't buy anything. They found joy in being surrounded by the games and sometimes found the experience of opening a new game more memorable than the game itself.

How does the speaker feel about the current state of GameStop?

The speaker feels that GameStop has lost its charm. They are frustrated by the excessive marketing, particularly the push for memberships and pre-orders. They also dislike the increasing amount of non-game merchandise in the store, which detracts from the focus on video games.

What’s the speaker’s opinion on GameStop’s membership program?

The speaker criticizes GameStop's membership program, mainly due to its focus on pushing discounts and pre-orders. While they acknowledge that the rewards program has some benefits, they find the hard sell for memberships off-putting.

What does the speaker think about GameStop’s used game section?

The speaker has mixed feelings about GameStop's used game section. While they appreciate the availability of used games at lower prices, they dislike the condition of the games, including poor case quality and sticker residue. They also mention the profitability of GameStop’s used game trade-ins as a business strategy.

What was the speaker’s experience with GameStop’s used game pricing and trade-in credit?

The speaker finds GameStop’s used game pricing to be a mixed bag. While used games can be cheaper, the trade-in credit offered for games is often low, especially when customers are trading in games that they no longer want. They suggest that GameStop's pricing system is based on the fact that people trade in unwanted games, which lowers the trade-in value.

How does the speaker feel about the focus on merchandise in GameStop?

The speaker feels that the increased focus on merchandise like action figures, plushies, and other non-gaming items has diluted the core purpose of GameStop as a place to buy video games. They express disappointment that the store seems to be prioritizing geek culture merchandise over actual gaming content.

What does the speaker think about Best Buy compared to GameStop?

The speaker prefers Best Buy over GameStop because it offers a more relaxed shopping experience, with fewer upsells and better access to games. They also appreciated Best Buy's Gamers Club Unlocked program, which provided discounts on new games.

Why does the speaker dislike shopping at Walmart or Target for video games?

The speaker dislikes shopping for video games at Walmart and Target because games are locked behind glass, requiring an employee to unlock them. This process can be frustrating, especially when there's no one around to assist, making the experience feel inconvenient.

What are the speaker’s thoughts on retro games at GameStop?

The speaker believes GameStop should focus more on retro games, particularly from the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox generations. They feel that retro gaming is becoming increasingly popular, and GameStop should take advantage of this trend by offering more retro games in-store, rather than mainly selling them online.