GAME to sell PSN games in store
PC and video games retailer GAME Group, is to partner with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe to sell a range of digital games in its stores across Europe.
From today, a range of Sony’s titles will be sold in 620 GAME and Gamestation stores in the UK with the retailer planning to sell the full range of over 50 titles by mid-September. The range will include full game downloads, game add-ons, and subscriptions to the PlayStation Network (PSN). The offer will eventually be extended across Europe.
The move is a major step forward in GAME’s strategy to grow digital sales by increasing its range of digital titles and offering customers new ways to pay for them. Initial trials have shown that over 80% of customers use cash, reward points and gift cards to buy digital downloads in stores.
The partnership with SCEE means that GAME will become Europe’s biggest retailer of digital games, with the widest range of digital titles in the largest number of stores. It follows the announcement in July 2011 that GAME had extended its range of digital pc titles to 1,200 stores across Europe.
Ian Shepherd, GAME Group CEO said “This is a significant step forward in our digital strategy. For the first time, gamers will be able to browse a wide range of digital titles for the PlayStation Network in our stores, alongside a variety of other digital and physical products. This is important because it offers customers more choice, more advice and more control than they can get online. Our partnership with SCEE means that we can offer customers an unbeatable range and great value across all the gaming channels.”
He added: “The partnership reflects the close and long standing relationship between GAME and SCEE across Europe as both companies move rapidly to innovate and bring new products and services to customers.”
Robert Fisser, VP sales and commercial development, SCEE said: “We are excited by the partnership with GAME Group, which will see over 6,000 in-store sales associates promoting the fantastic content available on PlayStation Network to a new audience of over 3.5m customers each week, significantly increasing awareness of digital gaming among new consumers.”
Initially featuring a range of Sony titles, GAME Group’s digital PSN range will expand to include 3rd party titles in future. Digital titles available at launch include MAG, God of War Collection, and Wipeout Fury; and game add-ons include Killzone Steel Rain Map pack, and Uncharted 2 Siege Expansion pack.
