[mmx]

Does GameStop have any real competition in the retail space? I'm not talking about Walmart, Bestbuy, etc. but a retail chain that does exactly what they do but better/worse? Maybe it's not worth it with the rise of download services, but it just seems like there is opportunity here to improve this process and do what GameStop does but better, I only seem to hear negative things about that company.

[ja2ke]

EB Games (née Electronics Boutique), Software Etc, Funcoland, and international chains like Gamesworld were the competition, but they were all bought up by or merged with GameStop in the mid '90s through the '00s.

(edit: I'd also originally listed Babbage's in there with competition, but reading up reveals that GameStop was basically Babbage's, renaming themselves to GameStop at some point along the way as they were merging and consolidating.)

Other competition, now also deceased: Hollywood Video had GameCrazy for a while -- small gaming stores built into Hollywood Video rental stores -- which was actually a pretty spectacular game retail experience with great current and retro selections, but when video rental really started dying a few years back Hollywood closed them all down. I think Blockbuster had some game sales to try and compete as well, for a bit, but not to the degree of GameCrazy.

GameStop's only remaining competition is online with Amazon and digital distributors like Steam and OnLive, and in the (often superior to GameStop's) new game aisles of big box chains, probably most specifically* Best Buy and Toys R Us.

*(based on forums where people talk about buying games)

[JeffL]

I have to feel that GameStop is utterly doomed in the long run. I think that viewing GameStop as an opportunity to get into the space is like viewing the weakness of Blockbuster to get into brick and mortar DVD rentals.

[stock_toaster]

I am sure there is still room for boutique operations to possibly beat them locally (citywide) or regionally for used game trade-in/resale.

I mean, there are still record/cd stores and bookstores. I thought the used market was where gamestop historically made their money, not the sale of new games.

[pseudonym]

That's probably why they're trying to get into the online gaming arena, although this is literally the first I've ever heard of their service.

[CrazedGeek]

Both Play N Trade and Vintage Stock do exactly what GameStop does, but with a partial emphasis on retro games. They tend to be a tad more expensive than GS, but shopping there is a much better experience.