Alex Donaldson (AKA APZonerunner), writer for RPGSite in the UK, sends us news that the GameStation in Birmingham (again, UK) has been completely remodeled ... by Microsoft. GameStation is a multiplatform gaming store akin to GameStop here in the US, and apparently the one in Birmingham is huge -- are there game stores in the US with more than one floor? Alex was walking in to purchase a DS game when he noticed that there was green everywhere. Downstairs, there were twelve 360 demo kiosks on the bottom floor. What's more, the demo kiosks were all networked, allowing customers to play matches of Perfect Dark: Zero. The kiosks are all hooked up to high definition televisions, and some of them have bean bags or green and white couches in from of them. In the future there are plans to hold tournaments at the store (don't forget to bring your Live account on a memory card). Truly a 360 gamers paradise. Of course, there was one PS2 demo kiosk, but it was broken.
Even though GameStation is a multiplatform store, it looks like Microsoft is hoping to make an impression on potential Wii buyers this holiday. Follow the read link for lots of pictures. Any of our UK readers been to this store yet? For that matter, can we get something like that in the US, please?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2006 @ 4:37PM
DeddyLüger said...
Should be playing a better game than perfect dark. that was the worst game ive bought. i think. what was up with all the good reviews for that game?
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10-17-2006 @ 4:41PM
Grunt Militia said...
Sweet - didn't think it would be up to much but looks like it's worth heading over(20 mins on the train). Even if only to check out the Master Chief in person...
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10-17-2006 @ 4:58PM
spambot said...
Do you think Microsoft had to pay extra to break the PS2 display?
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10-17-2006 @ 5:07PM
joe said...
they have something simlair to this at the Best buy in NYC on broadway, 360 setup with bean bags surround sound hdtv, i used to work at a dot com around their and i would go up there and hang out for 20 - 30 mins. the guys that work their dont say shit to you as their hanging out as well. the only thing they needed was food.
IMO this is a good idea for retailers get people to stay in your store long enough to buy something anything. also helps customer connect to retail location. I hope to see this trend grow here in US.
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10-17-2006 @ 5:14PM
J.Goodwin said...
There was a time when there were huge videogame stores in the US. Now we have Best Buy and Gamestop. Good job consumers.
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10-17-2006 @ 5:31PM
J.Goodwin said...
spambot, have you ever seen a working PS2 demo unit?
Just the other day I was in Target, looking for some rechargeable batteries and some kids tried to get the electronics sector employee to turn on the PS2 unit. It was broken.
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10-17-2006 @ 5:49PM
Neoxkc said...
"Do you think Microsoft had to pay extra to break the PS2 display?"
Of course not, they're designed that way.
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10-18-2006 @ 12:50AM
JJ said...
I think in store demos are just prone to breaking, whenever i'm in ANY store the only demo station that ever works is either the gamecube with months old demos or the Gameboys.
I guess people just beat those things to high hell.
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