Australia Wants you!!

oldschool wrote:

Fancy Fancy wrote:

What's Tasmania like for games shops or do you order online etc?

Generally speaking, it is pretty horrible. I have 2 major retail chains, KMart and Target that almost never carry the games I want, but I do pick up the odd clearance from. There is 2 major electrical stores, Harvey Norman and Dick Smith, which carry very few of the games I want, but also good for clearance. Then there is EB games, which is better for range, but only good when they have specials. If you live in Hobart, there is Big W, which is like KMart, but better, but still not great and JB Hi-Fi, which is probably the best of all of them.

I import a lot from England (Ozgameshop) and Hong Kong (Playasia). Retail is the vehicle of its own demise. If they don't carry what I want, then clearly I will buy elsewhere - then they don't get sales and they carry even less - then I buy even less, until there is nothing left.

Interesting. I've often seen games being sold by Ozgameshop on ebay but they don't ship to UK addresses which I've never understood.

oldschool wrote:

Retail is the vehicle of its own demise. If they don't carry what I want, then clearly I will buy elsewhere - then they don't get sales and they carry even less - then I buy even less, until there is nothing left.

This.

it'd be really interesting to get a breakdown of disc sales split between bricks-and-mortar and online. I think people often look at IRL retailers dying and thinking it's because of digital- I think it's got more to do with big-box retailers and online.

beemoh wrote:

oldschool wrote:

Retail is the vehicle of its own demise. If they don't carry what I want, then clearly I will buy elsewhere - then they don't get sales and they carry even less - then I buy even less, until there is nothing left.

This.

it'd be really interesting to get a breakdown of disc sales split between bricks-and-mortar and online. I think people often look at IRL retailers dying and thinking it's because of digital- I think it's got more to do with big-box retailers and online.

I think that there will always be a demand for physical copies, but I think bricks and morter is largely doomed. It is so much cheaper to get them direct. The direct model will eventually take over. I do have an idea for a cross-over of digital and retail, so bear with me for a second. Here goes:

Why not have a booth, much like a photograph printing booth you see, that is a computer game one, at your favourite retailer. In it, connected to fast internet, is all the games the console has. You put in a disc and burn the game you want, on the spot (security built into the code so it plays only on the console). It also has a printer in it, specifically set-up for the case size page, and it prints you a case cover. You then get a case to put it in. It could also be set-up for cards, like the 3DS.

No game ever goes out of print. Every game is always available. No factory, no shipping means the price is lower. No waste. It is like digital, so there is no clearance, but stores will still be able to run specials/promotions. The used game market still exists.

That is my preferred model for the future. When it goes digital only, I am just likely to buy a whole lot less games. Unless my internet significantly improves and gets cheaper, I will more likely find a new hobby and just play the 1300+ games I already have - that should take me well into retirement.

You're not kidding when you say you're a technological dreamer, are you?

Balladeer wrote:

You're not kidding when you say you're a technological dreamer, are you?

Not even slightly

Oldschool, that's a brilliant idea!

The_Jaster wrote:

Oldschool, that's a brilliant idea!

If only it would happen.

oldschool wrote:

You put in a disc and burn the game you want, on the spot (security built into the code so it plays only on the console

he used game market still exists.

Not sure those two things go together, unless I've misinterpreted.

Although I'm pretty sure this is how Nintendo took the N64 into China, with the iQue.

beemoh wrote:

oldschool wrote:

You put in a disc and burn the game you want, on the spot (security built into the code so it plays only on the console

he used game market still exists.

Not sure those two things go together, unless I've misinterpreted.

Although I'm pretty sure this is how Nintendo took the N64 into China, with the iQue.

No I mean the security is in the code to ensure after burning, it only plays on the designated console - isolating its use. If you sold it, it still plays on the same console that anyone else has, just as it is now. I am not sure about the iQue.

oldschool wrote:

The_Jaster wrote:

Oldschool, that's a brilliant idea!

If only it would happen.

Indeed, even though I do like downloads I'm not a fan digital only happening as I can often forget which downloadable games I own. (Ye'd have no way to browse yer collection without turning on the system either)

Balladeer wrote:

I'm going to Dalkeith for a week in May.

What? Why Dalkeith of all places?

You know what when I first saw "Dalkeith" I thought it read Dalekith

Rum Rapture wrote:

Balladeer wrote:

I'm going to Dalkeith for a week in May.

What? Why Dalkeith of all places?

Girlfriend's family lives there (EDIT: fixed). Yes I know it's scummy. The whole place could be EXTERMINATEd and few would cry.

Balladeer wrote:

Rum Rapture wrote:

Balladeer wrote:

I'm going to Dalkeith for a week in May.

What? Why Dalkeith of all places?

Girlfriend's family lives these. Yes I know it's scummy. The whole place could be EXTERMINATEd and few would cry.

I would like an answer from the real Balladeer with no typing errors, please. x

Erk. Fixed.