Game Not Adapting With Gamecube

[PuPPeT]

GAME NOT ADAPTING WITH GAMECUBE

Nintendo and Game lock horns as the UK retailer stocks PSO but not the modem or broadband adapters to get it online

15:17 Following news that the Dixons Group (Dixons, Currys, PC World) would clear stocks of the GameCube, the last thing Nintendo needed was further troubles from retail. It happened.
If the whisper of going online with your GameCube wasn't hushed enough, another giant of gaming retailer, Game, has decided not to stock the broadband and modem adapters.

Game currently has 338 outlets (including concessions in John Lewis and Debenham stores) and, according to their annual financial report, the Game Group accounts for around 30 percent market share. Not small fry and surely this situation can't be taken lightly by Nintendo.

A spokeperson for Nintendo said: "We can confirm that Game didn't order stock of the modem or broadband adapters for Nintendo GameCube."

We pushed further on why Game aren't stocking it, especially as it's a first party Nintendo peripheral - surely they want it to be a success?

"Yes, of course. But we are not providing a service for Game - Nintendo doesn't offer an Xbox Live service - that's why there's no big noise from Nintendo. Ultimately, it's a retailer decision, and for the answers you'll have to ask them." So we did.

We called Lisa Artemis, the spokesperson for the Game Group who told us: "The reason why we aren't stocking the Gamecube modem adaptor is because we haven't been shown how it works. We've been told it does this, how it's interactive with that, but not been shown it working with all the components."

"If we can't see it, we can't make a decision. It's as simple as that. Our main differential is with customer service and we need to have confidence with the product - if we don't have confidence how can we stock it?"

So who would Game blame?

"We're not pointing the finger at anyone for anything. We have never said we won't stock it, but we need to see it working to make a decision."

But Game is stocking Phantasy Stars Online I and II?

"Yes, but we see that working as a standalone game."

But how is Game supposed to help people who buy that if they have trouble connecting to the Nintendo broadband service?

"We put them onto Nintendo. It's the same as with Xbox Live, but our customer service teams have had training on Xbox Live so they have a basic knowledge. It's not a technical helpline so we still tell them to contact Microsoft. They have the knowledge, it's their forte."

Infogrames, the publisher of PSO, was unavailable for comment and Sega, the facilitator of the network in the UK, could only tell us that the PSO servers were fine.

A key industry insider, however, was available and told us: "This affects anyone developing or providing an online game. The real problem is Nintendo. You can't blame Game - they wanted to see it working."

But in the face of this Nintendo remained cool, stating: "The adapters are available through many other retailers, including HMV, Virgin Megastore, Gameplay, Amazon, and Gamestation."

We advise Cube owners who wnat to get online and play Sega's top RPG to head to these.

So not only has Nintendo lost Dixons, Currys and PC world selling there Gamecube it now comes to light that Game the trading name for EB in the UK will not sell the modem or broadband adapters. Not good news for big N at all.

Game, Dixons, Currys and PC world controle over 45% of the console gaming market in the UK, Who else is going to put the boot in well Nintendo are down.

[Jonbo298]

I wonder if MS has anything to do with this? There has to be some kind of secret deal that no one knows about. Also, has Sony released the Network Adapter in Europe? I'm not sure if it has, but if it has, does these places carry it? But these stores give stupid reasons not to stock something. If they would look at how its done in the US and Japan, they wouldn't just say no. I'm gonna laugh when the adapters start selling out all over the place in Europe and I see some news saying that they decide to stock the adapter because of the success its having.

[Shadow_Link]

Originally posted by PuPPeT
So not only has Nintendo lost Dixons, Currys and PC world selling there Gamecube it now comes to light that Game the trading name for EB in the UK will not sell the modem or broadband adapters. Not good news for big N at all.

Game, Dixons, Currys and PC world controle over 45% of the console gaming market in the UK, Who else is going to put the boot in well Nintendo are down.

... You do know this is just for now, right? They never said they would never sell it in the future.

[Yoda9864]

Man, it seems like Nintendo is getting shafted a lot these days. Why does everyone hate Nintendo? Hopefully, this is only temporary with the modem/broadband adapters. It still sucks about Dixons though.

[DeathsHand]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
But these stores give stupid reasons not to stock something.

And you make up some stupid excuses for things...

But I'm sure if the network adapter is a success in Europe, it will be only because they break easily and people buy more to replace the broken one

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by DeathsHand
And you make up some stupid excuses for things...

But I'm sure if the network adapter is a success in Europe, it will be only because they break easily and people buy more to replace the broken one

[Shadow_Link]

Originally posted by Joeiss

Oh come on, it wasn't THAT funny. Infact, I've heard that remark (joke) so many times it's pretty annoying now.

It used to be funny...

[DeathsHand]

Originally posted by Shadow_Link
Oh come on, it wasn't THAT funny. Infact, I've heard that remark (joke) so many times it's pretty annoying now.

It used to be funny...

I don't really remember anybody using it sarcastically against him... Only people commenting on how stupid it is... Therefore, I must say to you...

[Joeiss]

I thought it was very funny, and agree with DH's above statement.