“You can’t connect with a mass audience without the twin pillars of print and TV – everything else just helps.” The industry discusses the tricks of Christmas marketing p32
NEWS
‘It’s OK for indies to buy from supermarkets’ Distribution firms tell MCV it’s fair for indies to buy low-cost stock from bigger retailers
by Dominic Sacco
THERE’S nothing wrong with independent retailers buying games from supermarkets and selling them at a premium, say UK distributors. Indies told MCVlast month (MCV 607, 01/10/10) that stocking new games will be extremely difficult when the VAT rise comes into effect next year. And with some grocers lowering prices to below cost, independent stores have been buying stock from these outlets instead of traditional distribution. “It's definitely fair for indies to buy from supermarkets,”
(Pictured left to right) Creative’s Dain, Koch’s McNicol and Ideal’s Williams defend struggling indies
Creative Distribution’s MD Gareth Dain tells MCV. “Supermarkets have no morale or legal obligation to protect the interests of the smaller business – however unfair that may seem.” Craig McNicol, UK MD for Koch Media, said that the
“ by James Batchelor
O-GAMES believes advanced motion controllers will make PDC World Championship Darts Pro Tourits greatest darts game to date. This year’s entry in the series will be the first to be released for PS3 and is fully compatible with Sony’s PlayStation Move. Pro Tourwill also be the
first PDCtitle to use the Wii MotionPlus add-on. The
by James Batchelor
MASTERTRONIC has promised to provide more stock for Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Sagaafter the first batch sold out. The launch allocation for
Focus Home Interactive’s Xbox 360 RPG has run out ahead of its release today (Friday, November 12th). But the game’s distributor has assured retailers that
www.mcvuk.com
there will be sufficient supply to meet demand.
“Our experience with the
original Divinity IImeant that we were expecting good things for the launch of this expanded edition, but the demand has really taken us by surprise,” said Mastertronic’s group sales director James Cato. “We’ve had to pull out all the stops to get more stock and to make sure that we
“
Games retail is a free market and this broken element may not be fixable. Craig McNicol, Koch
problem doesn’t look like it’s going away: “It is a free market, and of course it does not sound equitable, but the broken element may not be fixable.” Ideal Software’s head of buying Paul Williams added: “How can you blame indies? If they went to the official distributor they would have to pay more than at retail. “However, by buying from supermarkets, indies must realise that they are eroding themselves as their market share will become so small that it will not be missed.” Head to page 35 for an in-depth look at the distribution sector.
Move key to PDC Darts Pro success
publisher claims both devices will deliver greater control and precision. “We’ve always been committed to delivering the best darts experience possible and with the new technology available we can really make this happen,” said marketing executive Emma Jenkins. PDC Darts Pro Tourwill be released on November 26th. OG International: 01933 442660
More stock en-route as Divinity II sells out
We expected good things, but the demaned has really taken us by surprise. James Cato, Mastertronic
can continue to fulfil orders in time. “A lot of hard work from a lot of people means that we are still going to hit our release dates and there will be minimum disruption to orders already placed. “Such high levels of interest point to Divinity IIbeing one of the strongest RPG titles on the market this Christmas.” Mastertronic: 0845 234 4242
November 12th 2010 9
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