THE BRIT LIST: RETAIL CHAMPIONS RETAIL CHAMPIONS
How we buy and sell video games is changing, and these six individuals are the men and women leading that change
PAUL SULYOK, GREEN MAN GAMING
We speak to the boss behind Britain’s fastest growing online games retailer
How did you start in the industry? The technological innovations of the gaming industry have always fascinated me. The opportunity to develop new technologies that would directly impact the new digital gaming retail landscape that was emerging whilst offering me the chance to combine my entrepreneur skills and my love of games is the thing that continues to drive me.
What are your views on the state of games retail at the moment? Video games are getting more mainstream attention than ever
MARGARET PEARSON, CENTRESOFT
ALONGSIDE MD David Neal, Margaret Pearson has turned the Activision-owned distributor into the UK’s biggest. Last year the company dominated MCV’s Retail Survey and was hailed by indie stores for its DLCsoft initiative, which allowed them to sell digital codes. It also teamed up with Sony for the launch of PS4, the most successful console launch in games industry history.
before, yet the number of High Street shops selling them is diminishing, with many having to either diversify into other business models or move entirely online. Traditional retailers had several minutes to influence purchases with mood, lighting and sales patter. With only seconds to now capture a customer’s attention, online games retailers have to focus on a customer’s gaming behaviour and use this data to create services that go beyond just a sale. Data-driven customer modeling is becoming integral to all retail. Add with digital sales overtaking physical sales, and I’d say games retail has become more diverse, vibrant, and healthy than ever before.
Where do you think the games industry is headed?
The gaming population globally is massive and will only continue to grow as gamers increasingly enjoy their game experience across a range of platforms. With the development of Steam Machines and VR headset options to come, the economics of the living room is going to change.
MARTYN GIBBS, GAME
GIBBS is a notoriously humble man, so perhaps won’t appreciate this introduction.
His return to GAME after the retailer emerged from administration was vocally well-received by his colleagues, and you can already see why. GAME today is faster, more aggressive and smarter than before. It has an events business, a digital download store and completely new shops, including a special Xbox store. Despite losing many outlets when the firm entered administration, GAME is still the UK’s biggest games retailer. Gibbs’ roots with the company go as deep as his love of gaming. “I started when I played Manic
Mineron Spectrum. I have a long history of working in retail, but I think that I first began in the industry when I started gaming,” he says. “You know then if you truly have a passion for it and that’s something which is still with me now. And no, I never got past level 19 of Manic Miner without the cheat code.” Gibbs’ retail career spans WHSmith and HMV before taking
12 March 28th 2014
IF the video games business of tomorrow will be digital-only, then Chambers is the man to have on your team. His career has included leading EA’s digital distribution business and launching IGNin eleven countries. He has now been picked up by GAME, and tasked with transforming its online business. He’s already made a significant impact on the success of the firm’s website, app and digital store. In his spare time he is the musical director of the GamesAid choir, Games On Song, which released a Christmas single last year.
control of the popular retail chain Gamestation. Retailing video games has never been harder, but Gibbs’ attitude is that the industry has never been more exciting. “The games market is evolving rapidly and it is exciting to have so much great technology and so many great gaming experiences coming to market all the time,” he explains. “It’s a very exciting time because
we’re seeing the introduction of numerous new technologies, including the new generation of consoles. Gamers are able to access a growing number of experiences.”
MIKE DUNKLE, STEAM
VALVE’S business development guru has a multitude of jobs working for Valve’s European team, including Source engine licensing and running the operations of its European office. But what makes him a big deal is that he is the UK industry’s contact for Steam, the PC retail business that dominates the digital download space and now has an eye-watering 75m users. Dunkle this year celebrates 14 years at Valve.
www.mcvuk.com
JOHNNY MINKLEY, APPLE
THE former CVG, MCVand Eurogamerjournalist is best known for his writing, not to mention his former role as a games expert for BBC Radio 1. But he’s also a member of the BAFTA committee, and the vice president of the charity SpecialEffect, which transforms the lives of disabled young children. But by day, Minkley is the games editor for the App Store, championing games on the store front. As influential goes, you don’t get bigger than that.
IAN CHAMBERS, GAME
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