GAMES RETAIL 2020 TOP TEN GAMES RETAIL INNOVATIONS
Ahead of our new Games Retail 2020 event, MCV looks at the ten most exciting new developments in the way video games are sold
DLCSOFT
Distributor CentreSoft has launched a popular system that allows indie stores to sell PlayStation and Nintendo DLC and digital games. Hundreds of small stores can print out codes to sell. Larger outlets have done this for a while, but rolling it out to indies is a real step-forward for digital content in physical stores.
PLAYFIRE REWARDS
With Playfire, Green Man Gaming can see how consumers are doing in games – how long they’re playing them for and so on. It is highly valuable data, which GMG is using to reward its customers. Gamers earn credit by simply completing tasks in their games. And that can be spent on anything in the store.
CEX BITCOIN
Virtual currency Bitcoin has been gaining plenty of press recently, for good and ill. And the first UK retailer to accept Bitcoin was games retailer CEX. The firm accepted the currency in its Glasgow store for a few days before allowing Bitcoin to be used on its website,
webuy.com.
FABZAT
This bizarre new initiative lets companies sell real items in their iOS and Android games. The firm’s white label shop can be integrated into a mobile title. Fans can then turn an in-game item or character into a real 3D printed model, which will then be shipped to them anywhere in the world.
#AMAZONBASKET
Twitter’s Product Cards let retailers showcase products on the platform. And Amazon has taken it one step further. If a user likes a product (and their Twitter and Amazon accounts are synced up) then they can get that product sent to their Amazon basket by replying with #Amazonbasket.
GAME WALLET
GAME’s new mobile app lets gamers combine their Reward Points with any gift cards they have and their trade-in credit (which for anyone that regularly shops at GAME, is incredibly handy). The best bit is that consumers can simply use the Game Wallet app to make a purchase in store.
STEAM TRADING CARDS
This might take some explaining. Steam gamers receive virtual trading cards by playing titles. These let users obtain virtual items to customise their profile. Fans can even sell cards and use them to fight in special events and win games. It’s a great initiative by a digital retailer to improve engagement.
GAME LOCK-INS
Not a new initiative, but as an example of what retailers can do locally, it’s a good one. GAME lock- ins are after-hours events where customers can visit stores to get their hands on titles. They first started last year and offered customers access to the likes of The Last of Us, PS4 and Xbox One.
GAMESTOP TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
This isn’t a single innovation, but a division testing new ideas. GameStop’s R&D department is experimenting with stores that sends texts to regular customers when they walk in and even allow consumers to download games by scanning a QR code in-store.
STEAM EARLY ACCESS
Who would have thought people would pay for unfinished games? DayZ and Rust are two games released on Early Access that have sold millions and millions of copies. Gamers get to be involved in shaping the game, while developers receive financial support.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH - BAFTA, LONDON
Day-long conference and expo examining the future of games - what we’re selling and how we’ll be selling it Curated by the team behind MCV First speakers announced soon Tickets £149 (plus VAT) - book now via
www.gamesretail2020.com
July 11th 2014 16
www.mcvuk.com Contact
Conor.Tallon@intentmedia.co.uk or call 01992 535 647 to discuss sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities
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