They want more people to get into PC gaming… and so they put the nearest stockist in flippin' Basingstoke??!!
That's like placing a vegan restaurant in the middle of an abattoir!!

I supposed it was because Reading parking charges were just too insane… but then if you can afford an OCUK exclusive PC, you can probably afford The Oracle parking!! :lol:

I guess the real question on everyones' minds about buying OCUK from Game is - “Will there be Haribo?” :lol:

Well it's nice to see more pc prescence in Game, considering for a fair while it was nonexistant, and recently ive started to see a very small pc shelf begin to manifest in the local stores. I still don't intend to buy anything from Game, but it's nice to see none the less.

Went in Southampton Game to try out the new steam controller. Not even stocked. Not holding up any hope this will make it worth going into GAME but I hope to be surprised.

Are they going to up the price of the hardware like what GAME does? GAME has always been so bloody expensive compared to buying online or other retail stores (Like supermarkets)

I can't see this lasting long TBH. My initial feeling is that there will be such a slow movement in stock that it will depreciate faster then they can sell them.

The only way this will work if if they are somehow cheaper then buying direct from OcUK…..

This looks more like advertising for the main site rather than selling PCs to gamers. Not a bad ploy I suppose if it drives online hits and sales.

Two initial reactions to this…

1. GAME are still in business? :O_o1:

2. If they're actually stocking them in-store it will soon be like PC World trying to shift graphics cards that have been on their shelves for 3 years. Also, most GAME stores are on the highstreet - it could be a hell of a walk with a full gaming tower to the nearest car park. As others are suggesting, makes much more sense if they have demo units and are ‘selling’ them instore but you get it delivered next day or something?

Like I said over on OCUK's forums, I can't see it making any difference. People will go in, see it and may well be impressed by it, but when they find out you need to spend £1000+ will just keep on buying their £300 consoles. That extra £700 buys a lot of extra games plus a console never needs upgrading unlike a pc.

Returns will be interesting, are all GAME employees going to be able to provide RMAs (answer, no) in which case I'd say buyer beware, duff bent cpu in the box? Prove it was like that when you bought it….

I was surprised to see this, I wonder if it will work out in the long run.

OCUK = Overpriced hardware

“In store experts” - Oh brilliant, now I have to see people being ripped off for components they don't need by idiots on commision.

Lanky123
1. GAME are still in business? :O_o1:

I thought all the UK GAME stores closed and they only continued with the online business? Must have missed the news they were going back to the high street, unless this is a new company just using the same name?

Ironbuket
I thought all the UK GAME stores closed and they only continued with the online business? Must have missed the news they were going back to the high street, unless this is a new company just using the same name?

No, they did shut quite a few but some were kept. I believe they also got rid of all the Gamestation stores. I know Basingstoke & Reading weren't hit by it.

Great news. Rarely buy from either retailer in all honesty – tend to buy from SCAN and Amazon – but I hope they both do well out of it, can only do good things for PC.

Surprised by all the negativity in this thread though. GAME occasionally do good deals on digital downloads and pre-owned games (I think I got 6 triple-A PS3 games off them for £30 a few months ago), plus on Black Friday some of their hardware bundles were better than what Amazon was offering.

Don't think it's going to swing any PC enthusiasts, most of whom I expect either order online or from specialist stores anyway, but it's a great way to demo what PC can offer to people nipping into a GAME store.

Like I said over on OCUK's forums, I can't see it making any difference. People will go in, see it and may well be impressed by it, but when they find out you need to spend £1000+ will just keep on buying their £300 consoles. That extra £700 buys a lot of extra games plus a console never needs upgrading unlike a pc.

What a load of rubbish. You don't have to spend >£1k by any means, I'm looking at getting my little cousin up and running for £300. You aren't forced to upgrade either, PC hardware doesn't magically age quicker; a 5 year old PC will run modern & old games alike, your chances of playing games from a different generation are much slimmer on console. Plus you can always re-purpose an old PC or strip it to salvage the useful parts, your options are a lot more limited when it comes to old consoles – you're essentially looking at either using it as a media player or selling it for pittance.

Don't get me wrong, PC does have its down-sides, but none of the ones you've given there are true.

Ok, now that the range is live I can see I was partially wrong about the prices. The one in the publicity shot was over £1000 though. There are 14 models in the range, 7 of which are well under £1000 and another which is barely under at £995.95. If you want it delivered then add another £14.99 on to it. You also need to buy keyboard, mouse, speakers/headphones and a monitor unless playing on a tv which makes most of the others close to or over £1000.

I wouldn't want to play games on a £300 system. You would have to make far too many compromises if buying new and are limited to low end gaming which you may as well go and buy a console. You could do better for the £300 by going second hand and self building but that's not who these systems are aimed at.

You are right, pc components do not magically age quicker. Games advance though and demand more from a system unlike console games that are designed to work on consoles with a specific list of components. I certainly wouldn't like to play Fallout 4 or many other modern games on a 5 year old pc. No doubt it can be playable if settings and resolution are turned down but that defeats the object of going down the pc route and you may as well buy a console. If you want to play a modern game at a decent resolution with all or most of the settings turned up and play it as it was designed to look then you need to upgrade at least the gpu.

Might have to drop in to my local Chester store to have a nosy now.

Guy
No, they did shut quite a few but some were kept. I believe they also got rid of all the Gamestation stores. I know Basingstoke & Reading weren't hit by it.

Nor was Newbury and weirdly it always seems packed in there.

Ttaskmaster
They want more people to get into PC gaming… and so they put the nearest stockist in flippin' Basingstoke??!!
That's like placing a vegan restaurant in the middle of an abattoir!!

I supposed it was because Reading parking charges were just too insane… but then if you can afford an OCUK exclusive PC, you can probably afford The Oracle parking!! :lol:

I guess the real question on everyones' minds about buying OCUK from Game is - “Will there be Haribo?” :lol:

Haha another reason why I refuse to go into Reading these days and prefer Basingstoke (aka Amazingstoke) if I have to go shopping.

Another reason Game maybe doing this in Basingstoke is that they also have an office there and distribution center as well I believe.

jimborae
Haha another reason why I refuse to go into Reading these days and prefer Basingstoke (aka Amazingstoke) if I have to go shopping.

I'd rather drag myself the 5 miles to Reading town centre with my lips, than go into Basingstoke…
But then, I'm more likely to buy from OCUK direct and have it delivered to my house, than put up with the bipedal mongs in town, too.

Could be worse, though - They could have done this with PC World!! :lol:

Ttaskmaster
I'd rather drag myself the 5 miles to Reading town centre with my lips, than go into Basingstoke…
But then, I'm more likely to buy from OCUK direct and have it delivered to my house, than put up with the bipedal mongs in town, too.

Could be worse, though - They could have done this with PC World!! :lol:

Really??? I agree that Basingstoke is not greatest place in the world and I certainly wouldn't want to live there but for the a shopping experience I really cant stand The Oracle and surrounding streets. I find it way too crowded, the security guards can be very oppressive and as you mention the parking is an absolute rip off if you can actually find anywhere to park.