Gamestop to target casual customers

According to a recent ars technica post, game retail giant Gamestop will be changing its focus to court mainstream consumers. The chain will now devote sections of its stores to casual and “family” gaming, and indicated that the interest in casual gaming (brought on primarily by the success of the Wii and DS) is the chief reason for the shift. The retailer is apparently in great shape financially, with plans to keep the pace of 500 new store openings each year and continue expansion into overseas markets.

Gamestop has always catered to the hardcore crowd, offering rare games and an (increasingly devious) trade-in program for used games. Obviously, the company is following the money trail on this particular decision, and betting that the casual games phenomena will be more than just a trend.

As things stand, Gamestop couldn’t be more tainted in the eyes of hardcore gamers, who are fed up with their unfair buyback and trade-in practices. Many will find this to be the ultimate insult, and I can’t blame them.

Read [ars Technica] Also Read [Next Gen]