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WWW.MCVUK.COM
NEWS
US games specialist targets UK Franchise concept GamerDoc prepares to rival Gamestation and GAME as it looks to expand this year by Tim Ingham NORTH America’s fastestgrowing specialist is ready to take on GAME and Gamestation – as it launches its first stores in the UK later this year. GamerDoc, a franchise concept that offers the opportunity to own, develop and operate a retail video games store, was launched in December 2007. President of GamerDoc Jim Belanger told MCV that the firm was looking to recruit existing UK indies – and use their market knowledge to take on the big boys. “We feel very confident that we can take what we have and bring it to your market,” Belanger revealed. “We have two major competitors in GAME there and Gamestop here in the US. “In the UK in particular, GAME has some fine stores – but that can only make us better. Gaming in Europe is only going to outgrow the
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Gaming in Europe is only going to outgrow the United States and we want to be part of that. Jim Belanger, GamerDoc
United States and we want to be part of that.” Belanger told MCV that the company was talking to
GamerDoc’s Jim Belanger (inset) reckons that the firm’s store layout and design can cater to both casual and hardcore audiences
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interested parties in the UK and Germany – and expected to launch its first store in 2009 or the start of 2010.
He added: “We’re looking for the right people to partner with or to franchise. Once we’ve built one store, we’d look to build five or ten more pretty quickly. “The biggest difference between us and GAME and Gamestop is what happens to
the gamer when they walk into a store. We see a very clear distinction between the hardcore gamer and the casual gamer and we cater to each differently. Sometimes their knowledge is not as high.” GamerDoc: (+001) 888426-5576
City Interactive plans to look beyond PC this year CITY INTERACTIVE has told MCV it will enter the console and handheld markets this year in a move to further grow its business. The PC specialist is currently preparing its debut DS release, Sushi Academy, due in
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console sector. To date we have been known solely as a PC games publisher. The launch of this title will elevate us to a new level and that will continue throughout 2009.” Harding described the release as a “natural
Consoles will form an integral part of our future as we are adapting to market changes and trends in the industry.
Leonard Harding, City Interactive
February. Further console and handheld releases are to be expected as the year progresses. Speaking to MCV, the publisher’s UK sales manager Leonard Harding said: “This will be our first foray into the
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progression” of the company’s business as City Interactive seeks to evolve as a publisher, bringing their products to a wider audience, while still supporting its established audience on the PC.
City Interactive’s first DS title arrives next month
“We have seen the success of formats like the DS and Wii, and it is only natural that we should want to be a part of it and share in the success that comes with releasing products on these formats,” he said. “Consoles will form an integral part of our future as we are adapting to market changes and trends in the games industry, which consoles and handhelds are the focal point of. It has been a phenomenal past year for that sector and some amazing games have been released on those formats. It is our aim to bring games to this market that are not only successful but also bring enjoyment to the consumer.” City Interactive: 01908 843637