GameStop To Stay Open During COVID-19 Outbreak Because It Is 'Essential Retail'

GameStop wants that Animal Crossing and Doom Eternal money. I bet that's essential.

Please go out of business.

On one hand, Im glad because I can get my physical game on time

On the other hand....oh boy Reggie.

Starting in a few days my area will make it illegal to go outside or meet anyone unless its extremely important. Its ruining my life. Please just be normal for once gamestop

I mean I gotta give it to them, they are looking out for all those people who need some home entertainment in this trying time.

They let you get your quarantine essentials so that you get it and gtfo and go home to your corona bunker for a couple months.

Is it great for people to have entertainment during quarantine? Sure. But is it essential? Definitely not.

My GameStop called me tonight to let me know they’re still open tomorrow morning and I can still come in and get my pre-order for Animal Crossing. I told the guy I would not be coming in to get it and had downloaded it from eShop instead. He said something along the lines of “It’s good to hear you’re being safe and doing the right thing.” I’m thinking GameStop employees are not super happy they’re still open.

To all those you really think so they are unhappy. How about you work restaurant jobs and see how their closing hits close to home and get no payment to stay home. Then come back and we can talk.

The new guidelines they put seem like they would work.

This is so irresponsible it's chilling. I feel really bad for any gamestop staff rn

Reggie wave your magic body and fix it

Lets face it, they just want the money due to all competition being closed atm and the bigwigs can talk about how heroic they are etc but they arent the ones on the front desk serving people so clearly they dont care about the health of the people lower than them and its very evident when they cant even provide the proper sanitary measures for this.

@SwitchForce We can talk once you take the time to organize your thoughts so people can understand what you're trying to say.

I don't have the frustrating words for this ridiculousness. I have worked from home for over a decade and I've never found that GameStop offered me anything I NEEDED to complete my job... And I work in motion graphics, which is fairly close to what they offer! GameStop is entertainment, plain and simple and they are putting their employees at risk for a few bucks.

I know people say it, but I'm out when it comes to giving GameStop any of my money. I am stubborn enough to do it too take a miniscule stand against basic employee rights.

Sorry for the vent...

Let's make that money Gamestop, screw the virus poor people.

@SwitchForce I was about to say the same thing. Yeah, you can be ticked off at GameStop for staying open, but the employees really should check the silver lining

I live in Washington state in America, everyone calls it ground zero because it’s so bad. Nearly everything is shut down. People are out of work making no money, and the people who do have to go to work are busting their behind in grocery stores and hospitals. Meanwhile GameStop employees get to sit in a gaming boutique with even less traffic than usual and collect a check.

Them staying open is a bad idea by management. But the employees at least have a choice- knuckle up and be able to pay rent, or be like the rest of us in quarantine

It sucks for the employees, for sure. Ya know what else sucks for the employees? People going into the store during this.

Let’s be real, folks. GameStop wouldn’t keep the stores open if sales suddenly dropped off. Instead of just going online and complaining about it, or trying to rationalize unwarranted exposure because “business”, help out your fellow gamers by convincing them to be safer and stay out of the stores right now.

GameStop is second hand games, so perfect for spreading all kinds of stuff if not properly cleaned. And let's face it how many GameStop's actually clean the used games? I know, the first thing I do when buying second hand is cleaning the box until it looks shiny and new, and washing hands, before it goes into my collection.

Walmart and target sell games so if gamestop closed they would be out of business. Also, gamestop has been on the brink of going out of business. I don't want to see them go especially now that Reggie just stepped in. There are no other stores dedicated to games. Using essential was a bad word choice but it is the word that would keep them open. They should close and expect help from somewhere to save them. Too bad the employees don't qualify for sick leave because the company can't save itself.

@ItsOKToBeOK Most importantly, stay safe and I hope the best for you, your family, friends and everyone.

With that said, I have friends who work for companies who have given paid leave at this point. They work in retail at what I would consider the same level or store manager level as the GameStop employees. They're home, safer with their family and getting by... With pay! Now's the time for these companies to step up and protect their biggest asset... The front line employees who make them all their money. A short period of time of appreciation would go a LONG way for their company internally and externally.

Again, stay safe.

@SwitchForce
what about the flip side of the coin. The grocery store employees who are being exposed but need to come in to continue to pay bills? They don't have a choice but to go in and be exposed by all the people who don't believe that this is a problem that effects them. These staff are being exposed by these people who are coming in to these grocery stores (some of whom are still shopping daily) for a "community experience" because it's the among the few places open.

@ItsOKToBeOK The proper thing for a massive, established company like GameStop to do would be to send all employees home WITH PAY for the duration of the quarantine. If they can't afford that after being around for so long, they have no right to be in business.

Nobody should be grateful for their employer holding their health hostage.

@ItsOKToBeOK
Don't think for a second the grocery store employees want to be there. Many of us still have families to protect, and while financial security is a nice peace of mind, Many of the staff that I work with would rather be safe at home with our family. While we're not required to come to work, if we have any integrity we're likely to go in and do our duty because that's the job we signed up for, and we have co-workers (our other family) who depend on us. it's a rock and a hard place and our reward is exposure vectors beyond our imagination, and stress we shouldn't have to deal with in a grocery environment.

@TeslaChippie things are a bit different in America. I do agree, a company the size of Gamestop should be able to have paid time off for these sorts of things. But many businesses, especially small businesses, can’t afford it.

I can’t imagine a better, more unpopulated, empty place to work right now than Gamestop

@Wootus I never questioned the integrity of grocery store staff. Not once. You’re proving my point though- its hell in there. Nonstop lines with frustrated people in highly populated, risky conditions.

It really puts sitting behind a counter in an empty Gamestop into perspective. They’re probably earning just about the same being in FAR less risky conditions, and still making money, unlike millions of people. I just don’t understand their negative perspective.

I'm working during this. I don't mind. I've got an office job, though it is still retail-connected and cash-involved. Use gloves, disinfect, do what you can because we don't have timely tests anyway AND people can be carriers and not know about it. Still, I'll be tipping well where I can (or at least be regular for the places that don't have that option while paying) because I know there's risk attached during these times.

As for Gamestop, the gear is generally lame or severely overpriced in my eyes. They can, however, sell games and entertainment that keep people connected and from panicking and causing massive amounts of damage in desperate or emotional crimes as well as home exercise games ranging from the Wii library for a budget option to Ring Fit Adventure (whew, World 22's a slog) to keep people healthier and out of already-taxed hospitals/germy gyms.

Whether they felt that they needed to cite the gear and accessories to out-of-touch leaders (and they bought it) or genuinely don't see the value of their own entertainment products, that tells me everything I need to know about how BACKWARD this society is.

"Essential"? Really?

@spiderman0616 So you still payed for the physical version too?

I can practically smell the BS from all the way over here.

@SwitchForce
Full agree here. I work in a restaurant, have not work since Monday. My company is currently "promising" that they will supply us with some money for our days not working. It has already been verified that they will pay us minus the amount of money the government supplies us first.

The USA federal government is currently estimating how much to send each adult and therefore my company is going to do nothing until at least the first government check is received by me. These GameStop employees are still getting paid regularly and we'll have money far faster than I will have myself.

I actually picked up animal crossing already, as they got permission to release a little bit early, and I made certain to thank all the staff there for all of their hard work during these troubling times. I openly talk with them about political topics all the time and they saw no reason to complain about their current situation, something that drastically tells me that although they spend a lot more time cleaning than normal they are still quite happy to still be able to work in this time and supply activities that allow people to quarantine in peace.

Essential my ass. They're putting their employees in danger for the sake of profit. Give them paid leave and send them home.

@IceEarthGuard I only had $5 down on it, so I told them to bank it in my account for my next game.

...I'm still going physical and going to get the game when I wake up. So...eh...I dunno. I mean, I'll be going back out later to do other shopping later that day anyways....>.>

@Cevil but muh poor multi million dollar corporation that's putting corporate greed above the safety of their employees.

Use some critical thinking before you defend a bunch of greedy mongols.

To be honest, I was extremely upset to find out that my county library system close without warning last Saturday night. The entire county is now unable to borrow books music or video games. I was honestly going to pick up a game or two for switch while we're in lockdown. GameStop being open still gives people like me an option of going and buying a new game if that's what I would like.

You say that and then my local Gamestop has announced they are closing for good. I guess I'm buying all my games from Amazon.

Gamestop's employees deserve so much better. Gamestop along with a whole bunch of other companies are proving major society altering pro-worker changes need to be made.

Gamestop is not essential, even in healthy times. We can order physical games and computer products from any number of online retailers, GS included. Nothing in that store is essential to work from home. Sadly, comic book shops are certainly in danger. Can't see many of them surviving this

What this means is that I wont ever risk going to a Gamestop ever again. Im sorry to hear this. I used to go there. Gamestop is a higher than normal risk of infection now.

STOP PEOPLE FROM INFECTING THE GAMES!!! DAMNIT GAMESTOP!!

I'm starting to buy a bit more digitally now because of this situation. No need to go out and risk myself for Animal Crossing. I'll be happy to buy it digitally.

PLEASE don't shop there. Awful leadership. Reggie get out now or this will end up like Lance Armstrong's comeback .......

Other than animal crossing, I have no real desire to go out and do stuff. Need something to distract me indoors from this serious problem.
I do feel bad for those poor workers. Hope they stay safe regardless.

Gamestop are some @$$#0!e$!!! All the games I wanted a physical copy of are probably being exposed along with the workers who will probably infect other people and more games. This is angering me. You just forced me to go digital now gamestop. You just killed physical collecting for me.

Anyone saying it's good they are staying open as some weird sign of good will for their employees is a boot licker. My job is closing today and they are still going to pay the employees even the part-time employees at least through the next two weeks. They are not as established of a company as Gamestop but can still manage to do that.

For anyone working at GameStop....just leave. I’m pretty sure working a banana stand would be a better employment opportunity for you at this point.

My town is currently on lockdown and the local GameStops are closed to the public yet the employees are still inside, answering calls and filling stock/inventory. I genuinely appreciate the hard working staff but their lives are not worth risking for some dumb game or two during this supposed public health crisis. What GameStop co is doing almost inhumane and completely loathsome. Let your staff go home to their families and loved ones or at the very least give them hazard pay for being out like this...

@LordGeovanni There is also the option of purchasing games digitally. There is absolutely nothing essential about keeping Gamestop open, other than profits.

Reggie your first major job is to sort this out. At the very least supply cleaning and safety products for staff.

Also even if they stay open don’t they realise there’ll be hardly any customers around anyway?

They know that fans would riot if they are denied their games.

There are so many UK workers in various sectors (especially retail) praying to stay open because they don't receive statutory sick pay. I'm sure they would be grateful of such news. If this is all you have to worry about then get a grip, you obviously aren't doing so bad.

I think if GameStop close their doors they’ll never reopen. Their finances are so bad that an extended period of no income while still having lots of liabilities like site leases and stock would finish them off. I’m not saying that means they should stay open, I just think that’s why they’ve done this.

Aye. The masses do need their opium in order to stay docile during the police state test runs.

Well, it all depends on the restrictions decided by every single country. In Italy, Gamestop stores are closed, like the great majority of activities.

@JayJ I'm boycotting them for this..digital or Walmart from here on out

It's not just Gamestop that's trying to stay open...there's enough businesses that are trying it just like the people trying to make extra money on Amazon and Ebay by selling supplies that people need at expensive prices. When the virus outbreak ends, watch hollywood try to make movies and companies try to make t-shirts and merchandise to try and get more money. It's a way of life where greed comes before anything else. There's another gaming store around me that's refusing to close too, and that one just carries games. I'm still working at my job and I'm a maintenance person for a school district that's been closed. It stinks, but collecting a paycheck rather than waiting, is better than not having anything, and I don't want to be bored at my house all day, so it works out. Other than all of that, once the sales start to drop at Gamestop, they'll end up closing for a while.

@Pod Your tinfoil hat must be a particularly large one.

I work in home bargains and it's considered essential I guess because we definitely aren't showing any signs of closing. We get so much foot traffic that it's almost guaranteed to hit the staff eventually. If you want to self-isolate to protect yourself, your family or the public then you have to take it in holidays (if you have any lol) or just quit your job and stay home without pay for god knows how long.

Edit: They'll let you take sick leave for about two weeks if you get sick with Coronavirus or you think you've been in contact with someone that had it but that's it.

@luke88
So large I actually HAVE to go outside to wear it. Which I know spites THE MAN too, so win/win.

So who will be running their stores?

Where will the big wigs be? (At home)... while their workers whose lives they don't value will be at work risking those lives so the owners who are safe at home can continue to be paid.

This company needs to die.

@Razer They'll be at home watching their bank accounts soar higher and ignoring the backlash. They know they have their employees by the ba**s since everyone is so desperate for work so they aren't scared of anything. I agree. They really need to die out.

People like to talk but when they have no means of paycheck will stop talking. I like all those here saying for employees to stop working at GameStop put forth your paycheck to help them. If you can't do that then stop talking like you know better. Love how people talk but when asked to backup those employees goes quite.

I’m not surprised at all. Most delivery companies like Fedex, UPS, USPS are working throughout this outbreak as well.

Not here in California

I m blessed to be still working. My role is considered essential and I am out in public everyday. It really sucks so many people are out of work with no pay. I get that Gamestop needs to survive and the employees are at least getting paid but my understanding is they have no supplies to protect or clean the store.
This "These essential products include webcams, microphones, computer mouse, keyboards, monitors, chargers and audio equipment. Games and console devices are not listed." is something I have never seen at any Gamestop I have been to. Everything stocked locally is VG related.

@Razer
Why? Gamestop is in need of serious changes but wishing them to die will seriously affect physical sales and leave the industry in a smaller group of less than desirable online retailers.

Unbelievably selfish and irresponsible.

Disgraceful.

@BulkSlash I think you are right. They are afraid that if they close then those doors may never open again.

As long as BestBuy doesn't close I'm good

@DAHstroy Of course stimulation durning a quarantine is essential, your mental health could be severely affect otherwise.

@Razer im sure many workers are glad they are not out of income

@Brady1138
Where? There are no jobs to be had until this passes.

Gamestop is sadly not even essential in the gaming retail space. And digital stores are always open.

Comments give me pure cancer.

@super08mario That's the real reason. Gamestop is already struggling and corporate management knows if they shut stores they won't be in business much longer. They're still going to take a hit due to less traffic, so it may not matter.

Why don't all those telling GameStop employees to stop working put forth your paycheck to them. This is my challenge to those whom have little to no knowledge that a paycheck is a paycheck. Not working in private industry equals no works no Paycheck. Alot are making this a simplistic mindset view.

Go Gamestop! True heroes. Lol. Please stay open long enough for me to get FF7R. Haha

Truly essential. I can think of no other place to buy videogame... merchandise.

This just proves how close they are to going bust. If they close temporarily they’ll go out of business

I was able to pick up new horizons and doom a day early at gamestop because the mall I work at was thinking about closing. They even gave me the tom nook display. Its hard for me to dislike them.

Lol you can buy your games online, or get it from eshop. Glad I stopped going there 10 years ago.

@SwitchForce In certain countries you get bonuses as of next month to help prevent the spread of the virus, working or not. Gamestop is in these countries, and will be forced to close by the government. See how long they last.

This is why they are going bankrupt right here.

Can't say I mind as I want to selfishly acquire Animal Crossing today.

@Fido007 Problem is GameStop isn't like a Mall or Walmart or Mall of American in NA or the likes that alot of people in hundreds shop in. They are within their Corporation rights to protect their investments whether they survive or not isn't the point here. GameStop doesn't give employee bonus or paid time off so let's stop these worthless points. Unless those saying so as I mentioned be USE your Paycheck for their wage. Then you have a legit point to make otherwise - it's just HOT AIR.

@SwitchForce but the government is, they will be required by the government to shut down or limit hours to stop the spread of this virus. Despite what they claim, essential products will be the basics you need to survive, food/water/shelter. If people need entertainment and don't have a backlog of games on their system, then they can just download it online, or buy a pack of cards from the grocery store. It's not like people need games to survive.

There are hundreds of other business taking this same bullet, gamestop is just using shady methods to get what they want. To no surprise from anybody who is active in the games industry. This will become a meme soon enough.

Translation:

We still want money dudes.

I believe this comes down to one major issue for them, aside from the greed. The shut downs, quarantines and isolations are going to leave a lasting impact on some aspects of our world.
If Gamestop closes all stores now, does that mean games aren't available? No, it doesn't at all. Every game they have is still readily available on digital storefronts. People in isolation can get those same games without leaving isolation. If they close it forces all their customers to make the move to digital. If these closures last a long time, it shows many customers how unnecessary they really are.
Gamestop may not come back the same from a forced closure and I think this is what they are most afraid of.

i would find this more reasonable if gamestop was also having their employees sell TP & hand sanitizer.

Look, retail stores are staying open at reduced hours. Regardless of it's reasons of selfless or selfish, customers still get to shop and workers still collect their paychecks. Let's face it, regardless of corona virus of not, there are always some people that are sick when they are shopping in a retail store or traveling in a bus, train, or airplane. There will always be risks like it or not.

@ekwcll https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AHfhcx67PGA

@Cotillion @Fido007 both these have no idea of PreOrders don't stop because of the orders. And how will the two of you get PreOrders for those whom will pass the release date? I doubt you two have the money to buy back those missed preorders for all preorders. That hasn't stopped because of the orders and nor would you two be able to pay those whom have preorders that will miss them as nothing from any Developers have mentioned what will happen to those orders. So until you two can pay all of those Physical orders missed along with getting them the Season Pass/DLC missed as this then then tell me how will you two pay for this? So I see no company making this retro so far so if you two can't find and buy this for those that have preorders that will be gone then you should stop breathing the air I breath.

@SwitchForce what? Preorders..... what?

@JayJ there being money grubbing moron as per usual. There is nothing altruistic about this decision.

@Mince really most are pissed. Especially since Gamestop isn't providing enough material to protect the employees.

What a bunch of ignorant, greedy, out of touch and irresponsible f*cks.
Sorry, I don't normally swear here, but I think this time it's thoroughly justified.
We're having debates on whether or not reducing hours for supermarkets, FFS, and these idiots think they're essential?

@Pod yeah and next thing you're telling us is that this pandemic is a hoax I bet.

@Malones2792 simple solution fire the moaners and hire people desperate for a income!

@clvr A Eminem lyric comes to mind “I just don't give a f***” about your opinion. I want the new doom for my #stayhomevacation.

@Mince yeah fit the people who put their own lives ahead of a minimum wage job during a pandemic where every other business is competent enough to deal with properly.

@Mince wow how edgy.
It's little ignorant f*cks like you who don't understand the gravity of the situation that put everyone else in danger, and that's what angers me the most.
All the reasonable people in the world may be as cautious and law-abiding as possible, but still we're gonna end up f*cked by a virus because edgy 12 year olds underestimate the situation.

@clvr well with the amount of assumptions you just made, in that statement alone. Leads me to believe you have not got a clue.

I got the game via contactless delivered

Yes people do still need a income

We also don't really know whats happens at gamestop, overall. Knowing the internet this has likely been blown way out of proportion (gamestop that is)

The Uk only just closed its bars and pubs yesterday and until today we have only implemented social distancing.

So leave your assumption behind, do you even realise what herd immunisation is, which was originally part of the tactic.

@clvr ps some comments should not be taken seriously

@Mince yeah I know what herd immunity is, you smart*ss.
And no, mine are not assumptions, as my hometown is right in the middle of THE most infected area in THE most infected country at the moment.
So excuse me if I get triggered by stupid comments that tell me my opinion doesn't matter, while hundreds of people die around me everyday.

@Mince well if that was meant as a joke it failed, and pretty hard at that.
I didn't laugh, noone laughed, there's no indication that I shouldn't have taken it seriously. Bottom line: be careful with your words, especially when talking about sensitive topics like this.

@clvr I think the bottom line is don't make assumptions actually. Have some facts and don't start name calling and getting angry over someone else comment.

@Mince have some facts? Are you serious? I just told you the toll this disease is taking on the place I live, what else do you want? It's you who's minimizing the impact of this thing and telling me that you don't give f*ck about my opinion, so of course I get angry.
Let's see you not getting angry when the place you live in is overrun by the virus and people minimize and tell you your opinion ain't worth a damn.
See, you could've replied anything else but no, you had to be a big boy and quote Eminem (of all things). So of course I can't take you seriously, if you minimize this whole thing AND chime in in such an aggressive and childish way instead of simply expressing your opinion.

I'm out, I can't stand having to converse with you.

@clvr ‘ What a bunch of ignorant, greedy, out of touch and irresponsible f*cks.’

This was what i replied to. Don't pretend this was some kind of debate to being with it was just you swearing and ranting. And me pushing your buttons!

@Mince yeah I said that and I stand by that.
In a world where everything is rightly closed down aside from supermarkets (the essential), it is definitely irresponsible and everything else I pointed out to state that video game stores are essential. Seriously, it makes my blood boil cause I'm seeing the effect the disease is having on my country, and saying such a thing is inexcusable, especially if they actually follow through with that.
If you don't understand the importance of shutting everything down to minimize the spreading of the disease, well, you're wrong and you're exposing other people to unnecessary risk. That's what makes me mad as hell, that ignorant people who don't get this are making it harder for everyone else, and since I'm doing everything I can to be civil and avoid exactly that, my blood boils at the thought of all those irresponsible people who go out without a care in the world and put everyone else at risk.
And believe me, there's a lot of people like that here, even though we're the worst country to be in at the moment.
Hope this makes it clearer for you, otherwise I don't know what else to tell you and I'm out for real.

@clvr
I've got people who don't even believe in micro organisms for THAT!

@Pod sorry, I'm dumb and I didn't get what you mean 😅
do you mean you were sarcastic?

@clvr
I were. ^^

@Pod oh sorry, my bad then 😅 you know, it's hard to get sarcasm on the internet yadda yadda lol
Have a nice day 😄

@Hagemaru I just buy mine at bestbuy.