The opening post and a little about GameStop

As we approach the holiday season GameStop has seen it appropriate to redesign their store layouts. With the growing popularity of casual games and rhythm games such as Guitar Hero, the higher ups at GameStop have decided to add sections for rhythm games and games licensed to children. When asked by the NY Times, Daniel A. DeMatteo, COO of GameStop replied "Honestly, we are having to retool the way we think of things in our stores in terms of merchandising, layout and also customer service because it is no longer only the hardcore gamer walking in who knows exactly what he wants." Although many of the hardcore see this as a continuing shift of focus to the growing casual audience, I belive this will help gamers in the end. By placing all the games meant for children in one section, it will help parents who are looking for titles for their kids, and you won't find titles such as Viva Pinata next to Gears of War. Although nothing is a substitute for good parenting, this is showing that the people marketing and selling the games are taking the initative in keeping mature titles out of the hands of children. Although I don't believe that this will make a significant impact, I can hope that when I'm shopping for Mass Effect and Call of Duty 4 I won't be bothered by the snotnosed brats looking for Viva Pinata Party Anmals, or the upcoming Scene It game. Click Here for the full article.