HMV

HMV, one of Briatins largest High street media sellers clearly see gaming as a key part of their future business strategy.

They have announced today that they will begin to sell Second-Hand games in stores, replicating the success that companies such as Game and Gamestation have been having.

“We embarked on successful trials of a ‘next generation’ store format, featuring a social hub providing access to entertainment websites, multi-player games zones and transactional kiosks.

"All product lines in the trial outperformed the rest of the chain, providing a basis in the coming financial year to convert 10-15 stores and open all new stores in the new format.

"We continued to enhance our credibility with customers and suppliers in the fast-growing games console and software market, and are planning to launch a pre-played games offer in 2008/09."

HMV Head of Games Tim Ellis earlier stated how video games are becoming a major player in the media market, stating that Video Games are entering a "Golden Age" and are "the new Rock and Roll".

"Anyone who has been following the development of our games offer really shouldn't be that surprised by this level of growth," he said, after the company revealed that the technology and games division now makes up 21 per cent of the overall revenues, up from 14 per cent a year ago.

"We'll always love music - it's in our DNA after all, but, if it's not too much of a cliché to say it, the truth is that games really are the new rock 'n' roll."

Source: MCVUK and GamesIndustry.biz