Hey Darth,

Actually Eric took the lead on this article, and while I share some of the feelings as him my stance on GameStop is actually closer to yours.

There was a point where I refused to deal with GameStop, but through experience I've come to find out that many of my local game stores are not much better. In general I feel like you're getting ripped off wherever you decide to trade in your games. Obviously the better option is to sell your games online, but like you mentioned if you take advantage of GameStops trade in promos you can get a fair amount more. Usually I only trade in at GameStop if they are running some sort of promo.

I've also noticed, like you mention, that GameStop is not nearly as pushy with their reservation and EDGE card program as they once where. If you find a decent GameStop with good employees, chances are that you won't have to worry about being pestered to reserve games of sign up for their discount card. I shop at two different GameStops, and over the past several months I've never been asked to reserve a game or sign up for the discount card, and that's because: 1. I already have a discount card 2. The employees know me and know that I have enough knowledge to know which games I should or shouldn't reserve.

Now my stance on GameStop from an employees perspective is much different. As a former employee, I can tell you that the company has a terrible stance on employee relations. Most employees are underpaid and unappreciated, because from the companies point of view you are replaceable. Before I get to far ahead of myself I'll stop and save if for a future installment where I do add my 2 cents.

Yakuza is coming to the US next year. Afrika is also coming here.

I would imagine that this may have something to do with Apple announcing that they were going to add a premium section to the iTunes store. This is great news - now we can see the true capabilities of the iPhone/iPod Touch.

I think that David really outdid himself this time - beautiful graphic bro. I love the colors that you picked - can I get that on a t-shirt???

Apparently someone else liked the title - read the first line in this article:

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/03/rumor-crytek-ac...

I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it's ironic.

Nice review - can't wait till I get my capture card in the mail.

Great article. I've been pulling for all of the systems to do well this go round, but Sony has always had a special place in my heart due to the fact that I have experienced so much joy from their consoles. I agree with all of your points, but hopefully the consumers will start looking at the console this way.

I don't think that it would be a good thing for the company to go out of business. Despite all of the crap that they do they still employ a lot of people. I don't really want to see that many people without a job. Not to mention that it would just be another hit on our economy.

Obviously GameStop only cares about gamers as much as it effects their bottom line. This isn't all that different than many other companies out there.

Not surprising, though I would imagine that this was more of a directive from a DM to one particular district than a company wide idea.