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EA, Activision and Ubisoft have nothing to fear from GameStop’s decision to publish a video game, the retailer says.
The company last week signed Song of the Deep, a new game from Resistance, Ratchet and Clank and Sunset Overdrive developer Insomniac. It will release the 2D underwater adventure title in a box through its stores, and via Steam, PSN and Xbox Live. It will also be developing a full merchandise programme, utilising its ThinkGeek business.
However, GameStop’s vice president of strategic initiatives, Mark Stanley, has played down the potential competition with its publishing partners.
We are not attempting to be publishers here,” he told MCV. We are simply taking a great opportunity to collaborate in a non-traditional way, and trust that the combination of all these great ingredients we have put in make for a great experience.”
He added: GameStop has worked closely with all publishers for many years, and our store associates have been instrumental in growing triple-A franchises. That will not change. We are simply taking an opportunity to do something different. Supporting great game craftsmanship in a way that has never been done before. And this supports our industry’s quest for better gaming, and more gamers.”
Stanley, however, was coy over whether GameStop may publish more titles.
We will listen to what the game community has to say about this game, and go from there,” he said.
