Games Toaster

PS3 launch in Dublin

The PlayStation 3 launched tonight in Ireland, Games Toaster went out to get the images of midnight launches in Dublin... expect more news on the PS3 later today...

Shoppers waiting outside 'Game' on Dawson Street before midnight to be some of the first to buy the PlayStation 3 in Ireland, there was about 50-60 waiting outside when we arrived.

The first person to buy a PS3 in 'Game' on Dawson Street.

We asked this shopper to pause for a second.

HMV on Grafton Street was also open for the launch. Many Thursday night drinkers were bemused by the line of about 50 shoppers, HMV says they had served about 20 people at this stage. While it's unclear if the performers were regulars on the famous shopping street, also know for its buskers.

Games Toaster then made it over to Dublin's north side to GameStop at Henry Street, where the crowd was still about 50 strong at around 12.40, GameStop say that up to 150 people turned out. That's a DJ on the stairs. And below an indoors shot of GameStop.

GameStop for Tullamore, Midleton, Mullingar

GameStop Ireland continues to expand their network of computer games stores across the country.

The Irish division of the multinational retail giant plans to open outlets in Tullamore, Co Offaly; Midleton, Co Cork; and Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

After the openings, the Dublin operation will control 42 stores, including nine in Co Dublin, five in Co Cork, four in Northern Ireland, and shops in Birmingham and Stockport in England.

Set up in 1994 by Kevin Neary and Michael Finucane the company started in the back of a Dublin bookstore and first traded as GamesWorld before GameStop Inc bought a controlling share in 2003. At that point, the retailer re-branded its 11 outlets, and started the current expansion.

The parent company owns shops across Europe, North America, Australia, and Puerto Rico - it reported $1.7 billion in sales for the last nine weeks of 2006, a 29% jump on the same period the year before.

Hundreds line outside Dublin stores for Wii

One retailer’s pricing sets Ireland out to be one of the dearest places in the world to buy Nintendo's new Wii games console. 

Hundreds of gamers lined up outside GameStop on Henry Street and 'Game' on Dawson Street last night to be among the first to buy a Wii at midnight store openings.

Speaking on Today FM’ s Ray Foley Show this afternoon, Michael Finucane, GameStop’s commercial director, said that while the first release of Wiis were mostly reserved for people who pre-ordered their consoles, GamesStop should have a shipment which will include non-booked consoles sometime next week.

He said this will be followed by another shipment before Christmas.

The recommended euro price is €249, and £179 in the Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. However, besides the general euro price there is no set price for the Republic and retailers vary.

Smyth's Toys are selling the Wii for €269.99, putting the console at €20 over the set ‘euro’ price. We have contacted Nintendo’s press office for confirmation on the RRP for the Republic.

Unlike its competitors, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the Wii has a smaller advancement gap from its predecessor. The main selling point of the console is its remote control shaped controller with motion sensors that allowed players to control games with movement, such as swings, swipes, and punches.

GameStop expands to mainland UK

10 extra stores in Ireland , Dublin to remain European base

GameStop have confirmed the first details of their plans to enter the retail market in the United Kingdom mainland. The European subsidiary of the United States retail giant will keep its headquarters in Dublin; opening just a support office in the UK

Before the end of the month, the first shop is set to be opened in Birmingham, with a Stockport and a second Birmingham store making up some of the 25 locations planed for the UK this year.

In Ireland, 10 shops are to be added to the current list of 25 in the Republic and the North.

Gamesworld To Open 30 New Stores

According to GamesIndustry.biz the now mainly GameStop owned Gameworld plans to open 30 new Irish retail units in the next year, with 20 in the Republic and 10 in the North.

The figure of 30 new shops would coincide with Gameworld plans for creating 100 new jobs within a year. This should see Gameworld more directly clashing with non-game only outlets such as XtraVision, Smiths, World of Wonder and local shops.

More on where the shops are opening as soon as we get it.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz

http://www.gamesworld.ie/

Cian Ginty