The GAME Figurine Scenario

[Joshawott]

Hello Fabulous Ladies,
As you may or may not know, GAME stores across the UK had previously advertised that they would be giving out figurines of Ho-Oh and Lugia with each pre-order of HeartGold and SoulSilver (respectively). However, a week before launch, I noticed my local Gamestation advertising the figures, and GAME's website had taken down all mention of them.

I pre-ordered SoulSilver online, and got a Lugia figure. I pre-ordered HeartGold in store and when I purchased it, I was told that the figures were not yet in stock, but recommended to check other branches. I walked to the next GAME branch, where I was told that they hadn't heard of any figures.

I have spoken to a few people, some of which have said that GAME had given them leftover Arceus figures from the Arceus events earlier this month.

I did email GAME yesterday pretty much asking that if they had to cancel the promotion, they should have told us who had pre-ordered the games, and I was wondering if any of you had similar/different experiences.

 

[Takoto]

Originally, at both of the GAME stores where I live, they said "We'll be giving away Lugia and Ho-oh figures with pre-orders of the game!"
However, when my Mum brought the game home I was surprised to find an Arceus figure- one I already have (obtained at the event a few weeks ago). It doesn't bother me, much, but I would have liked a Ho-Oh figure :c

I just asked a friend of mine on MSN who brought SoulSilver, and she also just got an Arceus figure when her parents purchase the game. Apparently, GAME's figure offer has failed epic-ly.

 

[s|ush]

I pre-ordered both versions from GAME online and they turned up on Thursday, both with the correct Lugia and Ho-oh figures.

 

[Joshawott]

Yeah, it seems online orders got the figures...in-store pre-orders though...

 

[jennytablina]

Oh hey I'm in Cambridge too! But never saw the Game stores there advertise the Lugia and Ho-Oh figures?

Cambridge Gamestation had them in stock yesterday and I got both Lugia and Ho-oh with no problem. My friend went to GAME and was not offered any figure (we both were there on opening that day)

Heck Gamestation had a sign out about 3 weeks before with the pre-order bonus touted. Methinks Game simply passed them to Gamestation as its seen as the more "hardcore" chain?

(I do wish we could have events again in Cambridge, I miss having the big store that sorta entitled us to them)

 

[hedjeroo]

No events ever run in my towns so I don't bother checking this stuff. 8D Though I would be upset if I later found out Stafford's Gamestation or GAME were giving out figurines... the figurines actually look really awesome.

At home I'm pretty close to Liverpool and Manchester, where events DO happen - but I'm not about to hop on a train or plead with my parents for the sake of spending £10 on a figurine. D:

My boyfriend, the jammy barsteward, got both. TT~TT He got HeartGold preordered from GameStop and swiped his roommate's Lugia figurine.

 

[Joshawott]

Oh hey I'm in Cambridge too! But never saw the Game stores there advertise the Lugia and Ho-Oh figures?

Cambridge Gamestation had them in stock yesterday and I got both Lugia and Ho-oh with no problem. My friend went to GAME and was not offered any figure (we both were there on opening that day)

Heck Gamestation had a sign out about 3 weeks before with the pre-order bonus touted. Methinks Game simply passed them to Gamestation as its seen as the more "hardcore" chain?

(I do wish we could have events again in Cambridge, I miss having the big store that sorta entitled us to them)

I went to Fitzroy Street for store opening =3
I did find it unusual that at the same time gamestation got their advert up, GAME's website removed all trace of the offer.

 

[Iteru]

I did find it unusual that at the same time gamestation got their advert up, GAME's website removed all trace of the offer.

GAME owns Gamestation.

I'm guessing they moved the offer so that Gamestation would aquire more business.

GAME online pre-orders would get the figures while Gamestation in-store pre-orders would get the figures.

That makes me wonder if Gamestation has an online pre-ordering service.

 

[jennytablina]

I went to Fitzroy Street for store opening =3
I did find it unusual that at the same time gamestation got their advert up, GAME's website removed all trace of the offer.

We were over by Grafton with the Game and Gamestation (pratically) next to each other. Gamestation was actually open a good half-hour before Game was.

Plus TBH they seemed to shift most of the Pokemon advertising over to Gamestation a few weeks ago as they had the large trade in offer, figures and promo material. Its sort of why I dont pre-order very far in advance because technically until they are fully set in stone with ads and all theres no promises on promo items.

Gamestation always aimed itself more towards the 'core gamers than Game and I think this is part of that marketing scheme? Game has passed off a lot of promo stuff to them in the past year (or it seems that way to me anyway) and I think they are trying to be the "causal" store instead