It’s no secret that the Nintendo Switch has been hard to find due to supply shortages since the console launched in March. Now, UK video game retailer GAME is blaming its current financial issues on the low Nintendo Switch stock.
Apparently, GAME was already worried about a rough finish to the year, but was hoping the Nintendo Switch could help drive up revenues toward the end of the fiscal year. However, due to the shortage of Nintendo Switch consoles, GAME experienced profits “substantially below previous expectations.”
According to gamesindustry.biz, GAME also noted its “continued softness in its core Xbox and PlayStation business,” which undoubtedly had a strong effect on the poor financial showing for the year. That, plus the Nintendo Switch shortage drove the company’s share price down by 30 percent.
Naturally, GAME is hoping to turn things around this next year, and is banking on strong sales with Red Dead Redemption 2, the Xbox One X, and more Nintendo Switch units. The company is also promoting the SNES Classic Edition, allowing gamers in Europe to pre-order the upcoming nostalgia console via its stores.
It will be interesting to see what else GAME does to help make up the dropping profits. Last fall, the company conducted a campaign where it charged gamers a small fee to try out the PlayStation VR in the store. While the company caught a little flak for the move, it showed that GAME is thinking outside the box for ways to increase revenues and profits.
It’s these kind of initiatives that may keep brick-and-mortar video game retailers going at a time when many gamers are purchasing games online. And considering the fact that the SNES Classic may experience the same high demand, the console could run into the same low supply that came with the NES Classic a few months ago.
Granted, there seems to be plenty of hype for the Xbox One X, but the console’s higher cost may make it a prohibitive purchase for many gamers. As Xbox puts it, the console is for hardcore gamers who want a true 4K gaming experience. There’s also the fact that Red Dead Redemption 2 could experience a delay, which would certainly throw a wrench in GAME’s plans.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how well GAME performs this next year. Perhaps the Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch, and games like Red Dead Redemption 2 can put GAME back on track, but this current financial situation could spell the beginning of the end for the company.
The Nintendo Switch is out now.
Source: gamesindustry.biz