DigitalBattle.com -- the pulse on video game culture.
  
On August 29th, 2009 in Uncategorized

GameStop is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) game retailers in the entire United States but currently they do not offer rentals like companies such as GameFly. That may all change if recent rumors floating around regarding a possible buyout are to be believed.

Apparently, the Antioch Grove was on hand at a Halo 3: ODST event hosted by GameStop where a representative hinted at a possible buyout. Below is an excerpt from their coverge:

“Perhaps even more interesting than all of the buzz and activity surrounding the event, was a conversation that we had with a few of the Gamestop employees who were helping to host the event. After lamenting about the poor customer experience from the video game by mail company Gamefly, we asked why Gamestop didn’t come up with their own games by mail program, so that residents could get their games from the mail or locally. Pretty much all of the employees agreed that this would be a fine addition to the Gamestop family, but it was what they said afterwards that was a bit surprising.

Apparently, the water cooler gossip around the Antioch and Brentwood stores is that “someone” (Gamestop) is planning on buying out Gamefly before the end of the year. When pressed for more details on the subject, the Gamestop representatives grew quiet and didn’t provide a lot of details, but most of the employees in attendance seemed pretty confident about the rumor. Having a hot game come into town for a preview is exciting, but would pale in consideration to how big this would be. We’re still keeping this one on rumor status until we can get more concrete information, but it definitely caught our attention and something that we will keep our eyes open for.”

If/when this deal goes down it is sure to make GameStop a force to be reckoned with, as if it wasn’t already.

On May 7th, 2009 in Uncategorized

It looks like Microsoft is again looking to expand this time announcing plans to acquire Vancouver, Canada-based game developer BigPark. Apparently, Microsoft has been working with this developer for some time now getting ready to release an Xbox 360 exclusive.

There is no word on how much the deal will go down for or what game Microsoft and BigPark have cookin’ but E3 is right around the corner

For those who weren’t aware, BigPark was started back in 2007 as a collaboration of former EA and Distinctive Software executives.

On April 22nd, 2009 in Uncategorized

Square Enix’s takeover of Eidos Interactive has been an ongoing effort since last year when the deal was originally penned.

Well, Gamasutra is reporting that a court has finally made the take over official giving Square Enix control of valuable Eidos game franchises like Tomb Raider and Deus Ex.

So now that Square Enix’s $117 million buyout has been made official, what’s next? Are we going to see Laura Croft make a cameo in an upcoming Final Fantasy game? Let’s hope not!