Brace yourselves, gamers! The iconic EB Games, a mainstay for gaming enthusiasts in New Zealand, might be turning off the lights for good. According to a report from The New Zealand Herald, EB Games is considering shuttering all of its stores and the distribution center across New Zealand, sending ripples through the gaming community!
The bombshell came in a letter to EB Games employees, explaining that while this proposal is on the table, it's not a done deal...yet. The company has pledged to engage in a full consultation process with its team members, leaving the door open for feedback until an all-important January 12 deadline.
Should this plan be given the green light, it spells the end for EB Games New Zealand—with all employment roles on the chopping block. Numbers on potential job losses haven't been divulged yet, but the impact could be sweeping.
Currently, EB Games fuels gaming passions with 374 locations under its Australian and New Zealand banners—and a whopping 38 of those are right here in New Zealand. Not just any gaming retailer, EB Games New Zealand is part of the global giant GameStop, which bought into the brand in the mid-2000s. Interestingly, while US stores rebranded under the GameStop name, the Antipodean branches retained the classic EB Games identity.
The stakes are high, setting the stage for dramatic shifts in New Zealand's retail gaming landscape. Both gamers and employees wait with bated breath for what January 12 might reveal. Don't want to miss a beat on this developing story? Head over to Bluesky, where IGN's Senior Editor Luke Reilly (@mrlukereilly) is on hand for your burning questions!