GameStop and CBS Launch TV Network (Yay!!!)

The corporate bigwigs over at GameStop and CBS have teamed up to make standing in line at GameStop an entertaining experience. A new, in-store only television network that, according to MCV, constantly cycles through a series of “product promotions, game previews, developer interviews and other customized content, as well as advertising…CBS programs, including content from CBS Television, CBS College Sports, Last.fm and other CBS Corporation properties.” Which, to me, sounds like a fancy way of saying, “nothing but commercials!”

Ah…the fond memories of GameStop shopping. Walking through the mall. Weaving through the crowd of unattended children on a school day, old people dying on benches and the smells of coffee and perfume permeating every single molecule of oxygen. Navigating the routes past the generic cell phone and sunglasses booths in order to get to the GameStop, tucked lovingly between the nutrition store and the bright-pink-tween-girls-clothing-monstrosity, giving all the employees and shoppers ample chance to mock me for my materialistic desires.

GameStop’s SVP of marketing had this to say on the transition: “GameStop is gaining more brand traction every year, and part of our success is creating a fun, exciting store environment where our customers like to hang out.”

Hang out? Really? Is there going to be a stool to sit down and watch these clips stuck between the rack of used GameCube controllers and cardboard display stands? Or perhaps a tiny coffee bar? It can be placed right next to the constant line of people four deep, while one guy at the check out counter scans games and three other employees stand around the desk seemingly doing nothing, whatsoever. That way, the man trading in the past 3 years of Madden games for $7.50, the mother who just wants to know if there are any Wiis in stock, some kid fresh out of Junior High trying to buy GTA IV, and someone trying to pre-reserve some game you’ve never heard of can sip a hot latte while watching the latest GameStop TV in line.

A television network isn’t going to make me want to stay more than the normal 5 minutes to check the wall for used, cheap games and just as quickly turn around and leave.