First it was CDs and DVDs.
Now, it’s going be harder to buy or rent video games in Charlottetown.
Microplay on University Avenue is going out of business and is in the process of selling off all of its stock at a discount.
“Right now, we’re selling everything at half price,’’ said Ryan Callaghan, store manager.
Microplay sells new and used video games but it also rents them out too.
Callaghan said no date has been set yet to close the doors for good.
“We haven’t set one,’’ he said, referring to a closing date. “We’ll keep selling stuff as long as people are coming in, I guess.’’
Callaghan said no specific reason was given to the seven employees by head office.
“I was just told the news and that was it.’’
Callaghan said business has been decreasing over the years and the makers of video games are making it increasingly hard to sell used games and that has taken a toll on Microplay.
“They’re doing some things to kind of phase that out.’’
And the industry is making it harder and harder for those who buy games to share them, for example. Once the purchaser sticks the game in their gaming system, it won’t work in anyone else’s machine unless the person borrowing the game purchases a $10 licence.
“From this point on, it’s going to get even harder. People who make the games really don’t want places like us around because they don’t get a cut of the reused and rental sales.’’
Callaghan added that video game stores aren’t making much off the sale of new games anymore either.
“You’re pretty well selling them at what you paid for them.’’