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ShopTo refusing to stock Activision titles

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ShopToActivision

Eurogamer is reporting on a very strange turn of events in Europe this morning. Apparently Shopto.net, one of Europe’s largest gaming retailers, has stated that they will no longer stock any Activision titles moving forward.

What’s made them have this change of heart? Well apparently Activision has laid down the law for Call of Duty: Ghosts and have stated that no retailer, online or offline, is allowed to release a copy of Ghosts before one minute past midnight on the release day.

Brick and Mortar stores don’t really care about this as that is how they’ve always worked but e-tailers were previously allowed to post the game a day before to allow their customers to get their titles on the day of release.

According to ShopTo boss, Ian Cipolletta,

Activision’s policy of only allowing e-tailers to despatch one day before release date effectively destroys an e-tailer’s pre-order campaign

This has the undesired effect of previously loyal and satisfied customers thinking that, if we can’t ‘get it right’ for one of the biggest games of the year, why should they trust us with any future orders?

Their friends and acquaintances, by word of mouth and social media, (despite possibly not having ever ordered from us), would see us (and possibly e-tailers as a whole) as unreliable. This despite all the time and hard work my team and the myriad of other publishers put into other titles during the year.

Of course this Activision policy is not for every title, but due to the volume and fever pitch Call of Duty seems to generate (both positive and negative), it causes the most damage to us

Apparently the UK office of Activision has become increasingly frustrated at retailers breaking release dates, something we are quite used to in South Africa as well, and as such are refusing to budge on this new rule.

In the end it’s really the customers who get hurt the most as our choices start being whittled away which always ends up meaning higher prices and worse service.

However ShopTo don’t appear to only be taking this stance on moral grounds, Ian goes on to say that selling the game on a Tuesday is simply a stock market trick to make their first week sales look better as they are counted until the end of Sunday.

And that ShopTo has actually never made a profit on a Call of Duty release.

Unfortunately, our experience with the Call Of Duty series in the past four years is that our campaigns have been extremely difficult to engender a supportable level of customer satisfaction and in regards to profit, a complete failure.

Our wholesale unit price, added to the fact that the game has a worldwide Tuesday release date, means the processing and shipping requirements of this stock does not accommodate an e-tailers needs. With the requirement to pay staffing costs over the weekend, this would destroy any profit, as we cannot increase our selling price as we risk having zero orders. Essentially, if we receive stock late on a Friday, the processing time we have is halved and our processing costs double

We have seen this year that Disney has listened to retailers regarding the release date for Disney Infinity. I really don’t see why with Activision we can’t have Friday release like any other triple-A title such as FIFA, Battlefield, Injustice, Dishonoured, Far Cry 3 and more

So do you think ShopTo are simply trying to push their weight around to make their lives easier or are Activision the bad guys in this scenario?

I personally don’t like Tuesday release dates, I have work on Wednesday and I’d rather be able to come home from a midnight launch and play until 8am and then go to bed.. not stumble into an office.

Last Updated: May 8, 2013

113 Comments

  1. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    May 8, 2013 at 13:05

    So in other words screw the customer because who cares if they get online pre-orders delivered on day1?

    Reply

  2. Admiral Chief Achievement

    May 8, 2013 at 13:06

    I dunno, I’m not really big on “must play game on day of release”

    I’ve only done this twice and although fun, the hype is a bit, empty :-

    Thoughts?

    Reply

    • AndriyP

      May 8, 2013 at 13:12

      Always believed “must play game on day of release” is only for kiddies in school or people still living in their moms basement

      Im too busy for such luxury

      Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      May 8, 2013 at 13:16

      I refuse to play day 1. Simply because in this day and age you never know what you are going to get.

      Look at SimCiy, DiabloIII, Aliens:CM but to mention a few.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Achievement

        May 8, 2013 at 13:18

        Its like with Microsoft, I refuse a new version until a SP is out

        Reply

        • Rince da Ref Lvl2

          May 8, 2013 at 13:19

          But then you don’t get all that pre-order, special limited edition black ops skin stuff…

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            May 8, 2013 at 13:20

            Luckily I’m not worried about pre-order bonuses.

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 8, 2013 at 13:26

            My bonus is that I did NOT pre-order 🙂
            Peace of mind is the bonus

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            May 8, 2013 at 13:28

            #Winning

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 8, 2013 at 13:21

            Meh, wait a bit, you get bundled edition for baie baie cashrands less.

            Unless its CoD, then you wasted your money in all regards.

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 13:24

            boya!

          • Trevor Davies

            May 8, 2013 at 13:25

            Steam sales baby! Plus I just picked up Brutal Legend in the latest humble bundle for very few randellas. Patience saves you money.

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 8, 2013 at 13:27

            Yeah, I have a “Only buy when less than $9.99” rule for Steam games

            😛

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 13:32

            And what an awesome game you are in store for mate, it ROCKS!

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 13:42

            Need assistance sideline ref! @Erwin_Kempff:disqus @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus Some evidence has come to light…

          • Deon Steyn

            May 8, 2013 at 13:49

            In my defense I am merely trying to state that I am remaining positive and will remain positive as long as possible, my stance on COD is well documented and in no way is my need to explain my current situation at all trolling, but I leave it up to you.

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 13:52

            I am waiting on Trevor as what you say is valid. However, I must bring to attention the, what can one say, ‘appearance’ that ‘someone’ is trying to sabotage you… Just not sure who that is…

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 8, 2013 at 13:51

            If the glove fits…

          • Deon Steyn

            May 8, 2013 at 13:53

            You must surely mean if it doesn’t fit 🙁

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 8, 2013 at 13:59

            Then you are it?

          • Trevor Davies

            May 8, 2013 at 13:54

            Well there were a lot of hands in that ruck & can’t really determine who was infringing. Benefit of the doubt… THIS TIME

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:02

            Agreed, there was too much happening, and anyway, to be honest, I was staring at this chicks boobs just behind the posts to notice. @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus SAVED.

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:02

            Agreed, there was too much happening, and anyway, to be honest, I was staring at this chicks boobs just behind the posts to notice. @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus SAVED.

          • Deon Steyn

            May 8, 2013 at 14:15

            YES!

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:18

            But only JUST…

          • Deon Steyn

            May 8, 2013 at 14:24

            @Erwin_Kempff:disqus is roasting my ass every time I post something as it is!

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:25

            Rreally? @Erwin_Kempff:disqus I thought his coaching on and general positive attitude was helping? trololololo!

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:02

            Agreed, there was too much happening, and anyway, to be honest, I was staring at this chicks boobs just behind the posts to notice. @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus SAVED.

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:02

            Agreed, there was too much happening, and anyway, to be honest, I was staring at this chicks boobs just behind the posts to notice. @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus SAVED.

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 13:54

            Okay, I suppose one could read this as meaning ‘how hard it is to stop trolling’?

          • Trevor Davies

            May 8, 2013 at 14:02

            When I read it the first time all I saw was two penises, COD & hard. So I think all his COD trolling is just a cover for how much he enjoys the game trollolol

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:18

            0_o

          • Trevor Davies

            May 8, 2013 at 14:27

            Someone should really tell @DeonSteyn @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus that silence implies consent

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 8, 2013 at 14:29

            Agreed, as does donning a jetpack and flying away!

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          May 8, 2013 at 13:21

          You know what’s sad? That we even have to think like that “Oh well I can’t buy games on launch day because I actually don’t know if it’s quality or not”

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Achievement

            May 8, 2013 at 13:24

            Inderdaad ou maat, inderdaad

    • DarthofZA

      May 8, 2013 at 13:17

      I now only start playing games when I have time. I pretty much ignore all current titles and focus on my backlog. I only buy games when they are on insane specials. I’m falling further and further behind the curve, but I’m paying less and less for the experiences I’m getting. I now have the bonus of patching games before I play broken messes (due to all the issues being fixed before I get the game), saving my hard earned moolahs, and not being disappointed by over-hyped games as I see the reactions people have towards games before I get them.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Achievement

        May 8, 2013 at 13:19

        Janee, Steam specials ftw. Your approach is wise

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief Achievement

        May 8, 2013 at 13:19

        Janee, Steam specials ftw. Your approach is wise

        Reply

    • Rince da Ref Lvl2

      May 8, 2013 at 13:18

      Do you think this will create issues with servers for CoD players though?

      Reply

    • Rince da Ref Lvl2

      May 8, 2013 at 13:18

      Do you think this will create issues with servers for CoD players though?

      Reply

      • LordCaptainAwesomeness

        May 8, 2013 at 13:20

        Nah, The 5-year-old-audience (mental and Physic age) are usually tucked into bed by their mommies at Midnight… So waiting till the next day to play COD should not affect them in the least…

        Reply

        • OVG OfflineVideoGamer

          May 8, 2013 at 13:24

          🙂

          Reply

  3. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 8, 2013 at 13:13

    Who plays that shit anyway?

    Reply

    • Rince da Ref Lvl2

      May 8, 2013 at 13:17

      Ain’t me for da sure! @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus What about you?

      Reply

  4. matthurstrsa

    May 8, 2013 at 13:16

    Yeah, I admire them for taking a stand. I think gaming companies get away with a lot these days and someone needs to take a stand somewhere. Also, Tuesday release dates are for the birds. Some of us have Real life waiting for us and can’t always go to work with 3 hours sleep.

    Reply

  5. Rince da Ref Lvl2

    May 8, 2013 at 13:17

    Wtf? This is going to affect all the pirated stuff isn’t it? @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus And what about day one patches?

    Reply

    • Illuchne Mancera

      May 8, 2013 at 13:28

      HAHAHA, poor Deon… all this COD news and 3 days to survive it all and you guys aren’t helping…

      Deon what you think of all this COD talk? 😛

      Reply

      • Rince da Ref Lvl2

        May 8, 2013 at 13:30

        Hahahahah!

        Reply

  6. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 8, 2013 at 13:20

    I suppose the COD fish memory span calls for a day one purchase to change the background visuals before they all become brainwashed during their ACTItunnelVISION FPS games.

    Reply

  7. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 8, 2013 at 13:20

    I suppose the COD fish memory span calls for a day one purchase to change the background visuals before they all become brainwashed during their ACTItunnelVISION FPS games.

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      May 8, 2013 at 13:29

      I think there’s an unwritten rule in COD that you can’t call anyone a n00b unless you started playing on day one, that’s why so many people just have too :/

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Achievement

        May 8, 2013 at 13:30

        That explains a lot

        Reply

      • OVG OfflineVideoGamer

        May 8, 2013 at 13:37

        Its that 30 second window at launch that allows the new COD player ALPHA or NOOB status for the TunnelVISION season.

        I still play CODMW… off-line… I have no friends… and its great 🙂

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Achievement

          May 8, 2013 at 13:57

          YOU PLAY COD??????????

          Reply

          • OVG OfflineVideoGamer

            May 8, 2013 at 14:05

            I watch it, my fingers do the rest.

  8. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 8, 2013 at 13:20

    I suppose the COD fish memory span calls for a day one purchase to change the background visuals before they all become brainwashed during their ACTItunnelVISION FPS games.

    Reply

  9. FoxOneZA - The Chosen One

    May 8, 2013 at 13:24

    Who’s going to buy this game anyways? 😛

    Reply

    • Rince da Ref Lvl2

      May 8, 2013 at 13:25

      @360Mirror:disqus beat you to that punchline 😉

      Reply

      • FoxOneZA - The Chosen One

        May 8, 2013 at 13:27

        Sam to sam…

        Reply

    • OVG OfflineVideoGamer

      May 8, 2013 at 13:27

      great minds

      Reply

  10. CODDAMIT

    May 8, 2013 at 13:30

    GOOD

    Reply

  11. Neji

    May 8, 2013 at 13:33

    Meh… it’s only a game… when I get it… I’ll get it.

    Reply

  12. Admiral Chief Achievement

    May 8, 2013 at 13:34

    Knock knock.
    Who is there?
    Everyone trolling on CoD, except @google-78ff87ad4b67ab07d579d43163b265c2:disqus

    Reply

    • Rince da Ref Lvl2

      May 8, 2013 at 13:35

      HAHAHAHA! WIN

      Reply

    • Illuchne Mancera

      May 8, 2013 at 13:41

      HAHAHA!! Even CoD’s winning more than Deon at this stage…

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Achievement

        May 8, 2013 at 13:59

        To put on the CoDburns?

        Reply

  13. umar bastra

    May 8, 2013 at 14:00

    COD Shmod ….. This series is as generic has Jacob Zuma’s speeches.

    Reply

    • Gareth Lagesse

      May 8, 2013 at 15:00

      Cycle is going in reverse, the arrows are the wrong way around. 😉

      Reply

  14. ianmin

    May 8, 2013 at 14:33

    What’s going to happen then when GTA V releases on 17 Sept 2013 (also a Tuesday)?

    Reply

  15. ianmin

    May 8, 2013 at 14:33

    What’s going to happen then when GTA V releases on 17 Sept 2013 (also a Tuesday)?

    Reply

  16. ianmin

    May 8, 2013 at 14:33

    What’s going to happen then when GTA V releases on 17 Sept 2013 (also a Tuesday)?

    Reply

    • Illuchne Mancera

      May 8, 2013 at 14:59

      It’ll be shipped on the 16th and all the happy gamers will have their copies by 5pm on the 17th… as it should be…

      Reply

  17. ianmin

    May 8, 2013 at 14:33

    What’s going to happen then when GTA V releases on 17 Sept 2013 (also a Tuesday)?

    Reply

  18. Skyblue

    May 8, 2013 at 16:22

    If a retailer is refusing to stock a title due it not being economically viable, it’s not viable. No retailer in their right mind would want to turn down a revenue stream like COD unless it really isn’t worth it, which it would seem, it isn’t.

    Reply

  19. Tbone187

    May 8, 2013 at 16:38

    Quite an article for all the haters who feel like ‘mature’ individuals by taking roller-coaster rides around a fantasy land and killing people with crow attacks…Ha! It’s laughable in fact…

    In any event, it’s a strategic release date…It’s been scheduled by the developer for a reason…Timing is everything in the industry so the retailers should really be adhering to what the developer suggests…

    Reply

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