GAME No Longer Taking In-Store Pre-Orders on New Games From 1st August, GAME Wallet Also Set to Close

UK retailer GAME is reportedly planning to put an end to in-store pre-orders for new games from the beginning of August. Online pre-orders placed via GAME's website will be unaffected.

That's according to Eurogamer (via GI.biz), which claims that any pre-orders placed in-store for games set to release before 31st January 2025 will be honoured, but any pre-orders for titles scheduled for release after that date, are to be refunded.

This comes off the back of last month's report that GAME would no longer be stocking physical games in its bricks and mortar stores, which the company's parent, Fraser Group, vehemently denied.

"This reporting is categorically not true," a GAME spokesperson said at the time. “GAME continues to support the physical gaming market, offering a wide-range of physical games, hardware, software, accessories and digital gift cards, in stores and online.”

In the UK, GAME now has moved most of its stores into branches of fellow Fraser Group company Sports Direct as a concession. It's also made more space for toys and collectibles, with games taking up considerably less floor space, especially since its trade-in and pre-owned games scheme came to an end.

"Going forward the tills will only be able to sell and return products," a GAME staff member told Eurogamer "No trade-ins, no rewards, no pre-orders, no Xbox All Access, no 'endless aisle' (the ability to order to store)."

GAME has also previously closed down its GAME Elite Rewards programme, and dropped Xbox All Access. Furthermore, GAME will be ending its GAME Wallet on 21st August, with customers no longer able to add funds or gift cards from 18th July and all GAME Wallet accounts are to close on 21st August.