There is a debate raging in the gaming community right now. Everywhere you look, gamers and those who do not play are arguing over whether or not there is such a thing as gaming addiction. The studies are inconclusive; every time you hear about a study backing the existence of video game addiction, you find numerous stories debunking it. Even gamers seem to be split on the issue; while many want to argue it does not exist, others say they have experienced symptoms similar to that of other addictions.

So in the middle of all of the turmoil, the question remains: can someone get addicted to video games?

The Basics of Addiction

So what do we mean when we use the phrase “addiction?” I mean, we all have our own ideas of what an addiction is, but if we are going to get the the bottom of this, we need to have an agreed upon definition of the term itself. Dictionary.com defines addiction as:

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

The state of being enslaved to a habit. That is a good place to begin. Addiction is a form of enslavement. This is something I would argue most of us have probably seen throughout our lives. Ever known someone who was addicted? Serious addicts ruin their lives as they chase after their fix. If you have ever known anyone who was addicted to serious drugs, you have probably witnessed this first hand.

Still, it does not have to be something like heroin or meth. I have known many smokers throughout my life who are enslaved to their cigarettes. They know smoking is killing them, they know the packs are costing more and more money, and yet they just cannot stop. Just as a slave must obey its master, an addict must obey his or her cravings. They are not impossible to beat, but you just cannot walk away from them either.

Addictions are not just limited to things that give you a physical sensation, however. Look back at the definition; addictions can include things that are psychologically habit forming. People can become addicted to porn, gambling, companionship or any number of other things. Anything you use as an escape from reality can become an addiction, even work.

So, if we are taking this view of addiction, you could argue that someone could become addicted to video games. Believe it or not, however, that is not the point of this article. We here at Everyday Gamers are not looking to prove or disprove to anyone the existence of video game addictions.

So what is the purpose of this article? Well, I want to tell you all a story. In order for you to fully understand this story, I needed you to understand what my stance on addiction is. I want you all to know what I mean when I say I consider myself to have been a video game addict.

The Story Begins

It was my sophomore year in high school. I was trying to figure out who the heck I was in the midst of the changing world around me. My mom and dad were divorced; my mother was actually just working on her second divorce, while my dad had just recently remarried. I was living with my dad, and at the time, my relationship with my step-mom was not the best. One of my best friends had just moved to Alaska, which was a heck of a long ways away from Albuquerque, NM, and I was trying to find a way to deal with all of the changes around me and the usually issues of just being a teenager. It was not a good time in my life, and many times I found myself needing some form of escape.

Around this time, I was really getting into running. Nothing seriously competitive; I just enjoyed going for runs, especially the occasional event style 5K run. Well, my dad and step-mom insisted that if I was going to do this, I needed to practice, which makes sense. There was a great bicycle/walking path not far from my house, so I would often head there and run a mile or two.

Well, this was 1990-1991, which if you remember from reading the Retro Active article on the arcades was just when they were seeing their resurgence. Not far from my house was a local arcade, and it just happened to be the same direction as this path I ran. As things got harder at home, I found myself going to this arcade instead of doing the running I was supposed to do. After all, this arcade had my favorite game: Street Fighter II.

That was how it started. I used the local arcade and that game in particular to escape the world around me. In the arcade, I was a decent player; not the best, but far from the worst. I was fairly respected among those who came there, and while I lost many battles, I put up a good fight. More than anything, I felt like I was among people who understood me. I felt safe.

The Plot Thickens

The summer after my sophomore year, everything changed. I had always spent the summers with my mom, but I had modified that agreement so I could stay in Albuquerque to get a job. I was hoping to get some spending money to get myself a stereo among other things, and the job would give me a reason to get out of the house, where relations were getting rough. It did not take me too long to find my first real job: working as a buss boy at the Steaksmith, a local restaurant attached to Coronado Mall. I made less than minimum wage with a cut of the tips of the servers making up the difference, something not uncommon in the restaurant trade.

Now image this, if you will: a teenager who is already using video games as an escape getting a job at a restaurant where he was paid at least partially in cash every day and that happens to be attached to a mall with a thriving arcade. If you are thinking this was a recipe for disaster, you’re right.

Video games began to consume me.

My shift at the Steaksmith did not start will 10:30 AM  and ended around 2:30m PM. this allowed me 30 minutes before my shift to game, and often just a little time afterward to get some time in before I would be too late getting home to be able to hide what I was doing. That was all it was at first. In time, however, I was finding it harder to pry myself away from the games. While I was never quite late for work because of gaming, I came close on several occasions, and I started getting home later than I could really explain. On top of that, I started to take money from my checks to support my gaming habit.

Needless to say, I hit a point where I could no longer hide what I was doing. To say my dad and step-mom were ticked off when they found out what I was doing is an understatement. They started demanding to see my deposit slips to make sure I was actually putting my checks in the bank. They also tried to limit my ex[osure to games, but that was tough to do when I worked at a mall.

I remember when everything really came to a head. My dad and step-mom had just about had it with me, and they threatened to send me to live with my mom if I screwed up one more time. They were headed for vacation, and my grandmother was coming into town to watch me, since I had to stay for work. That first day they were gone, I stayed at the arcade till around 6 PM, finally calling my grandmother who was worried sick. I knew I had blown my last chance, and in pretty short order, I was packing to move to Phoenix.

So how bad did things get? Well, I cannot remember for certain, but in about 2 months time, I spent over $200 on coin-op video games, and this was back when the majority of the games I was playing were still 25 cents a piece. I was out of control. I was addicted.

Breaking the Cycle

You’ll notice that I used the past tense there. I am no longer addicted to gaming, though when I am not careful, I can get lost in them once more.

So how did I get past the addiction? There is no magic formula; all I did was what you would normally do when dealing with an addiction.

1. Admit you have a problem: While I may not have been ready to step out at the time and state I was addicted, I knew something was wrong. After all, I had just blown and inordinate amount of money on arcade games, and though gaming was something I truly enjoyed, I knew there had to be a limit somewhere. When I moved to Phoenix, I think a part of me thought it would just go away, but it didn’t. I had to admit I had a problem, and I had to deal with it.
2. Remove the temptation: So this part was relatively easy for me. When I moved to Phoenix, I was no longer working at a mall, and though I could get to one relatively easy, I did not have the money to spend. So, as you can probably see, removing the temptation was rather easy for me. Still, it was a necessary step, even if it was not one I took voluntarily.
3. Deal with the issues that drove you to game: I’m not going to bore you with all the details of how I dealt with the pressures that were leading me to lose myself in video games. The fact of the matter is I did deal with them. I had been using the games as an escape, and the addiction was not broken until I dealt with what I was using them to escape.

Now I am probably making this sound much easier that it actually was. Though I was beyond the worst of it rather quickly, it took years to be completely over the addiction. I still remember spending $3o some odd dollars at the arcade at Disneyland on one of our church choir trips. Think about it: I was at Disneyland, and I was spending my time and money in the arcade. There was still something wrong with me for quite a while afterward.

In the end, I can point to one thing that really pulled me out of the addiction: my faith. I truly believe God was able to help me get past the addiction itself, allowing me not only to eventually return to playing the games I enjoy, but opening the door for me to write for  Everyday Gamers, something for which I am very grateful.

So that is my story. I am not trying to convince anyone of the dangers of video game addiction here. I am just relaying my experiences with it in hopes that anyone else who might be struggling with it to see there is a way out. There are others who have struggled through it, and it can be beaten.

2009 graced us with many great titles, but 2009 is gone. Let’s take a look at what 2010 has in store for us. The writers of Everyday Gamers have each made a list of their top 6 most anticipated titles of 2010.

Laren Hawkins:

MGS: Peace Walker – Being the proud new owner of a PSP Go, I am really looking forward to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. I have played the demo and while it is challenging, it is very good. I have to admit though, this is the first time I have played anything MGS. The graphics are amazing controls work very well. I like how you can choose to use stealth or just run-in and gun. The current release date is set to 3/18/10!

Pokemon: Heart Gold and Soul Silver – This is the most anticipated DS game I have for this year so far. Yes, I am a pokeaddict and I can not wait for these games. The graphics seem improved, and I like how your partner Pokemon can walk around with you. I may be about to turn 16 but, I can not help but, love these games. The current release date is set to 3/14/10

Lead and Gold:  Gangs of The Wild West – This game looks absolutely amazing. I do not many details about this game however, I do know its from Paradox and they have a pretty good track record.

Lost Planet 2 – I really liked the first Lost Planet and found it original and refreshing. The graphics were pretty good and it had a solid story. I am greatly looking forward to see what Capcom has up their sleeves with this one!

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep – I heard about this release recently and am excited for two reasons. 1: it is on the PSP. 2: I have NEVER played a Kingdom Hearts game before. It is also an action-RPG.  I have seen some screenshots and it looks amazing! The release dates are as follows: Japan: January 9th, 2010 US: TBA 2010

Mod Nation Racers – We first got a glimpse of this game back at E3’09 and I have to say , I was very impressed. It is the product of taking LittleBigPlanet and merging it with Mario Kart. Not only is is coming to the PS3 but, it is supposed to be released for the PSP ( as per a Gamestop listing).

Chris Maeurer

Mass Effect 2 – After finally finishing the first game, I can’t wait for the sequel, it’s easily my most looked forward to game of 2010.  The conversations, the combat, the universe created stands out as one of the best new IP’s of late, and with Bioware pushing the limits for the sequel, anticipation couldn’t be higher!

Assassin’s Creed 2 – No, Ladies and Gents, that’s not a typo.  While the console release has picked up quite a bit of steam, the PC iteration of this hopeful title will not hit until March 16th, and once again anticipations are high.  From all accounts, it would seem Ubisoft took gamer’s criticisms of the first game into consideration and made this second installment a better, more evolved game, and I can’t wait to take it for a spin on the PC!

Alpha Protocol – Mix Mass Effect and Modern Warfare, and you will have gamer’s chomping at the bit!   This game gets more amazing the more I see about it, and I worry if it will live up to the hype, but I am still on for the ride.  Take a solid shooter, and infuse the story-telling and conversations from Mass Effect and I am so sold on this game.  Not to mention the three ‘classes’ offered to the player sound intriguing, and may just be the icing on the cake if this title delivers.  Who says revenge is a dish best served cold?  I want it piping hot, and that’s what Alpha Protocol is shaping up to be!

Aliens Vs. Predator – What’s not to love about this franchise?  The two previous PC iterations garnered lots of praise, and the Jaguar game was easily a system seller, so there’s a lot to love about the universe and characters if Sega and Rebellion can pull this off.  Solid Single and Multiplayer with next-gen graphics and this is a must win for 2010.

Tron : Evolution – I know, I of all people should know how licensed games turn out, but I can’t help holding out hope for Tron.  The first movie was beloved, the second is anything but rushed, and I am praying this game gets the attention it deserves to cater to the fans.  Set between the upcoming film and the original, this game has me intrigued to see if it can break away from the monotonous junk pile of licensed games.  It has amazing potential, so I will hope against hope that Disney Interactive can make this game better than a light cycle ride!

Metro 2033 – Everything I’ve seen from THQ’s new IP has me waiting with baited breath for a game I never knew existed.  With elements of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Fallout, with maybe a sprinkle of Hellgate, it is really going to be interesting to see if this game can turn out to be great or if it will jsut be a bad knock-off of any of the titiles I’ve just mentioned.  So far the screenshots and previews are looking good, and the game is set to ship in March, so we won’t have to wait long to see how the apocalypse looks in Russia.

Eric Bouchard

Mass Effect 2 – This has been on my list since I finished the first Mass Effect. I cannot wait to continue the adventures of Commander Sheapard and his team. New characters new environments and a storyline that appears to be shaping up to be even better than the first have made this the fist game I have pre-ordered in a long time. Add a revised combat system, smarter teammate AI and controls, new weapons and the intereupt feature…. Well, I could go one forever listing why I am looking forward to this game, but you are all probably tired of hearing about it buy now.

Alpha Protocol – First read about this game in Game Informer, and it is one I have looked forward to ever since. A spy RPG that lets you take the main character along 3 unique training paths, shaping your spy in the mold of Bond, Bourne or Bauer. This shooter meshed with an RPG is one that hopefully hasn;t fallen off too many people’s radars. Oh, and don’t let issues you may have had with Knights of the Old Republic II scare you off this game. Obsidian was never given the opportunity to finish the sequal to Bioware’s RPG. Given a chance to take the time to build its own game, Obsidian has all the makings of a hit.

Alan Wake – I am generally not much of one for survival horror games, but this thriller from Remedy, the makers of Max Payne, has really caught my eye. The game follows Alan wake, a horror novelist who is facing writer’s block. His wife takes him to a small town to help get the creative juices flowing, but everything starts to fall apart as he losses his manuscript, and his story starts to come to life. Alan’s only real weapon against these “creatures” is light, and from what Remedy has shown, the studio intends to use that rather creatively. The story is being told in mini series style, with the chapters being broken up with flashbacks of what happened on the “last episode.” What was shown at E3 really piqued my interest, and I cannot wait to play it.

Puzzle Quest 2 – Puzzle Quest is one of my top 10 games of all time, but D3 Publishers has not done a good job with the games following it. Galactrix was a disapointment, and Puzzle Kingdoms came and went without much fanfare. With that in mind, you may be wondering why I so looking forward to Puzzle Quest 2. It’s because D3 is returning to the franchise and formula it just about perfected with the first one. As long as the company does that, I can see myself once again spending a lot of time with this puzzle based RPG.

Just Cause 2  – I have to admit, this one snuck up on me. It was not until I saw the video of the demo of the game done at E3 that I developed any kind of interest. Even if the storyline ends up being completely forgetable, there is just something about the gameplay combinations of the grappling hook and parachute that will make this a game worth playing. Imagine using the two in combination to rise above enemies, grapling them to exploding barrels and finding other creative ways to take on entire armies. Just watch some gameplay footage; you will want to play it as well.

Star Craft 2 – Many of you may be thinking my listing of this game in my 2010 most anticipated is wishful thinking, and maybe it is. Still, Blizzard has said it intends to get the Terran campaign for Star Craft 2 out by the end of 2010, and if that happens, I will probably be forced to buy a new computer just to play it. Star Craft is hands down the best Real Time Strategy game I have ever played, and the sequel looks to be ever bit better than its predecessor. New units, improvements to an already top-notch multiplayer and the continuation of Star Craft’s incredible story makes this game and absolute must own.

Patrick Adams

Crackdown 2 – This is easily my most anticipated game of 2010. I was a major fan of the first one and I am totally siked that Microsoft decided to keep this franchise alive. I know that this game will  be pure fun.

BioShock 2 – Whether you are skeptical about this one or not you can’t hide the fact that the first one was one of the best games you ever played (well at least it is in my book). My fingers are crossed that the second one is just as great but it has a lot to live up to. None-the-less it’s still going to be a day one purchase.

Red Steel 2 – Why not? I am one of the few people out in the world that thought the first Red Steel was fun. I’m not sure what it was exactly about the game but I liked it. With WiiMotion Plus out now I think that the developer will be able to fix all the problems the first one had and they will finally be able to achieve the quality first person shooter that they’ve wanted to since the beginning.

Splinter Cell: Conviction - The first look at this game that we got a while back had everyone worried but now it looks to be the best yet. I think as long as it sticks with the core gameplay that made the Splinter Cell series so awesome I’m sure it won’t dissapoint.

Halo: Reach – I’m not the biggest Halo fan but I appreciate a good shooter, especially after playing crap like Rogue Warrior. Halo Reach has huge potential. I expect Microsoft will milk this one as much as they can with a lot of commercials, themes, controllers, limited edition consoles, etc.

Fallout: New Vegas – If New Vegas is Fallout 3 with a new setting them I’m sure to love it. The only problem is that we don’t really know what New Vegas will be. Either way it’s still one of my most anticipated games of 2010. I absolutely loved the first and I trust Obsidian’s ability to make a great game.

Honorable Mentions: Fable III, EyePet, HL2: Episode 3 (maybe?), ModNation Racers, and DeathSpank.

Jordan de Boer

Mass Effect 2 – I don’t know what is harder, counting down the days to the release of Mass Effect 2…or trying to avoid the spoilers while doing so. The internet is absolutely bursting at the seams with hype and excitement for this game, and for good reason. I don’t question whether or not I will be playing this game through to completion; I just question how many times and in how short a period of time.

Heavy Rain – I can confirm that my jaw is still firmly in place on the floor from the original 2006 teaser video for this game. The visuals, the voice acting and the facial animation..even back then they were amazing. The grand promises of arching story paths and heavy in-game consequences in reaction the players choices has me at full attention.

Splinter Cell : Conviction – Yes, the last Splinter Cell game was a mess, I’ll be the first to admit that. They stepped in it big time. I don’t, however, want to let that cloud my judgment of what has been shown so far of Conviction. Ubisoft Montreal is behind the wheel now and things are looking up in a major way. Just watching this new (less emo) version of Sam Fisher flawlessly combining stealth and action has many people drooling, including myself.

Ghost Recon 4 – We don’t exactly know what this game is going to be, but if it’s anything like the previous Ghost Recon games, it’s going to be awesome. The title “Ghost Recon : Future Soldier” was recently trademarked by Ubisoft and 2010 is floating around as the release date. I’m all ears.

I Am Alive – My dark horse of the bunch. The preposed post-disaster survival story set in Chicago originally got me interested and what little we have seen of the game visually also has had a funny way of drawing me in. Some troubling news about development issues has contributed to an overall lack of excitement for this game, but the year is young.

Honorable Mentions: Mirror’s Edge 2. Make it happen!

Source

As with most iPhone games I just decided to get it on a whim. I wasn’t sure if I would even like it but I trusted the people who suggested it so I went ahead and purchased it for the wonderful price of $2.99.

The main concepts of Eliss are actually very simple. It may look intimidating but it’s really not. The object is to combine the circles that randomly appear with each other to make bigger circles. Once a circle is big enough you drag it into a “pod” that also appears at random. The pod then disappears. Each level has a specific amount of times you are to do this and once you do that amount the level ends and you move on to the next. The second concept in the game is splitting the circles to make them smaller. There will be smaller pods that appear so you must split the large circles by using two fingers and dragging them apart.

The way you die in this game is when you let the different colored circles touch each other. The longer they touch the more your life goes down. In the later levels there is a lot going on on the screen so it can be very hard to keep the circles from touching. I even found myself holding my iPhone in ways I didn’t know where possible just so that I could use four fingers.

I’m currently on the 10th level and there is 25 levels total. One last thing I want to mention is the art-style of Eliss. It’s very plain and simple but this plain and simple look is what makes Eliss so appealing.

Overall I love Eliss and I highly recommend it. Don’t be intimidated, you will get the hang of it no later than 5 minutes in.

Check out the video below for the first 3 levels of Eliss:

Make sure to check out EDGvideos.com for more videos

When a good thing turns bad: I remember the old days of EB Games and GameStop. It wasn’t that long ago that any trip I made to a mall that had one of those two stores invariably ended up with me in it, probably more than once on that trip. I loved looking at their selection of games, trying to find the one I had been looking for or that gem you could not find elsewhere.

Christmas of 2006: I was working as the acting GM of a local Christian bookstore. Two of my coworkers (twin brothers no less) and I would frequent the EB that was in the same mall. The employees there came to know us, and when it came time to hire some holiday staff, they invited us to work for them. We jumped at the chance to get the discount and “rent games,” so of course we signed up.

It wasn’t long afterward that GameStop bought out EB. We were already being told by those working within the company that this was not a good thing. Most of them felt EB was the better company. At first, it seemed like sour grapes on their part, but it did not take long to see they were right. The change in policies at the stores, as well as not making it an emphasis to hire people who cared about games, started to leave a cold taste in our mouths. I did have to go back to work on a more permanent basis with the company in 2007-2008, and though it was made tolerable by great managers, I was not exactly relishing the experience.

I could go into a long list here of what is wrong with GameStop, but that is really not the idea behind this article. I just wanted you all to know I have seen the company from an insider’s perspective, and I have seen what was a company I really liked turn its back on the people they supposedly are there to serve.

The problem is that GameStop is the big player in the video game market. The company is the most recognized brand.

They are not the only one, however.

The Alternatives: There was a time where it was basically Gamestop/EB or bust. Then Game Crazy came, but it really did not last long; you can still find a few out there, but it is no longer a reliable brand.

So where do you go to get your games, especially used games, if you don’t want to just continue to feed into the corporate shell that is Gamestop?

Play N Trade is a new group of independent franchises appearing nationwide.

1) Play N Trade: never heard of this company? That’s not too surprising. They are relatively new, but Play N Trades are starting to pop-up all over the country. So what makes them any better than GameStop? Each store is an independent franchise and opposed to a corporate shell. What this means is the owners are given much more freedom when it comes to how they design the store, what they carry, and what specials and events they have. A couple of friends of mine just opened one in Phoenix, and the difference between this store and the local Gamestops is HUGE! They have 8 flat screen TVs with consoles hooked up for demoing games, a clean, open environment that encourages browsing titles, and a growing selection of retro games and consoles, something Gamestop refuses to carry. I even bought a Retro Duo there, which is a system that lets you play NES and SNES games. Now like any chain, there will be differences between stores, but if this is peeking your interest, check out http://playntrade.com and see if there is a store near you. If there is, check it out. You may just like what you find.

2) Local stores: Many larger cities have local games shops that either existed before GameStop and have still managed to hang in there or cater to a specific market, such as retro gamers. In Arizona, one such place is called Bookmans. Now Bookmans is more than just a video game shop: the chain deals in used books, movies, music, electronics, games….basically a little of just about everything. You can buy anything from a paperback novel to a 360 there (in fact, that is where I bought mine). The downside of a store like Bookmans is it only deals in used, which means you are not going to be able to buy the newest and biggest games there unless someone has traded it in. On the flipside, you can trade in anything they sell there for trade credit towards games, which is a VERY nice feature I have taken advantage of many times.

Bookmans is just one example of the kind of local stores you can find. Take a look at your local yellow pages or google video game stores in your area code. You may just find a store that is to your liking.

Sites like Amazon.com, Gamefly and ShopGoodwill.com can be great places to buy games.

3) Internet Sites: There are a ton of internet sites for gamers and game deals. Playswitch.com allows you to buy used games at a set price and sell your games as well. Since it eliminates the middle man when buying or selling games, you get better deals. Game HQ lets you buy or trade games for great deals. You can even consider joining Gamefly; not only do they rent games, they sell them to members at great discounts, and they give you even more discounts the longer you are a member. There’s also Ebay, Amazon, and a whole host of other internet sites that specialize in gaming and have great deals for people willing to search.

The Choice is Yours: I’m not here to tell you to never purchase anything from GameStop again. I can’t even say I never will. All I am trying to say is there are alternatives out there. If you are tired of the practices and attitude of the corporate giant, take a look around you. See if there is a local store you can frequent instead, or do a little research on the web and find a net based retailer you like. The choices are out there.

Gamestop has come to act as if it is the only game in town. Maybe it’s time we as gamers prove the company wrong.

============================ Another Take ================================

David Lange:

Ah yes the good old days of EB games and that coveted trip to the mall that would invariably find you there. I remember those days, when going to a game store was something you actually looked forward to with youthful glee. At least that’s what I’ll tell my children, when I reminisce about the golden age of retail gaming, because thanks to the soulless corporate zombie known as GameStop those joyous occasions are quickly being relegated to fond memories alone. “Son, when I was a boy, I would walk 7 miles through the snow to go to EB.” Today I wouldn’t go to GameStop if someone carried me on a cushioned pedestal. I exaggerate slightly. But not about the lack of joy, or the nostalgia of an era when your local game store was a veritable cornucopia of electronic euphoria (yeah, it was that good).

At the age of 25 (a genuine “old fart” in gaming years) I can speak to a new generation of 13-somethings whose only experience of retail gaming is an irritated sales clerk too busy unpacking a box to go get the Xbox 360 you’re trying to buy (oh wait that’s my experience). Really it isn’t all that bad, but it isn’t particularly good either, and that’s the point. It’s a sad state when a trip to the “game store” means logging onto Amazon.com, but I’d rather do that than go to an over-sized, understocked retailer.

So what changed? Lot’s of things I suppose, but the primary factor is the prevalence of industry giants such as Walmart and Best Buy. As corporations it makes good sense for them to avoid costly micro management of the multitude of product catagories they offer. Instead they focus on the mass market of the mainstream consumer. Jack of all trades and masters of none, as these commercial behemoths increase in size they swallow up various markets, smothering specialized retailers with name brand, mass marketed mediocrity. Each particular industry they absorb is marginalized and even stores such as GameStop that do “specialize” in one department still suffer from the corporate machine, cogs in which they are.

What EDG staffer Eric has done here with this feature is struck a blow for gamers everywhere, and I encourage everyone to look to alternative sources when trading and buying games. As hardcore gamers the video game community we belong to is a great thing that defines who we are. Every time we take the easy way out and buy from companies that don’t care about the individual gamer we contribute to the slow disappearance of this subculture. In the information age there are far better and more enjoyable ways to indulge in our beloved hobby, and going to the local “big box” stores is a lazy excuse we are all guilty taking. Over the next few weeks EverydayGamers.com will be featuring articles that look at unique opportunities to play and save. I hope we’ve got your attention because we’re just getting started.

Thomas Pine:

I couldn’t agree more with what Eric or David have stated. As a former employee of GameStop, I can sympathize with the underpaid minions who call GameStop their employer, but I have no compassion for the company because of what it has done to gaming. Yes, as Eric remarked, there is too much to cover in too little space, but all one needs to do is spend a little time inside one of these stores and the problems quickly become apparent. Fortunately, as the title of this article suggests, there are many other options available for gamers seeking games.

Sure you could bypass GameStop and go directly to the Best Buy or Walmart, but in essence you would be defeating the purpose. GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart – no matter the name they’re all the same monster. So, where should you go to buy your games? Most of the obvious answers have already been stated above, but allow me to rattle off a few of my top choices:

Amazon.com – Want to find a decent to great price on a game without having to wait through hours or even days of bidding? Amazon is one of your best choices. Not only do you have the option to buy games directly through Amazon, but you can also preorder upcoming titles, purchase accessories and hard to find gems, and shop various other sellers items. It’s like eBay without the bidding option. Like a game and the price? Then buy it from the seller. As an added bonus Amazon offers “deals of the day” and “gold box” deals, with both of these options giving you an increased savings over the msrp. Qualified orders also ship for free.

ShopGoodwill.com – This is a little known secret that I have been holding on to for a while. Most of you are familiar with the name Goodwill, but you probably associate it with “other peoples garbage”. Maybe that’s true, but remember the old saying – “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I have to say that I was completely surprised when I stumbled upon this site. It a retro-gamers paradise, with games and systems ranging from as far back as the Atari to the more modern 360. Choose an item that you like and bid on it, if the bidding ends with you on top pay for the item and have it shipped. It’s a strait forward process with little hassle, but a big payoff.

Independently owned local game stores – Many names have been mentioned above, but these are going to vary from city to city. I have a few in my town that I frequent, and I’ve found that it pays to become friendly with the owners. Once you’ve built a rapport with these guys, you’ll find that they’ll keep an eye out for you if there is something that you are looking for in particular. Obviously they’re not always going to have as large a stock of games as the GameStops or Best Buys, but if you put in a request most likely they can obtain what you are looking for. In addition, you’re most likely going to be able to find harder to locate games and systems through these smaller guys, because the don’t have to go by a corporate standard of what they accept as trade-in items.

Kurt Roberts:

As a self professed budget gamer, meaning I don’t buy new releases at full price and more often than not buy used, I share the same memories of EB back in the day. (Remember free shipping and stackable coupons online that resulted in purchases that cost them more to ship than they would profit?) Without getting into a rant about Gamestop and their incessantly poor sales techniques bordering on harassment, or the insanely off balance employee structure where they either know nothing about gaming or think that they know everything and aren’t open to other viewpoints, I like others have turned to alternatives. In a small town where your only options are Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Gamestop, I have found online resources to be the best.

Forums like those at Cheapassgamer.com or dvdtalk.com are great resources for current gaming deals, and if you visit frequently you might happen upon a very short lived sale or pricve mistake. Store ads are often posted weeks in advance, so knowing that a game you want will be $10 cheaper next week or come with a gift card is great. In the used market, half.com and ebay used to be decent, but recent policy updates and sellers dishonesty has turned me away. Amazons used markets and selling/trading subforums of the above mentioned sites are great peer-to-peer oppertunities. Gamefly often has free shipping sales with great prices, available to those who aren’t even on a rental plan with them. Patience pays off, other than a very few ‘must have’ new releases, I never pay more than $20 for a game.