14 DAY TRIAL // GameStop, one of the biggest retail chains specializing in the sale of video games, has announced that it is buying Kongregate, a gaming community built around social and indie projects that are playable through an Internet browser. All the titles are free to play and the content is delivered via Flash. The company says that there are more than 30,000 video games that can be played on Kongregate, with more than 10 million people accessing them each month. GameStop has not disclosed the price it has paid for the transaction.
The developers who put titles up on the platform can implement micro transactions to support their products and players can take advantage of leaderboards, an achievement system and social media features. There are also plans to get Kongregate games on the Android platform.
Tony Bartel, who is the president of GameStop, has said, “Combining Kongregate’s expansive catalogue of games with our well known consumer brand, powerful marketing and strong customer relationships, means that even more gamers will be able to enjoy their games anytime, anywhere and on any device.” Jim Greer, one of the co founders of Kongregate, added that, “Our community will only be enhanced with GameStop’s close relationship with millions of passionate gamers.”
GameStop makes most of its money from its business linked to used games but the company has long talked about how it will be aiming to be an important player in the field of online gaming. The increasing number of gamers who never go to a brick and mortar store to get their titles means that GameStop needs to offer an attractive online destination as an alternative to its physical presence. Recently publishers like Electronic Arts and THQ have taken measures that aim to reduce sales of second hand games and digital distribution can also negatively affect GameStop business.