Today, video game retailer GAME Australia officially announced that it would be joining its UK partner branch in going into Administration (i.e. won’t be selling games anymore). The company will be acquisitioned by OpCapita, a London-based private investment firm. What does this all have to do with Diablo III and the poor bastards who pre-ordered it at a GAME location? They’re out $60, and there’s very little they can do about it.
As a result of GAME going out of business, select locations of the retailer will not be receiving any stock of Diablo III. So, if you happened to pre-order your copy of Diablo III at one of these stores, you’re screwed, and no refunds are being handed out.
A text message was sent to those who have pre-orders with stores that won’t be getting any copies of the game:
“Due to the appointment of an administrator to our business this morning, it is with regret that I inform you all that our stores will not be receiving any stock of diablo 3. Because of this, we regrettably will be unable to fulfill any pre-orders. Also, we will be unable to refund any deposits paid towards a pre-order of diablo 3. If you need any more info, please email [email protected]”
What’s even more mind-boggling, money placed on any pre-orders of Diablo III cannot be transferred for pre-ordering another game. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as angry consumers are going to demand an official statement from GAME or perhaps even Blizzard. I’d hate to be a call-taker at one of the major credit-card providers at this point. There are bound to be quite a few infuriated customers disputing those purchases.
