Famous UK games retailer, GAME, confirmed today that it won't be stocking EA's highly anticipated Mass Effect3. The company brushed the matter up as a "supply issue," but a leaked internal memo revealed that this was a deliberate decision made by GAME's executives.
"We currently have a supply issue with regards to Mass Effect 3, which means that GAME and gamestation will not be able to fulfil orders for Mass Effect 3 at this time," said GAME in a public statement. "We want to give customers as much notice about this as possible and provide them with a range of options ahead of launch."
But an internal memo written by GAME's UK channel director Tom Devine revealed the real reasons behind the decision.
"We committed to only stocking products on which we could get the right credit terms, regardless of the title or the supplier. We will not stock products if the terms are not right for our business - we will not sacrifice long-term credit requirements for short term sales opportunities," the memo reads.
"As a result of us taking this position - a position that we believe is critical to our long term health as a business - we have taken the very difficult decision to not stock EA's March releases, including Mass Effect 3."
"As a specialist retailed dedicated to games and gaming, it is never easy to make a decision not to stock a title, particularly one with such a strong fan base. But it is imperative that we treat every supplier evenly, that we stick to our commitments, and tar we didn't sign up to payment terms that will hamper us further in the future."