Gaming
High street stalwart HMV is aiming to take a larger slice of the lucrative videogames market after the chain announced it will open its first dedicated pay-per-play gaming zone from Friday.
The Edinburgh store will be the first, with HMV promising to roll out the scheme across other sites if the idea proves a success.
A total of 27 linked-up Xbox 360 consoles allowing 16-player network gaming and Xbox Live will be available and, once players are signed up to a membership scheme, the store plans to charge customers £5 for three hours' play.
The chain is planning a number of in-store gaming competitions, featuring Guitar Hero III, Project Gotham Racing 4 and Halo 3.
"Games are now an integral part of the HMV offer, and whether we're selling them or, as in this case, also making them available on a pay-per-play basis, it's about getting our customers closer to the things they love, and giving them access to content however they wish to consume it," said Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV.
"This is a really exciting project, which I feel will generate a great deal of interest. If the HMV gaming zone proves a hit, then we'll consider if there are opportunities to roll out the concept to other stores in the chain."
In-store gaming from HMV comes after owners of Birmingham-based gaming centre Omega Sektor revealed it has proved a success.
The Edinburgh store will be the first, with HMV promising to roll out the scheme across other sites if the idea proves a success.
A total of 27 linked-up Xbox 360 consoles allowing 16-player network gaming and Xbox Live will be available and, once players are signed up to a membership scheme, the store plans to charge customers £5 for three hours' play.
The chain is planning a number of in-store gaming competitions, featuring Guitar Hero III, Project Gotham Racing 4 and Halo 3.
"Games are now an integral part of the HMV offer, and whether we're selling them or, as in this case, also making them available on a pay-per-play basis, it's about getting our customers closer to the things they love, and giving them access to content however they wish to consume it," said Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV.
"This is a really exciting project, which I feel will generate a great deal of interest. If the HMV gaming zone proves a hit, then we'll consider if there are opportunities to roll out the concept to other stores in the chain."
In-store gaming from HMV comes after owners of Birmingham-based gaming centre Omega Sektor revealed it has proved a success.
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