South African retailers have broken the street date for Heavy Rain.
Easily one of the most anticipated titles of 2010, Heavy Rain is now available in many stores around the country, proving once more that local retailers still don’t even understand the concept of a street date.
Let me tell you a quick story. On Friday, my wife – a big fan of Quantic Dreams – was in the Menlyn shopping centre and went into a popular store and asked if by chance they had Heavy Rain available yet. Their answer? No, they don’t have it on the shelves yet, the stock is sitting in the storeroom. Sounds like a normal story right?
Thing is… the store clerk then promptly made his way to the storeroom to fetch a copy, and then sold it to her.
Friday already saw a ton of forum posts and more all explaining how people have already seen the game on sale in stores here, there and everywhere.
How this keeps happening, I don’t know. What I do know is that it’s the responsibility of the distributors and retailers to adequately educate their managers and staff on the matter of street dates.
Well, what can I say then. If the game is being sold, you can now go buy it if you want to. I can’t really say that it’s the right thing to do by waiting for the official release date, because if it’s on the shelves and the store is willing to sell it to you, you have done nothing wrong.
Just be sure to remind them of the street date on your way out the door.
Last Updated: February 22, 2010
RSA-Ace
February 22, 2010 at 08:38
Well I’m hoping the BTgames in durban breaks the date because I preordered from there…
Once one store breaks the date then all the other stores have to break it as well otherwise they are losing out on business.
I got Uncharted 2 two days before the release date (and it was R50 off – only R550).
Fox1
February 22, 2010 at 09:23
They are a dedicated gaming store. I’m sure they wouldn’t break the release date :unsure:
Uncle
February 22, 2010 at 09:49
Actually they’ve broken release date a few times 🙂
WitWolfyZA
February 22, 2010 at 08:59
could you please give the stores name who actaully broke the street date… for educational reasons of course… lol
LazySAGamer
February 22, 2010 at 09:11
I don’t know which store it was but from Nick’s description I would be putting money on CNA.. they are pretty infamous for breaking release dates.
RSA-Ace
February 22, 2010 at 09:25
Follow this http://www.ps3za.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=45600
WitWolfyZA
February 22, 2010 at 09:44
thanks for the tip dude i just might get it today. I was at this store the weekend and didnt even see it on their shelves.. those sneaky bastards
gee
February 22, 2010 at 09:28
actually the store is look and listen, menlyn….that is the store, i urge all compatriots, go out there, i got mine on the 19th
Fred
February 22, 2010 at 09:23
Rather early than late I say!
WitWolfyZA
February 22, 2010 at 09:34
Well if its original, so it isnt like pirating it. Im gonna call around i cant wait till Wednesday lol
Naudran
February 22, 2010 at 09:44
You can buy it at any store that stocks games in Menlyn. Once one of them breaks the street date, everyone else will follow suit in one manner or the other.
WitWolfyZA
February 22, 2010 at 09:58
Everybody except BT lol