Gamers: Try Before You Buy

[MirandaMW87]

Originally Posted by cbronline.com

Gamerbase allows gamers to try before they buy
17th December 2007
By Staff writer
Gamerbase, a gaming zone created in partnership with HMV and Dell, has launched at HMV's Piccadilly Circus store. According to the company, the gaming centre will enable PC gamers to get a virtual feel of games they intend to buy, before investing in them.


Dominic Mulroy, Gamerbase managing director, said: "We wanted to provide consumers the ability to try before they buy in all aspects of gaming. The typical model of a gaming cyber centre has now been extended to include games purchases direct from HMV and now they can buy the whole range of Dell systems from our store at a great discount."

It is being offered as a free membership gaming service, but the centre plans to charge between £2.50 to £4 per hour. Gamers will have to buy their time at the zone, which, if not used, can be used the next time the user visits the gaming zone.

Tim Ellis, head of games, HMV, says: "The way people discover and enjoy games is showing signs of broadening out, and we want to be at the forefront of this process so we can continue to cater to all tastes and demands as they develop."

Taking up over 2,000 square feet, Gamerbase claims to feature XPS gaming PCs from Dell with Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processors, GeForce 8800 GTX graphics cards running in SLI.

Gamerbase says the facility can be installed permanently or temporarily into any environment, be it a university, retail store or entertainment complex. The company says it incorporates full-length games and supporting hardware. It aims to promote eSports in the form of a variety of games at both amateur and professional levels.

Customer support will be provided by Gamerbase in the form of staff trained by Dell, who Dell claims will advise users on the kind of games they ought to play and the kind of PC they would need to support the game. Staff will also ensure that gamers follow the ratings restriction and choose games suitable for their age.

Andrew Lazenby, Dell's UK consumer brand director, says: "We are delighted to partner with Gamerbase on this state-of-the-art gaming facility. Dell is passionate about providing gaming enthusiasts with the ability to enjoy a premier gaming experience on Dell's top of the range XPS gaming products while also offering customers the facility to purchase Dell's systems directly from the Gamerbase centre."

I wonder where they plan to install these?