Gamers already getting riled by new Gamestop in-store TV network?

Kotaku, a popular gamer's blog, noted (as many others did) that Gamestop would be installing a new in-store television network as a part of CBS Outernet. While their coverage didn't bash the network too badly, many of the comments left after the post were decidedly less enthusiastic about the prospect. Among the more troubling:

Indy_aka_Rex says:

Being a Gamestop employee... I just have to say the following: GAMESTOP TV MUST DIE! Please lord.... kill it, listening to that crap nonstop, 8 hours a day for a month... hurts.

hk458 says:

One more reason to stay away from those stores.

Komrade_Kayce says:

You guys dont know hell until you have to listen to the same game previews repeat for eight hours a day, over and over and over and over and over until you want to choke whoever made the Age of Conan commercial because 'BAH YOU MADE ENOUGH NOISE TO WAKE A DRUNK' rings in your head endlessly.

All_Thumbs says:

If it's so bad, why don't you just sabotage the equipment? Organize a nationwide 'failure' of this advertising bullshit everywhere. Gamestop, 7-11, the gas stations, everywhere they have those crappy canned ads constantly trying to gain a foothold in your conscious and unconscious mind. It will only get worse and worse. Wait for nano-tech. You won't be able to buy anything or go anywhere without built in streaming ads embedded. Hell, why not include them in your nano-tech health supplements? Won't it be great when the ad agencies can attach their message directly to your optic and auditory nerves? Unless the monsters subjecting you to it are made aware that you won't accept it anymore, don't be suprised...

Or, yeah, just tune it out.

And there are more... lots more. I don't know if Kotaku just attracts more easily irritated gamers than the norm, but if not, the Gamestop network could be in for some challenges. If nothing else, Gamestop needs to take a look at how their current network works -- since there are clearly plenty of detractors out there -- and maybe take some of the complaints above as constructive criticism (that last one about organized sabotage aside... that guy's just nuts, albeit funny nuts). But this hearkens back to one of the points I find myself constantly making when talking about digital signage with people just getting started with a project: the network must align the interests of all involved parties... ALL of them, including the viewers. Too often, somebody will start down the path of installing an in-store TV network, they'll elaborate the expected benefits to advertisers, to the venues, to the network owner/operator.... and never even mention the viewer. Guess what, folks: that attitude is going to get you a big, expensive, inefficient network, and hoardes of displeased patrons, some of whom will leave their feelings on Kotaku (apparently :) Others, though, may just stop shopping with you altogether.

WireSpring's digital signage page, aside from hocking our wares, is quickly becoming the place to list our DOs and DONTs when getting started. If you're working on a project, I definitely recommend you check out some of the articles there.

Tags: digital signage, in-store TV, gamestop