Walmart takes no prisoners with video game strategy
With a title like “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,” Walmart’s strategy to sell the popular game a day early, host in-store events and unveil a new used game assortment at 1,700 locations seems appropriately aggressive.
The latest version of the popular Call of Duty franchise goes on sale at more than 3,600 Walmart stores at 12:01 a.m., Monday Nov. 3 for $59.96. Because the game is being sold a day prior to the official release Walmart is calling it the Day Zero Edition. Timed with the release of the new game, Walmart said it was unveiling the sale of certified, pre-owned video games in 1,700 stores. The sale of used games builds on a video game trade-in program that was announced back in March. The used games are sold in a dedicated section alongside other value priced titles, the company said.
“With 117 million gamers in the U.S., we are constantly looking to provide new and game-changing offerings to those customers,” said Laura Phillips, Walmart’s SVP of entertainment. “We’ve said that we would focus on the $2 billion pre-owned market, and we’re continuing to deliver on that today. Now, customers will be able to visit Walmart for all of their video game wants – whether they’re buying a hot new release like ‘Call of Duty’ or purchasing a pre-owned game at a great price.”
Before the game goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Walmart is hosting in-store events at 2,800 locations that begin at 10 p.m. Sunday. The special events include early play tournaments in select stores and customer giveaways, such as free “Call of Duty” posters and patches.
In addition, for the game’s launch Walmart said it would also pay more for used games. On Nov. 3-4 the retailer said it offering 50% more for customers trading in any used video game when they purchase “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.” Customer can also receive double trade-in value when trading in any used video game and purchasing a PlayStation 4. The trade-in values can be applied immediately toward anything sold at Walmart and Sam’s Club.