Urgent Fury Unleashed » history

The History (Good or Bad), of Gamestop™:

CritiKiL — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:00:54 +0000

Most opinions on blogs, about Gamestop™ aren’t very positive. This made me look into ‘How GameStop™ started’. It all began, with a small software retailer by the name of Babbage’s. I’m staying totally neutral in this, only researching how a small beloved game retailer could transform into the biggest/most hated video game retailer around…in under twenty years.

History:

GameStop™’s roots can be traced all the way back to the year 1984 in Dallas, Texas. Back then GameStop™ was simply known as Babbage’s. After only ten years of service, Babbage’s was already showing signs of what it would become, merging with various chains in 1994 like Software Etc. The merged company was named NeoStar Retail; even though the two companies were merged they still operated as two separate businesses…guess they believed in the “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” methodology. As it turns out, methodology didn’t hold true for NeoStar. Corporate confusion and bad communication led to NeoStar filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy only two years after the merge. With over 800 retail outlets available, many buyers of the company began to emerge. On one of the last few days of the manager’s conference, the head buyer of the company emerged, head of Barnes & Noble Leonard Riggio. Mr. Riggio, along with a few other investors made an offer that was accepted by the judge, and with that money, a new management team (mostly comprised of previous Software Etc. executives) was put into place to run Babbage’s.

It was on November 12, 2004 that GameStop™ got its name (Mr. Riggio hated the name, ‘NeoStar Retail). That change came with a spinoff company of Barnes & Noble ~ guess what the name of this company?…GameStop™! After a few years of having all these individual companies run as separate entities, it was on February 1st, 2006 that the beginning of the merging of operational activities took place. After a few years of combining business practices, the names of Electronics Boutique and Electronics Etc. were removed from stores and replaced with the company’s flagship name: GameStop™. So that’s how this store got started ~ Now for the ‘good’ part about this company:

Complaints:

Trade-ins ~ One of the most prevalent complaints against GameStop™ is its trade in business. Buying games at a very low price and marking them up to near retail prices has not sit well with fellow gamers and even employees.
Pre-orders: ~ Almost all media out there does not require a pre-order of any type to acquire a copy first day. How many of you guys had trouble getting Dark Knight the night of the DVD release? Exactly. It’s hard to believe that any big title does not have the factory backing to keep up supply with the demand. ‘Consoles? ~YES! But ‘Games? ~ NO.
Gutting Games: ~ Yes. Gamestop™ is guilty of ‘opening a New Game to use it’s box as a display, but when quantities become low…they grab the self-display and Sell it for Full Price. Full price, on an ‘opened’ game??

Gamestop™ is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Many of you are Happy with their service and practices and many are not. But the only way to show that you do not agree with a certain company’s business practices is to no longer give them business. GameStop™ definitely has some glaring business problems, especially on the employee’s side. But to sit around and complain on a message board, blog, or even to the lowly Game Advisor working the register is not going to change anything. Only by taking away your business and supporting their competitors will you start seeing a change in a Company. ‘Again’, I am purely neutral in this article and am only pointing out a “few” facts.

Forgotten Warriors of Merc City

Shane Bell — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:00:35 +0000

Over two years ago a group of warriors took to the world of SOCOM as Known Outlaws Council [KO]. They entered the field of battle outnumbered, outgunned, and completely surrounded. They were defending their ground in a tac-map tournament against some of the most feared clans in SOCOM. KO…with their backs against the wall for months…never gave up, fought as one cohesive unit, and owned everyone that stepped into their territory…those warriors came to call that little slice of heaven “Merc City.”

Since that time two clans have been born from the ashes of Merc City. Operation Khaos [opK] and Darksyde [Dsy] have been fighting for every inch of soil…each working towards establishing their clan as one of the best in SOCOM. We fight for honor, we fight for glory, we fight with respect, but above all else we fight for each other…all the time trying not to forget those who came before us.

We are the Forgotten Warriors of Merc City [FW]

Today marks a historic moment in the history of SOCOM and Urgent Fury. Two clans with a storied past filled with tradition and a competitive gaming spirit have merged together.

Please visit www.Merc-City.com for more information.

Threat Neutralizing Unit

Shane Bell — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:00:59 +0000

[TNU] Threat Neutralizing Unit was founded by Honkay in the first week of Socom 2. Honkay created TNU in the hopes of creating one of the most talented and respected clans in the Socom community. The Threat Neutralizing Unit was built on trust, respect, talent, and communication. Since the creation of TNU we believe we have achieved the goal Honkay set out to accomplish.

In Socom 2 TNU won its very first tournament and had over 300 victories with under 30 losses. TNU also Hosted its very first tournament in Socom 2 and began establishing it’s connections with other clans. TNU was joined by a great group of players who were formerly in the [E!] Entertainment clan. In Socom 3 TNU continued their success and began competing in several tournaments. TNU won 2 tournaments and continued their success with a war record consistent with theirs from Socom 2.

During Socom Combined Assault TNU made some major steps to not only improving their status as a clan but in becoming much more involved part of the Socom Community. The first week of Socom Combined Assault TNU put together what became a very large part of the Socom Tournament Community. TNU hosted 7 of their own tournaments offering some of the most involved and interactive tournaments available. TNU won the very first Chaos Tactics tournament beating out over 30 clans and taking over 5 months. In that year TNU also helped raise over $700 for the walk for autism for a clan mate and got involved in several other charities including the Lori’s Watch Tournament.

[TNU] went through a rough patch as almost all clans did between combined assault and confrontation. We even went through the a little stint on COD4 and participated in 2 tournaments on that game fiishing in the final 4 on both including UF: Crucible. TNU finally came together and hosted their last tournament finishing in the Final Four beating out 16 other clans despite their low activity. Since then TNU has began to flourish and is getting large numbers of players on a regular basis and continuing their success on Confrontation. Throughout the past 6 years TNU has been through a lot but we have always maintained a sense of respect for ourselves and our competitors. We have always shown loyalty to our members who have been with us from the start and just joining us as we continue on. TNU has watched members join when they were 12 and 14 years old who are now attending college. TNU is proud to support our members and be there when they need a family and just as proud to harass them to get back online when they take a hiatus from the all angering Socom.

TNU has 5 championships under their belt since starting in Socom 2 and has finished in the top 5 in EVERY tournament they have entered. TNU is currently recruiting active, loyal, and skilled gunners to continue with us on our road to success.

Threat Neutralizing Unit,
Death is Instant, Pain will End, Glory is Forever!

JunkYard Killerz

Shane Bell — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:00:51 +0000

JunkYard Killerz

JyK very first major Tournament was Urgent Fury POW (which we won) and we came into that tourney not knowing where we would stand and what to expect. Since POW we have competed in a few other tournaments and has finished very high in them including this past UF Tac Map Chain Reaction 2nd place. JyK is currently seeking talented player’s with low tempers. We are very competitive clan who also likes to have fun and have nice long walks on the beach!!

If you would like a good war or a new clan please don’t be afraid to visit us @ www.jykgotgame.com.

A great post about UF History

Shane Bell — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:00:59 +0000

From 101st’ xRedOctobeRx…

I have personally played here since Road To Exile. I had heard of UF before that but my clan didn’t hav enough guys that were active to play. So I joined 101 to be apart of it and damn am I glad I did.

But my most memorable moment was play APC on Liberation Control Points:

It was me and my War commander that was all that was left against 6 guys. I had delta held down and we were down by 2 control points in the very LAST round. I killed one guy(things were going well) I moved slowly toward teh middle, catch one guy looking the other way..killed em. I move up some stairs another barreling down toward me, HEADSHOT. I move toward their spawn and see a guy running away toward the middle I shoot him then his partner comes out of the shadows I turn and shoot another headshot.

One guy left a guy that I have seen across the UF forums and a player that I was actually intimidated by. He went by the name of SmokeOsama. I knew he was covering the last point above the Seal spawn, but I didn’t know where. I move slowly toward the point up the stairs coming from the middle. I was certain he would be in one of the doorways waiting…

THEN all the sudden I see someone running toward the opposite side stairs, he pokes his head up again not knowing the train that is about to hit him.

I look at my loadout and see ONE lone grenade. I pull it out and etch his name in the side. Kissed is gently right before I pull the pin, I lobbed it gently into the air toward where I saw him last praying it would meet its target.

There was a LONG pause…life stood still at that point, suddenly BANG. SmokeOsama Fragged by Red0ctober with M67

I stood up YELLING, the wife comes in and says SHUT UP. I say sorry. But that was by far my most shining moment. LOL I couldn’t sleep all night my adrenaline was pumping so much. I was truly inspired that night.