APRIL 10, 2008 • Gamer Doc, a new U.S. video game retailer, took its message to potential franchisees in the hopes of opening up to 20 locations during 2008. The 800- to 1,200-square foot stores feature an atypical design intended to immerse consumers into a popular game via wall murals, game scenes rather than merchandising stock in the front of the stores.  the areas will also include up to a dozen plasma high-definition game stations to encourage testing titles and hosting competitions. Former Godfather’s Pizza chief operating officer David Huether is Gamer Doc’s chairman.

Impact: There’s evidence that gamers are none too thrilled with buying their games at GameStop, Best Buy or any of the mass-market retailers. Variations on availability, selection and price are what keeps people shopping at most of these stores. That’s why there is a cottage industry growing seeking to give gamers a buying environment they enjoy as a way of siphoning market share.  Play N Trade is a recent example in that direction. Gamer Doc goes a step further by taking the franchise concept into the realm of theme park. Whether that concept draws as many sales as foot traffic remains to be seen.