On the Merlyns and Getaway Games merger

On one hand, I am tickled that we live in a country where a topic such as a game store merging with another can be a hot button topic for some folks. On the other hand, it is kind of scary...

I attended the Merlyns/Getaway Games public Q&A session tonight. First impression that I came away with was that they actually might be able to make a go of this.

John W. (Merlyns Owner) came and put most of the issues that were brought up to rest. Merlyns is going to do everything that it can to keep the Getaway tournaments running like a train in Sweden. Merlyns is working on expanding their gaming space for the larger crowds.

Where John faltered was in a simple communications problem. I give him every benefit of the doubt, however as he is not a debater or public speaker. There were several questions posted to him about his willingness to meet half way with the GG Loyalists on important topics for them. What John falteringly communicated was that each one would be on a case by case basis. He (of course) could not promise to be all things to all people.

Other then these small issues, things went very smoothly. Dave A. (Getaway Games President) smoothly fielded a few questions and seemed happy that he would be able to play the games that he so loves again.

I think that a few voices in the crowd wanted to be told that Merlyns will be just like Getaway was – however that simply cannot be. We are at a crossroads right now. The market in Spokane cannot support two large gaming stores like Merlyns and Getaway right now. There simply are not the dollars being spent to support the rent, heat and lights for two major centers like we had.

The market is also shifting. Hasbro has started selling away from the traditional chain, into larger venues that can undersell mom and pop stores. This is the way of the future, We have seen it in almost every industry except gaming. Look at Barnes and Noble or Borders vs Aunties. National chains can compete on a scale that local shops simply cannot.

So, either GG or Merlyns was going to fail sooner or later.

However, with national chains comes a lack of local control and a feeling of facelessness. I prefer local stores. I support local stores. I want to see local stores thrive.

GG and Merlyns could not both survive. Fact of life.

Local gaming communities are fostered by a community event or center – be it conventions, stores or a successful club.

Clubs in Spokane, are quite honestly, doomed to mediocrity. SGR has survived many years with the same core of loyal followers, and I commend them on this. However, they have not seen significant growth in years. SAGE rose and failed in the blink of an eye. If anything, NWGamers is SAGE's legacy. But that's another story.

We have seen Gamefaire fail, we have seen Incon fail over the last few years. Conventions in Spokane do not seem to work at this point in time. There were various reasons that these conventions shut their doors, but as it stands today, we have no convention, and no one willing to foot the five to ten thousand dollar bill to get one started up.

We are left with stores. If we want to have any sort of community in Spokane, we must have a local store, that will cater to us and help support the local community. Getaway is gone. Merlyns has offered to help rebuild the rifts in the community, to offer space for us die hard gamers, and to try and support the vision that Getaway Games was founded on.

If we want Merlyns to survive, we need to support it. We need to get off our duffs and spend our gaming money there. If they do not sell anything, they will not be able to pay their rent or power and will have to shut their doors.

If we sit at home and take up knitting, we loose. If we all sit around our kitchen tables and play our games that we bought on the Internet or at Wall-mart, we will all loose.

I am not a looser.

Are you?

-Tsyko