E3 was filled with new things for GameStop to sell to hardcore gamers (interview)

As the world’s biggest game retailer, GameStop isn’t feeling doomed because of the threat of digital distribution. Rather, the chain with 6,600 GameStop stores feels a refreshing breeze thanks to a strong May for physical game sales, a price change for the Xbox One, and a hoard of new stuff coming this fall for hardcore gamers.

Tony Bartel, the president of the Grapevine, Texas-based company, said in an interview with GamesBeat that he was excited by all of the new announcements at E3. While summer may have a light release schedule, September through November will be loaded with blockbuster games. Bartel gave us his reactions to many of the major announcements at the show, adding perspective that will help everybody understand what is going to sell and what will be important for the game business in the long haul. The bottom line: He’s optimistic that physical retail will have its place in the larger digital game business — and that GameStop will continue to get 500 million people a year walking through its stores.