The days when having a video game store meant extravagant midnight launches and the smell of mall carpet intermingling with plastic cases are well and truly behind us. And if you d🔯on't believe that, here's some potentially upsetting news: GameStop may be on the verge of a buyout.

first reported on the situation on Monday, citing unnamed sources close to the matter, but itself confirmed today that talks are indeed underway. The announcement was short and to the point, saying only that "[GameStop] is in exploratory disc🌟ussions with third parties regarding a potential transaction. There can be no assurance any agreement will result from these discussions. GameStop does not intend to make any additional comments regarding these discussions unless and until it is appropriate to do so."

, and in March 2017 it was announced that 150 GameStops would be . But, you may be wondering, what does this all mean for you, the game-buying public?

Well... hopefully♊ nothing. Depending on who (if anyone, remember this isn't a done deal) picks up the wor🥂ld's largest games retailer, it could mean an influx of cash that would allow the company to adapt to a changing marketplace. If GameStop is where you tend to buy your games, that's still going to be the case, at least in the short-term. It's possible GameStop will be sold and its assets liquidated, but I don't think I see that happening, at least for awhile.

More likely the GameStop brand will continue in a more digital presence as physical stores continue to shutter. You could see an increased push for online sales, or partnerships that bring the GameStop brand to the Xbox Games Store, PlayStation Store, or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Nintendo eShop. That said, I'm no market expert, and anything at thi𒀰s point is but specඣulation.

𒉰Even so, if you've any Toys R Us-style fondn🧜ess for the gaming giant, maybe appreciate the days you have?

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