GameStop Decides To Close California Stores

GameStop stores will close in California where the governor of the state enacted a full lockdown policy, according to the video game retailer. The news arrives a day after GameStop told stores to remain open and should consider themselves “essential” businesses because of its supply of tech hardware like keyboards and webcams. GameStop confirmed to IGN that stores in California have been closed to comply with the state’s full lockdown mandate (as reported by Kotaku). The order from Gov. Gavin Newsom requires all of the state’s residents to stay at home except for essential activities such as grocery shopping, work, or travel. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gamestop-in-the-news-timeline&captions=true"] One GameStop employee told IGN under conditions of anonymity that the order to close California stores came down this morning. GameStop did not comment on whether this order would expand to other states like New York which issued similar lockdown orders. The retailer was expected to remain open and told stores to continue operating as they should be considered essential businesses. In a statement to IGN yesterday, the company said that the company offers “a wide array of products and devices that are important to facilitate remote work, distance learning, and virtual connectivity.” This includes webcams and microphones, items that businesses like IGN do indeed require for remote work. But the order from California’s governor appears to tighten that classification to necessities like food and supplies. GameStop stores that remain open have implemented social distancing practices such as only allowing 10 customers in at a time, and canceling midnight launches for major game releases for the foreseeable future. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.