COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, is a problem the world is facing right now. Many businesses are being ordered to close their doors for a predesignated period. This is common practice during situations like this. Essential businesses (food, fuel, etc related) can stay open during these situations. It seems GameStop is attempting to claim “essential business” status amid store shutdowns.

Internal memo became public

IGN.com obtained a copy of the internal memo from GameStop employees stating this very claim. Here is the snippet we are focusing on from this internal memo, as published by IGN.com:

“Due to the products we carry that enable and enhance our customers’ experience in working from home, we believe GameStop is classified as essential retail and therefore is able to remain open during this time.”

Additionally, the memo allegedly stats store management are to provide a printout to law enforcement if ordered to close. Funnily enough, the printout apparently simply contains directions to call the GameStop corporate office, with number provided.

IGN.com also has statements from many GameStop employees discussing their concern amid the COVID-19 situation.

GameStop is not in control of status

It is not up to each business to decide their status in situations like we face with the Coronavirus. The government, federal/state/local will make that classification choice. Any companies deemed not essential are ordered to close to contain that situation.

Gamestop simply telling their employees to ignore the police is just bad policy. Not to mention could result in those employees facing police action.

Please stay safe as best you can, practice the “social distancing” if you must be out. Wash your hands regularly and do your best to avoid groups of people right now.

Tell us in the comments what games you are playing. If you need new games to play, check out eBay, Amazon, or Humble Bundle. These are affiliate links and we receive a small commission if you use them. This costs you nothing extra but helps us immensely. Thank you and stay safe.

We will do our best here at Retro Gaming Magazine to keep you up to date on this situation and others like it.

March 21st, 2020 update:

We have just learned from our friends over at Kotaku that GameStop is temporarily closing their stores in California. According to Kotaku:

“Two California GameStop employees told Kotaku that they’ve been told to use personal time or file for unemployment, as they will not be paid while stores are shut down.”

As we learn more about this developing story we will update this article. If the information is wholly differentiated we will produce new content in this field. As of this writing, we do not plan to have your news feed from RGM overrun with Coronavirus/COVID-19 articles. There are plenty of other outlets covering this situation regularly.

March 21st, 2020 Update #2:

IGN is now reporting that GameStop will be closing all locations to the public. The game store will offer curbside service only as well as digital purchases which are completely “contact-free”. According to IGN’s website –

In a statement, the company said that the move to strictly curbside pickup and digital sales will allow them to still serve customers who have made orders on GameStop’s website or app and have requested a physical product pick-up at their local store.

This policy will go into effect on March 22nd, 2020. Please act accordingly and make the necessary arrangements if you plan to shop with GameStop.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams