Author: Trafficblast

GameStop Stores in the US Make Face Coverings Mandatory

GameStop has made the decision that all of its stores in the U.S. will require customers to wear face coverings as of July 27, 2020, due to the “growing spread of COVID-19.”

GameStop announced the decision 10 days before it will begin enforcing the new rule to give the company time to “inform customers of the change, post signage in stores and train associates on the new protocol.”

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“We believe this is the right thing to do to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our associates and customers from the growing spread of COVID-19,” said George Sherman, chief executive officer for GameStop. “Providing a safe environment in our stores for all customers and store associates continues to be our top priority and wearing a face covering is a simple step every one of us can take to ensure the safety of others in our stores.”

GameStop also mentions that any customers that have concerns or health-related issues in wearing a face covering can always shop online at GameStop.com or its mobile app. Both will allow for customers to utilize GameStop’s Buy Online Pickup at Store and contactless Delivery@Door curbside service.

This response is of a different tone from its original decision to consider itself an “essential” business during the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It came under pressure following its move, and decided shortly after to close all of its U.S. storefronts.

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As GameStop began re-opening its stores in late April 2020, it also announced that it would be cutting some of its executive’s salaries in response to the pandemic.

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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who encourages everyone to wear a mask. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

GameStop Will Require Face Masks In All US Stores

Update: GameStop employees will not be allowed to enforce the mask policy, according to Vice Games. In an internal memo employees were told, “Do NOT refuse service to a customer that refuses to wear a mask/face covering. Do not ask a customer to leave the store if they are not wearing a mask/face covering.”

When dealing with a customer without a mask, employees are to assist them and complete their transaction as quickly as possible. The memo states that employees can inform the customer of the mask policy and even offer a complimentary mask, but ultimately they cannot refuse service.

Original story: GameStop will require all customers to wear face masks in US stores effective July 27, the company announced. This announcement comes shortly after other retailers, like Walmart, have started requiring masks in stores.

“We believe this is the right thing to do to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our associates and customers from the growing spread of COVID-19,” said George Sherman, chief executive officer for GameStop. “Providing a safe environment in our stores for all customers and store associates continues to be our top priority and wearing a face covering is a simple step every one of us can take to ensure the safety of others in our stores.”

GameStop also offers a pick-up in store option when purchasing online and offers a contactless option for picking up.

When shutdowns began occurring in the US at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, GameStop attempted to argue that its stores were “essential business” and even defied state closure orders before eventually closing their retail stores. The company also announced the closure of over 300 stores during 2020 in March. US businesses have started reopening in recent weeks as the number of COVID-19 cases have spiked across the country.

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Surgeon Simulator 2 Turns The ER Into A Funhouse In August

Surgeon Simulator 2 is getting even weirder with new co-op gameplay and a suite of options for custom levels. It’s also not far from launch either, with Bossa Studios announcing an August 27 release date for their trauma center sequel.

Surgeon Simulator 2 expands on the original game’s scope by opening the operating room doors and letting you interact with other wings of the hospital. New challenges will require you to ferry objects between rooms, now with the help of up to three friends in increasingly complex operations. It has retained its wacky humor and charm too, spreading to the entirety of the ER.

The game’s latest trailer doesn’t focus on campaign content, but rather user-created modes that you’ll be able to play alongside it. Surgeon Simulator 2 will include the same level-design tools that Bossa uses internally, letting you create and share new challenges for like-minded surgeons to undertake. The suite looks extensive in the footage above, letting you craft experiences well beyond the premise of Surgeon Simulator.

Surgeon Simulator 2 will launch exclusively on the Epic Games Store on August 27 for $25. Pre-orders will earn you access to the pre-launch beta, which takes place between August 7-9.

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Save Big on Dungeons and Dragons Books and Bundles

If you want to experience the unparalleled freedom, creativity, and adventure of Dungeons & Dragons, now is an excellent time to jump in.

While you may not be able to visit your friends in person, you can hop on your favorite video conferencing software with your friends and have deep adventures set in a world of your choosing, and save some cash while you do it. Right now Amazon is having a sale on the core rulebooks, including a bundle that has everything you need to get started.

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Dungeons & Dragons Book Sales

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Brian Barnett writes wiki guides, deals posts, features, and much more for IGN. You can get your fix of Brian’s antics on Twitter and Instagram (@Ribnax).

Pokemon Go: Final Set Of Go Fest 2020 Challenges Now Live

Pokemon Go Fest 2020 is only a week away, but there’s still one more set of challenges to complete before the event arrives. The third and final batch of Go Fest challenges is now live in Pokemon Go, giving players around the world one more chance to unlock additional Pokemon to catch during Go Fest weekend.

Whereas last week’s challenges revolved around defeating Team Rocket (including Jessie and James), this final batch is all about friendship. The tasks for this set involve earning hearts with your Buddy Pokemon and sending gifts to friends. If enough players on all three teams are able to complete the challenges, Niantic will make three more rare Pokemon–Togetic, Dratini, and Litwick–available to catch during Pokemon Go Fest next week.

The Pokemon Go Fest friendship challenges will be available until July 22, 10 PM local time. Coinciding with the challenges, Niantic is also holding a summer event in the game right now. For the next few days, summery Pokemon–including the debuting Petilil, a summer-style Pikachu, and Shiny Bellsprout–will be appearing more frequently in the wild and in Raid Battles.

Pokemon Go Fest 2020 takes place July 25-26. Tickets for the event are available to purchase from the in-game shop and cost $15 USD. Unlike previous Pokemon Go Fests, this year’s event will be a digital experience open to all players around the world, and there will be global challenges to complete as well as rotating virtual habitats that will cause different types of Pokemon to appear at certain times. Niantic has also teased that the Mythical Pokemon Victini will make its debut during the second day of Go Fest.

In the meantime, Pokemon Go’s July Community Day kicks off soon. That event takes place this Sunday, July 19, and features the Ghost-type Pokemon Gastly. The Legendary Kyurem is also available in five-star Raids, and there’s still time to complete July’s Field Research tasks.

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The Sims Reality TV Show Premieres Tonight, Offers Prize of $100,000

Fans of The Sims can spend hours building their own storylines and perfecting their dream houses, but they’ve never been able to compete with each other on live television. That’s about to change, thanks to The Sims Spark’d, a reality competition show that stars fans and enthusiasts from The Sims community, all competing for a $100,000 prize.

Based on the trailer, the 12 contestants will be issued timed challenges to create in the world of the game. Their output will then be weighed by a panel of judges, including Maxis game developer Dave Miotke, YouTube personality Kelsey Impicciche, and singer-songwriter Tayla Parx. The competition will run for the next four weeks on TBS and Buzzfeed Multiplayer.

In addition to watching the show, fans can play along by participating in the Spark’d Challenge Program. Those who excel at the listed challenges may even be considered for future seasons of the Spark’d show. The first challenge, Destination Wedding, starts today, and you can check out the details at the game’s website.

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