Confessions of a Game Store Clerk

Real employees tell their real stories - the good, the bad and the unbelievably horrific

Words: Charlie Barratt, GamesRadar US

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Videogame store employees. They have to have the easiest job on the planet, right? Play videogames, sell videogames, buy videogames, organize videogames, stand around and talk about videogames. They spend their entire day goofing off and hanging around the very things they love. Seriously, how hard can it be?

With gaming bigger than ever, and the attraction to gaming related careers stronger than ever, we decided to uncover the truths behind the assumptions. Is this really the slacker's dream profession? Is it really as fun and laidback as it seems? If so, why do these lucky workers so often come across as rude and indifferent?

To find out, we gathered eight current or former game store employees and began a massive, exhausting interrogation. The discussion ranged from ridiculous rules to dorky coworkers to heartless management to... you. Yes, you, the customer, dreaded and despised above all others. Wait and see if you think that description's unjust after you've read their stories.

These game store confesssions, however, are anything but one-sided. We gave our participants free reign and complete anonymity, so revelations of wrongdoing and honest admissions of guilt are part of the package as well. Sometimes they lie. Sometimes they steal. And sure, sometimes they slack off, just like you always suspected they did.

But other stereotypes are shattered. About who they are and what they're like (hint #1: two of ours are female). About what they actually do all day (hint #2: it isn't playing videogames). And about how it truly feels to hold the "ultimate dream job." Prepare to be illuminated. Prepare to be appalled. Most of all, prepare to be entertained.

Part One:
The Store, The Management, The Rules

Part Two:
The Coworkers, The Customers

Part Three:
The Games, The Fanboys, The Aftermath, The Regret

Horror Stories:
The most bizarre, explicit and terrifying anecdotes

Note: All identities are anonymous to protect the innocent, as well as the not-so-innocent. The assigned "employee numbers," however, are consistent to each interviewee throughout.