With the chain of stores having to cancel the midnight releases ofDoom EternalandAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,it’s clear GameStop is deeply integrating social distancing into its new plans in an effort to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. For employees and visitors to the store, it’s no doubt a strong sign to see the company taking extensive measures, especially after numerous reports accused GameStop of lacking strong safety precautions in the face of such a dangerous pandemic.
However, It appears the company has further plans to prevent GameStop shoppers from potentially being exposed to the global outbreak, with the chain of stores announcing that it will be sellingDoom Eternala day early. With both the newest entry in theDoomfranchise andAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsarriving on the same day, it appears GameStop is concerned that fans of both titles will flock to the shop tomorrow, and thusEternalwill be available from today, March 19, in an effort to reduce crowds.
RELATED:Animal Crossing Developers Comment on DOOM Crossover Art
Posted to the company’s Twitter account, GameStop stated: “To ensure we adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing guidelines, we will be selling DOOM Eternal a day early on Thursday, 3/19 as a safety precaution for our customers and associates.” The tweet continues, “Animal Crossing will release on Friday 3/20 to further help separate the crowds.” ClearlyGameStophas thought about how best to null large crowds in the store, and their consensus is undeniably one that will solve a lot of worrying issues for tomorrow’s two blockbuster releases.
Despite the reason being due to worrying circumstances, GameStop’s decision will no doubt be an exciting one forDoomfans, who can get their hands on the exciting sequel a day earlier than expected.The game’s reviews indicate that it’ll be far from a disappointment as well, with critics claiming that the title is just as intensely violent, brutally rewarding, and satisfyingly destructive as ever. With so many people getting settled into self-quarantine, a title likeDoomwill no doubt do a lot to ease the boredom while the world waits for some positive developments.
It’s good to see GameStop taking the health of its customers seriously, especially after a number ofemployees complained about the conditions in which they were being forced to work. Some claimed they couldn’t find hand sanitizer in the store, while others have advised shoppers to avoid GameStop locations until the pandemic is over. Evidently, changes are now being made for the better, and hopefully, shoppers will be able to pick upDoom EternalandAnimal Crossing: New Horizonswithout risking contamination.
Doom Eternalis available now in GameStop and will launch on March 20 for other retailers. It will be available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with a Switch version to follow at a later date.
MORE:How Former Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aime Could Breathe New Life Into GameStop
