http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1228070/uk_retailer_game_publishers_to_withold_new_games_source.html

[UPDATE]
Simon Soffe, Communications Director for Game Group, has contacted NowGamer to confirm that all staff pay is up to date as of yesterday. He added that this week's new releases, such as Final Fantasy XIII-2, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and Soul Calibur 5 are currently moving through Game's distribution centres for launch on Friday.

Game isl talking to publishing partners - including Sony - regarding future launches, for which the retailer has big plans, Soffe added.

He also clarified that credit insurance is an option for publishers, and that the industry "has been supportive" during the last few weeks. The original story follows below:

UK high street retailer Game has "lost credit assurance with most of its publishers," meaning it won't be given stock of upcoming game releases, a source has told NowGamer.

If true, it could have a huge impact on the upcoming PS Vita launch, as well as anticipated games such as Mass Effect 3, SSX and Twisted Metal.

Game struggled over the traditionally profitable festive period last year, with year-on-year sales down 17.6 per cent in the UK and Ireland for the eight weeks ending 7 January.

Our source said Game has "lost credit assurance with most of its publishers," and "won't have stock of the upcoming releases."

The source added that there is also speculation within the company that staff's wages will be withheld in an attempt to boost the retailer's year end figures in March, with a press release set to outline the company's stance.

Two weeks ago, Game CEO Ian Shepherd recently told MCV: "We take our relationships with our partners in the industry very seriously. Without them we are nothing. And without us I think the video games industry would be a very different and much smaller place. We support each other and we have done a very good job of it over the last year."

He also conceded that Game "had a bad year financially," in 2011 and that "2012 will also be a difficult and challenging environment in which to trade."

"I don’t think the consumer economy is suddenly going to turn around anytime soon," Shepherd said. "And so we will be very careful. But fundamentally the wider context is, we have a clear vision about where we are taking this business. And when I talk to investors and banks, I hear a great deal of support for that strategy."

We've asked Game and their publisher partners for comment.

Do you work at Game? Have you heard rumblings of withheld pay? Do you buy your games on the high street or online? Would you be concerned about Game failing to stock new titles?

Have your say in our comments section below - more when we get it.

this is pretty bad, but Game aren't competitive any more, they need to find a way to get people to buy their games over using Amazon, without them losing too much on profits :/

They need to start closing down unnecessary stores. My hometown has 2 within 3 minutes walk of each other.

that's also true :P

here in Preston, there are two very close to each other as well

Wow. Then again its cheaper to buy online more often than not.
I only go to stores if its a game I want on release day and dont want to risk relying on postal.
Mgs is one I will nip to GAME for though.

Not pulled a sickie for a game other than mgs4 so Im due one

Zavvi is where the game's at.

agreed in the shopping centre near me there are 2 stores pretty much opposite each other it's extra real estate this company doesn't need right now, it's a shame to see them on there arse i remember them taking over EB and being so dominant but as was said there just not competitive anymore there prices are too high and there frequently being under priced by independent retailers in my area

a sad day but it's been coming and the anti used game market were entering into will be a final nail in the coffin i think!

Online? I heard they were the worst, games taking weeks to be delivered ect

but its not always cheaper online,that is a real myth with everything in my opinion,there are good deals everywhere

my hmv always has better deals than my game but they are both in trouble aren't they

i wonder if their shops will just sell consoles and second hand games,seems a bit starnge and only new games online but anyway the biggest thing is councils ripping off the high street and us with completely crazy rates that will kill off our high streets and our communities but i think thats the plan,i can't see any other reason for making life so difficult for our high streets

Game is a rip off, hence the poor profits. I suppose people are more "smart" these days with money, so they actually spend time checking online to find the best deal instead of nipping down to a highstreet store which has the price about 10-15% more.

Supermarkets have also become more aggressive in selling video games at competitive prices, and I suppose Game/Gamestation loose a lot of their custom there, and also offer trading in prices better than Game usually do.

Overall well deserved for Game seeing as how much of a rip off it is, they buy the game off you for £15 or w/e then stick it on the shelf for £35, business I know. The only bad thing about this whole ordeal is the fact that many employees will be affected as a result. I feel sorry for the employees, not the company and its policies.