Well, where I live atm, the only other places that sell games are supermarkets, which have about 20 games, and HMV, which is also in dire conditions, so I do hope that gamestop keeps dedicated high street stores alive, but as far as I can tell, they have similar models, sell used games!

I did have a similar discussion about HMV when I first heard they were in trouble but with HMV the situation is worse. If they disappear I can hoestly not think (other then out of town larger supermarkets), now here on the high street that sells DVDs and music). Independent music shops usually sell records and make their money from that market. Dedicated games shops have surived longer.

Similar models aren't a great thing. Grainger and Playtime (smaller only 2 stores), seem to work. No Game or Gamestation might leave a hole for other's to try their hand at a new independent in cities.