The Dallas Morning New got into GameStop's annual sales conference in Dallas over the weekend.

The con sounded sort of interesting, with playable games on hand and company reps around making their sales pitches to the retailers, three bits of interesting news came out of the event.

First, GameStop is claiming, and I say that because I don't believe them, that they will be the only retailer in the country to have Wii demonstration units available on launch day.

GameStop said at the show that it will be the only retailer at launch to have playable Wii demonstration units in its stores, so gamers can test the "Wiimote" for themselves.

'll be checking that out with Nintendo, but it makes absolutely no sense. Why would Nintendo decide to go with one chain for their demo units, and why pick GameStop when their audience is supposed to be more of the Target or Wal-Mart variety?

GameStop also said at the conference that they haven't yet decided whether to take pre-orders for the Wii or PS3. This isn't because of supply concerns for the two consoles as it much as it is about being gunshy after the 360 launch blew up in their face.

Finally, GameStop says they will be selling the Zune, a first, at their stores.

The iPod competitor will be sold in GameStop stores and other electronics stores when it comes out later this year.

It's GameStop's first foray into the consumer electronics market.

But Mr. Morgan said the partnership with Microsoft makes sense, since the Zune is targeted at the same people who play video games.

"It should be our customer," he said. "That customer has grown up with us."

Mr. Morgan said GameStop could eventually sell other consumer electronics products if those products are likely to appeal to gamers. But games remain the company's focus.

Interesting. Brian Crecente

GameStop Convention [Dallas Morning News, thanks Methane47]

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