Think that working at your local game shack is all fun and... err, games? It's not. It sucks. You're not even allowed to play the games that surround you, making it a tortuous employment existence. More often than not, if you've got full command of your mental capacities, even setting foot in an EB is torture.

Games Radar has an interesting and long piece up with counter clerk war stories that chronicle not only the mundane nature of the job, but some of the slimier business practices that some specialty retailers employ.

Certain companies pay to push their games and then our corporate offices track how well we're selling those games. Every month we had a different "Vendor of the Month" that we were forced to push. Telling people that Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter or Enter the Matrix are great games and that they should definitely buy it.

Yuck. Oppressive policies, annoying clientele, low pay and constant visits from stinky fanboys—makes me wonder why anyone works there. An insightful read for those of you looking to invade the game retail space. Michael McWhertor

Confessions of a Game Store Clerk [Games Radar]