GAME extends its tentacles further throughout the world of high street games retailing.

In slightly surprising news, GAME - already Europe's biggest chain of video-games shops - has announced its buy-out of major rival chain Gamestation for a pricy �74 million. Gamestation's 217 shops around the UK and Ireland will now answer to the GAME overlords, though will continue trading under their Gamestation names in a bid to confuse punters or, as GAME put it, "keep both brand identities separate".

GAME chairman Peter Lewis had the following to say: "We are delighted to bring Gamestation into our portfolio and believe it has a strong future within the group. The Gamestation business is one we have long admired and is complementary to our existing business in terms of both store portfolio and target customers."

All hail your new masters!