GameStop Corp

Here are some of the items that will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street: Retailers will report; video games will rebound; Howard Stern will re-energize, and Groupon will retrench.

What will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street? Video game companies will let us know the score; satellite TV providers will give us a signal; Tesla and Priceline are traveling forward; and Johnny Depp and Tim Burton could put some teeth in the year's box office numbers.

Folks aren't buying video games the way they used to -- and that's a problem for the industry. But if the big players are willing to consider some outrageous strategies, they can buy themselves some bonus lives.

The latest news on the video game front isn't pretty. Media tracker NPD Group's data reveals that industry sales plunged 21% last month. It's clear that the industry is undergoing a radical shift, but for investors, the more important issue is why.

When it comes to how they treat their customers, some companies follow Santa-like policies. Others are more like the Grinch. But which is which? Consumer Reports offers the skinny on how a number of high-profile businesses behave with its Naughty & Nice Holiday List. Here's a rundown:

Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 posted a new sales record last week. But Activision Blizzard just can't keep a hold on fickle gamers. Guitar Hero hit a high note, then went silent, and now World of Warcraft is losing population fast.

For many years, GameStop has had a business model that couldn't fail: Sell the hottest new gaming gear, take used games and equipment in trade, keep knowledgeable staff, and don't overpay on rent. But that model is starting collapse, and soon, it may be "Game Over" for GameStop.

Once upon a time, Nintendo was king of the video game consoles, but that day is long gone. Shares of Nintendo hit a five-year low this summer, wiping away any gains from the Wii era, and it took a steep operating loss to boot last quarter. Here's why there are no bonus lives in its future.