Look out, GameFly: Blockbuster to launch online game rentals

[PyramidHead80]

PRESS RELEASE -- An upcoming pilot program from Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI) (NYSE:BBI.B) , a leading global provider of media entertainment, will offer consumers one-stop shopping for their online video game and movie rental needs. The pilot program, which will be launched during the second quarter, will allow select BLOCKBUSTER Total Access(TM) online customers to rent video games, as well as movies, through the mail as part of their subscription plan. With a goal of having the offering available nationally in the second half of the year, the company is launching the pilot program as the first step in its plan to make BLOCKBUSTER Total Access the only online rental service offering both movies and games.

"We already rent more video games than any other company, store-based or online, in the nation, so we know our core customer loves games as well as movies," said Bob Barr, Vice President and General Manager of blockbuster.com. "With this pilot program, we're laying the groundwork for offering BLOCKBUSTER Total Access customers easy online access to the movies and games they want, through an integrated subscription offering. Plus, according to their plan, they'll continue to be able to exchange their by-mail rentals both for free in-store movies as well as half-price in-store game rentals. A combination video game and movie online offering -- with in-store exchange privileges -- is a tremendous value and convenience offering not available through anyone other than Blockbuster."

In addition to more than 90,000 movie titles to choose from, BLOCKBUSTER Total Access subscribers in the pilot program will have the option of selecting from game titles across major platforms - including Nintendo Wii(TM), PS2(TM), PS3(TM), Xbox and Xbox 360. Participating subscribers will also continue to have the same subscription benefits as they currently do, plus the added benefit of video game availability.

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/...-game-rentals/

What, no GameCube loving

[JAWoOKIE]

With the recent price increase of in store rentals, I can doubt this will compete with Gamefly either.

[TheGreenDude]

If they add on demand streaming to BD players, PS3's and Xbox's it'd be one killer service. I'd prefer a Netflix-Gamefly merger and a single monthly fee, maybe this will catalyze such an event...

[michealo]

hopefully netflix buys gamefly and i only have to pay for one service

[JAWoOKIE]

hopefully netflix buys gamefly and i only have to pay for one service

Even better!

[bryenfury]

would be nice to consolidate netflix/gamefly for sure.
One would hope..

[Snadinator]

Would be nice to have Netflix in Canada.

[ActionJackson]

LOL if the Blockbuster game service is as bad as their movie service (in terms of quickness to get movies vs. netflix) it won't be good. Although gamefly is super slow too. I would give it a look though.

[cash]

gamefly rewards are awesome though. It would be nice to have one service for movies and games, but I'm pleased with netflix and gamefly.

[ActionJackson]

It would be very nice to have 1 service for both. I would eat that up I think, if it was good. Gamefly rewards are awesome though.

[HuskerGuy]

As a current Total Access subscriber, this is definitely something I'd like to try. Presuming there are no additional costs.

[diggumsmax]

Does Blockbuster ever have any original ideas? It seems like they just see who is successful and try to copy their business model (First Netflix movies by mail, then streaming, now this).

[james]

Blockbuster is on the list of companies most likely not to survive in 2009. Good luck.

Blockbuster. (BBI; about 60,000 employees; stock down 57%). The video-rental chain has burned cash while trying to figure out how to maximize fees without alienating customers. Its operating income has started to improve just as consumers are cutting back, even on movies. Video stores in general are under pressure as they compete with cable and Internet operators offering the same titles. A key test of Blockbuster's viability will come when two credit lines expire in August. One possible outcome, according to Valueline, is that investors take the company private and then go public again when market conditions are better.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-Com...-14279875.html

[Pyrochaos]

hopefully netflix buys gamefly and i only have to pay for one service

I thought Netflix and Gamefly were part of the same company?

I just thought they kept them seperate to generate more revenue?

Maybe a joint membership is what they should offer.

[Puhgete]

As a current Total Access subscriber, this is definitely something I'd like to try. Presuming there are no additional costs.

Well, from what I've read there is a $5 charge if you rent a game for that months service.