GameRentals
Latest
Report: Lovefilm will cease UK game rentals by August 8th
Lovefilm has told Eurogamer that it will no longer offer game rentals by mail in the UK after August 8th. Additionally, the Amazon division confirmed via its blog that the option is no longer available to new subscribers. In addition, existing customers will no longer be able to add the service, a fact that only came to light when someone spotted it on a company FAQ (see the More Coverage link). Lovefilm apologized profusely for the non-communication, and explained that the change was made so it could focus on streaming content instead. It promised to contact subscribers "in the very near future" to confirm the policy, and "strive to communicate directly with our customers" rather than letting them find out through the media. The firm's yet to actually confirm that the service will be cut off completely next month, however -- perhaps that would be a good place to start.
Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet
The official Redbox app for Android hasn't seen many changes since it was first introduced early last year, but that's changing with version 3.0. Now available in Google Play, it brings a new look that should make browsing a bit easier, plus enhanced filtering (you can sort Blu-ray discs by genre) and the ability to sort by date or alphabetical order. Finally, support for push notifications could mean unsubscribing to those weekly texts for coupon codes, and users report you can now input the coupon codes in the app while making reservations. We poked around but couldn't find any references to its Instant streaming service, so there's at least one thing to expect for the next update. Android powered kiosk renters can grab the app at the source link below.
T-mobile, WildTangent to bring 25-cent game rentals to Android devices, harken back to arcade days
Test driving an app isn't entirely unheard of -- Apple introduced its lackluster "Try Before You Buy" system last summer and the Android Market's got a 15-minute return policy. Now T-Mobile's teamed up with mobile gaming outfit WildTangent to bring a novel approach to looking under the hood of gaming apps: rentals. The partnership promises to bring 25 cent game rentals to your phone or tablet (considering you're a T-Mo faithful rocking an Android device), giving you the opportunity to see what a particular game is working with before you commit. The new service also lets users play games for free with advertisements, and applies the cost of rentals to future purchases -- rent-to-own style. So it won't bring the same juvenile thrills as the arcade, but it will let you get your game on at 25 cents a pop. No word yet on when the service will go into effect, so don't go breaking that piggy bank quite yet.
Redbox debuts $2 video game rentals, pretty lean on titles thus far
If you've been waiting expectantly for Redbox to launch its much dreamed-of video game rentals kiosks -- well, dream no more. Word has come down from on high that it's happened, and we'll tell you: we couldn't be more pleased. For $2 a night (which isn't really a great premium compared to Blockbuster's $9 for five nights), you can hit up the kiosk and grab games for Nintendo DS, Wii, PS2 and 3, and Xbox 360. Now -- the game selections are really slim so far, but we're pretty sure that situation will improve quickly, and the launch has only been rolled on in the Reno, Nevada area as of now. We'll keep our fingers crossed for Redbox to make its way eastward soon.[Via Zatz Not Funny]
Developers reportedly briefed on PSP rental service at GDC
Well, if today's batch of rumors are true, it looks like the PSP could be in for quite a few changes beyond the seemingly inevitable hardware revision. As Develop is now reporting, in addition to those rumored music downloads, the PSP could soon also be getting a full-fledged game rental service, which would, of course, be one more means of making a UMD-less PSP a more appealing device (for game developers and consumers alike). Apparently, the service was first pitched to developers at GDC back in March, and was again mentioned in a consumer survey that just surfaced yesterday. What's more, while complete details are expectedly a bit light, the service would apparently charge PSP owners a monthly fee that would allow them to download "a fixed number of games" during their subscription period, although it's not clear if you'd also be able to simply rent 'em one at a time.[Via Joystiq]
GameFly opens Tampa, Florida distribution center
GameFly's Tampa, Florida distribution center finally became semi-official this week as subscribers received emails explaining their return mailer may now have a Tampa address. We contacted GameFly for a fuller explanation of states serviced, but the company stated it has no release at this time and will issue something later this month or January.If the opening of the Tampa site is anything like the one in Pittsburgh, the company will have the center work out the kinks and then announce states served. Now we wait for GameFly's Austin, Texas center to become semi-official, which we actually knew about months before Tampa.[Thanks to all who sent this in]
GameFly users choose Crossing, Kart and comedy
The GameFly rental chart encompassing last week's temporary gaming action has been released and shows a rather shocking trend amongst DS gamers. Actually, no. That's a lie. The most popular DS game on the service was Animal Crossing: Wild World, followed closely by Mario Kart DS and Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time. Whilst the latter title is firmly stuck in the offline realm, the eagerness of gamers to try out the other two bodes well for Nintendo's Wi-Fi service. Hopefully most of the people that rented those fine games will end up buying them and putting some more money in the developers' pockets (at least those developers that choose to wear pants at all).
