Game Rentals
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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 expanding game rentals to 'thousands' of its kiosks
Redbox has been playing around with video game rentals from its disc-spitting kiosks for a few years now, but the company has decided the program is ready for the big time, and will reportedly expand the program to "thousands" of its 24,000 machines around the country. Rentals cost $2 and let you take the game home for just one day, which, given the apparently shrinking lengths of popular titles, is more than doable, depending on the game and the day. If you want to find a box near you, you can punch your zipcode in on the company's official website and see if there are games in your neighborhood to be rented. Most of them seem to be at 7-Elevens or other convenience stores, which seems pretty convenient if you ask us.
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]
Blockbuster integrates games into Total Access subscription [update]
Blockbuster announced today that it will begin offering game rentals as part of its Total Access online movie rental service. The company will start a pilot program during its second quarter, with a goal of implementing the integrated system nationally by the second half of the year. Essentially, Blockbuster is trying to morph Total Access into a Netflix meets GameFly offering. The question: Will the quality of service be as high as the two go-to names in the field?Several details on how this program will work are missing from the company's press release. We've contacted Blockbuster and will hopefully speak with them soon. We'll update as soon as we hear back.Update: We talked to Bob Barr, vice president and general manager for Blockbuster Online. He answers our questions after the break about the service and the possibility of integration with PS3.
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).
