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Gamefly listings suggest Centipede and Star Raiders remakes
[Star Raiders Tribute Page] It would appear that Haunted House marked the beginning of a new series of revamped Atari classics. Siliconera spotted GameFly listings for PS3 and Xbox 360 games called "Star Raiders" and "Centipede." Centipede, of course, is one of the most well-known early arcade games, featuring a trackball-controlled avatar firing lasers at on-screen centipedes and mushrooms. Star Raiders isn't as well known. It's a first-person, Star Trek-style space exploration and combat simulator released on various Atari computers -- as well as on Atari 2600, where it used the "Video Touch Pad" controller. The fact that these are on Gamefly suggests that they're retail releases -- since Gamefly doesn't rent downloadable games.
Rock of the Dead shambling onto PS3 and Xbox 360, according to retail listings
Both GameFly and Amazon have added PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Epicenter's Rock of the Dead to their databases. For the uninitiated, Rock of the Dead is essentially a clone of Typing of the Dead, with guitars instead of keyboards. You'll have to strum your way through a zombie horde, in an adventure that promises the same "cheesy/campy" humor found in Sega's original arcade game. Considering the HD consoles are no strangers to guitar controllers, it makes sense that publisher UFO Interactive would want to target every viable platform. With Dr. Horrible's Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day taking starring roles, Rock of the Dead's sheer nerd power definitely has our interest piqued. [Via superannuation]
GameFly releases GameCenter app for Android
Good news, Android users, GameFly's GameCenter app is no longer just for your jerk iPhone-owning friends. That's right, GameFly has released an Android version of the app, putting the rental service at your mobile fingertips. The app allows users to manage their rental queues, check out trailers and browse game news. Finally, you can watch GameFly inexplicably ship the game at the bottom of your list on the go! GameCenter is available now on the Android Market.
Blockbuster details new Games By Mail rental system
Yesterday, we heard about beleaguered rental chain Blockbuster's attempt to yoink some of the video game rental market back from the hands of GameFly by implementing a new "Games By Mail" rental service. Today, we received more details: For an extra $7.99 plus tax on top of their standard monthly fees, Blockbuster Online subscribers will be able to rent one game at a time, which counts towards the total number of discs they're allowed to have out under their subscription plan. Fortunately, if you don't check out any games during the one-month billing period, you're not charged the extra eight bucks. For more details on the service -- which Blockbuster is currently testing in Cleveland, Ohio "with plans to expand this nationwide before the end of the year" -- check out the company's FAQ page.
Blockbuster weighs games-by-mail, Netflix dismisses it
According to an email The Consumerist says one of its readers received, struggling entertainment rental store Blockbuster is considering adding games to its media-by-mail service (think GameFly). According to the email, customers would "be able to choose from over 3,000 different games, including many popular new releases." When asked if Netflix would consider a similar move, a company spokesperson seemed unenthusiastic, saying "Movies are perennial. A great movie from 1972 is still a great movie but who wants to play Madden '95?" Sounds like somebody knows on which side their proverbial bread is buttered.
GameFly GameCenter update: manage your GameQ
When the GameFly GameCenter mobile app launched last October, its creators promised to eventually bring its functionality into parity with the main site's user interface. Thanks to a recent update through the App Store, that future has been realized. GameCenter has been tweaked to allow GameFly subscribers to add titles to (or remove titles from) their GameQs while out and about. A handful of additional UI changes have also been made to streamline the game-renting process. You can check out the app for free using the download link below. GameFly GameCenter (free)
GameFly sale: Bionic Batman and the Brutal Beatles
Here's the good news: According to our budget-minded buddies (budgies?) at CAG, GameFly has a sale on several appealing Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 titles, including Batman: Arkham Asylum (360 / $19.99), Bionic Commando (360 / PS3 / $9.99), Brütal Legend (360 / $14.99) and The Beatles: Rock Band (360 / $21.99). We also spy some stellar deals on Red Faction: Guerrilla (360 / PS3 / under $15) and 2D fighter BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger ($19.99 / $24.99). GameFly games are guaranteed to be in working condition and include manuals and cases. And here's the bad news: The sale comes to an end on March 30. Also, our industry is woefully ill-equipped to produce a product called "Bionic Batman and the Brütal Beatles" and will succumb to creative and financial bankruptcy long before you ever get to play something of such magnificent magnitude. Oh well.
Amazon and Gamefly agree: Singularity out June 29
The upcoming Singularity from Raven Software is supposed to give you the power to age objects just by gesturing at them, and it appears that ability is being tested on the game itself: Its release date has been slowly edging into the future, from early 2010 up into March and then on to June. But it seems like the timeshifting has finally come to an end, as both Amazon and Gamefly have listed the game as releasing on June 29th of this year. Activision originally cited the delay as an attempt to keep the game away from a crowded slate of "competitive titles," so perhaps the game will do better kicking off the dog days of summer. If Raven's time-bending twist on the FPS captures your interest, it'll be one more good reason to stay out of that hot, hot summer sun. [Thanks, Shagittarius]
GameFly going public, files $50 million IPO
GameFly, game rental service and media entity, has filed a $50 million initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has applied to appear as "GFLY" on the NASDAQ ticker. The IPO registration form lays out many details that were previously unknown about the privately held company. Tidbits include that GameFly has approximately 334,000 subscribers as of September 2009 and generated $84.7 milllion in revenue in its fiscal year ending March 2009. Additionally, the form suggests that GameFly's collection of media sites, which includes the ShackNews properties, apparently draws 4.4 million monthly unique visitors. GameFly is currently practicing a "quiet period" and representatives could not comment on this report. [Via BusinessInsider; thanks, Wolvie75]
Yakuza 3 box art localized for the US
When we saw this box art for Yakuza 3 on GameFly, we sighed in relief. Thankfully, Sega has followed the time-honored legacy of making spectacularly terrible box art for the West. Amazingly, this new art manages to say even less about the game than its Japanese counterpart, neglecting to show any of the Japanese cityscape that made the game so compelling to its fanbase. More ridiculously, Kazuma Kiryu appears to have grown a goatee comprised exclusively of an ESRB rating. Of course, if you're seriously offended by the box art, you can simply import the original Japanese version. Just don't expect any of the bonus English subtitles included in Sega's upcoming release. [Via VG247]
BlazBlue Portable heading to US, GameFly listing shows
One of the best fighting games of the current generation has to be BlazBlue, the latest from Guilty Gear creators Arc System Works. A PSP version is currently in the works, and as is typical of many Japanese games, no US release has been announced. That's likely to change, as Siliconera has discovered a GameFly listing for the PSP version of BlazBlue. According to the rental site, the publisher is none other than Aksys, distributors of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game. Considering Gamefly's penchant for leaking releases, this should come as good news to PSP fans.
Gamefly updates GameCenter iPhone app
GameFly (which is sort of a Netflix for video games) sent along word that they have updated their free iPhone app called Gamecenter [iTunes link]. Not only does it work as an official app -- you can update and add to your queue straight from the app, which is definitely nice, as you can go carry it around a game store an add titles at will -- but the new update adds lots and lots of game information that's even useful away from GameFly. You can browse games on all of the major systems, and check out user ratings and screenshots along with video of nearly all of them. It's pretty well done, especially for a free app. The app also includes game news from Shacknews as well, which is a nice bonus, but hopefully by now you've got your own way to get any news you need on the iPhone. If you're a GameFly member, this one's a no-brainer, and even if you're not, there's enough per-game content (and quick access information) in the app that it's definitely worth a look.
GameFly begins selling new games
GameFly, the online game rental service .... wait, that's hardly accurate anymore, let's start over: GameFly, the media company and rental service entity, is now selling new games on its website, including large items like DJ Hero and Tony Hawk Ride. Those expecting to discover the amazing discounts normally found with the service's used games will be disappointed to note that the new games are full retail price and include shipping costs and applicable taxes. Example for Massachusetts: A new copy of New Super Marios Bros Wii: $50 for the game + $3 tax + $5 for standard shipping = $58 The "keep it" price for a member who's been with the service over a year: $39 + $3 tax + no shipping cost = $42 (members also receive a $5 coupon every quarter, which would make it $37) The "new" store isn't a revelation in retail, but perhaps it'll make more sense later on. GameFly still has some of the best deals in used games we've seen. [Thanks, Chris S.]
Here's what you're Gameflying this holiday season
While it may initially seem the only game releasing this holiday season is something called Modern Warfare 2, some titles -- like Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II and Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros. Wii -- actually have the guts to stand up against the most important game of all time ever seriously. Game rental service Gamefly recently gathered data on which titles its users are actually looking forward to this holiday season, offering the info in one convenient list. For the all platforms list, the three titles mentioned are unsurprisingly present and joined by other popular recent releases like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Halo 3: ODST. On the home console side of things, the Xbox 360 and PS3's most popular title is obviously Modern Warfare 2, while the Wii's big hit is, also expectedly, New Super Mario Bros. Wii. For handhelds, gamers are ticking Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and Dissidia: Final Fantasy for rental on the DS and PSP, respectively. Overall, the list is fairly unsurprising, though we guess one could argue that it's surprising all of these people want to rent Modern Warfare 2 and haven't already purchased it.
Upper Deck's Hero of the Year
This rather strange announcement over on the Upper Deck page about the TCG (in which, by the way, they admit that all of those problems you contest winners have been having giving your codes to Landro are completely intentional -- they're joking, in case you're wondering) is all about one of the cooler things they're doing with the TCG tournament system, something called Hero of the Year. The world champs have already been chosen, but as I understand it, these are like points winners: they may not have won the championship, but they earn points for placing in each tournament, and at the end of the year the person with the most points gets named Hero of the Year, and wins all the prizes associated with that: a free year of Upper Deck product and play, years of GameFly and Netflix, and of course lots of loot cards and exclusive loot. 2009's Hero of the Year is a guy named Jan Palys from Germany -- congrats to him and the rest of the top 10, called the Elite Minions. There's some other fun with this as well, especially if you're planning to hit up an event next year: for the next 12 months, anyone who beats one of these winners in tournament play will get a special exclusive card called Mystic Denial that will block any card your opponent plays. It's a cool idea -- gives you something else to chase as you hit up whatever Upper Deck event happens to show up in your town.
GameFly releases 'GameCenter' iPhone app
GameFly has released its free "GameCenter" iPhone app, allowing customers of the video game rental service to adjust their queue on the go. However, GameFly co-founder Sean Spector wants the app to be used by a much broader audience than just GameFly subscribers. Speaking with Joystiq, the executive told us that the company has put a lot more functionality into the app and the "GameFly" tab is only one part of the program.The "Games" tab is essentially a database, with specs, controller details (pretty handy), Achievements, Trophies and reviews. The "News" tab, which can be divided to show specific platforms, is currently a feed from the company's recently acquired Shacknews. Spector plans on future app updates featuring community functionality, trailers and more news sources.Spector tells us that he expects "all the functionality that's in GameFly on the app" in the future. Meaning that users will have access to the full GameFly store and easier queue rearrangement (slide functionality, rather than inputting numbers). For subscribers, the commerce and "Keep It" functionality work just like on the main site, with properly applied discounts and coupons. Spector also noted that those without a GameFly subscription who download the app receive a 15-day free trial.GameFly seems serious about making the app as useful as possible and is asking for feedback. If there's anything you want to see after trying it out, send the company an email or leave feedback through the app, which can be found under "Settings" tab. GameFly GameCenter (free)
Over 2000 GameFly games stolen by USPS worker
It's no secret that there's some bad blood between GameFly and the US Postal Service but this ... this is personal. Philly.com reports that Reginald Johnson, a former Philadelphia mail handler, has admitted to a federal court that he stole 2200 GameFly games -- totalling $86,000 in value -- before they could be delivered to local subscribers. Johnson was caught as the result of an investigation into missing GameFly mailings in the Philadelphia area, conducted by the USPS inspector general. The culprit was spotted during a 2008 test mailing under government surveillance, after which Johnson escaped in his SUV, crashed it, and then fled on foot with a duffel bag, which was later recovered. Between the bag and the SUV, authorities uncovered 160 games and a load of Wii Fit units, controllers, a Playstation and GameStop receipts. It would appear that Johnson had been trading the games at GameStop for store credit. He now faces up to 18 months in prison. When contacted by Joystiq for comment, a GameFly representative stated that the company appreciates "the diligent efforts by the Office of Inspector General agents" to apprehend Mr. Johnson. Do you hear that? It's the sound of healing. [Via GamePolitics]
GameFly files further complaints against US Postal Service
Back in April, video game rental service GameFly filed a formal complaint against the United States Postal Service for supposedly offering preferential treatment and care to Netflix and Blockbuster parcels, and none to its equally fragile mailers. Now, GameFly is petitioning for information relating to "Netflix-only" drop boxes present in certain post offices. Though the USPS filed a directive to employees two years ago mandating that these boxes be taken down to avoid legal ramifications, GameFly presented photo evidence of Netflix slots remaining in two California post offices. GameFly has also continued its original complaint, claiming parcels from larger DVD rental services were being manually sorted to prevent damage and breakage. The USPS responded with a curt "all DVD mailers are not equal," and suggested that GameFly update its disc packaging to better protect its product. When asked for comment on the complaint, a GameFly representative said, "Unfortunately, we cannot comment as it is a legal matter." [Update: For visual aid, we've received the above image from a reader whose post office most certainly does sort Netflix and Blockbuster DVDs separately. He said they don't include GameFly DVDs because the rate at which encounter them "is much lower." Well, look at that.] [Via GamePolitics]
GameFly changes Alpha Protocol release to 'TBD'
With Sega still refusing to respond to inquiries about Alpha Protocol's release date, it seems retailers are doing the talking for 'em: GameFly has changed its release date of "the espionage RPG" from October 27th to TBD. The video game rental site has a long-standing history to "simply post information as it is supplied to [GameFly] by the publishers." Further requests for clarification from Sega continue to be met by the Sega Wall of Silence™. We have been told by the company's development director that we should expect "an update shortly via PR." And for the record, the official release date for Alpha Protocol is still next Tuesday. Sega?
Garnett Lee becomes editorial director for GameFly media, including Shacknews [update]
1UP editor and podcast personality Garnett Lee has joined GameFly to become the editorial director for all of the game rental service's media properties. He will now take charge of GameFly's recently acquired and created sites, which include Shacknews, FileShack, Ponged and Gameanswers.com. Lee was one of the few survivors in the great 1UP culling that occurred earlier this year, when the former Ziff-Davis property was purchased by UGO. GameFly, as we've mentioned before, is slowly shifting from its core competency of being a game rental service to becoming an internet publishing outfit.Update: We spoke with Garnett Lee and his comments about the change are after the break.
