Video game renting from Netflix is dead

It seems like so long ago that Netflix was giving "Qwikster" the axe. The horribly misguided decision to split the DVD by mail service from the streaming business rubed no one the right way and was ultimately killed before it even launched.

One small good thing to come from the Qwikster debacle was that the Qwikster side of the company would soon offer video games by mail in a similar way that GameFly does today. A little over three months after the death of Qwikster, Netflix has chosen not to go forward with their video game plans.

GameFly owns the video games by mail space now and some competition would be a welcome thing. Netflix has many more distribution centers than GameFly which means it takes a few extra days to get games than it does to get a movie from Netflix. A new rival might have pushed GameFly to add new centers or reduce pricing but sadly Netflix is no longer a threat.

via: The Verge

Netflix spins off DVD by mail, adds video games

There was a bit of a shake up at Netflix today. A few months back Netflix took a lot of heat after announcing price increases. Personally I thought it was a fine move. I don't mind paying more for potentially more good content from a service I quite like. Other users didn't take so kindly and bitched and moaned on the internet with a few even canceling their subscriptions.

So here we are today and Netflix is separating the DVD option even further from its streaming service. Moving it to a whole new company in fact. Qwikster is the name you will begin seeing on your red envelopes from now on. Those who subscribe to both do not have to do anything, but you will see two charges (one from Qwikster, one from Netflix) if you subscribe to both streaming and DVD by mail. You will also not see any price increases (or decreases) Netflix says they are done with that. For now.

The hope is by separating the two services they can grow independently and not hold one another back. The first bit of growth comes from Netflix Qwikster, now offering video games. PS3, 360 and Wii games will be offered for a additional fee. If that fee will be as cheap as the blu-ray upgrade is yet to be seen.

I think the biggest let down here is that the websites are not compatible. So if you're looking for a DVD on Qwikster you will have to do a separate search on Netflix to see if that film is streaming as well. That will likely be a major annoyance for a lot of people. The addition of video games is great but I hope to see some new content and innovation coming to the streaming side as well. And with the addition of video games is this the end for GameFly? Watch a video of Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings and Qwikster CEO, Andy Rendich talk about the new initiative after the break.

Netflix via: Engadget

Click to read more ...

GameFly sets up Steam rival on PC and Mac

While Steam and EA's Origin battle it out, GameFly is throwing their hat in the ring with a download client on PC and Mac this holiday season. GameFly recently purchased Direct2Drive and now they are creating a client around that but they are not forgetting their console game roots. In the app you'll be able to manage your game 'Q' for all you PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii games as well as purchase the PC or Mac version.

GameFly also purchased Shacknews, a long time gaming news site, which they will also be integrating into the app. Their mobile apps also have a social feature allowing you to follow friends, and post status updates. They will be expanding upon those features and integrating them into the app as well.

There is a beta coming September 8th but the public release won't come until later this year. With Valve's Steam and EA's Origin squabbling over titles and content could GameFly pick up the scraps or be left with nothing? We'll know this holiday if there is room in this digital town for another download store. Check out a quick video highlighting some of the features after the break.

Click to read more ...