Blockbuster to add games to Total Access

[DubC]

Blockbuster integrates games into Total Access subscription (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/11/blockbuster-integrates-games-into-total-access-subscription/)

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?

[Wraith]

Before the inevitable "Blockbuster is crap" replies show up... I'll say that I used Blockbuster Online for DVD rentals several years back and was fairly pleased with the service. I eventually stopped using the service after I'd rented most of the movies/anime I wanted watch, and they raised their monthly rates.

I haven't used Netflix or Gamefly myself (though I've heard Gamefly has poor turnaround times in the midwest).

[Gorvi]

Interesting. They allow in store exchange, right? If for a monthly fee I could rent as many games as I wanted, I'd be up for that if you could exchange them in store, as I have one that's literally within walking distance of my house.

[Talanvor]

Hrm, that is interesting. Blockbuster, I think, lets you keep out more movies than Netflix for the same price, so maybe they'll price themselves cheaper than Gamefly too?

[Kelegacy]

If they price themselves cheaper, with as good as or better availability, I'd do it. Price it better, offer a similar service, gamers will come. I wish I had a Blockbuster near me so I could do that. If HOllywood Video or Movie Gallery, the stores near me, offered subscriptions based on in-store stuff only, I'd do it. Especially if it applied to games too.

Gamefly was okay, but it has TONS of room for improvement unless you live near a distribution center. There is a center in PA and I live in ME, but my games still take a week or more to show up for a total turnaround time. Lame, which is why I cancelled.

[Talanvor]

There's a distro center here in Austin, but if you're trying to rent new release good friggin' luck. I can understand why Gamefly doesn't want to sink too much into buy the newest games, but it does suck a little to not be able to play em.

[Wraith]

When I looked at the plans they have now, Blockbuster's mail-only plans were a few bucks less than the comparable Netflix plans, but their Total Access plans (which include a number of in-store exchanges) were a few bucks more. If the mail-only plans allowed game rentals, then great, but I don't have a Blockbuster store close enough to make use of any in-store services. It would seem that games are only coming to the Total Access plans.

[torrefaction]

Blockbuster online was in a lot of ways better than Netflix for me. Screw the Blockbuster sucks haters...that company that screwed consumers over is dead. Award reform.

On the other hand, I love Netflix streaming on the 360...so they missed the boat for my dollars.

[National Kato]

In order for me to drop my GameFly subscription, Netflix would have to offer games as well. Honestly, I can see that happening if Blockbuster's service gains momentum. But I'm not dropping Netflix for Blockbuster on the movie front - not with the 360 streaming.

[johnperkins21]

It sounds like an interesting idea, and one that I'd probably be willing to try. The fact that they will only charge you the additional $5 (on top of the subscription of $19.99) if you rent a game is pretty cool.

I think there is a very good chance that I will give this a shot if it ever truly materializes before Blockbuster files for bankruptcy.

[Purple Santa]

Interesting. They allow in store exchange, right? If for a monthly fee I could rent as many games as I wanted, I'd be up for that if you could exchange them in store, as I have one that's literally within walking distance of my house.

I have one within walking distance (although i'm not sure you want to do a lot of walking around in my neighborhood unless you are looking for other activities other than gaming :p) and another about 15 minutes away. I'm intrigued and I love my Gamefly. I might try it for ADD since i've thought about getting her own GF account...