) I don't have a ton of time to play these days, but there are a handful of titles I missed when they first came out that I would really like to play (like Uncharted 2), so I figured renting one game every month or so would be a better deal than buying.
I checked out GameFly, but wasn't really impressed by their pricing, so I ended up signing up for Gamemine. Their pricing is better, but selection isn't so hot, there's a wait list for nearly everything I want, and I'd be happy to cancel if there's a better option. I'd just like to spend less than $10 a month if possible. Any suggestions? Should I just suck it up and go with GameFly?
Incidentally, I actually wrote about this very topic for the New York Times eight years ago (www.nytimes.com/2003/04/03/technology/basics-for-e...). Since then it looks like most of the companies I wrote about have disappeared.
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Does anyone have a favorite online video game rental service? (You know, like Netflix for games?
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I've been reeeeally tempted to try out the new Red Box rental service, but I'm lucky if I have any time at all to play games lately -- never mind drive to the closest store to get one.
I wish Netflix would get in the game already.
I wish Netflix would get in the game already.
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OnLive seems to be the one to watch
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I used Gamefly for about a month or two and will be cancelling it at the end of this month. At first I loved it but as my time with them has gone it has become less than stellar. My average turn around time on a game being sent in and a new one arriving is 4 days, sometimes I feel like it's a week. The nearest station to me is in Pittsburgh and I think that amount of time is a bit too long. On top of that I have had a game in my queue at #1 and the last four games I have gotten from them have not been that #1 game. The game in question is not a high demand game and I don't know why they keep overlooking it.
The best method seems to be pre-order w/ resell via Amazon. If you can finish (or dislike/bored with) a game in 1-2 months you recoup at least $40 from that purchase.
The best method seems to be pre-order w/ resell via Amazon. If you can finish (or dislike/bored with) a game in 1-2 months you recoup at least $40 from that purchase.
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Hah, I've been wondering this exact thing lately! I just can't swallow the price though. I mean, I guess it's not too bad of a deal for what you're getting. But I personally can't justify it. Sadly, there isn't much else out there.
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I just canceled my GameFly account last week actually. The turnaround times for me in Seattle were really bad, since the only distro center on the west coast is in SoCal. It would take as long as a week and a half to get a game, and often it would be the 4th or 5th entry in my queue, not the top games I actually wanted.
In order to keep a steady stream of games coming, I had to have the 2 game plan. I would send a game in when I received a game, and usually by the time the next game came I was done and ready to send that game in.
I was not impressed. For the price, the speed was much too slow and the selection much too poor. I heard that Blockbuster's online rental for games is actually much better, but I haven't tried it.
In order to keep a steady stream of games coming, I had to have the 2 game plan. I would send a game in when I received a game, and usually by the time the next game came I was done and ready to send that game in.
I was not impressed. For the price, the speed was much too slow and the selection much too poor. I heard that Blockbuster's online rental for games is actually much better, but I haven't tried it.
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I used Gamefly, switched to Blockbuster, and am now back at Gamefly. Like others have said, as long as you don't want a brand new game then you're good. Also, try keeping only one or two games in your queue. I think they will send the first game in your queue that is available at the nearest distribution center.
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I've been with GameFly for about two and a half years now and I love it. I have the two-game plan and I tend to turn them around pretty quick, especially because there is a distribution center here in Austin.
Based on my calculations comparing how much I have spent subscribing and how much I would have spent buying all of these games, I've saved a lot of money with GameFly.
Based on my calculations comparing how much I have spent subscribing and how much I would have spent buying all of these games, I've saved a lot of money with GameFly.
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I've been using gamefly for about a month. The best part is I have been able to try most of the 3ds launch games so i know personally how much most of them suck without buying them. I use it for my new ps3 as well. Another great thing is that if you love a game enough, you can purchase it for the used price that is comparable to what gamestop would charge you. You keep the game, and they send you the brand new game case and manual for free. Now for the bad... i live in south florida and with the nearest shipping facility in tampa it still takes them about 3 days to get games to me. This sucks because it takes about a week for me to send a game and receive another. If I didn't have netflix to compare to the turnaround time I probably wouldn't complain though. I have to say i recommend this service. Games are expensive these days and this will allow you to play them all.
Now for OnLive. Its really cool. i tried it on my computer and was very impressed how you can play games without any noticeable lag. I hear shooters don't work as well as most other games though because the server has to render the image and send it back to you for every frame. They have a few good games like assassins creed 2 and Mafia II, but there are only a few studios that offer games for the service. This means there are not too many new releases making this service not up to par with consoles just for that reason. However, if they do offer enough games I will most definitely shell out the 99 bucks for the box and controller. Do you understand what this technology means??? It's the future! No more having to upgrade your expensive console system!!! Maybe Sony or Microsoft will go this route in the future instead of having a ps4 or xbox 720. Even Gamestop bought a game streaming company which is a sign.
But... Onlive is ahead of it's time. Get Gamefly for the time being. You won't regret it.
Now for OnLive. Its really cool. i tried it on my computer and was very impressed how you can play games without any noticeable lag. I hear shooters don't work as well as most other games though because the server has to render the image and send it back to you for every frame. They have a few good games like assassins creed 2 and Mafia II, but there are only a few studios that offer games for the service. This means there are not too many new releases making this service not up to par with consoles just for that reason. However, if they do offer enough games I will most definitely shell out the 99 bucks for the box and controller. Do you understand what this technology means??? It's the future! No more having to upgrade your expensive console system!!! Maybe Sony or Microsoft will go this route in the future instead of having a ps4 or xbox 720. Even Gamestop bought a game streaming company which is a sign.
But... Onlive is ahead of it's time. Get Gamefly for the time being. You won't regret it.
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I was on GameFly for a few months, canceled because it was expensive and then I have gone back at least once when they offered the 1 month for $9.99 plus tax. If it were faster (I live in Boston) I would be a subscriber, but it seemed like it took at least a week and a half for me to get a game and it was rarely the game I wanted. Sometimes it's cheaper to just buy an old used game at gamestop (or equivalent) and then after you're done with the game, just sell it back. Gamefly is good for one play thru games but the shipping times combined with the fact that I wouldn't get the game I wanted did it in for me. I always did the 1 game at a time, but if I had roommates I think the 2 games at a time would be good since you could split the cost and always have one in transit if you just want to try out a ton of games.
I originally signed up with the thought that I could play as many games as I wanted for the whole year for the price of just 3 games. However the frustration of wasting at least a week a month (so I only paid $17 for a game) or holding onto a game for 2 months and essentially paying $30 for a game I wouldn't buy anyway just built up too much. If they solved their shipping issues I would hop back on. Shipping would have to be similar to Netflix with a 2 day turnaround, which I understand would be very tough given the niche market GameFly serves. Decreasing their price may convince me too, but waiting a week or more for a game to come definitely got me the most POed.
I originally signed up with the thought that I could play as many games as I wanted for the whole year for the price of just 3 games. However the frustration of wasting at least a week a month (so I only paid $17 for a game) or holding onto a game for 2 months and essentially paying $30 for a game I wouldn't buy anyway just built up too much. If they solved their shipping issues I would hop back on. Shipping would have to be similar to Netflix with a 2 day turnaround, which I understand would be very tough given the niche market GameFly serves. Decreasing their price may convince me too, but waiting a week or more for a game to come definitely got me the most POed.
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I am currently using gamefly although I'm disappointed in their shipping times. Currently looking for an alternative.
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