Netflix Scraps Game Rental Service
Even though subscribers are on the rebound
During that whole Qwikster moment that happened last September/October where Netflix almost became two separate companies, it was announced that they would begin renting videogames as well as DVDs. That no longer appears to be the case.
During their fourth quarter earnings call yesterday, where it was also revealed that subscribers are coming back following both the Qwikster issue and previous price hikes, CEO Reed Hastings said they had "no plans" to start videogame rentals.
Perhaps they are focusing on what they do best, but it sure would have been convenient to rent games that way.
Source: Game Informer, USA Today
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Well if it isn't broke don't fix it.
1/26/12 by MirrorOfKagami
NONE OF THIS would have happened if Hollywood wasn't run by a bunch of dicks who are terrified of the internet (and think it's a fucking television set).
This calls for a "Booooooo!"
1/26/12 by TrinityLayne
I was actually kinda hoping they'd do the game rental thing...would have upgraded from just streaming for that...LOL
While it doesn't help consumers, it is a smart business decision. Game rentals are going the way of the dvd and dinosaurs. There's no point in spending more money to add another physical media option when digitally delivered content is the future.
No it's not a smart move. Maybe digital streaming is the wave of the future, but there are so many problems with it now that it'll be a long time coming before DVDs/Blu-Rays are obsolete.
1/26/12 by reddogg
This is the same thought process that drove Netflix to attempt to separate the siamese twins of their DVD and streaming services. It was a logical decision, looking at how much everyone who mongers physical media is suffering, it seems like a good idea to spin off the physical side so the streaming company is not dragged down over the next decade by the slow and painful demise of DVD. However for all the logic and wisdom there, it turned out to be the wrong decision. It's water under the bridge now, but what if they made some amazing play in the game market to bridge the gap between Valve/Steam and EA/Origin?
I love the Netflix movie streaming but dangggggg, they don't have all the recent/new releases and updated tv seasons!!!!! That just totally sux!
I was thinking that Netflix could totally outstrip its competitors by integrating its streaming and delivery services into a single subscription...
...then I realized that's exactly what Netflix used to be. Nice, guys. Real smart.
...then I realized that's exactly what Netflix used to be. Nice, guys. Real smart.
1/26/12 by dokudokugwo
I wonder how many subscribers are really coming back... I know for one that I'm not... they need to improve their streaming selection, and not just rotate content but once it's there, it needs to not go away. Adding current seasons of stuff on TV would help too.
The games thing... it would just be yet another added expense for them that would give them reason to jack up prices in the future... and personally I don't rent games. I think the last time I rented a game was probably mortal kombat back in 93...
The games thing... it would just be yet another added expense for them that would give them reason to jack up prices in the future... and personally I don't rent games. I think the last time I rented a game was probably mortal kombat back in 93...
"What they do best" meaning epic fail business decisions and fake promises?
1/26/12 by Kazuma1982
The thing is this doesn't even matter anymore. Being with Netflix is a gamble now ever since their sudden price jack. They are way to flaky to rely on as a subscription service.
1/26/12 by penfold314
I would use their streaming if they would give me the option of subtitles on the anime
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