Your login information returned multiple users. Please select the user you would like to log in as and re-type in your password.
It looks like Gamefly is entering the world of digital distribution with a new PC game rental service that allows users to download PC games directly to their home computer.
The service looks to work similar to Steam except instead of owning the games you download, you'll no longer have them if you ever end your subscription. But if this means that you can basically have free reign over the, currently, 100 PC titles being offered, this sounds like a pretty good deal. Sorry, Macintosh users. At the moment only Windows PC games are going going to be available, but Gamefly is stating that Mac games will be added sometime in the future.
"Now GameFly subscribers will have access to a library of PC catalog titles to play as often as they want and as long as they are a member," says GameFly co-founder Sean Spector while speaking to USA Today.
"It's kind of like a Spotify or Rhapsody or a Napster," he says. "You have access to the content as long as you are a subscriber, but when you are no longer a member, the content then disappears...We are in discussion with all the major publishers. You have the physical and now you are going to have access to the digital as well. GameFly subscribers will truly get a benefit for no extra cost."
This seems to be the fruits of Gamefly's acquisition of Direct2Drive, IGN's PC download service, three months ago, and what may be a fairly major boon to the PC Gaming industry as a whole. And while Gamefly isn't the first to offer a service like this, it certainly has the potential to be the most popular.
If you want to give this all a shot before the general public get their greasy little hands on it there is a closed beta beginning on Sept. 8. You can sign up here.
You can watch a ad-spot for the new service below.
Comments
12 years, 8 months ago
This sounds really cool. Free games with a service I'm already happy with? Excellent. Hopefully they offer good games.
12 years, 8 months ago
so basically its digital rentals, but instead of a monthly fee its subscription based? Sounds cool, but I wonder if anyone will use the service to buy games as well. Depending on the deals i suppose. Man this, origins, steam, and with ubisofts soon to come digital platform(im sure im missing some more), but man a digital service wars is coming......
12 years, 8 months ago
It is obvious that sooner than later there won't be physical copies of Media or they will be much rarer to come by. It is a step into the right direction thou, some people who consider themselves collectors of games/DVDs will be upset but then again....we had the folks who thought VHS tapes were better as well.
12 years, 8 months ago
Never used gamefly before. This idea looks interesting. Maybe ill try it in the future as well.
12 years, 8 months ago
Ooh...maybe i will give PC gaming a try. Plus I'm already a member of Gamefly, Score.
12 years, 8 months ago
I wonder how much bandwidth it uses when you use this service. This might backfire with all the bandwidth caps out there.
12 years, 8 months ago
The problem I have with this is modding. It's already hard enough to mod steam games (apparently you can't mod the steam version of morrowind) I can't imagine how hard it will be with this service.
12 years, 8 months ago
This seems interesting. Going with Gamefly is the best way at the moment.
12 years, 8 months ago
Doesn't sound too bad to me.
12 years, 8 months ago
The economic side of this scares me. I realize not everyone has a gaming pc, but if this thing is bigger then they expect, it has the potential to bring down steam altogether, and if unchecked, I would say it will hurt gamestop.
12 years, 8 months ago
hmm I may look into getting a gamefly now
12 years, 8 months ago
This is a really good deal
12 years, 8 months ago
gamefly is really stepping up their game[s], but I hate how they say revolutionary... it's been done before, but not rental/subscription-wise not that big of a deal GF.
12 years, 8 months ago
sounds like a more convenient and interesting way to get the games you want.
12 years, 8 months ago
This is a good way for people to try before you buy it seems like an innovative idea for other renting companies
12 years, 8 months ago
Part of the beta over here, it will be interesting.
12 years, 8 months ago
This sounds fantastic, I can't wait.
12 years, 8 months ago
The idea of it seems amazing but PC gaming can be really complicated so there are a lot of things that can go wrong. that aside while the service could be nice for gamers the impact it could have on the PC gaming business can be hugely positive or hugely negative. on one hand it gives gamers another reason to not buy games anymore but on the other hand it also gives developers more of an incentive to try to win back their fans and actually GIVES us a good reason to buy game other than to show loyalty or support.
Lastly,on the topic of this vs. steam, while i doubt this will ever be the downfall of steam if a digital service "war" did break out it could only be good news for the consumers with every company trying to outshine each other with amazing deals