UK getting PS3 game, Blu-ray movie vending machines
by Randy Nelson 
{ Nov 3rd 2008 at 7:30PM }
Sony Entertainment and Universal are partnering in the UK to roll out the "PoP Instant Entertainment 24/7," which, in addition to sounding like something out of the movie Total Recall, is a vending machine for PS3 games, Blu-ray Disc movies, and digital music/movie distribution. Unveiled at Stuff Magazine's Stuff Live Expo, the machine features a touch-screen interface and slots for various flash media formats. Users can purchase music or movies in purely digital format, then transfer them to the media of their choosing. The more intriguing aspect, though, is packaged-product vending; choose a game or Blu-ray movie from inventory, swipe your credit card, and out pops a shrink-wrapped copy – just like in this demonstration video.
There's no word yet on plans to introduce the machines outside of the UK, but given a global, insatiable appetite for media and the introduction of similar units that vend DVD rentals and music players in the US, we wouldn't be all that surprised to see these in malls and supermarkets sooner rather than later.
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wiinterfang @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:37PM
I have to steal on of those machines.
Obie @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:37PM
Hmmm game vending machine, eh?
So I have a truck with a heavy duty chain = party at Obie's!
DiL @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:39PM
maybe they'll sell microwavable burritos and mountain dew too
mindshed @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:42PM
Sony corporate PIN is apparently 1146
mindshed @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:44PM
Or, rather, I guess it might be stuff.tv's corporate PIN.
Ringo @ Nov 4th 2008 8:31AM
Wrong, the chip&pin pads are the other way round, so its 7746.
Sackolantern PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:44PM
We have these machines in my hometown. We live in a resort town and all the local check in lobbies have these machines. Not this exact one with Blu-Rays and PS3 games but similar ones with DVDs.
Titanium_Orchid @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:30PM
When I was at Purdue, there were DVD rental machines in the grocery stores. Now I'm in Chicago and I notice the same machines. They seem pretty popular. I would definitely use them if they dispensed games.
WRE @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:02PM
We have these same machines in my hometown too. I live in town with 2 colleges and all the local campuses have them all over the place. Not this exact one with Blu-Rays and PS3 games, but similar ones with snacks and beverages. ; )
Snowblind @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:51PM
Seems like a pretty poor idea.
I don't understand why we need to be able to get games from vending machines when it would be just as easy to go into a GAME store and pick up whatever you want, without the worry of a machine jam or accidentally inputting the wrong digits.
Shmil @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:03PM
on the plus side there's no asshole asking if you want to pre-order anything or sign up for some card
mindshed @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:05PM
Although the bluray option is a bit suspect atm (not many have a portable bluray player), buying a physical dvd or downloading a movie to your media player or flash drive seems like a good idea for airports or other places of extended waiting and possible unforeseen delays.
Obie @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:05PM
True Shmil, True
Samage89 @ Nov 4th 2008 11:49AM
Would make good sale's in the appropriate places. Cinema's would be ideal.
GoldenS1104 @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:21PM
I was about to say the same thing as Shmil. I hate dealing with GameStop. I only go there if there is a game I want at midnight that is having a midnight launch. The machine could also be useful if I ever NEED a game at four in the morning.
philmcphail @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:29PM
Well, its not as bad as it seems. I seen some of them at my airport, you can buy anything ranging from iPod Touches to PSPs. DVDs to UMD Games. Etc (with cash or credit card of course) Stop being so negative!
CLShortFuse @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:09PM
Remember, Sony loses money on game stores selling used games.
Judd @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:17PM
Yea they have one of these at my local Shoprite and A&P for DVD's. The way those machines work is based on a rental system. It costs $1 to take out the movie for a day and $1 extra for every late day(it automatically takes out from your credit card.) If you just want to rent a movie for one night it's a ridiculously cheap option.
They say on the machine that the reason that they can charge so little is because they don't need to pay people to handle the transactions, nor do they need to pay for a store. They only need one guy a day to fill it up, just like any other vending machines.
Even though these machines can't really hold too many titles(no more than 100), I think it's a great idea. When I first saw this article, I thought it was for game rentals and not purchases. I would much prefer that.
xxTHE D0CT0Rxx @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:00PM
nice
Premature ejaculation man @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:07PM
I get annoyed losing when a vending machine eats my $1.20 for a coke, I can't imagine the anger that would ensue after the vending machine ate my 40pounds (I'm guessing that's how much a game costs)
Premature ejaculation man @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:10PM
Alas! Of course, I get a case of the premature posting and not reading the article. You need a credit card...
Unless it eats those >_>
mindshed @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:17PM
The machine doesn't use the standard spin and drop mechanism of delivery for candy/soda machines. I highly doubt there will be jams in this machine, at least no where near the rate for candy machines (which is low enough anyway).
FREIGHTz @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:12PM
I wonder how they plan to keep these from being broken into?
Shmil @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:18PM
same way they do with ATMs I guess
mindshed @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:18PM
They wont have these on street corners and gyms. I highly doubt someone will break into one of these in an airport for example.
Momo @ Nov 4th 2008 6:47PM
i say the same as premature
jukeboxhero141 @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:55PM
sounds spendy.
sk8monroe81 @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:54PM
sounds like an epic fail to me.
1) return policy will suck
2) if it eats my money that will be hard to get back( if we have credit cards we will have already bought these things online for a lower price)
3) who owns these machines.. not a big store with a lenient return policy and that competes with other big boxes, but probably some LLC company thats hard to find and call
4) no sales, no price mathches, no price reductions.
this works for renting a $ 5 movie, but to purchase games and media at $ 30 - $ 60 is not going to work.
StarFoxA @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:21PM
There is a machine sort of like this in town. It only dispenses DVDs, however.
neoalec @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:34PM
Don't forget Nintendo's Famicom Disk vending machines in the 80's.
Markusdragon @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:44PM
Is it really worth paying the full retail price just to avoid being asked 'Do you want a strategy guide'?
Shmil @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:53PM
if its closer to my apartment than the game store down the road, then yes
Donald @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:10PM
I've gone to the airport in Montreal six or seven times over the last couple of years, and every time I'm there I see a vending machine selling iPods.
If people will drop $200 on an iPod with a vending machine, surely $60 for a video game will make a little money.
LaughingTarget @ Nov 4th 2008 5:33AM
Airports all over the US already have Sony vending machines. You can buy PSPs and games.
dsub @ Nov 4th 2008 11:58AM
Gamestop is already testing this idea here in the states. They've got 40 or so "moviestop" kiosks in and around the Columbus, OH area that rent/sell/trade blu-ray movies and dvd's. Word has it that they are going to experiment with game rentals as well, or at least that's what the guy that was working on the machine told me.