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GameFly releases 'GameCenter' iPhone app
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Oct 22nd 2009 at 9:00PM } 
The "Games" tab is essentially a database, with specs, controller details (pretty handy), Achievements, Trophies and reviews. The "News" tab, which can be divided to show specific platforms, is currently a feed from the company's recently acquired Shacknews. Spector plans on future app updates featuring community functionality, trailers and more news sources.
Spector tells us that he expects "all the functionality that's in GameFly on the app" in the future. Meaning that users will have access to the full GameFly store and easier queue rearrangement (slide functionality, rather than inputting numbers). For subscribers, the commerce and "Keep It" functionality work just like on the main site, with properly applied discounts and coupons. Spector also noted that those without a GameFly subscription who download the app receive a 15-day free trial.
GameFly seems serious about making the app as useful as possible and is asking for feedback. If there's anything you want to see after trying it out, send the company an email or leave feedback through the app, which can be found under "Settings" tab.
GameFly GameCenter (free)
Over 2000 GameFly games stolen by USPS worker
by Richard Mitchell { Oct 16th 2009 at 3:00PM }
Johnson was caught as the result of an investigation into missing GameFly mailings in the Philadelphia area, conducted by the USPS inspector general. The culprit was spotted during a 2008 test mailing under government surveillance, after which Johnson escaped in his SUV, crashed it, and then fled on foot with a duffel bag, which was later recovered. Between the bag and the SUV, authorities uncovered 160 games and a load of Wii Fit units, controllers, a Playstation and GameStop receipts. It would appear that Johnson had been trading the games at GameStop for store credit. He now faces up to 18 months in prison.
When contacted by Joystiq for comment, a GameFly representative stated that the company appreciates "the diligent efforts by the Office of Inspector General agents" to apprehend Mr. Johnson. Do you hear that? It's the sound of healing.
[Via GamePolitics]
GameFly files further complaints against US Postal Service
by Griffin McElroy { Oct 14th 2009 at 5:00AM }
GameFly has also continued its original complaint, claiming parcels from larger DVD rental services were being manually sorted to prevent damage and breakage. The USPS responded with a curt "all DVD mailers are not equal," and suggested that GameFly update its disc packaging to better protect its product.
When asked for comment on the complaint, a GameFly representative said, "Unfortunately, we cannot comment as it is a legal matter."
[Update: For visual aid, we've received the above image from a reader whose post office most certainly does sort Netflix and Blockbuster DVDs separately. He said they don't include GameFly DVDs because the rate at which encounter them "is much lower." Well, look at that.]
[Via GamePolitics]
GameFly changes Alpha Protocol release to 'TBD'
by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 30th 2009 at 2:45PM }
Further requests for clarification from Sega continue to be met by the Sega Wall of Silence™. We have been told by the company's development director that we should expect "an update shortly via PR." And for the record, the official release date for Alpha Protocol is still next Tuesday. Sega?
Garnett Lee becomes editorial director for GameFly media, including Shacknews [update]
by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 29th 2009 at 9:00AM }
Lee was one of the few survivors in the great 1UP culling that occurred earlier this year, when the former Ziff-Davis property was purchased by UGO. GameFly, as we've mentioned before, is slowly shifting from its core competency of being a game rental service to becoming an internet publishing outfit.
Update: We spoke with Garnett Lee and his comments about the change are after the break.
GameFly listing may indicate Dragon Age: Origins delay [update: it's official]
by Justin McElroy { Aug 7th 2009 at 2:00PM } 
Besides, we're not even sure this definitely means the game will be late coming to retail -- it could just be a GameFly oddity. We've put the word out to BioWare for confirmation and we'll let you know as soon as we hear something. For now, let's all just take a nice, deep breath. OK?
[Update: Just heard from BioWare's Erik Einsiedel on this: "We're still targeting an October 20 release date. If that were to change, we'd issue a press release."]
[Update 2: Well, it's not a press release, but we just spoke with BioWare's senior PR manager, Matt Atwood, who confirmed that all versions of Dragon Age: Origins will arrive in November. The developer's official word on the revised dates: "We are pleased to announce that Dragon Age: Origins will be released on November 3 in North America and November 6 in Europe for Xbox 360 and PC. The PlayStation 3 version of the game will follow later in November."]
PS3 version of Star Ocean: The Last Hope pops up on GameFly [update]
by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 29th 2009 at 4:30PM }
Apparently, enough time has gone by for the "exclusive" game to do its damage to the competition abroad. We're currently awaiting a response from Square Enix and we'll update as soon as we receive a transmission from the distant star system.
Update: Square Enix has responded to our request for comment, saying that "[The GameFly listing] was an error, but we cannot comment on an official PS3 release [of the game]."
Rumor: NinjaBee disc compilation releasing this fall [update]
by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 27th 2009 at 8:25PM }
We've contacted NinjaBee for confirmation, but were told that it couldn't provide us any information at this time. Although we're unaware of what games would be on the disc, NinjaBee's titles include: Outpost Kaloki, A Kingdom for Keflings, Cloning Clyde, Band of Bugs and many more. We're leaving the hive door open if the company wants to give us the buzz.
Update: Officially, the company stated it does not comment on rumor and speculation; we were also told to "watch carefully for an upcoming announcement." But, when explaining the company's philosophy, a representative said, "If we were to do something like that, we would want to pack as much as we can onto a disc ... we'd want to offer a good value there."
[Thanks, Chris S.]
Gamefly lists ModNation Racers for PSP as well
by Griffin McElroy { Jul 14th 2009 at 12:00PM }
According to a recent Gamefly listing, ModNation Racers is doing just that. The popular game rental service recently added a PSP entry titled Modnation, which is supposedly set to share the PS3 game's tentative release date of February 28. We've emailed United Front to see if GameFly's got their ducks in a row.
Update: A Sony PR rep replied to us with a standard issue response, claiming, "reference to any other version of this title is merely rumor and speculation."
[Via Siliconera]
GameFly launches Flash game site Ponged.com
by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 24th 2009 at 11:00AM }
If playing Flash games on your computer doesn't seem hip, Ponged.com is also designed to work with the web browsers on the Wii and PS3. For those playing games at the office, the site has a "boss button" that'll conceal the game. Ponged.com: Helping people waste time at work and not get fired since 2009.
GameFly videos express the pain of buying bad games
by Alexander Sliwinski { May 28th 2009 at 5:30AM }
GameFly's current TV commercial is a mash-up of over-the-top reactions to people buying bad games. The company sent over a couple more cute clips of disappointment for purchasing those titles we'd just as soon hadn't. The one above is pretty much the way we imagine anyone who bought Lord of the Sword for the Sega Master System still feels to this day. After the break is an outtake video from one of the actors in the aired commercial and the other is another ad that just never made it to broadcast.
Gamefly reveals North American box art for Space Bust-a-Move
by JC Fletcher { May 4th 2009 at 4:30PM }
It's no secret that we're big fans of Taito's DS lineup. The revamps of Taito classics have ranged from good (Arkanoid) to surprisingly great (The Legend of Kage 2) to the very best of the DS (Space Invaders Extreme). When Taito unveiled a new DS version of Puzzle Bobble (known here as Bust-a-Move), we couldn't wait to hear news of a localization. Well, there still hasn't been any announcement, but a box art image has popped up on GameFly for what is now called Space Bust-a-Move, which is official enough for us. The Bub and Bob on the box are even competently drawn, which hasn't always been the case.
Even though previews suggest that the game didn't turn out that great, we're still too tempted by the combination of Bust-a-Move, online play, and paddle support to move this off our radar.
GameFly files formal complaint against USPS over breakage rates, preferential treatment
by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 24th 2009 at 6:15PM }
GameFly stated that in-transit breakage -- which it claims is about 1% -- still occur, despite the company's efforts to reduce that by using cardboard protectors and "tests with larger mailers." The company has also experienced "substantial rates" of disc theft, but the USPS has cracked down on that, with the arrest of 19 USPS employees. GameFly even changed its mailer color from bright orange to a very plain white years ago to reduce theft.
When approached by Joystiq regarding the situation, GameFly responded with "no comment."
OTX planning box office-style tracking of games market
by Ben Gilbert { Apr 8th 2009 at 3:45PM }
"We range from people who spend three hours a week on Yahoo Games to people who spend 50 hours a week on Xbox Live," OTX's director of gaming Nick Williams told The Cut Scene, referencing the company's data gathering methods. OTX has been interviewing large sections of folks that play games, mirroring the model used by the film and television industry. OTX also says it's looking to move into other media, combining the research found in games with film and television to predict sales trends across multiple entertainment mediums. "You can look at that model and say, 'Don't launch game X when movie Y is opening.' Because all these things are interconnected now." Or at least they will be, Mr. Williams. These things do take time, after all, so you'll excuse us if we don't hold our breath.
Rumor: GameFly shows Mad Dog McCree setting sights on Wii
by David Hinkle { Mar 31st 2009 at 6:15PM }
We'll concede that the game would most certainly have a place on the Wii, with the Wiimote's IR sensor performing just as well, if not better, than a DVD remote. But, it's a 19 year old game. And not even a good game, at that. Why would they port it to Wii? Oh, right ...
We've put word in to Majesco (the publisher listed at GameFly) concerning the game and will be sure to update as soon as we receive a response.
[Via Siliconera]
