Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Go team Cosplay: GameFly holding open casting for next commercialhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/go-team-cosplay-gamefly-holding-open-casting-for-next-commercia/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/go-team-cosplay-gamefly-holding-open-casting-for-next-commercia/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/go-team-cosplay-gamefly-holding-open-casting-for-next-commercia/#commentsFiled under: ,


GameFly is holding an open casting call for its next commercial, inviting cosplayers to submit videos expressing why they love GameFly and why the character they're dressed up is their favorite. Admittedly, this could go horribly wrong, but considering GameFly's customer base is the gamer community, the company might actually handle the situation with some respect.

The live casting calls will be held in LA, NY and Chicago (details after the break) during September, or people can submit their :45 second entry in a specific section of the GameFly site after Aug. 26. Voting for the favorite entry will begin in October and the winner will appear in GameFly's next commercial (no word if they'll actually appear as the character they dressed up as). We'll be sure to remind again of this contest as the casting calls approach, but this early notice should give ample time to make a good costume and practice packing as much geekitude into the time allotted.

Live Casting Calls will be held at:

  • September 9, Los Angeles - Hollywood and Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 / 12-6 p.m. PST
  • September 16, Chicago - ESPN Zone, 43 East Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611 / 12-6 p.m. CST
  • September 23, New York - Hawaiian Tropic Zone, 729 7th Ave (at 49th St.), NY, NY 10019 / 12-6 p.m. EST

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]]>cosplayercosplayersgameflygamefly-casting-callAlexander Sliwinski2008-07-31T20:50:00+00:00GameFly's Austin center 'officially' open, servicing seven stateshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/gameflys-austin-center-officially-open-servicing-seven-state/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/gameflys-austin-center-officially-open-servicing-seven-state/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/gameflys-austin-center-officially-open-servicing-seven-state/#commentsFiled under: ,


Last month, GameFly was nice enough to drop us a line that it had opened a new distribution center in Austin, Texas. The by-mail rental service's new site wasn't fully operational at the time, but the company tells us the warehouse is now ready to cover seven states. The Austin site will initially service Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico. More Midwest states could be added in the future.

Jeff Kawasugi, VP of logistics at GameFly, says the Austin site will allow "the quickest shipping times" to the members in the aforementioned states. Over the years we've seen our GameFly shipment times drop dramatically. Turnaround of two weeks (or more) was normal when the service first started, and now it's down to about five business days. The main issue with the service seems to have shifted from turnaround time to availability of titles as the company has increased its customer base.

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]]>austingameflyAlexander Sliwinski2008-06-11T03:00:00+00:00GameFly launches GamePie social network application for Facebookhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/gamefly-launches-gamepie-social-network-application-for-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/gamefly-launches-gamepie-social-network-application-for-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/gamefly-launches-gamepie-social-network-application-for-facebook/#commentsFiled under: ,


GameFly, the by-mail game rental service, is testing different waters with its new GamePie social networking application launching today for Facebook. GamePie is designed to become the gaming community's plebeian version of Metacritic, giving users the ability to rate, review and recommend titles to friends. OK, great, but why would GameFly develop this application, and more importantly, where's the cash in it for the company?

"We've done a really good job over the last six years of getting gamers the games they want. And we've done well on the content side, but we haven't done a good job on the community side. Whether its around the franchise or the platform, so this is a great way to take the lead," GameFly co-founder Sean Spector told us during a very Web 2.0 walkthough of the GamePie program. "We've got a good brand with GameFly, but this is about socialization of games, not about buying games or renting. So, currently we're just trying to make a killer social app."

Gallery: GamePie



Spector explains that GamePie currently has about 15,000 titles in its database for users to add to their pages, but the company expects to have 40,000+ very soon with games spanning all platforms for people to rate and discuss. Currently an ancient game like MULE is missing, but many different versions of Madden NFL are there for those who know (and could debate) the difference between the annual editions.

Product Manager Jason Wade gave us a tour of the application, but it seemed relatively intuitive for anyone that's using Facebook. Currently the application's main draw will be comparing your friends' scores and reviews of games compared to the general populace. Spector informed us that GamePie is meant to be as transparent as possible, so he expects there'll eventually be a main statistics page giving yummy data about top rated games, top titles currently being played and other non-intrusive data.

GamePie will eventually support Gamertags for auto-updates of what users are playing and (just to show how separate this application is from GameFly) will eventually support linking up to GameFly accounts. We asked if the lack of GameFly symbiosis was an oversight considering the obvious marketing tie-in, Spector said that GamePie was designed by GameFly, but that the company is a US based brand and GamePie is being sent out into the world to live (or die) on its own merits.

Although it seems like everyone and their great-aunt Ezra is jumping on the social networking bandwagon, if the program catches on, GamerPie does have some intriguing possibilities in the long term. If the application does stay transparent and eventually has its own statistics webpage, it could become (with a large enough sample size) an interesting source of information about games, based off real-time data from the community.

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]]>BreakingNewsgameflygamepieAlexander Sliwinski2008-05-21T08:00:00+00:00GameFly opens distribution center in Austin, Texashttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gamefly-opens-distribution-center-in-austin-texas/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gamefly-opens-distribution-center-in-austin-texas/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gamefly-opens-distribution-center-in-austin-texas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


GameFly has opened a new distribution center in Austin, Texas, and will begin sending out its first shipments tomorrow. Over the coming months, the new location will ramp up support for Texas and surrounding states slowly (just like other centers) while GameFly works out the kinks.

We first got word of the Austin site last summer, and a couple of months later we also got tipped off to the Tampa distribution center, which has since opened. With any luck, the opening of this fourth distribution center will cut down on the wait times for customers around the country.

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]]>gameflyAlexander Sliwinski2008-05-08T22:00:00+00:00Blockbuster expands game focus, takes on retail game, hardware saleshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/blockbuster-expands-game-focus-takes-on-retail-game-hardware-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/blockbuster-expands-game-focus-takes-on-retail-game-hardware-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/blockbuster-expands-game-focus-takes-on-retail-game-hardware-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Days after confirming plans to stock Grand Theft Auto IV alongside movies on its outer release wall, Blockbuster today announced that the recently released Wii flavor of Mario Kart will make the leap as well. The move is part of what the rental giant calls a plan to "significantly expand its game business," which includes a greater emphasis on selling retail games and hardware, as well as stocking a larger number and variety of games to rent.

Blockbuster specifically noted plans to offer a special $499.99 PS3 bundle in its corporate-owned stores, which will include a 40GB console, a copy of the movie Spiderman 3 on Blu-ray, Activision's video game adaptation of Transformers, and the opportunity to rent one free PS3 game or Blu-ray movie a week for 12 consecutive weeks. However, while we appreciate the added attention Blockbuster is giving our favorite hobby, we doubt even this will sway us into venturing out into the sunlight to rent anything.

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]]>blockbustergameflymario-kartmariokartrentalJason Dobson2008-04-28T11:29:00+00:00Blockbuster putting GTA IV on the 'new release' wallhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/blockbuster-putting-gta-iv-on-the-new-release-wall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/blockbuster-putting-gta-iv-on-the-new-release-wall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/blockbuster-putting-gta-iv-on-the-new-release-wall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Starting with Grand Theft Auto IV, Blockbuster Video will begin adding video games to the "sacred" outer new release wall. Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes tells Variety that the GTA IV launch is a "real springboard" for the company and it plans to use it as a centerpiece for moving games to where only the latest Hollywood releases used to tread.

Now, granted, if this were before the advent of Gamefly this news would be much more exciting -- although, we'd still have to worry about pesky late fees. Blockbuster has been hurting in recent years as if faces competition from many angles, not the least of which is Netflix. This move for video games in Blockbuster doesn't seem so much like a sign of respect for the growing games industry, but as another desperate move by a company that's struggling to survive.

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]]>blockbustergameflygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgrandtheftautoivgta-ivjim-keyesvarietyAlexander Sliwinski2008-04-25T13:30:00+00:00Gamestop, Gamefly posts hint at Yakuza 2's North American debuthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/gamestop-gamefly-posts-hint-at-yakuza-2s-north-american-debut/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/gamestop-gamefly-posts-hint-at-yakuza-2s-north-american-debut/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/gamestop-gamefly-posts-hint-at-yakuza-2s-north-american-debut/#commentsFiled under: ,


Since announcing plans to bring Yakuza 2 stateside last September, Sega has been noticeably quiet concerning the sequel, which was first released in Japan in 2006 and will be making its European debut later this year. However, while Sega may be mum, online retailers Gamestop and Gamefly have given us reason to keep our imaginary ties to the Japanese mafia intact, with both listing Yakuza 2 for release this September.

As Siliconera points out, Gamestop's listing of the game at the criminally affordable price of $29.99 gives weight to suspicions that Yakuza 2 will not be getting the original's celebrity treatment, though if this means that the game could include the original Japanese voice overs, so much the better.

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]]>gameflygamestopsegayakuzayakuza-2yakuza2Jason Dobson2008-04-18T16:00:00+00:00GameFly testing pre-played trade-in programhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/gamefly-testing-pre-played-trade-in-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/gamefly-testing-pre-played-trade-in-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/gamefly-testing-pre-played-trade-in-program/#commentsFiled under:

GameFly, the by-mail game rental service, is beginning to offer select members the option to trade in their used games for credit toward membership fees. We contacted GameFly and a company representative said, "We've been testing a trade-in program for a few months now. When we are convinced that there is sufficient consumer demand and the customer experience is highly robust, we expect to make it available to all our members. For now, it is still in beta form and we continue to monitor the results."

If the program is implemented we'll have to make it a mission to get a comparison chart between GameFly and GameStop trade-in values. If GameFly's exceptional store prices are any indication (and naturally assuming they don't resell games at a loss), we fear that trade-in values won't be that much better. But poking around the GameFly store it's quite clear why the company is testing this trade-in program, especially after its end-of-year sale -- the current console store selection is practically cleared out!

[Thanks Shoeshineboy]

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]]>gameflyrentalrentingtrade-inAlexander Sliwinski2008-01-09T12:00:00+00:00GameFly's year-end used game salehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/gameflys-year-end-used-game-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/gameflys-year-end-used-game-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/gameflys-year-end-used-game-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


To be honest, we're more fans of game trading services than buying used from a retailer (yeah, we're looking at you, Gamestop) but if you've going to buy used, you can't really beat GameFly's ongoing end-of-year sale. For the next week or so, you can get used games from the popular online gaming rental service at a steep discount with free shipping. Keep in mind, their used prices were already better than Gamestop's and these come with a case and manual (the luxury!). So if your more thoughtful family members thought to drop some cold, hard cash under the tree this year in lieu of lame gift cards, pick yourself up some treats.

[Thanks, Gregorious]

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]]>GameFlyRetailSaleChristopher Grant2007-12-27T12:30:00+00:00GameFly opens Tampa, Florida distribution centerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/gamefly-opens-tampa-florida-distribution-center/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/gamefly-opens-tampa-florida-distribution-center/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/gamefly-opens-tampa-florida-distribution-center/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

GameFly's Tampa, Florida distribution center finally became semi-official this week as subscribers received emails explaining their return mailer may now have a Tampa address. We contacted GameFly for a fuller explanation of states serviced, but the company stated it has no release at this time and will issue something later this month or January.

If the opening of the Tampa site is anything like the one in Pittsburgh, the company will have the center work out the kinks and then announce states served. Now we wait for GameFly's Austin, Texas center to become semi-official, which we actually knew about months before Tampa.

[Thanks to all who sent this in]

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]]>austingameflygamerentalstampaAlexander Sliwinski2007-12-11T16:15:00+00:00GameFly Tunes music downloads start todayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gamefly-tunes-music-downloads-start-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gamefly-tunes-music-downloads-start-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gamefly-tunes-music-downloads-start-today/#commentsFiled under:

GameFly, in partnership with a company called Brandracket, will begin offering subscribers five free pre-selected songs to download per month beginning today. The feature is called GameFly Tunes and will highlight up-and-coming and established artists. Non-subscribers will have the option to download one featured track from the GameFly site. The first month will present music from artists RJD2, Thievery Corporation, Shadows Fall, Ok Go and Little Brother.

Although not earth-shattering news (some answers as to what is going on with the jammed-up availability queues would be nicer), some added value for the site and subscribers is always nice. We'll take five free legally downloaded songs -- free and legal we like. Who knows, there might even be a couple gems in the song choices we can listen to on our iPod while playing Phase.

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]]>brandracketgameflygamefly-tunesAlexander Sliwinski2007-12-05T03:00:00+00:00Toys R Us and GameFly deals before the holiday floodhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/toys-r-us-and-gamefly-deals-before-the-holiday-flood/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/toys-r-us-and-gamefly-deals-before-the-holiday-flood/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/toys-r-us-and-gamefly-deals-before-the-holiday-flood/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

CheapAssGamer points the way this week to two retailers that have consistently brought on the great gaming deals: Toys R Us and GameFly. Toys R Us apparently took their famous "Buy 2 get the 3rd game free" deal underground this week. It's going on right now without a flyer being produced for last Sunday's papers -- a first as far as we're aware. Maybe they're testing to see if the web does the work for them? The deal is both online and in the stores. We're just completely baffled why TRU said nothing about the event we're consistently excited for whenever it happens. Some are even rumoring that this could be a two-week deal and that it'll actually be advertised this Sunday, so get in now before the general populace finds out. They are also doing a "buy one, get one accessory 50% off deal." No word yet if you could work the Circuit City MS point angle on that.

If you don't know about GameFly's store, well let us inform you about another hidden gem of value on these intertubes. According to CAG, this week GameFly is offering free shipping to non-subscribers who purchase select used games. GameFly subscribers always get free shipping. The purchased used games are sent with the original case and manual practically untouched. Save as much money as you can while feeding the need for gaming. The storm is coming.

[Thanks Anonymous]

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]]>cheapassgamergameflytoysrustruAlexander Sliwinski2007-09-19T11:15:00+00:00GameFly expanding to Tampa, Floridahttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/gamefly-expanding-to-tampa-florida/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/gamefly-expanding-to-tampa-florida/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/gamefly-expanding-to-tampa-florida/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's like the GameFly Austin, Texas post all over again, except now it's Tampa, FL. Heck, we'll just copy the first part of the post from last time with a few small edits: A very observant reader noticed while searching job listing website Monster.com that GameFly, the online game rental service, is looking for a manager in the Austin, Texas Tampa, Florida area. The job description clearly states: "GameFly, the leading subscription based video game rental company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA will be opening a satellite Distribution Center in Tampa. We have an outstanding opportunity for an OPERATIONS MANAGER." The listing looks completely legit and we're happy to see GameFly continuing to open distribution centers -- anything to cut down turnaround time is a good thing. We've contacted GameFly for confirmation.

If our strange deja vu keeps up and this plays out exactly like last time GameFly will respond saying, "GameFly is definitely looking at a variety of locations for an additional distribution center, but we don't have anything firm to announce just yet." The simple fact of the matter is the Ops. Manager is one of the first pieces of the distribution center puzzle. We're not expecting the Austin or Tampa announcements for a little bit, but we're glad they're happening. For those keeping track, when Austin and Tampa open, GameFly will have four distribution points in the US. We're also happy to report the East Coast center has cut down our turnaround to a week.

[Thanks Anonymous]

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]]>distributionexpansiongameflyrentalrentalserviceAlexander Sliwinski2007-09-12T20:15:00+00:00GameFly expanding to Austin, Texashttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/gamefly-expanding-to-austin-texas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/gamefly-expanding-to-austin-texas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/gamefly-expanding-to-austin-texas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A very observant reader noticed while searching job listing website Monster.com that GameFly, the online game rental service, is looking for a manager in the Austin, Texas area. The job description clearly states: "We are the leading subscription based video game rental company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. We will be opening a satellite Distribution Center in Austin and we have an outstanding opportunity for an OPERATIONS MANAGER." The listing looks completely legit and we're happy to see GameFly continuing to open distribution centers -- anything to cut down turnaround time is a good thing. We've contacted GameFly for confirmation.

This would mean the rental service will have two distribution centers beyond their original California location. They just recently opened and expanded service at their East Coast branch located in Pittsburgh. For many on the East Coast, they've seen their turnaround time go from two weeks to around one week. Sadly, GameFly's growth has caused Xbox 360 and Wii game availability to appear in short supply and there was a recent $1 increase (although Netflix recently did a $1 decrease, so for subscribers of both it balanced out). We're guessing the tech-friendly city of Austin's distribution center will service the middle of the country. Don't expect the distribution center to open for a couple months though, they're obviously still staffing the place.

[Thanks Raymond]

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]]>distributionexpansiongameflygamerentalrentalAlexander Sliwinski2007-07-25T16:25:00+00:00NumbThumb online game rental service closes its doorshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/numbthumb-online-game-rental-service-closes-its-doors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/numbthumb-online-game-rental-service-closes-its-doors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/numbthumb-online-game-rental-service-closes-its-doors/#commentsFiled under: ,

Subscribers of the online video game rental service NumbThumb received an e-mail yesterday with a very misleading subject line: Exciting News from NumbThumb.com. The four-year-old company is closing its doors, killing all accounts as of July 5th and requesting all games be returned by the 15th. The "exciting" news is subscribers were given a special link to sign up with Gamefly for a 44% discount on the first month of service and a free magazine subscription.

The competition is fierce in the online rental biz and NumbThumb has always had an uphill battle. It became one of our favorite services largely due to its speedy turnaround times. It never had the flash and features of Gamefly, but it felt worth it to support the little guy.

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]]>businessgameflynumbthumbonlineonlinerentalonlinevideogamerentalrentalJohn Bardinelli2007-07-04T08:47:00+00:00GameFly East Coast distribution center adds stateshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/gamefly-east-coast-distribution-center-adds-states/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/gamefly-east-coast-distribution-center-adds-states/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/gamefly-east-coast-distribution-center-adds-states/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

When GameFly's East Coast distribution center opened last month it was apparently still working out the kinks in the system. Readers pointed out that not all the states on the East Coast were served. GameFly sent us an updated list of states served by the new center (full list of states after the break). As time goes on we can probably expect to see a couple more states added to the list.

As GameFly told us before, the Pittsburgh, PA center is intended to "serve East Coast and midwest members." We've noticed a significant reduction in turnaround time compared to the week and a half that used to plague East Coast members and have been able to better order the queue since the availability listings were made clearer. Less than a week turnaround time is the mark and it looks like GameFly is on the path.

Update: GameFly contacted Joystiq and said NY will be added to the states serviced by the East Coast center. A GameFly representative says, "NY will be added to PA [distribution center] in the next 4-6 weeks. As we've mentioned previously, we would be adding states as soon as we had the inventory and operational capacity to do so."

Full list of states served by the East Coast center:

Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Illinois (NEW), Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts (NEW), Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire (NEW), New Jersey (NEW), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont (NEW) and West Virginia

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]]>distribution centereast coastgameflyAlexander Sliwinski2007-06-21T16:55:00+00:00GameFly, Blockbuster won't carry Manhunt 2 with AO ratinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/gamefly-blockbuster-wont-carry-manhunt-2-with-ao-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/gamefly-blockbuster-wont-carry-manhunt-2-with-ao-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/gamefly-blockbuster-wont-carry-manhunt-2-with-ao-rating/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Joystiq spoke with game rental service GameFly and we were informed Manhunt 2, now with an AO rating, will not be carried by the company. A GameFly spokesperson said, "GameFly as a general policy does not carry AO rated titles." When asked if they have ever made an exception to the "general policy," the representive said, "Not that I know of, there's been no exceptions." GameFly also points out that you must be 18 to subscribe to their service which absolves them of any sticky issues regarding M rated titles, and that it is the credit card holder's responsibility to monitor the games rented on the service.

This is the first time GameFly has been put into this position as no other title from a major publisher has ever received an AO rating right out of the gate (GTA: San Andreas ver. 1.0 received its AO rating later, GameFly also swapped all their versions for the new M rated one). Manhunt 2 is still available to queue up for rental July 11, but that may or may not change once Rockstar officially states what they plan to do. We also contacted Blockbuster corporate and they informed us, "Blockbuster does not carry adult or NC-17 movies, or AO rated games." So, it looks like not only will Manhunt 2 have trouble at retail, but the rental outlets aren't going to carry it either.

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]]>bbfccontroversyesrbgameflymanhuntmanhunt2ratingsrockstarAlexander Sliwinski2007-06-20T12:55:00+00:00GameFly rate increasing by $1 due to mail and game costhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/gamefly-rate-increasing-by-1-due-to-mail-and-game-cost/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/gamefly-rate-increasing-by-1-due-to-mail-and-game-cost/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/gamefly-rate-increasing-by-1-due-to-mail-and-game-cost/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

GameFly announced today that they'll be increasing their subscription fee by $1 across all plans. It was bound to happen, and after five years it isn't so bad. GameFly says the increase is due to the postal rate hike and higher cost of console games ... and we're sure the new distribution center had a little something to do with it.

A $1 hike isn't really something we can complain about, considering the service saves us, at least, $120 to $200 in game purchases per month. They've even updated the GameQ to more efficiently order your games -- and if you want to just buy, their store deals are the best. There's also a silver lining in the understandable, but still bad, news. GameFly is offering loyal customers the option to lock in discounted rates at 3, 6 and 12 month increments. That way, if you pay upfront, you can get a subscription for cheaper than what it costs now. A good deal if you know you're gonna stick with the service.

We've placed the new billing structure after the break.
All accounts billed on or after June 18 will be charged at the new rate:
  • One game plan: $15.95
  • Two game plan: $22.95
  • Three game plan: $29.95
  • Four game plan: $36.95

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]]>costgameflyincreaserate hikesubscriptionAlexander Sliwinski2007-06-05T16:55:00+00:00GameFly East Coast distribution center openshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/gamefly-east-coast-center-opens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/gamefly-east-coast-center-opens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/gamefly-east-coast-center-opens/#commentsFiled under: ,

On the heels of revamping their system, making it easier to understand for customers, GameFly announces the official opening of their East Coast distribution center today. We reported last month that Gamefly was planning on opening an East Coast distribution center in the next couple months to cut down on the week-long turnaround for East Coast members.

The new center is located in Pittsburgh and is intended to "serve East Coast and midwest members." This means that members within three states of Pittsburgh,PA can probably look forward to Netflix-style turnaround now. It's also worth repeating that GameFly really does have some of the most ridiculously good deals in used games on the market. Nothing wrong with good service and reasonable game prices.

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]]>distributioneast coastgameflyAlexander Sliwinski2007-05-08T07:00:00+00:00Gamefly opening East Coast distribution center ... finally!http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/gamefly-opening-east-coast-distribution-center-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/gamefly-opening-east-coast-distribution-center-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/gamefly-opening-east-coast-distribution-center-finally/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

In a move that should bring much rejoicing by Gamefly members, compounded by their distance from Inglewood, Calif., Gamefly is finally opening up an East Coast distribution center. The site is located in Pittsburgh, PA. An official announcement has not been made by Gamefly about this new hub because they are working out the kinks to "supply the best experience possible."

Part of the email sent to certain members read, "Initially, we are launching this new distribution center for only a small subset of our members so we can complete our testing and training efforts. Over the next several weeks, we'll broaden the reach of this new distribution center to more members." Gamefly says the official announcement of this new center is not expected for a month or two.

East Coast members of the service have become accustomed to week and a half long waits in receiving their next game. Gamefly's fast return, which was meant to recognize when a member dropped a game back in the mail and then send out the next title on the queue, has been a hit or miss system. This new distribution site should cut down shipping times and alleviate traffic in the West Coast center, meaning faster turnaround there. All good consumer news. Gamefly also has some of the best deals in used games, they'll even ship the buyer the "new" case and manual.

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]]>distributioneast coastefficientgameflyAlexander Sliwinski2007-03-29T15:55:00+00:00