So, vending machines where you can rent games?

[Jason]

http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Daily/2010/10-Oct/12/Redbox%20Rentals/RedboxBLOG--article_image.jpg

The picture gives a fairly good idea of what the process is about - basically, Redbox apparently have thousands of vending machines dotted about the USA from which you can rent DVDs and Blu-Rays of a wide selection of films.

Anyway, after a recent trial in several areas, they've now announced they'll be extending this service to include games on the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, meaning that if you suddenly get an unbearable urge to play Dead Rising 2 at 4am and you live somewhere near one of these vending machines, you'll be able to! Isn't technology marvellous?

Thoughts?

[Landy]

Haven't this been available on the net for quite a few years now, where you can rent games or movies? I don't really see how this could ever replace that. Then again, I normally buy movies that i want instead of renting them.

[CemeteryGates]

Couldn't one just rent a game/movie and never give it back to the vending machine?
I don't understand how they can make such a business model work.

[Jason]

I would guess, judging by the card that woman appears to be holding, that you have to pre-register for a card that will allow you to use the machines, and that part of that card will include your bank details. I know that's the way a lot of rental stores over here work.

[CemeteryGates]

I thought as much.
It's similar here. Upon registration, they ask you for personal information, including address, and for papers, usually receipts from electricity and other basic services, to confirm said address.

And just a few weeks ago a friend was telling me how he knew a guy who rented games in those stores and sold them. Said he was making a good profit, renting the maximum amount of games allowed, selling and renting from another store of the same chain...
Using fake information, I would guess, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn he did it cynically with his real info.

Then again, I guess things are different in the third world. People are worse in general, and the chain's clientele databases are not updated with suspicious activity to alert other stores. Such is my beautiful, decadent, paradoxical country. :p

[Xedec]

I don't think that would really work to well I mean we already have gamefly.

[JustaBitOutside]

Well, the RedBox is quite popular around here in New York. A big part of it is the convenience of it. They are placed in supermarkets and large retail stores like wal marts. They cost a dollar a night for movies, and you have to have a credit card account for theft prevention. I don't personally use them because I use the internet and movies on demand more. The appeal versus a netflix or gamefly is that you can get something instantly, and generally when you are out shopping for your necessities (groceries). I think it will actually do quite well around here once it gets started. Video stores are all but gone now.

[Jason]

Yeah, I think that's where they'll get their business - the convenience and 'impulse' factor. Many's the time I've gone to pick something unrelated up from the local high street and come back with a cut price game that I'd had my eye on, so if I can find a cheaper way of getting my hands on an appealing game instantly, I'm a potential sucker for it. :p

[CMDrake]

or u could get a :hammer: and smash the :naughty: out of it free games and dvds! :naughty: