Blockbuster Adding Games To Total Access

[jkwest]

clicky

Blockbuster Video's rent-by-mail program Total Access is set to become even more total later this year, with the addition of video game rentals to its expansive lineup of rental titles.

Blockbuster's Total Access rental program might soon have a distinct advantage over rival rent-at-home company Netflix with the introduction of video game rentals to the service. Having focused solely on movie DVD rentals since its inception, Total Access will soon begin offering select customers the option of having video games delivered directly to their door as well, as part of a pilot program that will lead directly to a nationwide launch of the service in the second half of this year.

The move could give Blockbuster a leg up on rival Netflix, which currently only offers movies, as well as stirring up competition for game rental service GameFly.

This of course all depends on how well Blockbuster implements the service. I've found that Netflix generally has wider selection and better availability, and as many a Blockbuster game renter can attest to, the company tends to be rather selective when it comes to which games wind up on store shelves.

Still, some video games is better than none at all, and the added ability to trade in your online rentals for half-priced game rentals at your local Blockbuster is certainly a plus. Time will tell if the move can help Blockbuster persevere in the face of an increasingly hostile business environment.

[Marine Mike]

Possible Netflix + Gamefly merger to fight the competition?

[Sussudio]

wow. i used to work for BB and i'd always have to try and incite highly reluctant people into trying the total access (the joys of retail ). everyone was always like "yeh we're with netflix." but this sounds it will help give them a leg up. i honestly don't know why more people aren't part of total access; it is equivalent to netflix plus you can trade in your mailers for free in store rentals.

[Forrestandjen07]

Block busters game selection (in stores) allways sucked, I tried there service for about a month, I think i got like 3 games out of it I actually wanted to play

I would use Gamefly

But there Availibilty selection is worse than Netflix BLu ray availability selection

[LynxFX]

I just put my 2 year gamefly subscription on hold due to time restraints. If this is true I would consider starting up Total Access. It would be great if it really was a merger with Gamefly.

[Septimus Prime]

Awesome. Now I'm even more glad I went with them instead of with Netflix.

[John Dorian]

I still refuse to give any money to Blockbuster. :P