Too little -way-, way, way too late. They should have had this ready to go about..5 years ago? Six? They weren't ready when Netflix started to take off, they weren't ready when Gamefly took off and they have stood around, dumbfounded when Redbox has took off.
Sorry Blockbuster, but it's time to die. This late in the game, changing your business model can't save you.
too long, didn't read version: BB sucks, but Movie Mania is worse. Netflix streaming is fantastic. If Netflix rented games, they would own the market.
I JUST cancelled my blockbuster online. Even if I was able to add the game service to it, it would be nearly $30 a month... bleh. Blockbuster can eat it- This is what my online que looked like:
very long wait
very long wait
very long wait
short wait
very long wait
very long wait
just hang yourself
etc.
And $8.99 to rent a game instore? Woah. Icing on the cake: the physical store nearest to me does not stock either Ghost Dog or Network. Wtf. It is not like I am walking in expecting to rent El Topo or Arabeskebi Pirosmanis temaze or something; it's mother-flipping Ghost Dog for chrissakes.
Now currently sharing Netflix with a friend; the streaming disc for PS3 sealed the deal- A pretty decent selection of movies and shows to watch, surprisingly good A/V quality- and it works perfectly, not a single hiccup or interruption. And the interface isnt bad either- very easy and enjoyable to browse visually, a good couch experience compared to using the pc. ...aaaand "IT Crowd" season 3, hilarious. Thanks Netflix!
Despite being no big fan of BB, their store still beats the nearest video store to me in Detroit- a "Movie Mania". Going in there is like stepping back to the early 90s- almost all their new release dvds are pan & scan- PAN & SCAN. I cant believe they still make those. As well, their throw-back late fee policy is draconian- $1.75 a day, no limit. I rented Ghostbusters not too long ago, kept it for two weeks, and owed $25. Unbelievable.
Unfortunately, they can get away with it- most people in my neighborhood are relatively poor & don't drive, and they are the only store for miles. On top of that, whoever buys their games has no clue what they are doing- 5 copies each of X-men Wolverine & Terminator Salvation, but only one copy of Uncharted 2? WTF, Do you think these are movies? At least I can buy a used copy of Mirror's Edge or Bad Company for $49.99 each, and pick up a VHS head cleaner while I am at it.
Gamefly is excellent and I doubt Blockbuster can compete with them at this late stage in the game.The outcome is going to be the same as it is with Netflix and will probably be handled in the same shoddy manner as their movie rentals are.
Netflix and Gamefly also do not have the added baggage of brick and mortar stores to bring down their profits.
@heretrix: I've heard Gamefly is pretty bad, otherwise I'd have it myself. But then BB probably isn't any better. Netflix is as good as it gets. I wish they did games also.
Gamefly is awesome. 90 percent of the time I get what I want and when I don't, it's pretty much because I didn't have a queue slot open. I've used them for 5 years and have rarely had a problem. I get my games within 3 days of notification that they have been sent to me.
It's tough. $7.99 a month seems like a great deal BUT I can't justify having both Blockbuster and Netflix and the Netflix integration into XBL is fantastic.
That iPhone is becoming extremely useful, but I got NO ONE to talk to so it would be a waste of money.
I'll just wait for a price drop on the iPhone or visit a train station for old ladies carrying iPhones in hopes none of them can manhandle me like last time. #gamefly
Snapping pictures for monsters? Sounds cool. Wonder what monster unpaid cellphone bills will turn into? .
Semi-related:Wish there was a current Monster Rancher. :D All those discs I have laying around would become some pretty awesome monsters. Tecmo, get on it. I want all my Blu-rays, DVDs, Nintendo Optical Discs, Audio CDs, AOL discs, software CDs, and discs bundled with text books to have a purpose again rather than just build up. #monsterfinder
@ph15h is not amused: I remember the best monsters came from cheap Wal-mart music CDs. THe ones labled like "Celtic Escapes", "Rainforest Melodies" and the like. Though I did get an awesome one from this "Battle Beasts" demo CD...
OOoooohhhh wait that's right, we'll never have Monster Rancher like that again... everything is going to "download only" :/ Sorry... #monsterfinder
@Maverynthia: Damn you, download only. What'll they use to create monsters now? These pictures taken with a camera? That's no fun because I can just take a picture of picture of a picture I find online then BAM. Godkilling Monster.
=/ Maybe with Digital Download only, we'll be able to get monsters from other games' save files as well as any media we might have stored locally on the device: Music, Videos, Pictures, other games themselves. =/ #monsterfinder
I hope this tanks. Nothing against Konami or this game, but I don't have and won't have a DSi and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this. DSi exclusive games (outside of DSiware) seem like a bad idea. #monsterfinder
Only a matter of time before some parents go ape shit when their little snowflakes try to take pictures of some "one eyed trouser snakes" so they can catch them all. #monsterfinder
That cover art only says that it's DSi-exclusive 4 times. Do they really think the American consumer will be able to figure it out with such scant warning? #monsterfinder
@BubbleF**kingBuddy: "Right around the corner?" The thing that they'll be using is being announced late next year. The next DS isn't for at least another 2 or 3 years. #monsterfinder
@Ueziel:
By late enxt year, you mean E3 2010. and by 2-3 years, you mean summer/fall 2011 at the most, right?
e3 is the likely venue, and I highly doubt with their current practices they will show this off and then shelve it for 2-3 years. #monsterfinder
@BubbleF**kingBuddy: Whaaaaat? Circling the drain? Its sequel is AT BEST a little over a year away, and sales and development are still going strong. #monsterfinder
@Demonbird: They didn't "show" anything. As far as the public should know, nothing has been announced about the next handheld at all. Just because some websites picked up on a company looking into securing a new thing that will eventually be used in their stuff, that doesn't mean a new system is imminent.
The stuff that WAS announced won't be itself announced for use until late next year. That has already been decided. #monsterfinder
@Ueziel: I never said they showed anything. I said they won't show this off next year (It will be E3) and then shelve it, and those reports weren't speculative on this, at least not as much as you claim. They were VERY solid about this being unveiled next year. #monsterfinder
@Techno-Atom:
You are in a different boat. Mostly I mean from now on./
If you bought one previously, you are gold. If your ds breaks and you buy one, gold, but there is no other reason to upgrade from a lite at this point. #monsterfinder
I upgraded to the DSi from the DSPhat and it was a massive difference. I think my upgrade was well worth the value of the price tag, however that will vary from person to person. I do agree that there isn't much reason to upgrade from the DSLite unless you are intrigued by some of the DSi features for some reason. However, if you have the choice of the DSLite or DSi when upgrading from the original model I would recommend the DSi. #monsterfinder
11/18/09
11/18/09
Sorry Blockbuster, but it's time to die. This late in the game, changing your business model can't save you.
11/18/09
I JUST cancelled my blockbuster online. Even if I was able to add the game service to it, it would be nearly $30 a month... bleh. Blockbuster can eat it- This is what my online que looked like:
very long wait
very long wait
very long wait
short wait
very long wait
very long wait
just hang yourself
etc.
And $8.99 to rent a game instore? Woah. Icing on the cake: the physical store nearest to me does not stock either Ghost Dog or Network. Wtf. It is not like I am walking in expecting to rent El Topo or Arabeskebi Pirosmanis temaze or something; it's mother-flipping Ghost Dog for chrissakes.
Now currently sharing Netflix with a friend; the streaming disc for PS3 sealed the deal- A pretty decent selection of movies and shows to watch, surprisingly good A/V quality- and it works perfectly, not a single hiccup or interruption. And the interface isnt bad either- very easy and enjoyable to browse visually, a good couch experience compared to using the pc. ...aaaand "IT Crowd" season 3, hilarious. Thanks Netflix!
Despite being no big fan of BB, their store still beats the nearest video store to me in Detroit- a "Movie Mania". Going in there is like stepping back to the early 90s- almost all their new release dvds are pan & scan- PAN & SCAN. I cant believe they still make those. As well, their throw-back late fee policy is draconian- $1.75 a day, no limit. I rented Ghostbusters not too long ago, kept it for two weeks, and owed $25. Unbelievable.
Unfortunately, they can get away with it- most people in my neighborhood are relatively poor & don't drive, and they are the only store for miles. On top of that, whoever buys their games has no clue what they are doing- 5 copies each of X-men Wolverine & Terminator Salvation, but only one copy of Uncharted 2? WTF, Do you think these are movies? At least I can buy a used copy of Mirror's Edge or Bad Company for $49.99 each, and pick up a VHS head cleaner while I am at it.
11/18/09
11/18/09
Netflix and Gamefly also do not have the added baggage of brick and mortar stores to bring down their profits.
This is going to be interesting to watch.
11/19/09
11/20/09
Gamefly is awesome. 90 percent of the time I get what I want and when I don't, it's pretty much because I didn't have a queue slot open. I've used them for 5 years and have rarely had a problem. I get my games within 3 days of notification that they have been sent to me.
11/18/09
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/24/09
in fact the only thing you need an account to do is actually add the game to your queue #gamefly
10/25/09
10/26/09
you better pay me to play your app
muahahahahaha #gamefly
10/24/09
I'll just wait for a price drop on the iPhone or visit a train station for old ladies carrying iPhones in hopes none of them can manhandle me like last time. #gamefly
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/21/09
Semi-related:Wish there was a current Monster Rancher. :D All those discs I have laying around would become some pretty awesome monsters. Tecmo, get on it. I want all my Blu-rays, DVDs, Nintendo Optical Discs, Audio CDs, AOL discs, software CDs, and discs bundled with text books to have a purpose again rather than just build up. #monsterfinder
10/21/09
OOoooohhhh wait that's right, we'll never have Monster Rancher like that again... everything is going to "download only" :/ Sorry... #monsterfinder
10/21/09
=/ Maybe with Digital Download only, we'll be able to get monsters from other games' save files as well as any media we might have stored locally on the device: Music, Videos, Pictures, other games themselves. =/ #monsterfinder
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/27/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
*stares the console fans screaming about exclusive games/updated ports* #monsterfinder
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
That said, you'd be amazed at how stupid people can be. #monsterfinder
10/20/09
10/20/09
That's the question. Why care about anything dsi specific at this point? #monsterfinder
10/20/09
10/20/09
By late enxt year, you mean E3 2010. and by 2-3 years, you mean summer/fall 2011 at the most, right?
e3 is the likely venue, and I highly doubt with their current practices they will show this off and then shelve it for 2-3 years. #monsterfinder
10/20/09
10/20/09
The stuff that WAS announced won't be itself announced for use until late next year. That has already been decided. #monsterfinder
10/20/09
Obviously the people that own a DSi such as myself. #monsterfinder
10/20/09
10/20/09
You are in a different boat. Mostly I mean from now on./
If you bought one previously, you are gold. If your ds breaks and you buy one, gold, but there is no other reason to upgrade from a lite at this point. #monsterfinder
10/20/09
I upgraded to the DSi from the DSPhat and it was a massive difference. I think my upgrade was well worth the value of the price tag, however that will vary from person to person. I do agree that there isn't much reason to upgrade from the DSLite unless you are intrigued by some of the DSi features for some reason. However, if you have the choice of the DSLite or DSi when upgrading from the original model I would recommend the DSi. #monsterfinder