Anyone use Redbox to rent games?

[Eel O'Brian]

I saw we have it available here in town now.  Just rented InFamous this morning.  It's $2 a night, but I wanted to check it out, and it's been "Low Availability" on Gamefly since release.  If they can keep a good amount of new releases in stock, this would be great for weekend rentals and party games.

[The Fake Shemp]

Nah, it's kind of a scam. Most games take a few days, and both Hollywood and Blockbuster are cheaper.

[Eel O'Brian]

i really don't see how it's a scam, especially if you're just testing a game for the night to see if you want to purchase, or renting for a weekend - $4 isn't that much for a 48 hour rental considering most SP games only take about 6 hours to beat nowadays

new releases are almost always checked out at the hollywood and blockbusters here in my town, unless you want to be obsessive and get there right when the store opens

[The Fake Shemp]

i really don't see how it's a scam, especially if you're just testing a game for the night to see if you want to purchase, or renting for a weekend - $4 isn't that much for a 48 hour rental considering most SP games only take about 6 hours to beat nowadays

new releases are almost always checked out at the hollywood and blockbusters here in my town, unless you want to be obsessive and get there right when the store opens

How many people honestly spend 48 hours playing a game? I mean, when I worked rental, it wasn't uncommon for folks to keep games out for weeks, which is why the company had to change rental policies and purchasing orders.

It takes me probably at least three days to beat an 8 - 10 hour game. I don't have the kind of time to devote an entire sitting to it.

[The Fake Shemp]

So really, really awful games are shorter. Gotcha.

... why would I spend any money whatsoever on those games?

[The Fake Shemp]

I just don't think Redbox is a great deal. I'm sure it is if you, like the movies, can return it within two days, but most people don't - which is how they make money.

I'm waiting for one of these Internet providers to get their act together. Or downloadable rentals that expire within a set amount of time. That would be neat.

... So why doesn't Netflix have game rentals?

[The Fake Shemp]

Considering the glut of decent to good titles I have not played, I can't imagine wasting precious shekels on that garbage.

So Redbox pays off if you're a pirate!

[Eel O'Brian]

yeah, you could probably have Modern Warfare 2 back the same night, going by the SP campaign lengths of the previous games

If you rent on a Friday night, and return it Sunday evening before the next charge kicks in, you could beat most SP games on a $4 rental - you're not going to do it all the time, of course, and definitely not for RPGs

People keep games out for weeks because they're either too lazy or forget to return them

[Eel O'Brian]

Gamefly's the real scam, their whole business model depends on keeping people waiting in Qs for new releases, or not returning games for weeks at the time

Redbox may be a bit pricey at $2 a night, but at least you walk away with a game in your hand instead of feeling like a jackass for paying $20 a month just to stare at a list full of "Low Availability"

[The Fake Shemp]

In terms of lazy people keeping out stuff for weeks, that still applies to Redbox. If not moreso!

At least with the two big chains, they both have pricing structures in place to keep items out for prolonged periods of time for limited cost or penalty. I guess the ability for hardcore gamers, who likely poop sock it, to beat single player titles for $4 is probably worth it.

Most people, even if they returned it right away, wouldn't be able to beat the game in a short amount of time. Work, family and such prevents that from happening.

To be honest, I have no experience with Gamefly. Like I said previously, I don't know why they can't seem to get their act together, when Netflix works pretty flawlessly.

Thanks for reminding me to return my Blu-ray!

[The Fake Shemp]

It's still very illegal. Young people.

[AdmiralViscen]

who gives a shit what 'most people' do. If it's working out for you then more power to you

[The Fake Shemp]

That's kind of silly. Their pricing structure is as such that unless you basically do what Eel says and bring back in under 48 hours, it's cheaper to go elsewhere. And for most, they'll spend a ridiculous amount.

I don't think it's crass to demand better alternatives when it comes to renting, AdmiralViscen.

[demi]

You cant beat MW2 in a day on Veteran, Eel