Netflix abandons game rental plans

It is becoming clear Neflix has NO idea what it is doing. What a disappointment this company is becoming. This coming from a member since '99.

I think sticking with their core competencies during a tumultuous period is a good move. Let the dust settle from the price hikes before trying to expand further.

They really should have left the pricing the way it original was. Everyone was happy, so why make changes? Why not do a survey with your customers prior to making changes? See what your customers want and then make the right changes to please them and make more profit. A big company like this, who are so customer oriented, should know how to do this. We obviously want more current movie releases on the streaming network.

It looks to me that OnLive is going to be the place where future game rentals come from. If OnLive can partner with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to have an app added to their consoles for OnLive. Then customers could have the option to pay OnLive for a subscription, download the app on their console, and stream their rented games to their console. I imagine their are some huge legal battles that prevent this from currently becoming a reality. It's more likely that each manufacturer will have their own rental options (Sony already sort-of does for PS+ members in the way of game trials).

This company seems really lost, they can't figure out what to do next. Plans for 2012: 1. Upset their customers 2. Upset their customers 3. Retract their last plan Rinse and repeat!

Too bad I would have signed up for it.

i wish sony, nintendo, or ms would make something like the sega channel. sega was way ahead of its time. too bad nintendo is still here and they aint... they woulda never made a cheap system like the wii and we all be playing real next gen systems without the need of a hdtv to enjoy them better.

@Gen-Gawl I would slightly disagree with your statement. While it seems like they donot how to expand beyond streaming and dvd rentals, it seems they are targeting Paid Television such as HBO as competitors. Netflix actually has planned, original Programming including House of Cards(A series with David Fincher and Kevin Spacey involved), and a revival of Arrested Development that will air exclusive on their streaming network. That is the direction they plan on going....Instead of simply expanding it, they plan on competing with Starz, Showtime and HBO as opposed to simple expansion.

They just really have no idea what direction they want to go in do they? They need to focus and pick a strategy because waffling never helped a business.

Considering the recent launch of Netflix in the UK, the decision to not offer games while the existing main rival LoveFilm do offer games surely won't help them win customers over.

I want companys like SONY,Nindnedo, Moriosoft to do game reatals or tell game companys do do evey game demo to try out games.

goddamn it! I was so hoping the would add games. It's so convenient for subscribers who play games,it sucks that they wont be offering this feature....

I don't even bother with Gamefly, as I don't really have the time to rent a game and play it for 5-6hrs a day. Maybe after my daughter starts school in a couple years I'll be able to do this. I'm happy with Netflix the way it is. I can watch movies just about anywhere now since I have it on my IPad 2, 3DS and IPod. I still use the DVD service as well. I get to watch 8-10 movies I haven't seen a month. That's about $40-$50 in rental fees alone.

Smart business decision (which is increasingly rare on his part lately).

Not at all surprising considering Netflix would much rather stream than deal with shipping physical media.

i use gamefly now anyways.

I never thought I'd say this, but I actually signed up for Blockbuster's by-mail game/movie service. I've been on it less than a month but it seems fine to me so far. And it's cheap. If BB does die, well, I can always switch.

Damn. I was looking forward to this as something I could add to my account for possibly less than a separate GameFly subscription. Netflix is missing out, but there's no point in dwelling on it.

No they shouldn't. Netflix is a film centric business, they should STAY that way. Leave game rental for Gamefly.

@Vambran thats just a rumor. You think they will get away with blocking used games HAHAHA

One step at a time. Netfix, how about you bring back parties on xbox live. We miss watching movies together

What the hell is going on with these guys? These last 8 months they've taken one pommeling after another. A competitor to GameFly would have been welcome, and they may have already had a willing install base just waiting to be tapped. I feel like I'm watching some poor creature die a slow agonizing death. Save it, or put it out of it's misery.

I was hoping maybe netflix would have a on demand games service, like onlive. I guess not.

With demos + internet sites you don't really need to rent a game to tell if you want to buy it. I heard next gen is going to block used games anyway.

fools.....

guess they were not ready to compete with Gamefly

Man that's too bad, Gamefly needs some major competition, because they are waaaaaaay too expensive.For a few dollars more than what they charge you can easily just buy a game instead if you know how to shop around.

Awe man, i was really looking forward to that.