Rent-a-Game

Mwongozi writes: "British broadband users can now rent computer games to see if they are any good before they lay out the cash to buy the full game. This week, BT Openworld revealed details of its Software To Go scheme which lets people rent software by the hour, day or week. This includes games, graphics packages, educational titles and even programs that let you design your garden."

Comments

Actually a good idea.

[chill]

This isn't a bad idea. Yes, most Linux users will just use a free piece of software but regular Windows users are different.

I've lost count of how many times people have complained to me about crappy software they were stuck with after buying it blind. This could save them some money.

Interesting....

[wbav]

I find it hard to believe that people would not be able to keep the games they download, without modifications to the original game; however, I will not completely discount the idea. Also, being a 56k luser I couldn't help but notice that it takes a broadband connection.

The two things that really concerns me about this, is first, this would be an ideal place for a virus to spread. With high-speed users connecting to the server to download and run games, the whole system invites disaster.

Secondly, (as I see it) what is to keep this company from invading your privacy or compromising your system to the outside world? Anything that is dealing with licenses, registry values, and such is surely advance enough to return to the server what is in those files.