Blockbuster to use Divx-scheme for PC Games?

Fizgig writes "At Wired is a story about how Blockbuster is going to start renting computer games with a Divx scheme, charging $6 for the CD and 72 hours to play it, more for additional hours. I don't know that I like the business-guy's use of the phrase "one-to-one marketing" Well, at least it all seems interesting. "

Comments

Mixed -- the good and the bad

[Anonymous Coward]

Being able to rent games is a good thing. It works for the Nintendo and the like. Renting games on the PC is good. But I wonder what it is about this particular model that the consumer could find appealing?

They get to keep a CD that has the game. The pay for the first time they play it, and if they want to play it again later, they pay again.

But as a consumer, the mixed-models of sales, ownership, licensing, and rental is something I don't want to deal with. (Thank God I don't have children to try to explain it to. And they would be horrible about seeing the CD and wanting to play it.)

If I have a CD, I want to play it. I don't want to have to license additional rental time for it. I'd rather have something that I return to the store when I'm done and rent it again if I still want to play it.

But they don't like that model because they're afraid I am going to pirate the CD. It is clear to me that this unique sales/rental/license hybrid is made to benefit them much more than it does myself. At least apply the cost of my rental towards the purchase of the game -- THAT would make it worth my while.

Comparing to DIVX? Well, at least they don't put licensed ownership into the mix, which is a plus.
DIVX is an incredibly inappropriate mix of licensing, ownership, pay-per-view, and rental, with no real cost benefit.

I'm not morally opposed to it, but geez, if I'm going to go through the hassle, make it worth my while and give me a price break on the purchase. I'd certainly be more willing to try a game if I knew that I wasn't throwing money away.

MARKETING DROIDS: People will pay for the advertisement (read: 72 hour trial) if they can put that payment towards getting the real product.

No Problem

[Blindman]

This is not nearly as bad as Divx for several reasons:

1) It doesn't require any additional hardware.

2) There is no comparable market for computer game
rentals.

3) You can still by the game.

If a game manufacturer released a game that could only be used in this format that would be tragic. However, this seems to me like a way to try before you buy. I'm not aware of another way other than borrowing a friend's copy of a game to do that. Also, isn't this like shareware with a 3-day time limit.

I just don't see this as being nearly as evil as DIVX.