GameFly: Difference between revisions
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According to the GameFly web site and press releases, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, not Long Beach, CA |
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|foundation={{startdate|2002|9|8}} |
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|key_people=[[David Hodess]], [[chief executive officer|CEO]] & [[President]]<br>[[Sean Spector]], [[entrepreneur|Co-Founder]] & [[vice president|VP]] of [[Business Development]] and [[Marketing]]<br>[[Jung Suh]], Co-Founder & VP of Content and Strategic Alliances |
|key_people=[[David Hodess]], [[chief executive officer|CEO]] & [[President]]<br>[[Sean Spector]], [[entrepreneur|Co-Founder]] & [[vice president|VP]] of [[Business Development]] and [[Marketing]]<br>[[Jung Suh]], Co-Founder & VP of Content and Strategic Alliances |
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Revision as of 19:15, 28 July 2010
 | This article contains promotional content. |
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rental |
| Founded | September 8, 2002 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
Key people | David Hodess, CEO & President Sean Spector, Co-Founder & VP of Business Development and Marketing Jung Suh, Co-Founder & VP of Content and Strategic Alliances |
| Products | Video games for video game consoles |
| Website | GameFly.com |
GameFly is an American online video game rental subscription service that specializes in providing games for game consoles and handheld game consoles.
Similar to the DVD rental subscription service Netflix or Blockbuster online, GameFly sends games to subscribers via the United States Postal Service in re-mailable, pre-paid mailers (non-US residents are ineligible for the service, as GameFly does not ship outside of the US). The subscriber then can keep the games for as long as desired while paying the monthly fee, although the number of games is limited by the type of subscription plan chosen by the subscriber. Additionally, the user can create a queue, known as the "GameQ", of up to 50 games. Upon returning the game to a GameFly distribution center, GameFly automatically ships out the next game in the "GameQ", making the process cyclical for as long as the user is a subscriber and updates his or her "GameQ". Customers typically expect delivery of their requested games within 2–5 days of shipment. If the received game disc or cartridge is damaged or unplayable for some reason, or if the wrong game was received, the customer can return it for a replacement or have the next item in their rental queue sent instead.
Subscribers can also purchase selected pre-played games at a reduced price should they choose to keep the game, in which case the case and instruction booklet will be subsequently mailed to them. Non-subscribers may also buy games, though not at a discounted price afforded to subscribers.
The process is all managed online, where the user must provide a credit card as a form of payment and means of verification.
Also, retail outlets such as Best Buy offered prepaid versions of GameFly for new subscribers, where they pay one month for two months worth of service, and gift certificates can be sent to friends and family.
History
In early 2002, Sean and Jung partnered with founding CEO Toby Lenk to start GameFly. GameFly later received venture capital funding from Sequoia Capital.[1] In February 2009, GameFly acquired the gaming news and community site Shacknews, along with its digital download and streaming video sites.[2]
Rental offerings
Launched on September 8, 2002, GameFly offered 6000 titles for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and the Nintendo GameCube. A few months after launch, GameFly began renting Game Boy Advance games in addition to disc-based games. In November 2004, GameFly added Nintendo DS games to rent. On March 21, 2005, GameFly added PlayStation Portable (PSP) games to their offerings, and near the end of April 2005, GameFly also added UMD movies.[3]
GameFly also began offering Xbox 360 titles prior to the launch of the console in November 2005. On July 6, 2006, Gamefly offered games for Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3.
GameFly does not support older game systems, such as the Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, PlayStation, or the Dreamcast. They also do not plan on adding PC games to its catalog due to legal issues involving the requirement to install PC games onto the owner's hard drive.[4]
Service plans
GameFly offers four different plans, depending on how many games are rented at a time. All plans are for unlimited games, meaning that the user is not charged on a per-rental basis, but on a monthly basis. Sales tax is not included and, where applicable, it is charged on a per-rental basis in most states.
- The first month for all users is $8.95, with every following month a set [regular] price based on the plan selected.
- 1 game out at a time-$15.95 per month
- 2 games out at a time-$22.95 per month
- 3 games out at a time-$29.95 per month
- 4 games out at a time-$36.95 per month
You can also select a 10-day trial for having 2 games out at a time, however afterward you will not start with the $8.95 discount fee, but with the $22.95 fee if you choose to continue your subscription. Promotions such as the "Special Friends Offer" are offered seasonally which reduce the average cost per limited number of months.[5]