GameFly Inc. announced it will be launching a new digital client in time for the holiday season, enabling customers to download PC game rentals in addition to its physical game rental service, with a closed beta to begin operations Sept. 8.
All active GameFly subscribers will get the Unlimited PC Play option added to their account at no additional charge, allowing them to download and play as many games as they wish from a catalog of over 1,500 Windows and Mac titles. The new service will compete directly against the digital download rental service GameTap.
GameFly’s website will integrate these digital rentals in with physical product in its sale, pre-ordering, and purchasing used games sections, and support them with news, trailers, screenshots and other materials.
The digital service is made possible by GameFly’s purchase of Direct2Drive from IGN Entertainment in May. In that transaction IGN gained a minority equity stake in GameFly and Jorge Espinel, executive vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development for News Corp. Digital Media Group took an observer seat on GameFly’s board.
“We’re thrilled to bring digital to the gaming consumer in a meaningful way, as no other service or retailer brings physical and digital gaming together like GameFly,” said Sean Spector, GameFly co-founder and senior vice president of Business Development and Content. “With a library of over 9,500 titles from over 300 first- and third-party publishers, GameFly members have the ultimate choice of how, what, when and where they game.”
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photo courtesy of GameFly
That’s really good news for everyone! This looks like the future of gaming, and good news for everyones wallets. Can’t wait to try it out.