PS3 News: Netflix Expanding With Qwikster, Video Game Rentals - PS3 News

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Netflix Expanding With Qwikster, Video Game Rentals

Netflix is about to make some changes, and because we're posting it at PSXE, you already know it involves video games.

Recent price increases have earned the ire of many a subscriber and while Netflix won't be going back on those new prices, they admit they should've been more clear about the situation. Reed Hastings, the company's CEO, revealed on his blog that Netflix is in for some big changes.

Firstly, they're re-branding their movies-by-mail service, which will now be called Qwikster. Netflix will remain for streaming movies. Therefore, subscribers will log in to two separate websites - Qwikster.com and Netflix.com - for their movies-by-mail and streaming movies respectively, which doesn't sound too complicated. By the way, the increase in pricing is due to this expansion into streaming, but Hastings admitted he should've been more forthcoming about this fact.

Qwikster will also add something else: video games. For an extra monthly fee, you'll be able to rent console games for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. "Members have been asking for video games for many years, and now that DVD by mail has its own team, we are finally getting it done," Hastings wrote. Later, he added that "Old Fogey discs will last a long time," so don't go thinking they'll abandon physical media for digital any time soon. We're happy to hear that, of course.

Obviously, this move is going to have an impact on GameFly, the service that was designed like Netflix to focus on games. In the end, if you're still steaming about the price increase, try to accept Hastings' apology:

""I messed up. I owe everyone an explanation. It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming, and the price changes."

So, do you plan on using an existing Netflix account to rent games? Or is this new addition enough to make you a new member?

Tags: netflix, netflix games, qwikster, netflix movies

9/19/2011 9:49:30 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (28 posts)

CanadianGuy420
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 10:18:22 AM
Reply

blockbuster recently shutdown in canada i rented alot of games there so this could really be useful

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gumbi
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 10:32:24 AM

Unfortunately. Netflix has never offered it's mail services in Canada. We just have the streaming option. So unless something changes, I don't expect we'll be seeing any Qwikster here for a while.

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Underdog15
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 10:37:21 AM

CanadianGuy, I'm a Canadian Guy as well. Check out Game Access. It's the Canadian version of gamefly. I've enjoyed their service so far. It's a little expensive for me to be completely happy, though. It's about $20/month. Still, it's pretty much all we have here in Canada.

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CanadianGuy420
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 11:33:09 AM

yea underdog i've heard of game access but i think you need a credit card to open an account there
Last edited by CanadianGuy420 on 9/19/2011 11:33:47 AM

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Underdog15
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 11:51:51 AM

You could always get a credit card. If you don't already have other types of loans yet, it's a good idea to get one and start paying off every charge you put on it every month. Gotta start building your credit rating, so when you suddenly want a mortgage down the road, you've already proven to be good at making your payments on time.

AND you can register for things like GameAccess or buy games from Amazon.

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CanadianGuy420
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:53:07 PM

ha you sound like my dad xD. anyway yeah i hear you i probably will eventually. it'll make things alot easier.

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gumbi
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 10:40:39 AM
Reply

I wonder how GameFly plans to compete. Competition can be good for consumers. I'd like to see two big players stay in the market.

My big question is; Who will be first to offer their service here in Canada? It's not as big of a market, but there IS a market for it. And as far as I know, there are currently no game-by-mail type services to Canadians.

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gumbi
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 10:46:34 AM

Ah. Game Access (thanks Underdog). A bit pricey for me though. $18/month to have one game at a time. Doesn't really benefit with my gaming schedule.

I guess if you play a new game every week, and shipping is fast... this could be worth it.

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Arvis
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 10:50:55 AM
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Just what I need: another temptation to spend more money... BLARGH!

I guess I'll wait to see what the pricing looks like.

-Arvis

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BikerSaint
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 @ 12:55:40 AM

I have the movie streaming side & it's $ 7.99 USD($8.55 after taxes).

And now that they're separating the DVD/games side, the email I got about a month ago said that there will be a separate $7.99 charge for that too.

So if you want both now, it should run you $17.10(USD) monthly after taxes
_______________________________________

As far as myself goes, getting the DVD/games side, "NO" I don't plan to get it as I'm a very impatient person & I can't be waiting by my mailbox every day just to see if my game's is here yet. Is it here yet? Is it here yet? Is it here yey? Huh, huh, huh?????

At least on the streaming side I have now, I get whatever movies are available instantly, & I always keep at least 175 to 300+ movies set up & ready to view(although the streaming side's total selections list isn't quite as big as the DVD's side is).
Last edited by BikerSaint on 9/20/2011 1:07:42 AM

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BigStack007
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 11:02:53 AM
Reply

Netflix raised their price by 60%. They have since lost 1 million customers. Netfilx Sucks. Corporate greed at it's finest. No thanks. I'll Redbox it or get my streaming from some other company.
Last edited by BigStack007 on 9/19/2011 11:03:28 AM

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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 11:15:30 AM
Reply

Totally lame to separate the two, I like managing my 2 queues at the same place. Quickster sounds like a lunch-time reach around in the bathroom. Blah.

I'd consider the game thing but I know it'll be a million dollars.

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556pineapple
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 11:22:17 AM
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Well I was planning on ditching the disc-in-mail service next month anyway due to costs, but I might try out the game thing depending on how much more it is.

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Bloodysilence19
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 11:59:07 AM
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My BB is still here where i live at so ill stick with them. BB prices have changed now, their not as high as they used to be and sure isn't as expensive as netflix is now.

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jimmyhandsome
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:02:43 PM
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Kinda annoyed that they're seperating the two, to be honest. I kept my subsciption for both despite the price hike, though. I'm interested in the videogame rental service. I had gamefly for a few months and it was good but it took way too long to receive games (talking about a week compared to 2 days for Netflix). I'd def consider it if the price is right.

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Nlayer
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:09:23 PM
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I'm only going to stream and never will I return to the DVDs because of the price increase (unless they lower the price down by a lot). Also, I'm not a very big fan of renting games as I wish to own everything that I play. I love owning a collection. If I play it, I shall own it!

Now is the time for other streaming sites to strike at Netflix. If another streaming site can offer a lot more content at a good/same price as Netflix, then Netflix might begin to crumble. I do love me some competition.

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BigStack007
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:17:20 PM
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"Sorry bout the price hike,(NOT!),so instead of doing anything about the 60% price hike that lost us 1 million customers (so far) we've decided to seperate our by-mail from our streaming."And this is an apology? What a corporate D-bag this guy is. If you own Netflix stock i suggest you sell it as fast as you can. If you subscribe to netflix and are ok with a 60% price hike,i'll be glad to sell you my Pre-ordered BF3 or MW3 for $96 each.

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BigStack007
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:17:20 PM
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Last edited by BigStack007 on 9/19/2011 12:19:24 PM

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BigStack007
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 12:17:20 PM
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Last edited by BigStack007 on 9/19/2011 12:17:47 PM

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dmiitrie
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 1:12:27 PM
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I honestly don't see why people are so mad about the price hike; even if you have the Blu-Ray upgrade, you still get DVD and streaming for $18 / month. Perhaps I just use it more than most people, but I honestly can't think of any other entertainment service (outside if something free, like the PSN) that has a better value.

As far as the game rentals go, I really feel bad for GameFly. I used them briefly and thought that they had a pretty good service, but if Netflix handles gaming like theyve done everything else, I look for Netflix to steal a LOT of their business. I know that if I still had GameFly, I'd drop in favour of Netflix. In fact, not only will I probably add the game option, but im likely to upgrade to 2 discs at a time as well.

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FM23
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 1:25:39 PM
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New member right here...Need to rent some games again, Blockbusters too far..and I live in LA...what the heck

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TheOldOne
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 2:51:52 PM
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I dropped my Netflix subscription and subscribed to Blockbuster mail rental instead. Prices are a lot cheaper and included blue ray movies and PS3 (also xbox 360 and wii) games with no extra charge. That's a blu-ray Qwikster and Gamefly combined for less than 20 bucks.

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Gamer Girl Gemo
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 4:03:11 PM
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I was a customer at Gamefly for over a year and loved every bit of the service I had with them. I sadly had to close down my account due to dwindling money, but I definitely plan to start up GameFly once again in the future when I get the funds. There was only a couple times when I was disappointed with how long it took, but overall it was a great way to experience games.

As for Netflix, I share an account with my friend, and I don't think that he'll want to upgrade just so I can order the games. So, my answer is no, I won't go to Netflix for my games.

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JDC80
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 4:14:27 PM
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I've been with Netflix since last October and been with Gamefly since 2005. I maybe in the minority of those people not upset with Netflix hike because when I had the instant stream and one DVD plan I mostly watch instant watch on PS3.

My beef with the instant watch is they need to expand their library,because what's the difference of me watching "Transformers:Dark of the moon" on instant watch or me watching it on DVD?

As for games the only thing I hope I get from Netflix entrance into game rentals is that I see ten bucks knock off my 23 dollar a month 2 game plan. Two big reasons I stick with Gamefly one it's a good service and two games are affordable if you want to keep them or if you want to buy a game from their online store.

I saw someone talked about Blockbuster mail service. It's a nice service my only complaint is that if you want a new game you can't get a free exchange at the store and if you expect to get a new release off the site those games are not available right away.

Another option is mom and pops video store chains they usually offer great deals i.e either forgiving late fees, 1 dollar rentals and half offs on game rentals and new releases.
Last edited by JDC80 on 9/19/2011 4:21:47 PM

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Robochic
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 4:51:50 PM
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I have netflix not happy with it at all, I am getting rid of my account as we barely use it just old movies and lame tv shows half the time at least for us Canadians.

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DemonNeno
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 5:33:09 PM
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I don't mind their seperation of services as much as I do their poor streaming library. I generally beat myself up trying to find what I'm looking for just to find it's not available.

As for the gaming realm, it would depend on the cost of such a service. I generally prefer to own games, so I can play them at my leisure. I'd feel far more pressed to get my money's worth on such a service.

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Jawknee
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 7:46:27 PM
Reply

Here's another interesting take on this Netflix fiasco.

http://hotair.com/archives/2011/09/19/great-news-not-only-will-netflix-be-more-expensive-itll-be-twice-as-hard-to-use/

I think I'm done with Netflix. Not worth it anymore.

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___________
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 @ 3:23:10 AM
Reply

not really worth renting games any more.
1 stupid online passes locking out half the freaking game!
2 every game i get is scratched to hell so badly my ps3 refuses to read it!
3 why rent them when EB, game and JB have a 7 day return policy costing you zilch!
4 99% of the time they dont have the latest games in stock, i was there today and they STILL dont have driver SF, R3 or DI in even though they released 2 weeks ago!
5 there a freaking rip off!
i rented 2 ps3 games a few months ago and it cost me 40 bucks!
rent 4 movies for 20 dollars, but 2 games its 40?
what the?
especially with the retailers return policy its just not worth it.
why spend roughly 20 per game max of 4 for a week when you can go buy as many games as you want from a retailer and take them back a week later and get a full refund?
sure you have to buy them in the first place but so what you get your money back a week later, where rental stores you dont!

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