Netflix will not expand into renting video games, marking the final end of the disastrous Qwikster experiment. CEO Reed Hastings just confirmed to investors that his company no longer plans to rent games, a strategy that was first announced in September as part of the planned Qwikster DVDs-by-mail business spinoff. That split was then canceled after massive public outcry, but it had appeared the video games plan was still on the table. Not so anymore. We're not sure why renting games made sense for Qwikster but not Netflix as a whole, but then again, we're not sure anything about Qwikster ever made sense. We're also not sure Netflix has followed through on a single plan it's made in the last six months.
Netflix abandons video game rental plans
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Talk about a disappointment.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 6:48 PM EST reply Recommend (10) Flag actions
Yes.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:23 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m very disappointed. I’m switching to Blockbuster for game rentals and cancelling my Netflix completely. Netflix streaming + discs is a ripoff.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 10:51 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Ripoff? C’mon. You can’t afford to let movies sit around before you watch and return them but if you watch things as they come in it’s a good value.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 10:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I did the same thing after netflix increased their rates for streaming + Disc plans. I pay ~15 bucks for 2 discs out plan (includes blue rays and games). But their game collection just sucks! Do not think you will get similar service like gamefly. The games that they have are all old. I am waiting for Deus Ex since last 4 weeks, and that game was out in August last year.
Blockbuster is still good for bluerays though. Considering the fact that I can still exchange the discs in a store.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 11:32 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
and the onlive people are probably quite pleased right now
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 6:48 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
As well as Redbox and Gamefly
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:14 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
I’d say mostly Gamefly. Redbox I imagine has enough other problems that this doesn’t please them that much.
Posted on Jan 30, 2012 | 11:46 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
On a side note, streaming subscribers outnumber disc subscribers 2:1, so Netflix’s ingenious reverse psychology ploy worked perfectly this summer. They want out of disc side of business, so they get everyone up in arms so they cancel their disc service. Plan worked perfectly!
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 6:50 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Whoever shorted Netflix after the PR disaster is doing well. Netflix stock is up 30+ percent since then. If Hastings secretly did this on purpose to buy more stock for peanuts, he will one day be lauded as an evil genius.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 6:51 PM EST reply Recommend (12) Flag actions
…And a criminal? lol
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:42 PM EST reply Recommend (7) Flag actions
Jesus, Netflix. Either crap or get off the pot. You’re running a business here!
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:25 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Gamefly is great… so never really cared for Netflix game rentals.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Except that Gamefly is an additional $25 a month, while this would have certainly been significantly less than that. I just can’t understand why they haven’t done this.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:41 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Games are more expensive than movies for Netflix or Gamefly to purchase in the first place (to rent to you), so not sure how Netflix would be that much less expensive.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 8:06 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t understand how their stock could go back up after the Qwikster problem, especially after abandoning gaming rentals, now. They have no long term plan for the future. Investors should be scared right now.
Besides, competition is getting good, and Netflix is stagnant in terms of trying to make their service better or expand. Netflix’s days are numbered.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Did you make this post from an alternate universe? Revenue is up, they’ve started making original premium content deals, and something like a third of all internet traffic is from its 20 million or so paid subscribers using their streaming service. If anything, Netflix is a little too forward thinking (which creates the Qwikster situation). I’m surprised when I come across someone who ISN’T a Netflix subscriber (and it’s increasingly rare).
What plan for the future are you imagining? And what competition are you talking about? Hulu with its 1.5 million subscribers? Amazon Prime with its roughly 5 million or so subscribers? Both are improving, but not in any way that Netflix isn’t. If we were talking about anything else, I’d just assume you were a competitor’s fanboy, but I’m not even sure who that would be in this case. Are there Hulu fanboys?
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:53 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I don’t use Hulu, or any other service. I am actually a Netflix customer. Their numbers may be up, but public opinion is down. Their long term plan was Qwikster. Qwikster was abandoned after major backlash but kept gaming rentals on the table, and now announced that they are giving up on that idea. So what’s their long term plan now? Does anyone know? This isn’t a rhetorical question. I’m interested to see what their plan is, because you can count on their competitors trying to find new and great ways to offer more content, better quality content, and cheaper pricing to as many people as possible. I never said that their competition was “winning” by any means. However, if a company stays stagnant and relies on what they are currently doing well at, it won’t sustain them in the future. They need a short term plan, a five year plan, and a long term plan for the company, and in the public eye, none of that is apparent, and it’s something they will need to figure out within the next few months to a year in order to keep growth steady and not lose ground on subscription movies/tv shows business.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 8:03 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
> Their long term plan was Qwikster..
Um, no. They wanted to spin off the DVD business so they could get OUT of that business. Their long term plan is pure streaming. They’re just too forward thinking. The movie industry isn’t ready (surprise). I have no doubt Netflix will be the leader for a long time to come though. It’s all about the distribution. Pretty much any DVD/Blu-ray player has Netflix instant on it these days, not to mention a growing number of TV’s, oh, and every current generation console too. No other streaming service even comes close to this level of distribution. Netflix ain’t going anywhere for a while.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 4:08 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I think you forgot about the long term plan of original content(david fincher/kevin spacey house of cards and New Arrested Development) and further streaming deals (Dreamworks).
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 8:13 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m actually disappointed, I was hoping Gamefly would have some competition and improve their shipping times…
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 8:01 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
well the thing about video game rentals is that they tend to get ruined faster than xbox games. an example would be me renting halo reach on redbox only to find out it was scrached and unplayable. i had to call them up and get a refund.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 8:03 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Gamefly just jizzed in their pants
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 8:16 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Netflix. You’re just one disappointment after another. Your streaming is pretty shit right now, too. New content please.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 9:34 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Morons, they wanted to get rid of discs (too soon) and they never did video games when they should have. How can they not see it’s a way to keep their popularity up, they would kill gamefly over night.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 11:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed, but I’m sure I’ll survive.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 3:33 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
They should do a deal with OnLive or Gakai and bundle it into thwir streaming!
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 5:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Dammit, their. Could we *please have an edit button?
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 5:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Does this have something to do with next gen cosoles like ‘xbox720’ not supporting second hand games?
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 6:34 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Son I am Disapoint
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 6:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I abandon plans to use Netflix in the UK as interface doesn’t agree with me and content isn’t all that.
Why when I select Anime it doesn’t display Ghost in the Shell but when I search for Anime it finds Ghost in the shell but also other NOT Anime movies?
Why can’t I click the right arrow but instead have to hover and wait as it slowly cycle through available titles?
Why are TV shows mixed in with movies so if I’m looking to find a good anime movie to watch I have to hover over selections for more details to determine whether its a series or a movie?
Now the stuff you have in the US where can see something in IMDB and can just click “Play on Amazon”….that sounds sweet!….as did Netflix before I used it…..as does Hulu Plus……guess the grass is always greener eh.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 8:22 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m still a Netflix fan, don’t get me wrong, but I think Lando put it best. “This deal is getting worse all the time.” I was really looking forward to video game rentals, as I know they can kick Gamefly’s ass at distribution and availability. Dang it.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 9:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I guess Netflix hasn’t finished making stupid decisions. C’mon guys. Dumb moves is sooooo 2011.
Posted on Jan 26, 2012 | 10:54 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
…and in tomorrow’s news:
“Netflix buys OnLive”
Posted on Jan 29, 2012 | 6:51 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
…and in tomorrow’s news:
“Netflix buys OnLive”
Posted on Jan 29, 2012 | 6:51 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
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