[01.26.12] Netflix + video games officially dead

Netflix

Early this month, Netflix gave high hopes to all of their video-game loving subscribers when they stated they were still looking into the possibility of adding game rentals to their services. Unfortunately, those hopes and dreams were quickly and brutally crushed yesterday, when CEO Reed Hastings apparently confirmed to investors there are no longer plans to pursue game rentals.

Back in September when Netflix was ready to split into two separate companies, the up and coming “Qwikster” was going to add in video game rentals as a service. This was confirmed, a done deal, just patiently awaiting the official launch of the new company. After public outcry over the forthcoming split, the decision was swiftly axed and the two companies were to remain as one. Now it’s obvious that the video game service has met the same fate, but the reasons why may never be fully understood. With plans already set in motion to launch this new feature, it seems odd to turn back on it now simply because the company didn’t split, but ultimately it’s not up to us.

Then again, is it? The power of the people was enough to overturn the split of the company, and more recently was enough to stop SOPA, so perhaps if gamers get out there and voice their opinions, we could get the wheels turning again. If you would like to have your voice heard, you can call Netflix’s customer service line at 1-888-811-1933. It’s available 24 hours a day. If you’re not big on verbal contact and you have a twitter account, you can send a tweet their way letting them know you want games back! Just tweet to @NetflixHelps Monday through Friday, and they promise to respond within 24 hours. If enough interest in video game rentals through Netflix is shown, they just might rethink their decision.

Original Report – The Verge

Anthony Ortale writes news and reviews on behalf of Examiner.com. He does so much gaming in his spare time, it’s practically a full time job! If you like what you read here, please subscribe to his articles! You can also follow Tony on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook! If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email Tony any time at ortale.anthony@gmail.com, he would love to hear from you!

[01.11.12] Still hope for gamers with Netflix!

Netflix

Back in September of last year Reed Hastings, the co-founder and CEO of Netflix, wrote a letter to all of his customers explaining the new path his business was about to take. Netflix was to be split into two separate companies, one of which would retain the name and be strictly instant streaming and the other would handle the original DVD by mail service under the new name Qwikster. Everyone was outraged at the split stating that Hastings was arrogant, rude, and cared nothing of what his customers wanted. In the mess though, there was one glimmer of hope for a fraction of the patrons of the emerging Qwikster. After years of hoping and waiting for the addition of video game rentals to Netflix’s arsenal, gamers finally had a set release date: the launch of Qwikster.

Not even a month later, the company reversed the decision announcing that the name Qwikster was no more and the company would be staying on one website. That was that, and everybody got what they wanted, however, Hastings did leave one question unanswered: What about the video game rentals? The company never affirmed or denied that they would continue on with the much-requested addition of video games to their services. Most assumed that the games died with Qwikster, still many hoped that it will still appear in a matter of days on the Netflix site. Then months passed and still nothing was said about games.

Today, things changed as the official Twitter account for Netflix Support made gamers around the US much more optimistic: “We're still looking into it.” Those four words drastically changed things. Although there was still no firm release date announced, they have at least confirmed that the project hasn’t been abandoned. Unfortunately, you can’t go to their site today and pick up the next big block buster game… but at least now you know (again) that someday, hopefully soon, you can with the Netflix subscription you already have.