video game rental
Video games are immensely popular nowadays. Popularity and demand have made video game producers manufacture age-specific video games and video games are now being designed to cater to all age groups. However, studies reveal that the most vulnerable to video game addiction are the teenagers. To satiate the addiction, gamers may go in for purchasing a gaming unit or may rent one. Since this is a cheaper option, youngsters tend to go for this option.
Video game rental services are offered at many stores and are also available online. Most services function in a simple manner. The player has to be a member of the rental service, which may require a subscription. Other charges could also include annual membership renewals. Most video rental services allow a member to rent a predetermined number of video games with exchange options.
An attractive and successful online video game rental strategy is to offer a free trial period. This is mostly done with the intention of acquiring a prospective customer. Once the online service is tested for free, players are often open to enrolling. Depending upon the video game rental plan that is selected, options will vary. Some plans allow a player to hire only one video game at a time whereas others may allow members to take home multiple games together.
Most online video game rentals offer credit card payment options. Since children mostly opt for these memberships, parental guidance is an absolute must. This is important, as there have been incidents of children running up enormous credit card bills while paying for video game rentals.
Rentals should be gotten from retail establishments or else players may be dealing in pirated video games. While selecting a video game rental store, it is vital to check the history of the lending service. Discussing with friends and existing members is an effective way of determining the reputation of the service provider.
Why video game rental?
What is my best option if I like video games, but don’t find it cost effective to buy all the expensive games? The answer depends a little bit on what kind of game system you are using, but the truth is there is only one answer: video game rental. Home video game systems can be a lot of fun, but the games can be very expensive. That can be a real problem if you don’t have the time to play them or if the game you are playing has a definitive end. No matter the reason, video game rental will prevent you from spending too much on your home video game entertainment.
Video games, though becoming more affordable and more exciting, are very expensive. Even after you have purchased your home gaming system, you still need to purchase the actual game to play on that system. That can be expensive since games can be as much as $60, $70, or even more. By using video game rental, you can curb that cost. Generally you can rent a game for just a few dollars and keep it for a few days. If you don’t play your system very often, then you have saved a lot of money you would have spent on purchasing the game. Video game rental can definitely be a real money saver.
Another reason to consider video game rental is for testing a game you are considering purchasing. If, for instance, you enjoy playing games and are willing to put down the money to purchase a certain game, you want to be sure you actually like it. What you can do is go out and get a video game rental of the game you are considering. For a few dollars you can play it for a day or so. If you don’t like it, then you are only out the cost of the video game rental. On the other hand, had you bought it and then found out you don’t like it, you may not be able to return it for the full purchase price
A final reason for considering a video game rental for games that may have a distinct ending. Some games, like adventuring games, have an end point. Once you have figured out how to win the game, it is useless to you. If you are good at adventure games and can win them quickly than you may find that you are forking out a lot of money for a game that is useless to you in a few days. A video game rental can save you that money.
If you love video games and playing them on your home system, you know how expensive that can be. The cost of the system is a lot, but then you have to buy games for your system, which is quite an added expense. However, one way to curb that cost is through video game rentals. By renting games instead of buying them you can save yourself money in a couple of ways. You can play a game to its end, you can test a game for purchase, or just play a game you know you wouldn’t play enough to justify the cost. No matter what, you can save yourself hassle and money with a video game rental.
Storefront rentals had been to be the only dominating market for 12+ years now when you wanted to rent video games, ever since the conception of the VCR. Many businesses have taken their company online due to the fact that startup costs are remarkably lower compared to storefront costs and they can virtually expand their business to an entire nation or worldwide within a few short months. Why not expand the same concept for movies and game rentals? It was only a matter of time.
Depending on where you live and the geographics of that area, I can definately say that this will cause a great influence on where you choose to rent video games. Many rental companies can be found within a few miles of your home, but others are found at distances that you may not want to particularly travel everytime you need to return a game.
Fast and reliable service is a huge factor for most people living in the information age. Everything has to be now and fast these days. So lets look at a few factors that will help you make your decision a little easier. Convienance , games in stock , game formats , availability , pricing , and customer service are the general factors we take into consideration for any movie or game rental company. Lets look at each one:
CONVIENANCE - If you live in a rural location, then, online game rentals is without a doubt your best bet. To travel anymore than 8 miles out of your way to rent anything is more than most people have time for. Being able to recieve your rentals at your doorstep, in the country, is a huge benefit to online game rentals.
If you live in more a a urban or suburban neighborhood, then locations of your nearest branch will determine this for you, but you can never truly beat games delivered to your front door everyday, even if you have one mile to travel. Being able to pickup your game in your pajamas or bath robe without getting dressed to go to your local store is laziness and convienance at its best. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES IN STOCK - This can vary from store to store, but for the most part they are all about the same. Most larger stores (Hollywood Video and Blockbuster) can carry a stock of 50-100 games at a time. This number doesnt even come close to the stock of games that are carried by online rental clubs. We are looking at 2000 games at the very lowest on up to 3500 + games at the high end of the table. You are also more likely to find more older and newer games available to rent at anytime. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
PRICING- Renting games has always been somewhat cheap ($5-$8), but it can definately add up depending on your rental frequency. If you are renting more than 5-6 a month, on top of late fees, which is bound to happen from time to time, then you may be out-of-pocket sooner than expected. Online rentals make it easy for you. Rent X amount of games and keep them as long as you want for only X amount. Game prices fluctuate from game plan to plan, but these prices are still far more lower than you’ll ever find at your local store. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
AVAILABILITY- I’ve never really felt like i’ve had too much of a choice when it comes to renting at stores. It was more of a deduction of what was left to choose from at the time you made it there. When it comes to online rentals, you can practically play any game that you ever wanted to play at anytime. There, of coarse are a few games from time to time that you may have a short wait attached, but during those times, you will easily be able to choose another game from the thousands listed. Once that particular sought after game is available, you will know about it whenever you log into your account, instantly.WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES FORMATS - Even though I have always thought that having PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games available was quite a selection at the local rental stores, I didnt even know how good it could get until online rentals introduced their selection. Not only does online rentals contain the 3 major consoles, but they also have such portable game rentals as Gameboy Advance, PSP, and Nintendo DS. Many of the larger online stores are offering XBOX 360 and PS3 games as well for the next generation as soon as the consoles come out. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
CUSTOMER SERVICE- Waiting in lines and dealing with crowds and irritable employees to rent video games is enough to drive anyone mad. This in itself can make you not want to deal with your local rental store at any cost. On the other hand, online rentals do not have lines, crowded stores, or irritable employees to deal with, so that experience is elminated altogether! Just select a movie from your browser and wait 1-3 business days for delivery and thats it. If you ever have troubles or problems with recieving or returning games, email customer service and your inquiry will be returned within 24 hours. Some of these online rental companies even have phone support! WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
How to join an online video game rental?
Choose the Right Game Rental Club
First of all, do your homework and pick a game rental club that offers all the game types you’ll use—Dreamcast, PSX, PS2, Game Boy Advanced, GameCube and XBox are the main options, but few game rental clubs rent them all. Some game copy clubs also rent DVDs, another factor to consider if you’re a movie fan. (For more information on DVD rental clubs, click here.) Most clubs let you mix and match your rental selections, so you can rent DVDs, XBox games, and some GameBoy Advanced games all together. Another factor—shipping time. A club closer to you will ship quicker than one on the opposite coast. This may not be an issue for most, but if you have a hard time waiting, it’s something to consider when choosing a game rental club.
Pick the Perfect Plan
Pay attention to your usual gaming habits. Will you have time to play thirty new games each month? Pick a plan that will let you pay for just what you’ll use. Most Game Rental Clubs let you change plans as often as you like, so if you have unused games lying around all the time, downshift to a cheaper plan.
Return Video Game Rentals ASAP
To avoid return delays, keep track of games and DVDs and the envelopes you’ll need to return them. Don’t let game rentals or postage–paid packaging end up between the couch cushions. On the upside, most video game rental plans don’t have due dates or charge late fees. But you’ll get fewer new selections if you keep several video games checked out indefinitely.
Fill Your Game Rental Queue
Make sure that your game rental queue is in order. Keep it full and sorted by first choice first. The video game club will ship out your new selections as they receive your old ones. Following this advice will help you minimize your investment and maximize your fun.
Video Game Rental Terms and Definitions
several unique terms and phrases describe the features of the video game rental services we’ve reviewed on this site. This list briefly defines terms relevant to video game rental services.
Feature set
Features that contribute to the ranking of online video game rental services include: free, two–way shipping, no late fee included, no due dates enforced, a free trial membership available, video game reviews from members and the ability to cancel your membership at any time.
Video Game Selection
This ranking is based on the variety and total number of video game titles the service has available for rent.
Search Capabilities
An online video game rental service should offer search tools to make searching for a video game easy. The service should offer a wide variety of search methods including searches by title, by video game console or by genre.
Video Game Arrival Time
Ranked on the length of time it takes to receive a video game once it’s shipped from the video game rental distribution center. Services that use several distribution centers often have shorter arrival times.
Available Plans
The number of membership options available through the video game service—often a set monthly dollar amount with limitations on the maximum number of video games rented simultaneously.
Video Game Consoles
XBox Video Game
The X Box was released by Microsoft in 2001. This 128–bit game console will play either CDs or DVDs.
Playstation Video Game
PlayStation (PSX) video game console has been released from Sony in 1995. It is a 32 bit console was first released in the UK and is the current market leader with well over 6 million unit sales and world-wide sales of around 99 million. It has been superceded by PlayStation 2.
Playstation 2 Video
Game PlayStation 2 (PS2) is Sony's latest console of 2002. It is a 128–bit video game console that will allow you to play CDs or DVDs.
Gamecube Video Game
The GameCube is Nintendo’s 128-bit video game console. This console will allow you to play high capacity CDs.
Dreamcast Video Game
The Dreamcast is Sega's latest, greatest video game console. This video game console was released in 1999.
Game Boy Advanced Video Game
Game Boy Advanced (GBA) is the successor of the Game Boy color console. This video game console was released in 2001.
Nintendo Video Game
The Nintendo was one of the first video game consoles available. Over the years, Nintendo has become one of the most powerful gaming consoles in the industry.
Super Nintendo Video Game
The Super Nintendo is a 16-bit console that was released in 1992. This was Nintendo's second game console.
Nintendo 64 Video Game
Nintendo 64 (N64) is Nintendo's third console. This video game console is 64–bit, and the quality of the video game is less than that of PlayStation and X Box because the console uses a video game cartridge instead of a CD or DVD.
Nintendo DS Video Game
Nintendo DS (short for Dual Screen) is a portable, hand-held video game console.
PC Video Game
PC stands for Personal Computer. Most of these games aren't available for rent, since most of them require the newer computers available. However, there are some video game rental services that rent PC video games after you download a special installer on your personal computer.
Sony PSP Video Game
The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was released by Sony in the United States in March, 2005.
Sega Genesis Video Game
The Sega Genesis is a 16–bit video game console that was released in 1989. Since then, Sega has added attachments, including a CD ROM drive called the Sega CD (Mega CD) and a 32 bit adapter named the 32x.
Video Game Consoles Coming Soon
XBox 360 Video Game
The X Box 360 is a brand new game console from Microsoft that is scheduled for release in winter, 2005.
Playstation 3 Video Game
The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) is the new video game console in Sony's PlayStation series. Estimated release date in 2006 or 2007.
Video Game Rental Service Features
Video Game Titles
The number of separate video games a video game rental service has available to rent.
Free Membership Trial
Allows you to sign up and try the service for a limited time without committing to a formal membership plan. Most online video game rental services require credit card information as a deposit to take advantage of the free trial.
No Video Game Late Fees
Does not require you to pay extra money for late video games, as retail stores do.
No Video Game Due Dates
Allows you to keep the video game for as long as you like, as long as you are a member.
Free Two-Way Shipping
Most online video game rental services pay the shipping costs to send the video game to you and back, and build this cost into your membership fee. Some services, however, require you to pay for return shipping.
Video Game Reviews
Some video game rental services provide reviews on available titles, usually they are written by other video gamers.
Available Plans
A variety of membership options from which you can choose. The number of video game rentals available at a time varies from service to service; some offer as few as one at a time to as many as eight. The average is about three simultaneous video game rentals.
Option to Purchase Video Game
After renting and playing a video game, you may want to add the video game to your permanent collection. Some online video game rental services sell video games as well as rent them.
No Required Contract
Allows you to cancel your membership at any time, since no contract is required beyond a monthly fee.
Rent DVDs From Website
The service has the option to rent DVDs from their website along with video games.
Available Video Game Genres
The different categories, or themes, video games are grouped under within an online video game rental site.
Search Capabilities
Video Game Title
earch for your favorite video games by name.
Video Game Consoles
Search for video games that work on a particular video game console (i.e. X Box, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and so on)
Video Game Genre
Look for video games by category, such as Puzzles, Races, or Role Playing Games (RPG).
Video Games Coming Soon
View and reserve video games that are going to be released in upcoming months.
New Released Video Games
View all the video games that have been recently released.
Support/Documentation
Phone Support
A support phone number is available for the video game rental service.
FAQ
A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available for quick reference. For fast answers, check the FAQs page before contacting customer support.
eMail/Online Forms
The service provides you with an email address or an online form so that you may contact the online video game rental company.
Live Chat
The online video game rental service has a live chat operator available online to answer questions.
