Blockbuster Considering Adding Games-By-Mail Service

Flailing video vendor Blockbuster, which has gone so far as to gamble all its Canadian assets to sidestep the bankruptcy train, also has another potential trick up its sleeve — video games by mail.

Consumerist reader Emily forwarded us an e-mail she recently received from Blockbuster where the company says it wants her feedback on adding video games to its current movies-by-mail program:

In addition to sending your favorite movies by mail, Blockbuster is considering giving Total Access members like you the ability to rent video games by mail for no additional charge. You would be able to choose from over 3,000 different games, including many popular new releases. All you’d have to do is add them to your Queue, and we would send them to you just like we do your favorite movies! Please take a moment to complete the following short survey so we can gauge your interest.

Emily also points out that, if Blockbuster were to go through with the plan to offer games at no extra charge, she’d be able to ditch her $20/month subscription to GameFly.

As for whether or not this is something Netflix would get involved in, I talked to Steve Swasey, VP Corp. Communications for Netflix and he made it pretty clear that they’re not even thinking about the video game market:

Sez Steve:

Video games are a different economic model than movies and TV episodes, on which Netflix concentrates to provide the greatest convenience, selection and value to consumers… Movies are perennial. A great movie from 1972 is still a great movie but who wants to play Madden ’95?

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