Gamefly has always been thought of as the Netflix of video games and rightly so. The service provides unlimited video game rentals for a monthly subscription fee in the same way that Netflix does with DVDs. However, Netflix has in recent years switched almost solely to a streaming rental service and, while it does currently still provide them, it seems as if it will eventually do away with physical discs altogether.
Now Gamefly has taken their own step towards a world of fully digital media. The company announced yesterday that they will be premiering a digital game distribution service this coming holiday season.
Although this service has no official name or street date yet, we did get a few facts about what it is going to do. It will allow Gamefly subscribers to purchase and download digital copies of their favorite games directly to their Windows and Mac computers. The service will also provide game news and trailers to help gamers keep up on their favorite pastime.
Gamefly co-founder, Sean Spector, had this to say of the service: “We’re thrilled to bring digital to the gaming consumer in a meaningful way, as no other service or retailer brings physical and digital gaming together like GameFly.”
The Gamefly digital distribution service will launch in beta on September 8, 2011 at a special event held in Los Angeles. A limited number of beta codes will be given out to attendees and their friends. But, in case you’re not in LA, you can request your own beta code by visiting Gamefly’s official launch site.
It sounds like the new service will be similar to what gamers already have with Valve’s Steam services but we’ll find out this winter what other tricks Gamefly has to offer to the burgeoning world of digital gaming services.
While you’re waiting for September 8th, check out Gamefly’s teaser video below…
