Level up and start renting
In the current economic climate, $60 for a video game is just way too much. Video games aren’t exactly on anyone’s budget, unless of course, you write for a game magazine. Sure, there are the blockbuster games that will come out every year and there will be an impulsive need to buy from time to time. But for the most part, I don’t think anyone buys a new game every week.
This is where game rentals come in. Blockbuster, Gamefly and recently Redbox, all provide rental games at a low price that won’t bust your wallet. The cost for renting a game at Redbox is $2 a night, Gamefly has a monthly plan of $22.95 for unlimited game rentals and Blockbuster also has a monthly plan of $21.99 for unlimited rentals.
But this isn’t about who has the best rental plan. It’s about the idea of renting games. I have never met anyone who hasn't rented games at one time or another. My guess is the idea of renting from a retailer isn’t something that gamers would like, but that brings up situations when friends would borrow games from other friends. The difference between the borrowing and renting is money. Why pay more than $20 when you can borrow or play the game at your friend’s house for free?
Despite that situation, renting games is not such a bad idea either. The concept of try before you buy has expanded in the video game world. Demos still come out and it gives players a glimpse into a game. Rentals are a good way to see the finished product. I wish I rented a few games in the past because paying full price for a game, only to find out later it was a fluke, isn’t fun.
To all the gamers out there: rent. You might not own the game, but at least it’s way cheaper than spending $60. And it’s a great way to discover hidden gems within the industry. There might be a game that no one has ever heard of and it could just be the next best thing, all thanks to game rentals.
