Thread: Netflix to have Video Games as new business, "Qwikster"

Netflix is splitting into two businesses. The DVD rental business (renamed as Qwikster) and the online streaming (still netflix). What is cool is that "Qwikster" will have Video Game Rentals for the 360, Wii and PS3!!

It’s hard to write this after over 10 years of mailing DVDs with pride, but we think it is necessary: In a few weeks, we will rename our DVD by mail service to “Qwikster”. We chose the name Qwikster because it refers to quick delivery. We will keep the name “Netflix” for streaming.

Qwikster will be the same website and DVD service that everyone is used to. It is just a new name, and DVD members will go to qwikster.com to access their DVD queues and choose movies. One improvement we will make at launch is to add a video games upgrade option, similar to our upgrade option for Blu-ray, for those who want to rent Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 games. Members have been asking for video games for many years, but now that DVD by mail has its own team, we are finally getting it done. Other improvements will follow. A negative of the renaming and separation is that the Qwikster.com and Netflix.com websites will not be integrated.

Didn't want to believe this was true, so went to Google and did some research of my own. Sure 'nuf, everyone is talking about it. Hard to believe, Netflix would just hand over their DVD operation like that. For years, i was a die hard Netflix DVD only subscriber and that was when they had first come out with streaming. My computer wasn't fast enough to stream (and i had dialup too) and so i just watched DVDs. Netflix had excellent turn around time on DVDs. I could put a DVD in mail Monday morning and have one back Wednesday afternoon, most times.

Now i only use their streaming services, though i am paying for both DVD/streaming. Just didn't get around to canceling in time before the rate hike kicked in.

Guess i will rent games from Netflix too. I like their company and will probably use them more, especially once i get a good game system.

Nice, but i don't use this :/

No need really if you get out to the theaters much or have cable TV. You can even watch movies online these days if you know where. I get Netflix, just out of habit. Had it since before there was really good streaming video. Will probably cancel the DVD subscription. Will be too much hassle to deal with two companies.

Well it will be an upgrade feature like blu-ray so you will be paying extra for it. I switch from Netfilx to Hulu and Blockbuster. While the game availability on Blockbuster by mail well sucks if you live close to a Blockbuster you can get a unlimited rental pass for $15 a month and that includes any movie or game in the store. Personally I would do that before I went back to Netflix, I am still interested to see what the added charge will be for games though but just out of shear curiosity.

I'd probably add the gaming option for Netflix, just cause they were so reliable in the past. I'd been planning to use Gamefly when i get an Xbox 360, but have very positive experiences with Netflix already so why not use them.