Gamefly, the mail-order video game rental service, is getting another chance. The first time around, I didn’t have the greatest experience and Davis Freeberg has also reported subpar service… with two separate subscriptions. However, as I mentioned to my blogging/industry buddy Jeremy Toeman just last week: Anyone I ding is welcome to try and convince me that I’m wrong or that they’ve changed. So I kept an open mind when Gamefly’s VP of Marketing (a Netflix alum) called on Monday. She informed me that service has improved and reminded me of their recently opened east coast distribution center (with more to come) in Pittsburgh, which should speed my deliveries. We agreed on a bloggable 90 day trial, which I’m about to activate, so stay tuned.

Intelliflix, a Netlix competitor, used to differentiate themselves by offering video games and “mature content” - in addition to standard movie rentals… Well, they’ll still offer the adult stuff.

Intelliflix eliminated the game offering for new customers in June of 2007. Due to the continually changing market for games and game consoles, we made this decision in order to focus our resources on providing the highest quality movie rental experience for our customers. Intelliflix customers that had a Premium membership prior to this change will be grandfathered in, and thus still be allowed to rent games as part of their plan.

Gamefly is still a mail order video game rental option, though neither Davis nor I would recommend them. Blockbuster Total Access provides one (or two if you’ve been around awhile) gaming coupon a month, but that requires a store visit. Good thing I’ve got so many Live Arcade and free game demos to choose from on my 360.

I woke up this morning wanting something new. I have a bunch of unopened stuff just waiting for review, but I’m not feeling those items. And I know the iPhone will be here in a few days, but $600 is not an impulse buy (and it doesn’t have a keyboard or stylus). I need a new camera, but learning how to use it seems like work. I don’t love my GPS, which makes me think about picking up Telenav service and bluetooth puck for my Blackjack (and next phones) - but that’s more practical than fun. So I wonder if it’s time for Wii…

Here’s an interesting tibit I ran across: Cartoon Network is working on some sort of Adult Swim content/gaming mashup for web and consoles.

The Mega Series is a custom application accessible through a console browser and a PC browser. Once the application is built, the interface will be customized for the Flash capabilities of each distribution platform — including PC, PS3 or mobile phone — creating a VOD and gaming experience

Could be cool. Though it sounds like Xbox 360 (no web browser) and iPhone (reports of no Flash) owners will be left out. Guess we’ll find out in early 2008.

Some details are emerging on Guitar Hero III… First and foremost, is confirmation of a wireless (Les Paul) guitar. Nice! I have no idea what kind of battery life something like this would have, but I hate clutter and look forward to seeing the cord cut.

Next up, we have a YouTube video of what may be the updated GH III HUD.

Considering GH II was just released (on Xbox) two months ago, I doubt we’ll be able to pick up v3 any time soon. Which is OK… After watching this 8 year old, I’ve pretty much given up.

Over the course of my life, I have been one of Electronic Arts best customers. It’s embarassing to admit how much money I have spent on the company, but year after year, I’m the guy who falls for their trick of repackaging the same content, over and over again.I’m not sure why I feel so compelled to upgrade each year, but for the last decade, I’ve purchased an EA title at least, once every three months. A few of these have been new games that EA has come out with, but by and large I’ve mostly stuck with the tried, but true sport franchises.

I like the sports games the best because they allow me to play a quick game without having to keep track of what’s going on. I’ll usually start with a season mode and by the end of the real life season, I am wrapping up the playoffs. When the online capabilities started to come out, I was pretty fired up about being able to skool other gamers with my mad John Madden skillz, but as a casual gamer, I quickly found out the hard way, that I was no match for the caliber players, who have the time to play online.

Right now my lifetime winning record for all Xbox Live games is under 10%. These days, I tend to stick to playing the computer, but every now and then, I’ll still log in, just so that I remember what it’s like to take a beating.

EA knows that they make their bread and butter on customers like myself. Most of their titles are franchise oriented, which allows them to have a neverending game pipeline in the works. In the past, I thought it was silly to upgrade from one title to another, just for the updated player stats, but each year the subtle differences in the gameplay was enough to convince me to keep upgrading.

Normally, overpaying for a game that I won’t play very long, isn’t really all that big of a deal, but over the last few years, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend at EA and after continuing to be disappointed with their products, I’ve finally decided that enough is enough.

Every since I first bought my Xbox 360, I’ve noticed that EA sports has been building in planned obsolescence into their franchise titles. (more…)

While a custom Wii Google Reader wouldn’t have been at the top of my list of interface tweaks (how about a new color scheme?), that’s exactly what Google has done. Since I rarely wear my glasses and most feeds I read for ZNF “work” this doesn’t really appeal to me, not to mention there may be more interesting things to do with a Wii - you know, like play games.

Speaking of gaming console enhancements that don’t appeal to me, I installed the spring Xbox 360 Dashboard update this AM… and I’m not sure why I’d want to integrate my Xbox with my Windows Messenger contacts — those folks already have too much access.

Back to the Wii for a second… It looks like supply is catching up with demand: I was at a Best Buy event Sunday night, and they had 30 Wiis in stock but only managed to move 12 of them.