Direct2Drive sold to GameFly

[Maniacal]

There is Steam, and then there is Direct2Drive, the IGN-owned PC game download service. It perhaps doesn’t get mentioned here as often as does its esteemed rival, despite it having been on scene almost as long and having had a big old slice of the market. I guess it just doesn’t seem to reflect the strange and rapid evolution of PC gaming in quite the same way, even if its catalogue is suitably fat. Perhaps things will change as it moves into the next phase of its seven-year-old life – IGN have just sold Direct2Drive in its entirety off to someone else…

The new owner is a firm known as GameFly, who primarily specialise in game rentals by post in the US. Direct2Drive presumably now allows for the possibility of game rentals via broadband, although there appear to be no specific discussions of post-acquistion plans.

IGN aren’t entirely removed from proceedings, retaining a small stake in Direct2Drive, but GameFly will essentially be calling all the shots. What happens now? A bigger, better Direct2Drive with added rental options, or the slow backgrounding into a digital infrastructure for GameFly’s existing operations – especially given D2D has already been experimenting with digital rental? And what of Europe, given GameFly seems so US-centric?

Those questions remain unanswered for now, with GameFly headfly David Hodess offering only the following: “We’re very excited to bring the D2D team onboard at GameFly and expand our ability to deliver games to consumers. Only GameFly can offer a complete library of physical and digital games for the PC, Mac and consoles in one place.”

What we also don’t know why IGN sold it off, or how much for. Perhaps it was struggling to compete with Steam, perhaps the sprawling Murdoch empire wanted to refocus its efforts, or perhaps it’s simply a matter of an eye-watering cheque being waved. Then there’s the recent news that IGN would be partnering with US high street megaretailer GameStop for various in-store and on-site promotional hoojum. Perhaps Direct2Drive, being essentially IGN’s own retailer, was getting in the way of that arrangement somehow. This is, of course, mere speculation. I can’t help it. Speculating’s my thing.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011...ive-sells-out/

I never bought anything from D2D (nor posted any of their sales, and other websites usually have better sales anyway) because I hate IGNorant.com and their website layouts are bloody awful. It also rejected my perfectly good credit card a few years ago the one time I did try and when I tried to buy a key for BC2: Vietnam on a recent 24 hour sale off of there it put me on a delay for some unknown reason and I didn't get the sale price (or any purchase thankfully, I'd be quite pissed if they had charged me the full price).

Anyway, interesting how IGN is partnering up with GameStop yet GameStop purchased Impulse instead of D2D. GameFly is a US game rental by mail company, so its not a surprise they were looking to expand into digital game sales but it will be interesting to see what changes. Oh well, not my problem

[Oruc]

Are gamefly known for being dicks? D2D and gamersgate are where I buy all my new games now so i'm hoping not

[Maniacal]

I have not heard anything bad about GameFly. I'm still more worried about what GameStop might do to Impulse and couldn't care less what happens to D2D.

[Oruc]

Originally Posted by PrinceScamp

I have not heard anything bad about GameFly. I'm still more worried about what GameStop might do to Impulse and couldn't care less what happens to D2D.

Impulse is just a less popular version of steam.

[Maniacal]

You've obviously never used it then, since you don't need the client running to play the games.

[Oruc]

Originally Posted by PrinceScamp

You've obviously never used it then, since you don't need the client running to play the games.

I had to download updates for demigod off of impulse, so you're wrong I have used it

[Maniacal]

Originally Posted by Oruc

I had to download updates for demigod off of impulse, so you're wrong I have used it

I never said you didn't ever have to use it, I said you didn't need to run it to play the game.

[CyberTyrant]

We've thought about trying out GameFly since my son has an Xbox 360, but never did get around to it. So I'm not familiar with their practices.

I only use Steam & Impulse for digital purchases (and GOG in rare cases).