Andre Yoskowitz
1 Jun 2009 3:12
Redbox, the automated DVD rental kiosk company, has announced that they have hired their first "senior level videogames executive," and plan to expand into video game rentals this summer.
“Our customers and retail partners have been really clamoring for video games, and Redbox is responding,” added Mark Achler, Redbox's new VP of video games. “We are very actively engaged in putting out a video game offering. There are changing demographics, where we see the casual market continuing to open as more women become involved.”
The tricky part now is pricing. Redbox currently offers $1-a-night pricing for its video rentals, but it is almost a guarantee that the same pricing will not be given to video games, which retail for much more than DVDs and Blu-rays.
Achler added that Redbox will offer two types of kiosks; one with only video games and another with both games and movies. There will be titles for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii available.
“We think rental really has an opportunity to grow and lift the whole video game sector,” noted Achler.