PSP World

Nintendo Wii Shortages May Be Blessing in Disguise for Game Rental Firms, Says GameZnFlix CEO

John Fleming, CEO of GameZnFlix, an online provider of video games and movies for rent or purchase, said recently that unfilled demand for the Wii Video Game Console may result in increased business for the game rental industry.

"The Wii is the hot ticket this Christmas and they're just not out there to be had," said Fleming. "It looks like a replay of Christmas 2006 when the Wii was commanding big premiums on eBay while last minute shoppers were lining up at Gamestop or Best Buy and too often leaving empty-handed. My guess is that those who have their heart set on a Wii aren't going to look instead to the XBox 360 or Playstation 3 which can cost double the price of a Wii or more," Fleming continued. "They're just different markets, and nobody's going to want to invest in more games for their 1st gen Xbox or Playstation 2. What does make sense for them is to turn to a video game rental program while Wii supply catches up with Wii demand. It's the perfect solution."

Industry sources say that Nintendo is leaving as much as a billion dollars on the table this season by not having enough consoles to meet demand. That equates to some five million machines. "We love the Wii," says Fleming, "and when customers are lucky enough to get one we have the games to keep them happy, but if they don't we're ready and able to keep their old game platform well-supplied with great game titles until they get the Wii of their dreams."

SOURCE