The convenience of digital downloads allows lazy PC gamer schlubs like me an excuse not to step foot in the nearest retail shop. We're too busy juggling the zillion shop clients on our computers to leave our houses, anyway.
News Blips:
GameFly wants a slice of the PC digital distribution pie. Launching this holiday, the mail-powered rental service's digital storefront brings an "unlimited PC play" feature that allows paying subscribers unfettered access to the entirety of the service's planned 1,500-strong catalog. GameFly plans a closed beta starting on September 8. No official word yet on whether Valve realizes the obvious pun involving Steam, soup, and insectoid encroachment.
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter portends Grand Theft Auto 5 selling "at least" 18 million units. The lack of an official announcement from Rockstar didn't stop Pachter from estimating that if GTA 5 follows its predecessors' pattern, sales could balloon past 24 million. Next thing you'll know, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will break all-time sales records, household animals will live peacefully with other household animals, and other parts from Bill Murray's speech in Ghostbusters that I can't remember right now.
Troubled L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi reportedly sells all of its assets to multimedia production studio Kennedy Miller Mitchell. "A source close to the matter" told Develop that KMM — the creator of the dystopian Mad Max film franchise — now owns Bondi's intellectual property for an undisclosed sum. Publisher Rockstar snugly retains L.A. Noire's franchise rights. Bondi hasn't discussed details of the transaction yet, presumably after L.A. Noire protagonist Cole Phelps threatened a "broken fucking jaw" to anyone who squeals.
Valve chooses the winners for its Portal 2 music video contest. Indie rock band The National penned a song exclusively for the hit sequel but apparently skipped over a video in favor of prolonged shoegazing. Valve appealed to its fans for a remedy, and they delivered: Check out the contest page for some creative video work, including a sentimental sock puppet and fantastic Rat Man cosplay.
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