NOTE: If you like to collect games or you constantly find yourself playing online multiplayer games, this blog will, most likely, not interest you, unless you just want to hear about the money I saved by using Gamefly.

Once upon a time, I collected videogames. I had an alright collection of games with some semi-rare stuff. I was a lightweight when compared to some collectors, but I had some jewels that I personally felt proud of. For example, I had mint/complete copies of Suikoden 1 and Suikoden 2 with the Suikoden 2 guide and a complete copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga.

Well, a few years ago I started noticing that my collection was getting to be a little too big and I wasn’t playing any of my personal treasures. So I slowly started to sell off my collection, starting with the games I hadn’t played in years. Eventually, I was parting ways with games I never thought I would give up. I was using the money I made from my old games to pay for the new games I wanted to play. I kept newer titles for the most part, but once I started teaching high school full-time and college part-time, I just didn’t have the time to keep up with the new games and play them through multiple times (with exceptions for games I love like Mass Effect 1 & 2 and Limbo). Once I stopped collecting, I took the next step of beating games as fast as possible and then selling them on eBay or Craigslist to get maximum value for the title. I say all this to ensure that people know that I'm am not longer a collector. I've given up collected and have been focused on just playing games to play them, which is important if you want to use Gamefly.

In the end, I decided to try out

And I am totally happy with their service. I haven’t missed a game that I really wanted to play since I got the service and I've saved a crapload of money. But I have also learned how to work their system to ensure that I get the game I want when I want it, which leads me to my two fold thesis (which was delayed because of my personal narrative).

1. I wanted to show how much money I’ve saved using the service
2. I want offer one or two tips to ensure that people interested in Gamefly maximize their value.

1. SAVINGS

I have been using Gamefly for eight months at 16.59 a month (tax included), meaning I've forked over 132.72$ to Gamefly. Here is a list of games I've played and finished using my account. I have also included how much they cost new at the time of rental. I note this because I suck at waiting. I want to play the newest game now, meaning I spend too much money playing games because I don't wait for price drops.

List of Rentals
Metroid: Other M - 49.99 (currently playing)
Metro 2033 - 49.99
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands - 39.99
Singularity - 59.99
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 49.99
Puzzle Quest 2 - 29.99
Alan Wake - 59.99
Demon's Souls - 39.99
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - 49.99
Just Cause 2 - 59.99
God of War III - 59.99
Heavy Rain - 59.99
Darksiders - 59.99
MagnaCarta 2 - 39.99

Total Money Not Spent - 709.86 on new games (759.55 with 7% tax added)

Total of estimated savings - 626.83

Note: I would not have played about 5 of these games if I had to pay full price. I don't know if that works in Gamefly's favor or not.

2. TIPS WHEN USING GAMEFLY

Finally, I want to discuss a common problem that people bring up when discussing Gamefly. Many people complain because they have to wait a long time to play the hottest new games. I have found a way to help with this problem. When using Gamefly, they ask you to pick at least ten games to put on your game queue. Don't do this because they will send you the first available game, which is normally not a newer game. I always only have one game on my queue at one time to ensure that it is top priority. I also try to make sure I have only one game on my queue before its release.

For example, I got Metroid: Other M the day after it came out. I did that by ensuring that my last rental was back before Metroid: Other M shipped. Also, as previously stated, Metroid: Other M was the only game on my queue making it higher in priority.

I’ve used this method for Heavy Rain, God of War III, Alan Wake, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Metroid: Other M. Each time I received the game one day after it came out. If I had not done this, then I would be waiting for quite a while to get many of these games, which makes Gamefly a rip off.

So I’m going to stop writing because I’ve wasted my entire planning period, and I’ve got to get back to work. Hope this has given you an idea of how to use Gamefly to save some cash.