UK Games Rental Sites Brush Off Halo 3 Hysteria

By Bruce Stevens Staff Writer Thursday, 28 September 2007

IT’S not often a video game causes such a consternation, but this week’s release of the highly anticipated Xbox 360 game Halo 3 has sent UK gamers into a spin.

While high-street games retailers saw queues outside their doors and online etailers reporting a massive surge in orders for the game, how have the games rental companies been hit by the Halo 3 frenzy?

Gamez Gecko

Charles Bajomo of Gamez Gecko Games Rental says Halo 3 is turning out to be one of the site’s most requested games.

Gamez Gecko foresaw the anticipated rush on Halo 3 and brought in extra copies.

“As a company that aims to satisfy it's customers, we planned ahead and will have no problem delivering new releases to our customers,” said Mr Bajomo.

But it’s not just Halo 3 that’s proving popular.

“We are also stocking extra copies of Fifa 08, Stranglehold and Heavenly Sword, “ he said.

“With our new stock we will guarantee our Geckomania customers a copy of one of these games and as usual we have many others that customers can choose from.”

Boomerang Games Rental

Over at Boomerang Games Rental, Managing Director Nick Palczynski reports a similar rush on Halo 3 rentals.

“Halo 3 is in high demand. We have had some customers emptying their Pipelines to leave just Halo 3 so that they receive a copy first!” said Mr Palczynski.

According to Mr Palczynski, Halo 3 is one of the most popular titles that Boomerang Games Rental has ever stocked, however demand has remained manageable due to some customers simply buying the game rather than waiting to rent it.

Rent Games Online (RGO)

It is a slightly different story over at Rent Games Online.

Jake Stockwell, Director of RGO said: “There hasn’t really been a surge in customers putting Halo 3 onto their games rental queues.”

“We find that major releases like Halo are favourites to buy, rather than rent. Members have the game on their queues but not many have moved it to the top.”

While Halo 3 is currently not the most popular title that RGO has ever stocked, Mr Stockwell feels that this could well change over the next few days.

Halo 3 has however caused one unforeseen problem over at RGO.

“Staff members have been distracted from their work!” joked Mr Stockwell.