Blockbuster.com to launch online game-rental pilot

Dallas Blockbuster is gearing up to launch its new online video game service, and plans to start the pilot program in the Cleveland area on June 30. The company aims to expand the program nationwide by the end of the year.

Subscribers in the pilot test will be able to opt-in to add Wii, PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360 games to their current online rental queue for an incremental monthly fee, which will only be charged for billing cycles in which they have actually rented games. For a set fee, subscribers can rent as many games as they want during the month, one game out at a time.

This makes Blockbuster the only by-mail service to offer both movie and game rentals.