The majority of game enthusiasts surveyed by X-bit labs would prefer to buy a console game, rather than to rent it. The results put under question certain business models that rely on renting of console games and entertainment programs.

A recently carried out poll at X-bit labs web-site shows that 59% of potential gamers would prefer to buy a game rather than to get it by other means, 28% would consider other factors, possibly including comfort of gameplay on particular hardware, only 13% said they would gladly rent a game, but would not buy it, if they had an opportunity.

The question of the survey was whether readers of X-bit labs web-site would prefer buying or renting console games for $30 - $50 monthly fee, provided that those games are up to date.

X-bit labs believes that the results outline customers’ typical attitude towards games and other purchases that do not require huge sums of money: the majority do not play games too lot and acquire one or two games monthly, thus, the price difference between purchase and renting for them would not be significant. The consequence of such attitude for businesses seeking to rent entertainment software may be negative.

Additional difficulties consumers may experience with consoles are insufficient resources in case of PC-based devices designed to play PC games as well as certain other factors, such as overall comfort of gaming, etc..

X-bit labs readers are well-educated and typically make balanced purchase decisions based on in-depth investigations and observations. The X-bit labs poll surveyed about 1 thousand of respondents among technology enthusiasts in early-January, 2005.