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Blockbuster Inc., the troubled provider of in-home movies and game entertainment, is expanding its game business significantly. As Pay Per View, Netflix and others make dents in movie rentals at stores, and downloading of movies and music grows, Blockbuster has rolled out retail video games and game hardware to all of its U.S. company owned stores.

The move is described as part of a broader plan to make additional inroads into the game business. Now for the first time, customers can go into any U.S. company owned Blockbuster store and purchase video game titles, hardware and accessories for the Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS game systems.

In addition to expanding its retail games offerings, Blockbuster is adding more game titles for rental, with more copies across all platforms. The expanded game offerings include hardware and accessories, along with rental and retail titles such as, "Mario Kart," and, "Grand Theft Auto IV," on the new release wall in a specially designated game section.

"We're committed to offering a full assortment of everything gamers want in our stores: hardware, accessories and retail and rental games across all platforms, including Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS," said Rod Murray, VP of games merchandising.

To further support expansion of its game business, Blockbuster will also be implementing a variety of special consumer game offers, such as an exclusive Sony PS3 movie and game bundle. The bundle, offered for $499.99, excluding tax, includes: a 40GB Sony PS3 game console that also plays Blu-ray DVDs, PS3/Blu-ray DVD remote, HDMI cable, "Spiderman 3" Blu-ray disc, "Transformers" PS3 game and a Blockbuster 12 week PS3/Blu-ray rental card that entitles users to one free PS3 or Blu-ray rental per week for 12 consecutive weeks.

Blockbuster, which is based in Dallas, has more than 7,800 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Article ID: 640