Well, this might be one of the most (potentially) awesome stories we cover this week. GameFly, the company best known for setting up a Netflix-style gaming rental service, has announced that it plans to open up a third-party gaming store on iOS and Android (think TegraZone, but with less hardware tie-ins). This would, presumably, be in addition to the already-existing GameFly app. Additionally, the company has "set aside a game development fund" that it will use to fund game developers with great ideas, but less cash flow. This is fantastic news.

For starters, the transition from game rental service to distributor is a huge move for GameFly. This new program could potentially set up GameFly as a major player in Android gaming at a time when the market is set to boom. Mobile gaming is already a hotbed of innovation and as mobile chips become more and more powerful, and tablets become an even bigger part of our lives, the progress is showing no signs of slowing.

The company is currently accepting submissions for mobile game ideas via email. The company says it expects to publish its first title this summer, although the GameStore for Android won't be available until this holiday season, so we're not sure if the initial release title will be available on Android immediately. Hopefully, as time goes on, we'll see the playing field get a bit more level between the two major platforms, as the company works on both simultaneously.

Regardless of platform favoritism, though, it's hard not to get excited about an innovative company investing in the independent developer community.

Source: PR Newswire

GameFLy To Publish Mobile Games For iOS And Anroid Platforms And Launch GameFly GameStore For Android

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GameFly, Inc., the leading video game service, announced today its plans to begin publishing mobile games for the iOS and Android platforms, as well as launching the independent GameFly GameStore for Android later this fall. Continuing its foray into digital initiatives, the company has set aside a game development fund to work with mobile developers that are in the process of making a great game, but need the extra resources to publish and promote their titles. GameFly will also expand its mission to be the top resource for all gaming needs, offering expertly curated Android games in the GameFly GameStore with thousands of the best games and daily deals. With its large social network for gamers, game discovery will also be made easier via friend recommendations, and ratings and reviews from fellow gamers.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/LA91930LOGO)

"GameFly is dedicated to giving consumers the best user experience possible, and to be their single destination for console, PC and mobile gaming needs," said Sean Spector, GameFly co-founder and SVP of Business Development and Content. "We plan to be a leading player in mobile games by launching our retail GameStore for Android and helping to fund mobile developers of all sizes to publish, promote and sell their smartphone and tablet games."

GameFly is currently accepting submissions from mobile game developers at GameDev@GameFly.com, and expects to publish its first title this summer. The GameFly GameStore will be available for Android phones and tablets by this holiday season. GameFly's Game of the Day feature was launched on the popular GameFly mobile App in April, enabling iOS users to discover high quality games or find great deals on titles they may have missed.