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[GameTap] Cable for Gaming
Entriech
? ? ? ? ?Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
? ? ? ? ?Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
We haven't had one of these in a while, and I thought some folks might benefit. So.
What is GameTap?
Much as the thread title states, GameTap is like cable for gaming. You pay them a subscription fee, and in return you gain access to download and play some/any of the games in their catalog. You stop paying the fee, and you lose access to anything you downloaded.
How much is Gametap?
This depends on exactly which package you decide to go with. There are three levels of user in the GameTap system.
What's currently in the Free library?
This changes on a regular basis as games rotate in and out. This is a link to their current free list.
Notable current standouts include Metal Slug, Descent:Freespace, Just Cause, Shadowgrounds, Operation Flashpoint and more.
What's in the Classic library?
Generally these are much older games, usually things that you've seen on the old 8 or 16 bit consoles, or old PC games from a similar era. This is a link to their current classic games list.
Notable current standouts include the classic Sonic games, old Sierra adventure games like Quest for Glory and Space Quest series, Gunstar Heroes, the Street Fighter series, Galaga, Time Pilot, and a wealth of others. As of the time of this post there are currently 554 games in the Classic library.
What's in the Premium library?
Everything in their catalog. This is a link to their premium package.
This is where things get interesting. Here's a list of games that at least I think are pretty standout. At the time of this post, there are currently 1045 games in the Premium library.
What are subaccounts?
While whomever signs up with GameTap is the main account holder, you can have up to 8 subaccounts for each account. Each of these subaccounts has its own login and password, and is intended for use within your household. Not only does this let you say, administrate an account for your kids or younger siblings with parental controls enabled, it also allows two accounts to be on the network at the same time.
Yes, you read that right. For your subscription, you can actually have two people in your house playing different games simultaneously. To go back to the cable analogy, it's like getting a second cable box for free.
How often are new games added?
Generally we get one new game per week. There's a thread on their forums detailing what's currently in the pipeline, including their efforts to update their game encryption for 64-bit operating systems.
Summary
To finish off, I think it's an incredibly worthwhile service, and I've been with them for over three years now. I'm happy to answer any questions that I'm able to, and their support section has plenty to look through as well.
And remember, it's just like a cable company, and if you sign up with them for awhile then try to cancel, you can get some nice retention specials like free months of service and lower package prices. Enjoy!
What is GameTap?
Much as the thread title states, GameTap is like cable for gaming. You pay them a subscription fee, and in return you gain access to download and play some/any of the games in their catalog. You stop paying the fee, and you lose access to anything you downloaded.
How much is Gametap?
This depends on exactly which package you decide to go with. There are three levels of user in the GameTap system.
- Free - $0.00. Gives you access to a limited rotating library to try out their service.
- Classic - $4.95 per month or $49.95 per year. Gives you access to a library of older, classic games.
- Premium - $9.95 per month or $79.95 per year. Gives you access to their entire catalog.
What's currently in the Free library?
This changes on a regular basis as games rotate in and out. This is a link to their current free list.
Notable current standouts include Metal Slug, Descent:Freespace, Just Cause, Shadowgrounds, Operation Flashpoint and more.
What's in the Classic library?
Generally these are much older games, usually things that you've seen on the old 8 or 16 bit consoles, or old PC games from a similar era. This is a link to their current classic games list.
Notable current standouts include the classic Sonic games, old Sierra adventure games like Quest for Glory and Space Quest series, Gunstar Heroes, the Street Fighter series, Galaga, Time Pilot, and a wealth of others. As of the time of this post there are currently 554 games in the Classic library.
What's in the Premium library?
Everything in their catalog. This is a link to their premium package.
This is where things get interesting. Here's a list of games that at least I think are pretty standout. At the time of this post, there are currently 1045 games in the Premium library.
- Psychonauts, Fallout 1 and 2, UT2k4 and UT3, Season 1 and 2 of the new Sam and Max
- Beyond Good and Evil, Puzzle Quest, Fable, Splinter Cell 1 - 3, Dawn of War
- Civilizations 3 and 4, Sid Meier's Pirates!, Deus Ex, Trackmania Forever, Prince of Persia
- Tropico 1 - 3, Tomb Raider Legend and Anniversary, Trine, S.T.A.L.K.E.R
- Serious Sam, Stronghold, Supreme Commander, Silent Hill 2 and 3, Total Overdose
- Typing of the Dead, GRID, Mafia, DiRT, Painkiller, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, Arx Fatalis
What are subaccounts?
While whomever signs up with GameTap is the main account holder, you can have up to 8 subaccounts for each account. Each of these subaccounts has its own login and password, and is intended for use within your household. Not only does this let you say, administrate an account for your kids or younger siblings with parental controls enabled, it also allows two accounts to be on the network at the same time.
Yes, you read that right. For your subscription, you can actually have two people in your house playing different games simultaneously. To go back to the cable analogy, it's like getting a second cable box for free.
How often are new games added?
Generally we get one new game per week. There's a thread on their forums detailing what's currently in the pipeline, including their efforts to update their game encryption for 64-bit operating systems.
Summary
To finish off, I think it's an incredibly worthwhile service, and I've been with them for over three years now. I'm happy to answer any questions that I'm able to, and their support section has plenty to look through as well.
And remember, it's just like a cable company, and if you sign up with them for awhile then try to cancel, you can get some nice retention specials like free months of service and lower package prices. Enjoy!
Entriech on
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So glad they just added Tropico 3, I was thinking of buying it when it came out as I loved the first 2, but than forgot, and now I don't have to. Now I just have to hope for Overlord 2
Just looked at the link thread for upcoming games though:
The Witcher
Neverwinter Nights 2
King's Bounty
...that's some damn nice gaming for anyone into RPGs or turn-based games. I already own all three, but man, that's still a nice list to look at there.
My list of currently installed games is quite a mix of classics and new(er) stuff: X-Com, Might & Magic 1-3, Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel, Trine, Deus Ex, Zaxxon, Sacrifice, Shining Force, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, Contra, Freelancer, Quest For Glory III, some Sam & Max Season 2, and GRID. And I've gone through so many older, classic games not listed there or in the OP...
as an aside, cable for gaming = sega t.v.! ahhhh yesteryear. /sigh.
For clarification: If the game needed a CD-key to play online, 90% chance that it won't work. Anything else should be fine
I was referring to the post directly above mine that states it doesn't always work.
New post directly above this one, however, gives me hope. It's lan connectivity I am caring about here.
Ya, thats part of the reason I think they've slowed down adding new games a bit, their focusing on converting everything to work with 64-bit, but they are getting 2-3 games a week done, and all new games are 64-bit compatable.
1. Most of the classic games can only be played in-browser, right?
2. Have they added the ability to change the controls for in-browser games?
Yes, maybe. I liked the player that they had for the classic games better, but they dropped it for some stupid reason
Yes, it seems like anything that would have been at home on an old DOS PC, and any of the old arcade or system games are all played in browser. I don't think they've added the ability to change the controls, but I don't play a lot of the in-browser games so I can't say for sure.
you can't change the keyboard controls, but you can use a gamepad. All the browser games also do full-screen now
You can now, yes. When I first signed up ages ago cancellations had to be done by phone, but now you can cancel through the site when logged in.