Gametap

Blackjack

So, here's the gist of it. I am curious about getting a GameTap Gold Account, but don't really know much at all about the site. I did a search, but the last thread devoted specifically to Gametap was at least year or so ago, and I know lots of things can happen in that time. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it worth it?

General Gametap discussion is also here.

Regicid3

I was going to make a huge OP for GameTap the other day but I couldn't find a text-only list of all the free games to entice people.

Either way, I subscribed like 4 hours ago. I was playing Tomb Raider: Legend and Thief: Deadly Shadows for free and periodically going over their entire library and it is definitely going to be worth it! Especially since the first month is only costing me one dollar. My GameTap ID is SwiftRegicide.

polaris314

I haven't used it in awhile, but I've been a subscriber for a long time. Definitely worth it for me, since I can scratch my retro itch or try out an older game I would otherwise not have purchased with little effort. If you're looking for lots of newer stuff, you probably will be a little let-down. But if you remember playing or never got the chance to try many older pc/console games, it's a really nice service.

Nocren

Yeah, the only reason I unsubscribed from Gametap was because at the time I was on dial-up and it took me DAYS to download stuff. That and as much as I loved URU, I really don't have time for another MMO, no matter how fun it is and player driven.

PunkBoy

I'm still a freebie user, but I'm enjoying what they offer. I'm waiting for the day Jagged Alliance 2 becomes free again...

RainbowDespair

It's a good service. I have a Gold account and though I don't use it often, I enjoy using it every once in a while when I'm in a retro mood or just want to try a random game.

Blackjack

All right. Thanks, guys. I guess I'll take the plunge. I was browsing and, in addition to the Sam & Max games (my main source of temptation) they have a lot of older games I've been wanting to get my hands on.

Regicid3

I played about half of the Sam and Max Season 1: Episode 1 game two hours ago. It's pretty good.

Dagrabbit

I got a Gold account for the intial deal of 99 cents or whatever they had last summer. I ended up cancelling by the end of the month because I ran through everything I wanted to play pretty fast. The service itself is good, and its definately worth subscribing to if you see a dozen or so games you'd like to try out. I just ran out of games somewhat quickly and didn't want to keep paying for it after that.

august

How much of a pain is canceling? I think they started out with some shady tactics.

INeedNoSalt

I'm pretty sure if you take the first month and then cancel before they want to charge you $10 a month, they'll offer another $1 month.

Schide

INeedNoSalt wrote: »

I'm pretty sure if you take the first month and then cancel before they want to charge you $10 a month, they'll offer another $1 month.

Yes, that's what I did.

I liked Gametap a lot, although they didn't have enough games for me to justify paying $10 every month. What am I going to do is wait until Sam & Max Season 2 finishes, and then get it for a month in order to play all of those, and whatever else I might want to play.

But yeah, Gametap is a quality gaming service in my book.

mr_ekim

Gametap is totally worth it. While many might deride a service that involves paying for DRM protected copies of games that you don't really own, I find that the potential of having unlimited games on demand for a small subscription fee without the need for physical media far outweighs the negatives. The addition of netplay with many arcade games and access to currently available AAA games also seals the deal for me.

Also, if you pay the year upfront ($60), it comes out to $5/month.

august wrote: »

How much of a pain is canceling? I think they started out with some shady tactics.

You can cancel directly from the website, no need to have a CSR pitch you reasons to stay.

Lykouragh

About a year ago there were shady tactics with cancelling (they made you wait 15 minutes to talk to a representative who then spent 10 minutes trying to sell you on staying). These days it's not shady at all.

It's also totally worth it, especially that first month. I come back and play again every few months for a while. Metal Slug, Space Empires, Civ 4, Overlord, XCom, Prince of Persia, Golden Axe, Shining Force, JA2 just to name some of the things that keep me coming back.

Oh and that crazy highway game from the early 90s, where you dress disco and mount rocket launchers on your car. I have no idea off hand what it's called, but I played it when I was like 5 and it imprinted itself on my brain as the coolest thing ever.

Dagrabbit

I didn't have too much trouble quitting. They try and talk you out of it, but if you just keep saying no you'll get through pretty quick.

Seeks

Oh and that crazy highway came from the early 90s, where you dress disco and mount rocket launchers on your car. I have no idea off hand what it's called, but I played it when I was like 5 and it imprinted itself on my brain as the coolest thing ever.

Interstate 76 or something?

Wait, that was late 90s. I think.

freakish light

I haven't used it in a while but GameTap has some awesome stuff. Beyond Good & Evil, those Infinity Engine games (PS:T, Baldur's Gate 1&2, Icewind Dale), all the Hitman games, Tomb Raider Legends and Anniversary, a bunch of classic and modern adventure games... the list goes on. The only thing that could be better is being able to mod games. The way GameTap is set up, you get all these custom files that get mounted with the internal system, and you don't get access to the original file structure. Of course, it's for copy protection and partial downloads, etc, etc, but for some games you need to get in there to look at version numbers or change .ini settings to make custom resolutions work or install mod files. Oh well.

I'm looking forward to Grimm and Culpa Innata, personally.

Zombiemambo

Gametap is an incredible service. It started pretty small but now you can find a lot of the classics - BGII, Planescape: Torment, all of the Sonic games, Quest for Glory, King's Quest...the list goes on. I'm impressed because I get the impression that they hired people who actually know what gamers like. I'd subscribe at the drop of a hat if AoC wasn't coming out in less than a week.

PuddingSenator

Does GameTap work with x64 Vista yet? Didn't last time I did the trial (luckily cancelling wasn't too hard..."Why are you canceling?" "Because it doesn't work." "...Ok, your account is cancelled, see ya")

edit: Just checked the site, says no 64bit support. Jesus Christ Gametap get with the times already.

RainbowDespair

So today's a good day as far as GameTap goes. Sacred Gold goes up, the return of Interplay begins with the Earthworm Jim titles (with the Descent games, Freespace, and MDK coming soon), American McGee's Grimm now has official dates for the first few episodes (first one comes out July 31st, then a new episode each week) along with episode names (The Girl with No Hands particularly intrigues me) and perhaps best of all, the Fallout games have been added to the Coming Soon section.

Neaden

When the Fallout games come out Gametap will have: Fallout 1 & 2, Baldur's Gate 1 & 2, Icewind Dale 1 & 2, the Ultima series, Betrayal at Krondor, and most importantly Planescape Torment. Those are some pretty good RPGs to put it lightly.

MayGodHaveMercy

It's only worth it if they have Limbo of the Lost available for play.

MundaneSoul

Blackjack wrote: »

So, here's the gist of it. I am curious about getting a GameTap Gold Account, but don't really know much at all about the site. I did a search, but the last thread devoted specifically to Gametap was at least year or so ago, and I know lots of things can happen in that time. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it worth it?

General Gametap discussion is also here.

I had Gametap for about 6 months and really enjoyed it. It's a great idea even if it is occasionally hampered by buggy front-end software and glitchy games. I'd recommend it - my overall experience was really good.

RainbowDespair

Neaden wrote: »

When the Fallout games come out Gametap will have: Fallout 1 & 2, Baldur's Gate 1 & 2, Icewind Dale 1 & 2, the Ultima series, Betrayal at Krondor, and most importantly Planescape Torment. Those are some pretty good RPGs to put it lightly.

Also Phantasy Star 1-4, Shining Force, Landstalker, Quest for Glory 1-3, Might & Magic 1-5, and Heroes of Might & Magic 1-4, and the Deus Ex games.

i.e. if you like classic RPGs (that didn't come out on a Nintendo system), GameTap is very nice.

Threepio

No Sierra/Interplay games for Canadians? No sale. I actually signed up for a year when I saw Planescape on there. I unsubbed COMPLETELY when it wouldn't let me play it.

urahonky

Threepio wrote: »

No Sierra/Interplay games for Canadians? No sale. I actually signed up for a year when I saw Planescape on there. I unsubbed COMPLETELY when it wouldn't let me play it.

You remote into their server and deleted the cache with all your information on it?

Threepio

urahonky wrote: »

Threepio wrote: »

No Sierra/Interplay games for Canadians? No sale. I actually signed up for a year when I saw Planescape on there. I unsubbed COMPLETELY when it wouldn't let me play it.

You remote into their server and deleted the cache with all your information on it?

Whut?

urahonky

Threepio wrote: »

urahonky wrote: »

Threepio wrote: »

No Sierra/Interplay games for Canadians? No sale. I actually signed up for a year when I saw Planescape on there. I unsubbed COMPLETELY when it wouldn't let me play it.

You remote into their server and deleted the cache with all your information on it?

Whut?

I.. Damn. I'm too big of a computer geek.

Commence threading and pretend I didn't say anything.

Shadowfire

Seeks wrote: »

Oh and that crazy highway came from the early 90s, where you dress disco and mount rocket launchers on your car. I have no idea off hand what it's called, but I played it when I was like 5 and it imprinted itself on my brain as the coolest thing ever.

Interstate 76 or something?

Wait, that was late 90s. I think.

:^: That's the one. That and Deus Ex get a lot of play from me on my GameTap account.

Impersonator

So, does anyone know when will Gametap expand to Europe? I've been checking their catalogue and have already downloaded the player and it's slick as fuck, I'm really liking it and their free games are sweet

Dehumanized

Shadowfire wrote: »

Seeks wrote: »

Oh and that crazy highway came from the early 90s, where you dress disco and mount rocket launchers on your car. I have no idea off hand what it's called, but I played it when I was like 5 and it imprinted itself on my brain as the coolest thing ever.

Interstate 76 or something?

Wait, that was late 90s. I think.

:^: That's the one. That and Deus Ex get a lot of play from me on my GameTap account.

Yeah, Interstate 76 was totally badass. Have very good memories of going over to my friends house and playing the shit out of it all afternoon (he even had the Sidewinder Force Feedback joystick to go with it).

Ultimanecat

If you're a little short on money, enjoy some older games, or just like lots of variety, Gametap is awesome. It's also one of the few remaining straightforward ways to play Planescape: Torment.

Don't neglect the older console stuff there, also. I wasted hours playing old beat 'em ups like the Streets of Rage series and Sengoku 3 (quite possibly the greatest example of the genre EVER).

So yeah, go ahead and try it out.

RainbowDespair

Ultimanecat wrote: »

If you're a little short on money, enjoy some older games, or just like lots of variety, Gametap is awesome. It's also one of the few remaining straightforward ways to play Planescape: Torment.

Also the Fallout games.

Shadowfire

Ultimanecat wrote: »

Don't neglect the older console stuff there, also. I wasted hours playing old beat 'em ups like the Streets of Rage series and Sengoku 3 (quite possibly the greatest example of the genre EVER).

Shinobi 3 and Revenge of Shinobi.

:^: