Turner Broadcasting's GameTap digital distribution service is knocking down its walled garden to offer free games to all. The company is still offering its premium paid membership, which it's now calling "Gold Level," but starting May 31 it's also introducing two tiers of free, ad-supported access in an effort to attract a broader audience.
Pricing for the gold level (no ads) remains unchanged ($9.95 per month, 99 cents the first month, or $6.95 per month for a one-year commitment). This premium model, of course, gives gamers the widest array of content, with access to over 850 games, GameTap TV content, and GameTap Originals and Indies games. However, for players who just want to get a taste of GameTap without paying a dime, there are two options. At the most basic level, any GameTap.com visitor can check out the site and play 30-60 games—the selection of free games is in frequent rotation—through the Lite Player. The games will be limited to E- and T-rated titles only. Visitors also can watch GameTap TV's web-based content, but R-rated content will not be available. This model will be supported with non-intrusive banner ads during gameplay while using the Lite Player.
The next step up is a "Green Level" membership, which requires registration, but a credit card is not needed. Again, 30-60 games in frequent rotation will be made available through the Lite and Deluxe Players. At this level, however, the games will not be limited by ratings, and users will also have access to multiplayer games and community features (forums, leaderboards, profile, avatar, etc.). There will be no limitation on access to GameTap TV content either. The Green Level will be supported with video roll-in ads prior to gameplay in the Deluxe Player and banner ads in the Lite Player.
Some of the first games under the new business model will include Metal Slug from SNK Playmore, Taito's Bust-A-Move and Space Invaders, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend from Eidos, as well as Midway titles Joust, Robotron: 2084, and Rampage.
I've had a chance to play around with Gametap and I love it. Being able to sit down and just play such a variety of games is tremendous fun. And this will lead to a lot more subscriptions for the service in the end.
Now this is how ads should be done. Kudos to Gametap.
I'll actually end up checking them out now. I've been interested, but not enough to pay and check it out. This will give me the opportunity without having to pay a dime. Good stuff.
I will attempt top try it, but they did not allow Canadian subs before IIRC. We will see.
I think they sorted that out back at the start of the year. I had heard the same, but when I went to their site the other week to check them out, they had a little blurb about that specifically (it being available in Canada).
Great news. This opens up some retro gaming for some of us and allows some youngins to see what the old farts used to play. I will not say what camp I am in. ;-)
Awesome, I've been wanting to check out this service but didn't really feel like paying to try. I guess I will now get my chance.
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This awesome and as someone said above, the way ads should be done. The more free content you get the more ads you see (within reason). The only way they could make this better is use the podcast model and the advertisers give an incentive such as a free product or coupon code to use their product.
I'm assuming that Green will not include content such as Sam and Max though, right? And do Gold subscribers get all the games all the time?
This is way bigger than just free content. There are more details over at Angled Whiteboards.
They're turning GameTap into a full fledged digital distribution platform. This could end up being the first real, serious and (most importantly stable) competitor to Steam.
This is way bigger than just free content. There are more details over at Angled Whiteboards.
They're turning GameTap into a full fledged digital distribution platform. This could end up being the first real, serious and (most importantly stable) competitor to Steam.
The only problem with this is if you have the ability to buy games, what're the chances that you get to keep them when the service ends? I don't think that GameTap will move towards a purchase based system, but who knows.
Edit: Nevermind, yes they are, from what that post says.
Since I cancelled WoW i was thinking about signing up for this. I couldn't find a category for FPS games though, I'd be suprised if GT doesnt have any.
