GameTap now $9.95/month; GameTap TV announced
by Dan Choi 
{ Mar 29th 2006 at 11:37PM }
PC subscription gaming service GameTap has dropped its monthly fee from $14.95 to $9.95 and
announced a GameTap TV expansion that will offer "a new broadband video streaming network" for games- and
non-games-related programming.The GameTap TV feature will include separate channels dedicated to music videos, network game previews, GT TV-exclusive content, and "even an animation channel set to go live this spring that will feature an original series of animated shorts."
We don't know where Space Ghost fits into all these broadband network plans, but we're sure that it can't be good. The cost-cutting measure by the TBS-owned venture are important in light of all the digital-download announcements made by the big console manufacturers recently, but it's hard to tell whether the $5 drop in monthly fees will greatly increase the number of current PC subscribers. Anyone gonna jump in on this?
See also:
- What is GameTap? [Official page where the inset image was found]
- GameTap to offer previews, trailers
- GameTap: Turner's games-on-demand site is live
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
safe @ Mar 29th 2006 11:55PM
is it safe?
Few weeks ago, I went to this site and download some of free bits - guess what? I got lotta of spyware.
Zorak @ Mar 30th 2006 12:07AM
Space Ghost fitting into -any- plan can -only- be good.
Turtle @ Mar 30th 2006 12:26AM
as long as its space ghost coast-to-coast i'll watch. that show needs to make a glorious comeback!!!!
Mark Embacher @ Mar 30th 2006 12:58AM
Please bring your service to Canada. Pretty please.
SetupWeasel @ Mar 30th 2006 1:20AM
I used to live in very rural Pennsylvania. My local telco (giants among men) offered DSL. The bandwidth was relatively small, but the connection was solid. I was in the wilderness in a town of 1000, so I was happy. They sent me a letter one day telling me that they were doubling my bandwidth and decreasing the price. I was happier.
They weren't going under. They were getting more users. The high cost of the DSL equipment was shared among more subscribers, and they needed less per customer per month to pay for it. This move got them even more subscribers.
This might be what is happening with GameTap. Maybe not, but it doesn't have to be a problem.
guises @ Mar 30th 2006 1:39AM
#2 has it right: hadn't payed any attention to this before - now I can't help but be interested.
Dasutin @ Mar 30th 2006 3:10AM
Yeah I've never heard of Gametap before.
http://www.dasutin.com
kjun @ Mar 30th 2006 4:48AM
I see the commercials on tv all the time. they're hilarious. I've always been interested in this service and at $9.99 a month, i think i might jump on this
jadenguy @ Mar 30th 2006 8:09AM
so you just download and play unlimited whatever games they host?
can you keep any of those games indefinately?
el mas cabron @ Mar 30th 2006 12:48PM
you don't know what you're talking about, joystiq... it oh-so clear from that picture that it is Space Ghost: Coast to Coast (check the background, behind him)... a very good program with manyy followers that airs on [adult-swim], on of my favorites, in fact, and, yess, it shall be gooooooodd...
DP @ Mar 30th 2006 2:45PM
I just signed up for the two week trial... I figured, what the hey, by the time 2 weeks is over, I'll probably have my fix, either that or I'll pay 10 bucks for an entire month to finish getting my fix.
I understand that you basically have to download at least a CD for some games, but come on, close to an hour+ before I can play Riven? And most games froze the program. Before you play some games, a screen pops up saying that there are known issues with this game and then lists them.
Also, no multiplayer, I understand that that could be dificult, but for some games it should be allowed. It would definently be more addicting if they could get Starcraft/Warcraft or the Command & Conquer series.
Reytacular @ Mar 30th 2006 3:30PM
Too bad is not Mac compatible... they would get alot more costumers if it was Mac compatible.
Dan Choi @ Mar 30th 2006 7:15PM
Thanks for the Space Ghost support, guys, but I guess my tongue-in-cheek comment didn't quite have the effect that I intended, as I actually find SG:CtC quite humorous (in that awkward kind of way ;) and worthy of regular viewings. Cartoon Network = a very good thing. Represent!
Cerixus @ Mar 31st 2006 9:13AM
Don't get gametap if you're interested in the newer, Windows-based games. I have problems with them frequently.
HOWEVER, if you want some good old-school action, this is THE place to get it. I've been a subscriber for months. One night, I had my media center PC hooked up to a 50" plasma and me and about 5 friends played Rootbeer Tapper for like 4 hours straight.
Good times.
p.s. Cosmic Ark owns. I think I still have the #12 high score.
deenie @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:18AM
GameTap is an awesome service. I have a feeling they hit the market with a price too high to begin with, and are now correcting to the right spot. Anyway. I'm a subscriber, and I love it.
Randall Fitzgerald @ Apr 27th 2006 2:15PM
I just signed up for it, and I've had not so much as a hiccup. Everything runs fine, including the newer Windows games and the DC games. I was actually really surprised that the DC game quality, considering. Crazy Taxi was like super sweet. Plus, I have USB Xbox360 controllers, so everything is fun and accessable with that jigger plugged in. YOU KNOW?! I can be like "OMG FIGHTING GAME!" They are adding a shit ton of Street Fighter stuff on the 4th. WEE!
Seriously, I would pay 10 bucks a month for Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo ALONE (Coming May 4th :'( Why the wait?) and not to mention all the cheesy fun I am having with the family games. Oh man, it's keen stuff. And the new games every week means you can't get bored of the same old crap. PLUS ZORK! I MEAN COME THE FUCK ON! EXAMINE GRUE, BITCHES!
Zveiquaun @ May 1st 2006 11:57AM
I am actually a customer service representative for GameTap. I truly don't understand most of the complaints that I hear from message boards and customer service calls. First of all, to address the issue of the long downloads. 75% of the games only take between 10 - 15 seconds to download. Try it out at home. Download Pac-Man, Galaga, Sonic, 1942, etc. Should take you 15 seconds...unless you have a sorry broadband connection. Now, for the other 25% of the games (Windows PC), yes, they do take an hour+ to download. This is because you are having to download 1-5 CD's of information. That can be up to 2Gb. You are downloading an entire game. Riven is one of the largest games in GameTap...it takes quite a while to complete. This is why it can take an hour to download...which by the way, really isn't that long if you could logically grasp how much you are having to download. So...this is everything I will say. Thanks.
Vandy @ Sep 19th 2006 11:33PM
I really want to get gametap but everytime I begin to download it, I get this message: "An error (-5006 : 0x8000ffff) has occured while runnung the setup"
Can someone please help me :(
Thanks.
Dark @ Apr 19th 2008 5:03PM
I am actually a GameTap technical support represenative, and the error Vandy is having I listed the fix below, here ya go!
Browse to the following location on your computer: C: Program FilesInstallShield Installation Information and delete the {67E158AF-8856-4337-B483-EA21930786AF} folder.
Now restart your computer.
step 3: http://consumer.installshield.com/kb.asp?id=Q108322
Follow the instructions on the above page beginning with Step 1 of the Procedure.
Once you've completed installing the new InstallShield engine, restart your PC and run the GameTap installer (gametap_setup.exe) again.
If needed, re-download the installer
dallas baker @ Sep 22nd 2006 11:56PM
Gametap has horrable service, i personally purchased a 3 month gift card, it was never delivered, even though it had been payed for. i still have not receaved the card or a refund, although they are "working on it" but i see no conclusion in the near future. DO NOT try this program unless you got money to burn and lots of patience.
Joe @ Oct 9th 2006 7:14PM
I have just signed up for gametap but it will not download i have tried everything even technical chat support, can anyone help me?
Chris @ Nov 15th 2006 9:22PM
I just set up an acct w/ gametap and the friggin thing won't download either....spent over 2 hours w/ their tec hsupport and still no help.....they gave me a free month but I can even download it to use....figures....i am trying to figure it out myself or I will cancel.
Jason Carver @ Dec 28th 2006 10:28PM
I subscribed to the $59.40 yearly plan on Gametap when they were offering. To be honest with you. I love this plan. If you look at some of the titles on Gametap, an average of 3 titles on there can lead up to $60 alone. Plus they are always adding new games each week. This week Uru Live launched in its beta phase. A wonderful deal if you ask me.
Trish @ Dec 17th 2006 8:48AM
Gametap is an affordable way to play a sizable variety of games without having to purchase each one.
When I first downloaded the program, there was a small problem but was fixed easily with downloading the latest drivers and utilities for my ancient (Radeon 7200) video card. But once this was done, there was no problem and I had 2 months of relatively bug free play.
Up to this latest version of Gametap that came out last week. Now while it shows in my Task Manager that its running in the processes, the program doesn't seem to initialize. Spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone with the tech (Jason - he's a great guy who tried everything he could to help me) ... downloaded another update for my video card drivers and even .Net 3.0 framework and it still won't work.
They gave me the free month, too, for my troubles and my 'problem' has been bumped up to the next tech support level -- where I guess they try to figure it out there and then call you, which can take up to 10 days. Hope this bug is fixed soon or if someone out there has had this problem and resolved it, post it! Please!
But overall, once they resolve the bug in their program (I'd have to say it was on their end because it had been working fine before the update to the latest version of Gametap) I'll definitely continue being a member.