GameTap now in Canada, other locations planned
by Zack Stern 
{ Oct 17th 2006 at 12:01AM }
GameTap, the subscription, all-you-can-eat game download service is expanding into Canada and other international locations. Beginning today, Canadian gamers can pay $6.95 USD each month and are also eligible for the current $59.40 USD promotion for a full year. GameTap plans a bigger worldwide rollout in 2007, with the first quarter goal to reach three or four other English-speaking markets. After that, the company will focus on additional English markets throughout the year, with non-English localizations prepared for 2008.We assumed that the delay for international release was due to licensing issues -- game distribution licenses vary by region -- however, David Reid, VP of GameTap Marketing told us via email that the wait was unrelated. Reid explained, "We were far more concerned with getting the product right before exporting GameTap out of the U.S. Now, with the original content, robust community features, over 700 games, and GameTap TV programming, we truly feel that we have a strong, comprehensive product ... ."
However, the company can still be challenged by landing local publishing rights. Reid acknowledged that the exact lineup of games will be almost the same for all markets, but not every title will be available. He said, "For any games that are not initially included, especially any particularly notable titles, we will be working hard to bring those to our international audience."
GameTap also announced its "GameTap Originals" brand, a way to publish new content. We already knew about Sam & Max, released today, and Myst Online: Uru Live, being released in December; both of those games will receive the Originals label.
Reid couldn't specify, but said that other developers and titles are on the way. He also said that exclusivity -- Sam & Max will also be offered from Telltale next month -- will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
While the news is anti-climactic for American gamers, Canadians -- and eventually other regions -- can now ponder the subscription-versus-ownership question for themselves.
See also: Gametap for $5 paid in advance
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
muppy @ Oct 17th 2006 12:12AM
Fucking win!
And lol @ another blinded Sony fanboy. I was worried they were dying off.
Krazy Koala @ Oct 17th 2006 12:14AM
Lol...you can download all the ps1 and ps2 games you want for the low low inititial fee of 500-600 bucks, plus additional fees per title...Just keep your Ps2 for older games and wait for the next gen prices to go down
m3mnoch @ Oct 17th 2006 12:27AM
heh. funny. i'm actually in canada (toronto) on business this week.
m3mnoch.
Todzilla @ Oct 17th 2006 12:38AM
#1 you are a total fanboy. there is no way you can know if the wii sux. you haven't played it (or the PS3). Have you played 360 or gametap?
Anyways this article is about Gametap so I will talk about that and not some fanboy correcting. I tried out Gametaps 2 week trial (as a matter of fact I cancelled my account 1.5 hours ago 13 days into it.... just in time!) and while the nostalgia was good I felt that it could've had more.
Gametap is limited by the games it can have due to publishing. For instance the 1 game that I would have to seen be challengeable was Street Fighter II, but it was only 1 player. I would have also like to seen better sports games on the service. I don't see why Gametap couldn't offer Madden 2004 or 2005. Sure it's old but nobody buy those games anymore and it could have gained Gametap another customer (me).
To some it up Gametap is still new starting off. Maybe in 6 monthes I'll try them again. They did have some games that took me back to the good old days but in the end I can get those games with an emulator and some roms. I good effort but maybe if they add more exclusives that will make a diifference.
Confucious says lets keep this forum on topic
That Fuzzy Bastard @ Oct 17th 2006 12:56AM
I'm just gonna pretend #1-5 didn't happen...
I actually got a little bit of time with Uru Live at the DIgital Life show in NYC, and I'm officially interested. The idea of an MMO in the nonviolent Myst world is intriguing. It seems to be all about getting together with people to solve puzzles, which sounds really fun---the rep said they were trying to recreate the experience of playing Myst with a friend on a large scale, which is a great idea. Plus the graphics looked absolutely lovely---very true to the Myst aesthetic in a 3-D world.
There are even hints that a MacPro version of GameTap might happen someday, so I don't have to try it on Boot Camp, which makes the whole prospect damn-near irresistable...
Sean DL @ Oct 17th 2006 1:10AM
I'm still waiting for the Mac version of Gametap, Turner Broadcasting....
Waiting....
muppy @ Oct 17th 2006 1:12AM
Novacharged, faking rabid fanboyism still doesn't mean you have a life. It's just as sad.
Cassius @ Oct 17th 2006 1:17AM
Novacharged, you little kid you made me laugh quite alot.
You reminded me of the Sony Fanboy on GameSpot Radio:
http://web.utk.edu/~ascott9/SonyFanboy.mp3
adg1034 @ Oct 17th 2006 1:20AM
I need my Sam & Max. WHERE IS IT?????1??1
Raynre @ Oct 17th 2006 1:36AM
You "pwn" yourself Nova. He never accused you of not playing the 360 or Gametap, he merely asked if you had in the first place. Your blatent fanboyism and atrocious spelling is revolting, so tune down the comments a little, 'k?
Carolynn @ Oct 17th 2006 2:04AM
Count my husband in!
Kevin @ Oct 17th 2006 1:44AM
wow I apologize for Novacharged. He is a complete idiot. He is my nextdoor neighboor. He doesn't own gametap or a 360 and he is a humongous ps3 fan. I'm ashamed I showed him this site.
BRB while I'm pimp slapping his face.
Rabish12 @ Oct 17th 2006 1:57AM
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm never going to be willing to pay a monthly fee for a game.
...On the other hand, paying a monthly fee for hundreds of games, when those hundreds of games include stuff like Sam & Max, the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series, The Last Express, and tons of other gems that are virtually impossible to find or get at this point, as well as the Sam & Max cartoon (which is easily my favorite cartoon of all time), is something I could see paying a subscription fee for. Maybe. I'll have to try out their free trial when they get everything set up, since I can't access it right now (I'm Canadian).
"joystiq sux only blind fanboys like you go there."
This statement is dripping with so much irony... I love it.
Necros @ Oct 17th 2006 1:57AM
Nice to see that such an "intelligent" exchange is going on with Nova here...moving on...
I'm personally more interested in actually owning my games then just borrowing them as long as I pay a fee. In the future, though, I'd like to see something like this available on Wii and X360's classic game services, since I'm sure there are a lot of classic Nintendo and new indie games that would benefit from such a "rental" service.
Matt @ Oct 17th 2006 2:59AM
Ahaha... it's almost as though Novacharged is too ridiculously hilarious to exist. :)
Dan @ Oct 17th 2006 3:09AM
I'm on my second day of my free trial (I wanted to be able to catch that cheap annual subscription if I decided to subscribe). The game selection is decent, though they're unlikely to ever get support for console games from any of the current console powers, which is unfortunate. It depends a great deal on what kind of gamer you are, really. They have a fairly impressive collection of adventure games, which really appeals to me, but it's certainly not everyone's thing.
As a warning, if you're on a wireless network and have anything less than a perfect connection, expect some technical difficulties. I've had a lot of frustration from downloads crapping out.
Uru Live is probably going to force me to subscribe sooner or later, but I'm still undecided on the rest of the service.
Novacharged @ Oct 17th 2006 4:15AM
Hey guys. Just to let you know, I am retarded. Just thought I would point it out.
Anna @ Oct 17th 2006 7:02AM
Hmm, is there a sepearte page of something for Canada? When I try to make an account I still get "Sorry, GameTap is only available in the United States."
theGreenGrunt @ Oct 17th 2006 7:30AM
why has this story attracted less than intelligent convserations between beavis and butthead characters? i digress.
Raynre @ Oct 17th 2006 8:48AM
You digress... to what? Digressing implies that you have something important to say other than the comment that you said before-hand.
"Matt your too retarded to exist." ~Nova
This sentance amuses me to no end. Catch the irony!
Tom @ Oct 17th 2006 9:04AM
I am sold. $60US for a year works out to about $5-6 Canadian/month. That's a great price for an MMO (Uru Live) plus I get all the other games to keep me busy.
I'm still going to buy the games that I really love, but this is great for those games that I would only pick up if they were used/cheap.
crono141 @ Oct 17th 2006 9:15AM
I was absolutely obsessed with Caesar 3 on gametap for several months. That and every heroes of might and magic game except 5, and castlevania: bloodlines. Not to mention all the classic games.
I'ma gonna have to resubscribe. Now if they would get vista support (or if vista would support it, one or the other)
Novacharged @ Oct 17th 2006 11:31AM
Nevermind you guys. I am an idiot. I am just sad because I recently realized that the only way I can feel good about myself is by standing up for a faceless emotionless corporation. I know it is wrong, but I can't seem to keep myself from valuing someones worth by what choice of video game console they decide to buy. I consider myself a gamer, but in reality I am not one. If I were one, I would realize that a game can be a good game no matter what system it is on. I would also realize that my value in society is actually based on what I do for my friends, my family, my community and for society as a whole, not what game console I play. Alas, I do not do any of that. All I do is get online and call people names when I "pwn" them in a video game. My life is a pathetic shell of reality. I only exist to belittle others on such arbitrary things on what video game they play. Sorry again, guys.
Google @ Oct 17th 2006 12:18PM
This is great news, but come on boys and girls, why the hell are all Sierra games restricted?
I want Baldurs Gate, Homeworld, Icewind Dale and Planescape Torment...PLEASE!
P.O.'d in Halifax @ Dec 7th 2006 9:17AM
Latest experience with GameTap: Okay, so I install the week-long demo with access to *all* the Sierra games (which, in the demo version, do *not* have an asterisk beside them indicating "not available in Canada"). Downloaded two Sierra titles (along with two others as part of the trial "My Vault"), loved the whole thing, registered and THEN find out that *whoops* Sierra's titles are not available in Canada! What the heck is going on? A lot of those games are why I *registered*, you dolts! What I don't get is why were some games listed as not available in Canada, but not Sierra's? Glitch? Who knows, but I will tell you I cancelled. Gametap's product is still not fully baked, folks - caveat emptor.