GameTap launches free ad-supported service
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ May 31st 2007 at 3:29PM }
As part of their regular paying subscription service, GameTap is rolling out Panzer Dragoon, Metal Slug 2, Art of Fighting, The King of Fighters '95 and Tomb Raider: Legend. We're mostly looking forward to logging into the service next week and playing Tomb Raider: Anniversary as part of the normal subscription fee without having to experience the unwashed masses at retail. You can also purchase the full version digitally from Steam if you don't want to pony up the $10 for GameTap, or there is always the option to purchasing it directly from GameTap's new digitial distribution service, which is completely different from their subscription and free gaming sections. There's a lot of changes going on at GameTap, and we're more than happy to play classic arcade and console games free ... legally.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brad @ May 31st 2007 3:43PM
Metal Slug, sweet. Hopefully the ads aren't too common.
Brad @ May 31st 2007 3:45PM
"We apologize but the GameTap service is currently only available in the United States and Canada. The GameTap service will be expanding into additional countries in 2007 but no release dates are available at this time."
Ridiculous. I hate companies that do this.
Crono @ May 31st 2007 3:54PM
Looks like I'll have to resubscribe to GT to get my Panzer Dragoon on. I missed it the first time around.
megaStryke @ May 31st 2007 4:10PM
It's like TV for games! Wait... that's EXACTLY what it is! Now I can play free games LEGALLY! Suck on that XBLA, PSN, and VC!
Farseer @ May 31st 2007 4:12PM
Hmmmm...
FYI Brad, use Firefox with:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865
:)
Kizzle @ May 31st 2007 4:14PM
"Ridiculous. I hate companies that do this."
Blame the game developers/copyright holders, not Gametap. It's not Gametap's fault.
Anyway, this is fantastic news. I really have been meaning to at least give it a try, and this is what will push me over the edge.
Joshua @ May 31st 2007 4:21PM
I GO TO DOWNLOAD NOW.
Baka @ May 31st 2007 5:05PM
I tried playing some Metal Slug. Seems nice so far. I only got to play a few minutes, but the only ad so far was the one while it loaded up.
Joshua @ May 31st 2007 5:57PM
The ads only happen as soon you you click the game title. And Metal Slug is FREAKING AWESOME! I LOVE THIS GAME!
Farseer @ May 31st 2007 6:02PM
I suppose that if the ads are built into the game player, than the addblocker extension won't stop them. I still recommend using it, though. It is a great extension.
Dave Silva @ Jun 1st 2007 1:40AM
And Mexico's still blacklisted.
What the hell. I live THREE BLOCKS from the USA. I'm even a friggin' US Citizen. To hell with them, then.
xGabrielx @ Jun 1st 2007 2:14AM
@2, 11: Ever heard of a proxy? My friend lives in the UK, and he cannot stop singing Gametap's praises. So much, in fact, that he gave me his guest account. And I live in Sweden.
t_m @ Jun 1st 2007 10:24AM
Gah! Frickin regional licensing! I hate it more than anything.
8 times out of 10 whenever there is a cool sounding service announced on the internet I try to join, only to find i'm not allowed.
Not sure I can bother trying to figure out a proxy..