GameTap serves up free global sampler
The main course may still be in the kitchen, but GameTap has now served up the first tasty appetizer to worldwide gamers with the recent launch of its free sample service.
While GameTap's full catalogue of games and videos remains available only to paid subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, the popular entertainment network is now making a limited selection of ad-supported games available to virtually anyone with broadband. These games can be played purely on a drop-in basis, with no credit card or financial requirement required, though registration offers an even wider selection of entertainment.
There are currently no adventures offered among the thirty-plus launch choices, which include the likes of Tomb Raider: Legend, Scrapland, Metal Slug, Bust-A-Move, and Space Invaders, but GameTap claims the service will provide access to a "rotating sample" of its larger library, so it's possible we may yet see a few genre representatives added in future. A full GameTap subscription currently includes access to adventure titles like The Last Express, Shadow of Memories, and Return to Mysterious Island, not to mention GameTap Originals Myst Online: Uru Live, and the six-episode Sam & Max: Season One.
But while some things are free, others are not, and GameTap has also announced the launch of its digital online retail store. The store works differently from the subscription service, which offers access to, but not ownership of, the games available. Providing both new and classic games for purchase and digital download, already the store includes over 450 titles, including Tim Schaefer's Psychonauts, Resident Evil 3, and the brand new release of Tomb Raider: Anniversary, which should appeal to the more action-minded adventurer.
To test out the free service or browse through the new store, head on over to the GameTap website.
You might also want to know about
