GameTap Gives Editorial the Axe 25
GameTap has announced that it will be giving their editorial section the axe and concentrating solely on the distribution business. "We have had a lot of successes over the last year and the move to the web has been a good one for us. While we have been very happy with the work done by our editorial and video teams, we've made a decision to focus the business on our biggest strength, which is our game catalog. As a result, we will be restructuring the site to focus exclusively on gameplay."
I went for the games anyways (Score:2)
Translation? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Translation? (Score:5, Funny)
Not a big loss (Score:5, Interesting)
Then, one day, the client updated itself and all of the built-in, integrated "browsing" features disappeared, and instead of viewing the vids, news, etc., within the client, it simply launched the web browser and took you to their website.
For me, this was a prime example of an application "upgrading" in such a way that it totally ruined the "eXPerience" of the application itself. No longer was it a single integrated gaming and news "world", it was now a nice game launching application with a pathetic hook into your web browser. That marked the day that I never did anything with GameTap again - other than simply to play the games.
So, as I said - this isn't a big loss - they already shot themselves in the foot by making it harder to reach their news & editorials, so no wonder they are finally dropping it anyway.
Now, if they could only add more games, and return the great games that they once had on their service but then later removed.
Re: (Score:2)
I first tried GameTap after reading some article online in which the author talked about the rather pleasant experience that GameTap could be - browse a few games, start a download, watch some of their vids, etc., while waiting for your download to finish, etc. After subscribing, I too enjoyed this aspect of it - particularly seeing the "A Day in the Extra Life" vids ("Rick Allen Rocks! Doozh Doozh Doozh!") Then, one day, the client updated itself and all of the built-in, integrated "browsing" features disappeared, and instead of viewing the vids, news, etc., within the client, it simply launched the web browser and took you to their website. For me, this was a prime example of an application "upgrading" in such a way that it totally ruined the "eXPerience" of the application itself. No longer was it a single integrated gaming and news "world", it was now a nice game launching application with a pathetic hook into your web browser. That marked the day that I never did anything with GameTap again - other than simply to play the games. So, as I said - this isn't a big loss - they already shot themselves in the foot by making it harder to reach their news & editorials, so no wonder they are finally dropping it anyway. Now, if they could only add more games, and return the great games that they once had on their service but then later removed.
Agreed on all points. It was better/easier/more likely to be viewed when it was integrated into the games app, and Extra Life rocks.
They really do seem to be focusing on the games lately. They're bringing back some of the publishers they lost, and introducing some good or at least popular games. And you can't beat the price.
I also like the idea that they're now really supporting independent gaming companies, which is where some of the most interesting gaming is at. Hopefully Sam and Max will continue
They are incorporating them into the game section? (Score:3, Interesting)
Jonah HEX
Re:They are incorporating them into the game secti (Score:2, Interesting)
Apparently, those who are not involved with actually running the games service will be let go in mid-June.
They seem to be assuming this, and they dont provide any sort of a source. This doesn't really surprise me that much, but I dont fully understand why they assume this. As the parent pointed out, they are restructuring the site to have video and written articles on the games page. Some one still has to write dont they? Unless they are going to get web designers and programmers to write editorials they still need their editors.
Like I said, I could be wrong, but re
Re:They are incorporating them into the game secti (Score:2)
A Wired blog article says "several sources" have confirmed everyone not in charge of running the game services will be laid off. It doesn't sound like they're just making that up, nothing in the forum post mentions mid-june as a turning point of any kind, for example.
They never will be missed (Score:2, Insightful)
GameTap? Do we, like, care?
I mean, when the San Jose Mercury News laid off half of their editorial staff, it really hurt the paper, which went from a top-tier newspaper to almost an advertising throwaway. The Washington Post editorial staff was recently cut to 80% of its peak size, including layoffs of three Pulitzer Prize winners. When the Wall Street Journal was taken over by Murdoch, and key editors were replaced, that was a loss. These are the people who dig into what the Government and business ar
Re: (Score:1)
Second-tier? Are you on crack? They have old infocom games, Civilization, Deus Ex, Planescape Torment, Sam and Max, etc...have you actually looked at the catalog?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Such software still has copyright and can holders still persecute people for distributing without permission (not counting titles that have been put into free distribution)
Abandonware just means no on really cares to prosecute so people do it anyways.
Re: (Score:2)
First of all, abandonware is piracy. It's not legal to download, never has been, probably never will.
Secondly, if they're actively selling the games by definition they're not abandonware.
Thirdly, I am unaware of royalty agreements between the developers, the publishers, and gaemetap. I am, h
Re: (Score:1)
Of course, but I wasn't talking about specific games being protected forever, but abandonware, which by definition is copyright protected software. Once the copyright runs out it becomes public domain, and is no longer abandonware. I was simply staying that it is unlikely that the government will ever create an "abandonware" exception to the copyright laws (though it wouldn't be a bad idea).
Re: (Score:1, Insightful)
There is no such thing as 'abandonware'; just because a game is no longer in production does not mean you can scream yarr and let slip the dogs of copyright infringement.
That said, most companies don't care, but try not to suffer any delusions that what you're doing is legal.
Re: (Score:2)
So they resell old games. Some of which are actually abandon ware and thus free. Yeah, go look it up while you're paying 10$ for a game that is legally free to download and 0$ goes to the actual creators of it.
Actually, many of their games are still being published and sold, and some are brand-spanking new. Sam and Max is still being produced and is especially selling well. Uru Online was exclusive and development paid for by GT. Grimm is going to be exclusive for awhile. As far as abandonware, it's still not legal to download it for free, even if you're not going to be busted for it.
The rights holders get paid for the content through their GameTap contracts, so yes, the actual creators see that money. More t
I dig it (Score:2, Informative)
I have never experienced any spam or other crap from them. I get an email telling me new games have been released and that's about it. I forgot my password once and had to call support and a real human answered the phone, fixed it for me and was pleasant to work with.
The only thin
Not suprising (Score:2)
Think of how people spew exaggerated claims about Linux and piss on Windows in a semi-anonymous environment for nothing more than mod points on here. Imagine if money and reputation were on the line.