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{{short description|Online video game service}}
[[Image:Gametap logo.gif|right|GameTap Logo]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
'''GameTap''' is an online [[video game]] service by [[Turner Broadcasting System]] (TBS). Dubbed by TBS as a "broadband gaming network", the service provides users with [[Golden Age of Arcade Games|classic]] [[arcade game|arcade]], [[computer and video games]] and game related video content. Users can play 30 to 45 free games while subscribers are provided access to hundreds of games for a flat monthly fee (currently $9.95).
{{Infobox software
|name=GameTap
|logo=Gametap logo.png
|screenshot=Gametap35.jpg
|caption=The ''GameTap'' 2007–2009 desktop
|developer=[[Metaboli]] (formerly [[Turner Broadcasting System]])
|operating system=[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.gametap.com/selfservice/template.do?id=1483 |title=GameTap |access-date=June 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630003243/http://support.gametap.com/selfservice/template.do?id=1483 |archive-date=June 30, 2009 }}</ref>
|genre = [[Digital distribution]]
|license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
|website = gametap.com
}}
'''GameTap''' was an online [[video game]] service established by [[Turner Broadcasting System]] (TBS) in 2006. It provided users with [[Golden Age of Arcade Games|classic]] [[arcade game|arcade]] [[video game]]s and game-related video content. The service was acquired by French online video game service [[Metaboli]] in 2008 as a wholly owned subsidiary; Metaboli aimed to create a global games service. The service remained active until October 2015, when it was shut down by Metaboli.


==Service details==
== Features ==
GameTap was conceived primarily as an [[digital distribution|online]] subscription rental service, competing against mail-based services like [[GameFly]]. GameTap offered two subscription levels: a Premium subscription with access to the entire content library, and a Classic subscription with access to older console and arcade games running in [[emulator|emulation]]. GameTap also sold games via the online distribution method.<ref name="maceb">{{citation|url=http://media-newswire.com/release_1052710.html|title=GameTap Utilizes Macrovision for Digital Storefront}}</ref> GameTap initially offered a limited selection of games for free play without a subscription, but this option was discontinued.


Originally, GameTap was designed to offer not only video games, but a complete media hub (GameTap TV), taking advantage of the [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]] catalog as well as offering original video content, including the animated series ''[[Revisioned: Tomb Raider]]'' and new episodes of ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]''. GameTap TV has since been discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametap.com/forum/viewforum.php?threadID=21371 |title=GameTap.com - Play Premium Games Online Now or Download Games to Own - PC Games, Arcade Games and Console Games |work=GameTap.com |access-date=June 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707070755/http://www.gametap.com/forum/viewforum.php?threadID=21371 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 }}</ref>
[[Image:Gametap35.jpg|right|thumb|200px|GameTap Welcome Screen as of version 3.5]]


GameTap launched with over 300 games and this number had, at one time, grown to over 1000. However, after the removal of games from the service, the number of available games dropped below 1000 again. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametap.com/home/play/browse/browseCatalog|accessdate=2007-11-15|title=Gametap Catalog}}</ref>. New games are added every Thursday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/esupport.asp?id=35e7aab4-d1cc-4b6a-94af-93a0baefea61&resource=&number=14&isExternal=0&nShowFacts=&nShowCause=&nShowChange=&nShowAddInfo=&activepage=statement.asp&bForceMatch=&strCurrentSymptom=&searchtype=normal&searchclass=&bnewsession=false&selecttype=match|title=How frequently are new games added?|accessdate=2006-08-05}}</ref>
Most multiplayer games can be played by two users on the same computer; many others not originally intended to be played outside of a [[Local area network|LAN]] may be played over the internet by using a [[Virtual private network|VPN]] client such as [[LogMeIn Hamachi|Hamachi]]. A limited number of games have been enhanced with an online leaderboard and challenge lobby, adding internet multiplayer to games that previously could only be played face to face. Every Monday GameTap holds a leaderboard tournament with a different game each week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/esupport.asp?hotid=7fdca798-b6a8-4680-97ba-1a955562ed74&number=6&nShowFacts=0&nShowCause=0&nShowChange=0&nShowAddInfo=0&activepage=statement.asp&bForceMatch=&strCurrentSymptom=&searchtype=normal&searchclass=&bnewsession=&selecttype=match|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929081234/http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/esupport.asp?hotid=7fdca798-b6a8-4680-97ba-1a955562ed74&number=6&nShowFacts=0&nShowCause=0&nShowChange=0&nShowAddInfo=0&activepage=statement.asp&bForceMatch=&strCurrentSymptom=&searchtype=normal&searchclass=&bnewsession=&selecttype=match|archive-date=September 29, 2007|title=What multiplayer games can I play in GameTap?}}</ref>


=== GameTap Originals ===
GameTap also features video programming related to video games, including first-run episodes of ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'' with historic figures from video gaming as guests.
GameTap has funded the development of a number of titles, with the games subsequently premiering as GameTap exclusives.<ref>{{cite web |title=GameTap Launches 'GameTap Original' Label |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11294 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018131330/https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11294 |archive-date=2006-10-18 |website=gamasutra.com}}</ref> Such games include ''[[Sam & Max Save the World|Sam & Max Season One]]'' and ''[[Myst Online: Uru Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9231|title=Pre-E3: GameTap Signs Sam & Max, URU Live}}</ref>


On February 7, 2007, GameTap announced their third original game, ''[[Galactic Command: Echo Squad]]'', from independent developer 3000AD. The four-part episodic game is a space combat title formerly planned for launch in the Summer of 2007. However, it suffered from constant delays, and in early 2008, GameTap announced that it had canceled its deal with 3000AD. "It was a good game, it was very solid, but as we were going through, it ended up not being the right title for our audience," says Ricardo Sanchez. "It was a tough call. I think it’s one of the strongest games [Derek] ever made. We put a lot of effort into it...I honestly think it's one of Derek’s strongest games."<ref>{{cite web
Recently, GameTap has started to offer Streaming TV channels with its service, including [[Cartoon Network]].
|url= https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17391|title= GameTap Cancels Galactic Command Publishing Deal|first= Leigh|last=Alexander}}</ref>


On May 15, 2007, ''PC Gamer'' magazine premiered the first look at GameTap's newest original game, ''[[American McGee's Grimm]]'', a 24 part episodic series by game designer [[American McGee]].
Like many subscription music services, subscribers have access to the entire library; there is no per-game fee. Games cannot be purchased, and are automatically deactivated when the user unsubscribes from the service. A single registered account provides the option for up to eight screen names, and access to games based on ESRB ratings can be limited on a per-screen name basis. However, although the GameTap software and games can be installed on any number of computers, only two screen names under a single registration can be logged in at a time. Therefore, a subscriber can make up to seven extra "sub-accounts" that friends or family can use on any computer with Gametap installed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/esupport.asp?id=44e87f6f-3ccc-4795-9acd-a9f4d543d311&resource=&number=2&isExternal=0&nShowFacts=&nShowCause=&nShowChange=&nShowAddInfo=&activepage=statement.asp&bForceMatch=&strCurrentSymptom=&searchtype=normal&searchclass=&bnewsession=false&selecttype=match|title=How can I manage subaccounts and access personal and family filters?|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Users must have a broadband connection, and cannot play GameTap games while disconnected from the Internet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/esupport.asp?id=35612b97-4587-4f4c-9b6f-53bb8edad363&resource=&number=18&isExternal=0&nShowFacts=&nShowCause=&nShowChange=&nShowAddInfo=&activepage=statement.asp&bForceMatch=&strCurrentSymptom=&searchtype=normal&searchclass=&bnewsession=false&selecttype=match|title=Can I play GameTap on my laptop while traveling?|accessdate=2006-08-05}}</ref>


== History ==
Most multiplayer games can be played by two users on the same computer. A limited number of games support Internet multiplayer play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/esupport.asp?hotid=7fdca798-b6a8-4680-97ba-1a955562ed74&number=6&nShowFacts=0&nShowCause=0&nShowChange=0&nShowAddInfo=0&activepage=statement.asp&bForceMatch=&strCurrentSymptom=&searchtype=normal&searchclass=&bnewsession=&selecttype=match|title=What multiplayer games can I play in GameTap?|accessdate=2006-08-05}}</ref>
In April 2005, [[Atlanta]]-based [[Turner Broadcasting System]] (a subsidiary of [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]]) announced that it would create a service that offer classic and newest video games, named GameTap.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/turner-announces-gametap-classic-games-on-demand-system|title=Turner Announces GameTap Classic Games-on-Demand System|magazine=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=April 27, 2005|access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref>


GameTap launched on October 17, 2005, with over 300 games and grew to over 1,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/turners-gametap-launches-with-300-games-24-publishers|title=Turner's GameTap Launches with 300 Games from 24 Publishers|website=Gamesindustry.biz|date=October 17, 2005|access-date=April 7, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Game Developer GameTap Launch">{{cite news|last=Carless|first=Simon|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/gametap-gets-new-licensees-officially-launches|title=GameTap Gets New Licensees, Officially Launches|website=Game Developer|date=October 17, 2005|access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> GameTap was the idea of Turner employee Blake Lewin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmofgaming.com/articles/gametap.html |title=A look at GameTap |access-date=July 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215094734/http://www.realmofgaming.com/articles/gametap.html |archive-date=December 15, 2008 }}</ref> The initial list of game licensees included [[Activision]], [[Atari]], [[Intellivision Lives!]], [[Midway Games|Midway]], [[Namco]], [[Sega]], and [[Taito]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/turner-announces-licensees-for-gametap-subscription-service|title=Turner Announces Licensees for GameTap Subscription Service|magazine=Game Developer|date=May 10, 2005|access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> After its inception, more companies licensed their software, including: [[Eidos Interactive]], [[G-Mode]], [[Ubisoft]], [[Codemasters]], [[Vivendi Games]], [[Konami]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[Capcom]], [[Take-Two Interactive]], [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] and [[SNK Playmore]].<ref name="Game Developer GameTap Launch"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gametap-expands-publisher-licensing-agreements|title=GameTap Expands Publisher Licensing Agreements|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=January 17, 2006|access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref>
In the past, to cancel one's account, a customer had to call a GameTap representative or request cancellation through their live chat support service. Some customers (as of April 2006) had reported being pressured to stay subscribed.<ref name="VCandG">"VC&G Review: GameTap", ''Vintage Computing and Gaming'', http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/97, visited [[June 23]], [[2006]]</ref> The ability to cancel one's account online was added to the service in October 2007, although customers are still able to call customer service or use the online chat if they choose.


On [[May 1]], [[2007]], GameTap announced that the service would change its business model somewhat. There will now be 3 different service levels: Visitor, Green, and Gold. The Visitor and Green levels will be free while the Gold level will require a subscription fee (pricing is the same as before). A Visitor is a non-registered member of GameTap, and has access to 30 to 40 select games through the [http://www.gametap.com GameTap website]. These games will have banner ads when played. A Green-level member must register with GameTap (though no credit card information is required) and is given access to a few more games, and also has the option of playing them through the "Lite" GameTap player, a simplified "Deluxe" player (the old GameTap player). There will be a short ad video streamed before each game is played with a Green account. The highest tier (gold level) requires a monthly subscription($9.95) or an annual subscription ($59.95). Gold level members will still have ad-free access to all GameTap content in more or less the same way they did before the announcement.
On May 1, 2007, GameTap revised its business model to utilize three different service levels: Visitor, Green, and Gold. The Visitor and Green levels were free, had access to a limited selection of games, and were supported by advertising. Green members registered with the site and received access to a few more games. Gold members were essentially identical to paid subscribers as before.


On November 29, 2007, GameTap announced that as of December 11, over 70 games would be removed from their catalog, many of them [[Electronic Arts]] or [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] titles, likely due to expiration of the two-year licensing agreement with those companies.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}
On [[June 19]], 2007 GameTap announced a new partnership with [[Macrovision]] to make games for purchase and download through GameTap's new digital storefront where some games can be bought and played offline. [[Tomb Raider: Anniversary]] (published by [[Eidos Interactive|Eidos]]) was made available on GameTap [[June 5]] — the same day it hit [[retail]] shelves.<ref name="macrovision">{{cite web|url=http://media-newswire.com/release_1052710.html|title=GameTap Utilizes Macrovision for Digital Storefront|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref>


On January 10, 2008, a GameTap staff member announced the return of the [[Humongous Entertainment]] license which restored popular games such as the likes of ''Putt Putt'' and ''Pajama Sam'' to the library.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}
==Corporate support==


On August 6, 2008, Turner Broadcasting announced it was looking to sell GameTap.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19728|title=Gamasutra - Turner To Sell GameTap|author=Leigh Alexander|access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> On September 24, 2008, Time Warner sold the service to [[Paris]]-based [[Metaboli]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/gametap-acquired-by-metaboli-aims-to-create-global-gaming-service--104944.phtml|title=Gametap acquired by Metaboli, aims to create 'global gaming service'|work=Destructoid|date=September 24, 2008|access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> Turner continued to handle GameTap's operations during the transition period, which lasted until 2009. After the transition, the service became available to non-US/Canadian residents.
The initial list of game licensees included [[Activision]], [[Atari]], [[Intellivision Lives!]], [[Midway Games|Midway]], [[Namco]], [[Sega]], and [[Taito Corporation|Taito]]. Since its inception, more companies have licensed their software, including: [[Eidos Interactive]], [[G-Mode]], [[Ubisoft]], [[CodeMasters]], [[Vivendi Universal|Vivendi Games]], [[Konami]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[Capcom]], [[Take-Two Interactive]], [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] and [[SNK Playmore|SNK]].


On March 31, 2009, GameTap Player was replaced by the plug-in after saying goodbyes to their players, GameTap's business model was again changed - into a GameTap Plug-In; the service was then handled through the website. The subscription levels were changed to Free Pack (selected handful of games for free), a new Classic Pack (reduced-price version of the full service which does not include Windows games), and Premium Pack (the Gold membership). However, due to technical issues, many features offered previously were disabled during the migration. Users with 64-bit versions of Windows could only play games marked as 64-bit compatible. GameTap was working on encrypting the rest of its Windows catalog with Yummy encryption to make them 64-bit compatible.
On November 29, 2007, GameTap announced that on December 11 of the same year, over 70 games would be removed from their catalog, many of them [[Electronic Arts]] or [[Interplay]] titles. If the Infocard of the game in question was pulled up, it offered this reason:


On October 14, 2010, the American office of Metaboli was shut down and all operations moved to Paris, thus cutting all ties with original Turner employees.
"Occasionally, GameTap will rotate titles out of our catalog based on the status of publisher agreements and feedback from our members."


==TV shows==
One prevalent theory posted on the GameTap message boards[http://www.gametap.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=10602&tstart=0] is that the two-year agreement with these companies has expired, and [[Turner Broadcasting System]] is currently re-negotiating with them.
GameTap released ''[[Revisioned: Tomb Raider]]'' in 2007 via the GameTap TV section of its website. The web series is a collection of ten short animated films that features re-imagined versions of Croft by well-known animators, comic book artists, and writers, including Jim Lee, Warren Ellis, and Peter Chung.[107][108] Episodes ranged from five to seven and half minutes in length, featuring Minnie Driver as Croft. The creative staff was given considerable freedom to re-interpret the character; they did not consult the video game designers, but were given a guide listing acceptable and unacceptable practices. Gametap also released new episodes for the [[Cartoon Network]]/[[Adult Swim]] animated talk show ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'' with [[George Lowe]] & [[C. Martin Croker]] reprising their roles as [[Space Ghost]], [[Zorak]] & Moltar. The show ended when GameTap the video section of the website shutdown in 2008. Their final episode was Barenaked Ladies


==Supported systems==
== Reception ==
GameTap was criticized for its cancellation process, which required customers to contact live support personnel; such calls were noted by reviewers to be deliberately protracted by support staff in an effort to retain subscribers.<ref name="VCandG">"VC&G Review: GameTap", ''Vintage Computing and Gaming'', http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/97, visited June 23, 2006</ref>
Titles provided by the service are either specially wrapped executables that are unpackaged when a game is run, or run under an [[emulator|emulator software]] included with the GameTap software. These systems include: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametap.com/home/game_titles/browseTitles.jsp|title=Game Titles|accessdate=2007-04-05}}</ref>

* [[History of video game consoles (third generation)|8-bit]]
* [[Arcade system board|Arcade]]
* [[Atari 2600]]
* [[Commodore 64]]
* [[DOS]]
* [[Intellivision]]
* [[Microsoft Windows]]
* [[Neo Geo (console)|Neo-Geo]]
* [[Sega 32X]]
* [[Sega Dreamcast]]
* [[Sega Game Gear]]
* [[Sega Genesis]]
* [[Sega Master System]]
* [[Sega Saturn]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13420|title=GameTap Reveals Sega Saturn License, Plans|date=2007-04-06|accessdate=2007-04-06}}</ref>
* [[Sega SG-1000]]

==Original games==
While GameTap launched with older titles, the success of the service allowed for first-run titles to launch at GameTap. [[GameTap Originals]] sets out to "identify talented creators and enable them to take a new approach to games by providing a publishing infrastructure where sell-through isn't the sole metric for success." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11294|title=GameTap Launches 'GameTap Original' Label|date=2006-05-09|accessdate=2007-04-04}}</ref>

On [[May 9]], [[2006]], a deal was announced to release [[Sam & Max Season One]] and [[Myst Online: Uru Live]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9231|title=Pre-E3: GameTap Signs Sam & Max, URU Live|date=2006-05-09|accessdate=2007-04-04}}</ref> [[Sam & Max: Culture Shock]] was released in October 2006 and Uru Live was officially released February 2007. GameTap announced in May that Uru Live would evolve into an episodic game, featuring monthly content releases.

On [[February 7]], [[2007]], GameTap announced their third original game, [[Galactic Command: Echo Squad]], from independent developer 3000AD. The four part episodic game is a space combat title currently planned for launch in Summer of 2007.

On [[May 15]], [[2007]], PC Gamer magazine premiered the first look at GameTap's newest original game, [[American McGee's Grimm Tales]], a 24 part episodic series by game designer [[American McGee]] The game is currently planned for a 2008 launch. American McGee's Grimm Tales is the fourth episodic game from GameTap, making the online service the largest publisher of episodic games. GameTap vice president of content [[Rick Sanchez]] has written and presented on the development of [[episodic games]] and been featured in articles by the Hollywood Reporter and Gamasutra on the subject.

In addition, [[GameTap Indies]] is a program where independent game developers can distribute content though the GameTap service. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametap.com/home/jsps/pressRelease/2007/20070227.jsp|title=GameTap Indies Distribution Program Provides New Home for the Best Independent Games|date=2007-02-27|accessdate=2007-04-04}}</ref>

==GameTap TV==
As part of its service, GameTap features TV shows, game trailers, interviews with bands and game designers, and more. Current rotation includes:
*[[Re\Visioned: Tomb Raider]], an animated Tomb Raider series.
*[[Ten Years of Tomb Raider: A GameTap Retrospective]], a comprehensive look at the franchise.
*[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]], new episodes exclusive to GameTap.
*[[Computer Lab (TV series)|Computer Lab]], a GameTap exclusive animated TV show.
*[[GameTap News]], sneek peeks at upcoming games and highlights from gaming conferences.
*[[Survival Guide]], tips and tricks on how to excel in particular games.
*[[GameTap Tracks]], exclusive performances by various musical artists.
* Music videos
* [[The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police]], the original animated series of Sam and Max.
* ''A Day in the Extra Life'', what would Pac-Man or Dig Dug say if they could talk?
* E3 2006 Footage
* ''Hyper Five'', a to 5 count down show
* ''GameTap 10'', musicians count down their favorite 10 games, hosted by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister
* ''Class of...?'', a montage and description of what made the year in question special, including games, with the year being revealed at the end.
* ''Challenged'', a game show where contestants challenge each other to a GameTap game.
* ''Mega Man'' (the Japanese version, dubbed in English)
* ''GameTap Presents'', part of the Artist of the Month
* ''Play This Game'', people who know games suggest hidden gems you may not have played
* ''Confessions'', short animated series of sub-fictional events related to games usually in a comical matter.
* GameTap News Daily, the latest video game news
* Plug and Play, a daily show that features the coolest and latest games, movies, and music
* Events channel coverage of E3, Tokyo Game Show, Comicon, Lollapalooza, etc

==Requirements==
The following requirements are suggested for basic use of the GameTap client software. Individual games, Windows games released within the past few years in particular, may have higher requirements. These requirements are listed within the game client. In addition, the hard drive space requirement is a recommended minimum. Each game that the user wishes to play must be downloaded to the user's hard drive, and the space requirement grows with the number of games stored locally.
* US or Canadian residence (Although Canada receives slightly fewer games)
* A broadband Internet connection (slower connections may degrade performance of some games, such as ''[[Beyond Good & Evil (video game)|Beyond Good & Evil]]'' and ''[[Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time]]'')
* [[Windows 2000]], [[Windows XP|XP]], or [[Windows Vista]] 32-bit (crackly sound bug in Vista <ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.gametap.cust-serv.com/gametapkb/gametapKB/CONSUMER/solutionarea.asp?id=Turner2474|title=GameTap Support: Known issues with Vista|date=2007-06-08|accessdate=2007-06-08}}</ref>, and 64-bit versions of Vista support only a very small portion of the games ) ([[Apple Macintosh|Macintosh]] version requires an [[Intel]] processor)
* [[Pentium 4]] or [[Athlon]] 800MHz or better processor
* 3D video card with 32MB VRAM and [[DirectX]] 8.x or [[OpenGL]] 1.1
* 5 [[GB]] Hard drive space
* Some more advanced games have other system requirements

== See also ==
*[[Digital distribution]]
*[[Direct2Drive]]
*[[EA Link]]
*[[GameShadow]]
*[[On-demand]]
*[[RealArcade]]
*[[Stardock Central]]
*[[Steam (content delivery)|Steam]]
*[[Vongo]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}


== External links ==
{{reflist}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100910011215/http://www.gametap.com/ GameTap official site - Archived]

* [http://www.gametap.com/all-video-games.html List of Games in GameTap Service]
==External links==
* [http://www.gametap.com Official GameTap website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071020050047/http://www.angledwhiteboards.com/ GameTap design blog]
* [http://www.gametap.com/home/play/browse/browseCatalog List of Games in GameTap Service]
* [http://www.angledwhiteboards.com GameTap design blog]


{{TBS}}
{{TBS}}
{{Software digital distribution platforms}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gametap}}
[[Category:Online gaming services]]
[[Category:Arcade games]]
[[Category:Online video game services]]
[[Category:Multi-emulators]]
[[Category:Multi-emulators]]
[[Category:Turner Broadcasting System]]
[[Category:Turner Broadcasting System]]
[[Category:Mac OS X software]]
[[Category:Former Time Warner subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

[[Category:Internet properties established in 2005]]
[[sv:GameTap]]
[[Category:Internet properties disestablished in 2015]]

Latest revision as of 16:40, 8 December 2024

GameTap
Developer(s)Metaboli (formerly Turner Broadcasting System)
Operating systemWindows[1]
TypeDigital distribution
LicenseProprietary
Websitegametap.com

GameTap was an online video game service established by Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) in 2006. It provided users with classic arcade video games and game-related video content. The service was acquired by French online video game service Metaboli in 2008 as a wholly owned subsidiary; Metaboli aimed to create a global games service. The service remained active until October 2015, when it was shut down by Metaboli.

Features

[edit]

GameTap was conceived primarily as an online subscription rental service, competing against mail-based services like GameFly. GameTap offered two subscription levels: a Premium subscription with access to the entire content library, and a Classic subscription with access to older console and arcade games running in emulation. GameTap also sold games via the online distribution method.[2] GameTap initially offered a limited selection of games for free play without a subscription, but this option was discontinued.

Originally, GameTap was designed to offer not only video games, but a complete media hub (GameTap TV), taking advantage of the TBS catalog as well as offering original video content, including the animated series Revisioned: Tomb Raider and new episodes of Space Ghost Coast to Coast. GameTap TV has since been discontinued.[3]

Most multiplayer games can be played by two users on the same computer; many others not originally intended to be played outside of a LAN may be played over the internet by using a VPN client such as Hamachi. A limited number of games have been enhanced with an online leaderboard and challenge lobby, adding internet multiplayer to games that previously could only be played face to face. Every Monday GameTap holds a leaderboard tournament with a different game each week.[4]

GameTap Originals

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GameTap has funded the development of a number of titles, with the games subsequently premiering as GameTap exclusives.[5] Such games include Sam & Max Season One and Myst Online: Uru Live.[6]

On February 7, 2007, GameTap announced their third original game, Galactic Command: Echo Squad, from independent developer 3000AD. The four-part episodic game is a space combat title formerly planned for launch in the Summer of 2007. However, it suffered from constant delays, and in early 2008, GameTap announced that it had canceled its deal with 3000AD. "It was a good game, it was very solid, but as we were going through, it ended up not being the right title for our audience," says Ricardo Sanchez. "It was a tough call. I think it’s one of the strongest games [Derek] ever made. We put a lot of effort into it...I honestly think it's one of Derek’s strongest games."[7]

On May 15, 2007, PC Gamer magazine premiered the first look at GameTap's newest original game, American McGee's Grimm, a 24 part episodic series by game designer American McGee.

History

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In April 2005, Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System (a subsidiary of Time Warner) announced that it would create a service that offer classic and newest video games, named GameTap.[8]

GameTap launched on October 17, 2005, with over 300 games and grew to over 1,000.[9][10] GameTap was the idea of Turner employee Blake Lewin.[11] The initial list of game licensees included Activision, Atari, Intellivision Lives!, Midway, Namco, Sega, and Taito.[12] After its inception, more companies licensed their software, including: Eidos Interactive, G-Mode, Ubisoft, Codemasters, Vivendi Games, Konami, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Take-Two Interactive, Interplay and SNK Playmore.[10][13]

On May 1, 2007, GameTap revised its business model to utilize three different service levels: Visitor, Green, and Gold. The Visitor and Green levels were free, had access to a limited selection of games, and were supported by advertising. Green members registered with the site and received access to a few more games. Gold members were essentially identical to paid subscribers as before.

On November 29, 2007, GameTap announced that as of December 11, over 70 games would be removed from their catalog, many of them Electronic Arts or Interplay titles, likely due to expiration of the two-year licensing agreement with those companies.[citation needed]

On January 10, 2008, a GameTap staff member announced the return of the Humongous Entertainment license which restored popular games such as the likes of Putt Putt and Pajama Sam to the library.[citation needed]

On August 6, 2008, Turner Broadcasting announced it was looking to sell GameTap.[14] On September 24, 2008, Time Warner sold the service to Paris-based Metaboli.[15] Turner continued to handle GameTap's operations during the transition period, which lasted until 2009. After the transition, the service became available to non-US/Canadian residents.

On March 31, 2009, GameTap Player was replaced by the plug-in after saying goodbyes to their players, GameTap's business model was again changed - into a GameTap Plug-In; the service was then handled through the website. The subscription levels were changed to Free Pack (selected handful of games for free), a new Classic Pack (reduced-price version of the full service which does not include Windows games), and Premium Pack (the Gold membership). However, due to technical issues, many features offered previously were disabled during the migration. Users with 64-bit versions of Windows could only play games marked as 64-bit compatible. GameTap was working on encrypting the rest of its Windows catalog with Yummy encryption to make them 64-bit compatible.

On October 14, 2010, the American office of Metaboli was shut down and all operations moved to Paris, thus cutting all ties with original Turner employees.

TV shows

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GameTap released Revisioned: Tomb Raider in 2007 via the GameTap TV section of its website. The web series is a collection of ten short animated films that features re-imagined versions of Croft by well-known animators, comic book artists, and writers, including Jim Lee, Warren Ellis, and Peter Chung.[107][108] Episodes ranged from five to seven and half minutes in length, featuring Minnie Driver as Croft. The creative staff was given considerable freedom to re-interpret the character; they did not consult the video game designers, but were given a guide listing acceptable and unacceptable practices. Gametap also released new episodes for the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim animated talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast with George Lowe & C. Martin Croker reprising their roles as Space Ghost, Zorak & Moltar. The show ended when GameTap the video section of the website shutdown in 2008. Their final episode was Barenaked Ladies

Reception

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GameTap was criticized for its cancellation process, which required customers to contact live support personnel; such calls were noted by reviewers to be deliberately protracted by support staff in an effort to retain subscribers.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "GameTap". Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
  2. ^ GameTap Utilizes Macrovision for Digital Storefront
  3. ^ "GameTap.com - Play Premium Games Online Now or Download Games to Own - PC Games, Arcade Games and Console Games". GameTap.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "What multiplayer games can I play in GameTap?". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  5. ^ "GameTap Launches 'GameTap Original' Label". gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2006.
  6. ^ "Pre-E3: GameTap Signs Sam & Max, URU Live".
  7. ^ Alexander, Leigh. "GameTap Cancels Galactic Command Publishing Deal".
  8. ^ "Turner Announces GameTap Classic Games-on-Demand System". Game Developer. April 27, 2005. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  9. ^ "Turner's GameTap Launches with 300 Games from 24 Publishers". Gamesindustry.biz. October 17, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Carless, Simon (October 17, 2005). "GameTap Gets New Licensees, Officially Launches". Game Developer. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  11. ^ "A look at GameTap". Archived from the original on December 15, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
  12. ^ "Turner Announces Licensees for GameTap Subscription Service". Game Developer. May 10, 2005. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  13. ^ "GameTap Expands Publisher Licensing Agreements". GamesIndustry.biz. January 17, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Leigh Alexander. "Gamasutra - Turner To Sell GameTap". Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  15. ^ "Gametap acquired by Metaboli, aims to create 'global gaming service'". Destructoid. September 24, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  16. ^ "VC&G Review: GameTap", Vintage Computing and Gaming, http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/97, visited June 23, 2006
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