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There, fixed that for ya.

The issue with Linux is twofold:

• Part perception -- Linux is seen as so "ultra precise" and "non conformist" that it's perceived as a difficult platform. It's not difficult... Windows is difficult, (dev-POV) Linux is just different. Anyone who's explored it knows that WINE is not a solution, in and of itself. Therefore, it cannot be viable as the end-all be-all of Linux gaming. Native ports *always* run (or crash) like greased lightning, and with the right "sandbox" (a'la what Steam could be) it could mop the floor with Microsoft.
• Part deception -- The overall PC game industry is partnered with Wintel on the front of having a "consistent gaming experience". Even if that doesn't fully deliver, it assures developers they have to allow for only a certain range of variables. While these are essentially the same variables hardware-wise on a Linux system, addressing the differences—as a developer—are an inherently different approach than with Wintel; something game dev's don't want to re-learn. The general tactic is, "[we] can't have a consistent experience with Linux, every box is just soooo different!" True, but they're all Linux! Also, there's the impression that there's no money in Linux... other respondents seem to agree; Linux users will pay good money for good software, even games.

It comes down to this: pioneers

Whosoever tackles this Everest will end-up on top, but they will also be the first of many. If not Valve, then somebody! (Looking at YOU, GameTap!) Blazing this trail (and making money doing it) will break-out Linux as the gaming platform it could be. What do so many FOSS games lack? Professional polish and/or looking like they're last-gen throwbacks; the bread-and-butter of commercial games. What could retail gaming bring to Linux? The same games we know and love from Wintel on a crash-resistant platform with unbounded emulation possibilities.

Valve really had something going there... and they are the first to truly bring native ports of top-tier games to the Macintosh. No more re-makes of Dark Castle... no sir! Them's are the real deal; TF2, Portal, Half Life and more. They blazed that trail, and there's more to come.

Whether it happens with current-market titles or simply occurs through a slow adoption of free/abandonware native ports, I believe there's a future in Linux gaming.

I in fact DO pay a subscription to download programs for a flat fee. http://www.gametap.com/

They are not as good as they used to be, but the price is low enough that it beats the hassle of pirating games. The same case applies to movies and Netflix.

I might not get the newest titles the day they come out, but I don't play games and watch movies to be first.

Unfortunately, a certain company offers some free games, but their DRM system doesn't work on Windows x64.

This line-up includes 3D accelerated games.

Here you go: http://www.gametap.com/

What is your opinion on abandonware games? A lot of people share old ROMS of games online - games just like these books, in that no one knows who owns them, or if they DO know who owns them, the owners don't support them, and have no intentions of producing them.

What once was old is new again... these companies are starting to sell old games again, through systems like Nintendo's Virtual Console (Wii), Steam (Windows), GOG (Windows), or GameTap (Windows 32-bit).

I just signed up for GameTap. They are an on demand video game service. They have more than 75 kids education titles in their library, INCLUDING the highly regarded Putt-putt games. I was actually surprised how well Putt-putt held up over time.

You can sign up for free to try out the service, to see if you like it. Guest/Non-paying accounts have access to about 65 games. Pay users have access to close to 1000. It is $10 a month or $60 a year to be a paying customer. Not only will you get real retail educational titles for your kid, but you will get real retail games for yourself as well.

Gametap http://www.gametap.com/ has a great selection of kids game with a ton of the Broderbund games. It's a monthly pay as you go service; however, you can purchase access for a full year for $60. The nice thing is that it doesn't require you go install each individual game as you just download and launch them. The service has same issues with Vista; but is almost flawless in XP, however, don't expect to run any games in a x64 version of Windows.

The nice thing is that aren't any CDs to switch. And DRM is handled by the client. They offer a free trial and it's a great service for people with kids.

http://www.gametap.com/ I would look on there, they have tons of classic games that you can play on your computer for a small subscription fee.

Steam doesn't offer a monthly subscription fee of any kind..You still purchase games.

Shame that more work wasn't done in the Planescape universe, it's a pretty interesting system.

Keep an eye open for Purgatorio, the first installment of the free Neverwinter Nights 2 module trilogy. Should be out any day now. You can get NWN2 together with the Mask of the Betrayer expansion cheaply now. If you loved the old Baldur's Gate 2 games, NWN2 and especially MOTB are well worth your money. I also agree with Fallingcow, the Witcher is an excellent game. Best year for great single player RPGs on the PC in a long time.

As for the AC - you can buy Planescape: Torment to download at Gametap. I think Gametap only have licence to sell their games for the US/Canada market though. :(
Still, faking an address and IP isn't all that hard if you really want it...

Unfortunately for me, they are ruining one of my favorite genres. RPG - I am big fan of Baldurs Gate (1&2), Planescape Torment, NWN etc...

If "they" refers to "the gamers who voted with their wallets and didn't buy those games", then you'd be right. If "they" is supposed to be Bioware, keep in mind that they are a company that needs to make money to survive. If nobody's buying a certain type of game, they have no incentive to build another game of that type.

RPG: Ruined (for me) by FP/TP view.

Did you try KOTOR or Jade Empire? That's pretty much what Mass Effect should be like. If those gave you motion sickness, then it sucks to be you.

Adventure: Basically dead.

They're not quite dead yet. The new Sam & Max games seem to be doing quite well. I was disappointed that the Bone games didn't do better, but SM makes up for it.

I'm sure people said the same about Myst Online: Uru Live. Fortunately some people didn't give up, and so I'll be able to play it come Wednesday.

You can browse a list of games through Gametap.com.

Part of the problem is that there isn't a really good way to run some of those games. At least not 100% (see compatibility with DOSBox and many games). Some reengineering would probably need to be done.

I know the Slashdot crowd generally hates subscription services (except WoW of course), but if you want to try some old classics GameTap is pretty decent. The strategy game selection is really good with classics like:

Heroes of Might and Magic 1-4
Civilization 3
Age of Wonders 1-2
Tropico 1-2
Command and Conquer 1 and Red Alert
Homeworld 1-2
Sid Meir's Gettysburg
Caeser 3, Pharoah and Zeus
SimCity 2000

They even have some ancient stuff, like well the Ancient Art of War series.
Ultima 1-5 are included, but I would love to see at least 6,7 and the Worlds of Ultima series added. Early Sierra games (King's Quest 1-5) and Infocom (Zork, Planetfall etc.) are well represented.

I'm taking a break from MMOs for awhile so I thought I'd try the service. At $10 a month for the base cost it's pretty inexpensive.
A word of warning though, you probably will run into problems with some of the games. I've had issues with Uplink (although the issue occurs if I download the demo, so it isn't GameTap's fault) and Lego Rock Raiders wouldn't run at all. The client occasionally craps out and you can't play if your Internet connection is down. And of course you aren't BUYING any games - it's really just a software rental service. From that perspective it's cheaper than renting a handful of games from Blockbuster.
Cool bonuses include Space Ghost episodes with everyone from Richard Garriott (Lord British) to Steve Wozniak. Oh yeah and you get the Same & Max episodes included.

This is all well and good, but what I'd really like to see on Steam is the "ancient school" games that used to run on Win95/DOS running under Windows XP and available $5-$10 a pop.

GameTap is exactly what you are looking for: 700+ classic games (including not just DOS/Windows goodies, but console games as well), playable on demand, $7/month.

Is this just a pipe dream?

Apparently not ;-)

What you want is Gametap. They don't have System Shock, but they have a lot of old DOS games (including LucasArts adventures).

http://www.gametap.com/home/game_titles/browseTitl es.jsp?&pager=&pageNumber=32&sort=1&title=&publish er=&type=&system=&paginationPage=4

I think you're thinking of http://www.gametap.com/

Didn't all 3 sort of copy GameTap then?

Nintendo is going to save adventure gaming? Strange, because from the looks of it, I woulda said GameTap. Considering that GameTap is getting episodic content for new Sam&Max adventure games, and they currently have King's Quest 1 through 5, Space Quest 1 through 5 (save for 4), Quest for Glory 1 through 3, and more. But, you know, maybe that's just me. /Disclaimer: I do work for GT, though in nothing as well-paid as PR. It doesn't benefit me to promote GT; I just happen to like it. I like Nintendo too. It's just about.com that gets on my nerves.

Nintendo is going to save adventure gaming? Strange, because from the looks of it, I woulda said GameTap. Considering that GameTap is getting episodic content for new Sam&Max adventure games, and they currently have King's Quest 1 through 5, Space Quest 1 through 5 (save for 4), Quest for Glory 1 through 3, and more. But, you know, maybe that's just me. /Disclaimer: I do work for GT, though in nothing as well-paid as PR. It doesn't benefit me to promote GT; I just happen to like it. I like Nintendo too. It's just about.com that gets on my nerves.

Or Game Tap?

Chris Mattern

So, you want something like GameTap? Granted, it's more of a subscription/rental service, and I'm not too sure how extensive their library is, but it seems like the first step (well, *a* first step).

Time-Warner and its Turner Broadcasting unit have been doing the same thing with their http://www.gametap.com/ site - advertising on TBS, Cartoon Network and The WB to name a few. Although a totally different biz than what MySpace is in, it does cater to that same audience. I woudn't be surprised to see NBCUniversal try something like this next considering that NBC has quite a bit of teen/tween-targeted programming on Saturday mornings and that it has control of WWE's TV ops on USA Network (albeit not full control just yet)

Unrelated, does anyone have any experience with Gametap?

I saw a commercial for it the other day and it looked pretty neat.

Well, there's always GameTap for PC users, although their service requires a rental fee. Otherwise, Microsoft is offering several downloadable arcade games on the Xbox 360, and Nintendo is supposedly offering their entire back catalog on the Revolution. The problem with all these is the selection, as they're all limited to the games that third parties are willing to license and offer emulators for.

That would seem like a daunting task. Judging from the screenshots of the first chapter, the game may take place in numerous settings from the older games (especially 6 "Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow", arguably the best one). The "art" in this case seems to be most of the 3d models and textures. Removing King's Quest from this project would remove any reason to make it, IMHO. I really hope this gets sorted out somehow. I loved the the King's Quest series and Vivendi's end to the series, King's Quest 8 Mask of Eternity, was a travesty. I seriously doubt Vivendi is going to make any profits from the King's Quest brandname, so why not let it go ahead? It's not like they were trying to make money. They don't even have ads on their site!

Whilst writing this, I realized what's going on: http://www.gametap.com/. Sierra, aka Vivendi, has got some games on there it seems, but no adventure games of yore. So let's see how this plays out.

Took some searching, but found it here

Just go to http://www.gametap.com/launch/Home and you can register to play today, without looking at any of the dummy web-sites. Enjoy.

I work for Turner Broadcasting and we're launching Gametap http://www.gametap.com/ in September with a bunch of PC, Sega, Nintendo, Intellivision, etc. games. Sat through a demo of it the other day, this thing rocks, although I wouldn't pay for the service because I'm a console player with a nice 50" HDTV and nice couch to sit on, screw sitting in front of a computer; but I'm sure a lot of people will pay for it.