OmegaDog
June 2nd, 2005, 22:02
I'm sure a lot of you already know about the Revolution's planned online shop for games, both classic and more-recent -- and maybe a few of you probably already know about the upcoming Gametap (http://www.gametap.com), a subscription service for games.
These are awesome steps in the right direction. The companies themselves are taking initiative to make the classics easily available, and they're utilizing the power of the Internet to do so. It'll be like the iTunes and the current-model Napster, but for gaming -- you get it quickly and easily online, and you support the companies that make these games. [This online business model might already exist for PC games -- though for classic console/arcade games and the like, this is the first time we see a real push for it, no?]
The libraries might be limited, at least to start -- but if you take a look at Gametap's trailer video, you'll note that one of the first games they feature on it is Gunstar Heroes. That's a pretty big indicator that they're looking to go beyond the mainstream for their market. (And, for the Sega fans here -- they happen to feature quite a few Sega games too!)
[Sure, many might have complaints about DRM -- but still, DRM is what's making these companies willing to provide these services in the first place. There might be arguments of DRM as regards Fair Use rights, and that's understandable -- and I'm hoping there'll be a good compromise between consumers and companies that both can agree on.]
The way the market is officially transitioning here, for classic games (and even modern ones!) -- this really is an important step.
These are awesome steps in the right direction. The companies themselves are taking initiative to make the classics easily available, and they're utilizing the power of the Internet to do so. It'll be like the iTunes and the current-model Napster, but for gaming -- you get it quickly and easily online, and you support the companies that make these games. [This online business model might already exist for PC games -- though for classic console/arcade games and the like, this is the first time we see a real push for it, no?]
The libraries might be limited, at least to start -- but if you take a look at Gametap's trailer video, you'll note that one of the first games they feature on it is Gunstar Heroes. That's a pretty big indicator that they're looking to go beyond the mainstream for their market. (And, for the Sega fans here -- they happen to feature quite a few Sega games too!)
[Sure, many might have complaints about DRM -- but still, DRM is what's making these companies willing to provide these services in the first place. There might be arguments of DRM as regards Fair Use rights, and that's understandable -- and I'm hoping there'll be a good compromise between consumers and companies that both can agree on.]
The way the market is officially transitioning here, for classic games (and even modern ones!) -- this really is an important step.