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The Game Archaeologist: Myst Online: Uru Live
The impact of Myst in 1993 was akin to an atomic bomb going off in the PC gaming world. The leap forward in graphical fidelity (aided by the large storage capacity of a CD-ROM and all of the full-motion video and gorgeous images tucked into it) captured gamers' imaginations and made this adventure title the best-selling PC game of all time, at least for several years. Brothers Robyn and Rand Miller's story about a stranger who had to solve puzzles through a good-looking (if deserted) landscape was devilishly difficult, yet that challenge kept players coming back for months and even years. The Myst franchise surged forward at that point, with several sequels, remakes, and ports selling like hotcakes through the final game's release in 2005. Yet something interesting happened along the way when an offshoot of the series -- Uru: Ages Beyond Myst -- evolved into an MMO. With a focus on multiplayer exploration and puzzle-solving instead of non-stop combat, it may be one of the very few MMOs out there that eschews fighting for brainpower. It's an oddity, no doubt, and despite it being an incredibly niche title, it has fascinated me enough to pull me into a research rabbit hole. So let's take a look at Myst Online: Uru Live!
GameTap closing Atlanta office, focusing on newer PC titles
The slow transition of GameTap since "partnering" with Metaboli back in 2008 continues, with the company shutting down its Atlanta "technical and support team" and sharing some details about the future of the service. Speaking with Joystiq, a GameTap representative explained that by bringing operations to France, the company will "simplify the technical architecture" and can create a "global support center based in Europe." The Atlanta office will be closed down at the end of October, while the company's San Francisco office will recruit ten people over the next year to "strengthen [GameTap's] presence with major U.S. partners, distributors or publishers." As for the immediate future of GameTap, the next update to the service will also occur at the end of this month, when all the games will use a new download technology and be 64-bit compatible. The company is trying to move away from being associated with retro games -- with the possibility of dropping its brand name altogether in the future. For now, the update will create three major tabs on the GameTap site: "PC games Unlimited Play," "PC games Download to Own" and "Retro games Unlimited Play." "We need to show that we have moved forward and that we now offer a wide range of recent PC games," the GameTap representative said. The company will add 15 more games to its catalog of 550 PC games. "Some old PC games will be replaced by more recent PC games or by some casual games. Our decisions were taken based on our gameplay statistics, which is much better than our own opinion about the games or the opinion expressed by some of our users on the forum. We offer what people play." We've listed the games being added to the service following the October update after the break. Additionally, you can check out Metaboli.com's PC game catalog for a sense of the kind of games GameTap hopes to offer going forward.
GameTap errors caused by current tech, should be remedied by 'end of October'
A GameTap representative has informed Joystiq that the "4100 Error" affecting some games should be fixed with the "new version" of the website launching "by the end of October." GameTap's new website is part of the company's plan to feature "more recent titles," in addition to the retro games the service is known for. According to GameTap, the 4100 Error plaguing over a dozen titles, "Occurs with games that were packaged with a progressive download technology that is no longer in use when packaging new games. We now use a more effective and recent technology for all our new games. We have also started during the summer to upgrade our back catalog with the new technology." The update at the end of October will allegedly be more reliable and the company expects it to eliminate the 4100 error. Regarding concerns that the errors were a sign that the service was ending, the representative stated plainly, "We are not ceasing our operations in the US." [Thanks, Kyle B.]
Pre-order Dawn of War 2 expansion, get Saints Row 2 for free
There's no getting around it -- THQ really, really wants you to play all of its games. After recently revealing that the code included in copies of Darksiders is redeemable for a free copy of Red Faction: Guerrilla, the publisher today announced that those buying the upcoming Dawn of War II expansion Chaos Rising will also snag a free PC copy of Saints Row 2. That means slapping down your 30 buckaroos at GameStop or Best Buy (or your digital buckaroos at GameTap, Steam or Metaboli) nets you two games -- one of which we are assured allows you to spray human feces on anything nearby. If that isn't enough of a selling point, what is, you monster?
Myst Online is alive... again... for the, um, we lost count how many times it died
Myst fans, rejoice one more time. The game that gives Lazarus a run for his money, Myst Online: URU Live, is kicking once more. Cyan Worlds has gotten enough money together again to start up a brand new Myst server as the first phase of making Myst Online an open source project. The cavern that's online now is mostly the same cavern that GameTap had right as the game went offline. Best news of all? Myst Online is free. Yes, you heard us right -- free. Free as in no subscription, no paying for the client, no nothing. They're welcoming all cavern dwellers, new and old, back to the depths of D'ni. Their account creation page is getting hammered right now, as everyone wants to get back in ASAP, so if you can't create an account just give it some time. While the game is free, servers and running a business are not. Cyan has opened up a donation page on PayPal for anyone who wants to donate towards the game's bills, so if you're feeling generous then by all means show Uru some support. The game has been through hell and back, and some help would be much appreciated around the Cyan offices. They've even said they're working on a little present for those who donate... So, readers of Massively, can I get a shorah?
Cities XL launching in North America on Oct. 9th
This year's October seems like a busy month for gaming, and if you're into city building games it just got a little more crowded. Monte Cristo Multimedia has announced that Cities XL will be released in North America on October 9th and that it will come in two formats. You can either get it through a digital download or by mail order in case you prefer a boxed copy, and shipping is free. Both options will be available through the official website, but it's also possible to get the digital version from Steam, Direct2Drive, Trygames, Impulse Driven and Gametap.We're sure plenty of you are excited to hear this news, or at least the small legion of you who've been building (or have wanted to be building) massive cities for the past several months.
GameStop, GameTap and others join PC Gaming Alliance
The PC Gaming Alliance, a non-profit initiative established to preserve and promote the PC Gaming industry, recently added a bevy of heavy hitters to its ranks. Eight more companies have signed on to lend their support to the cause, including GameStop, GameTap, Gas Powered Games, BFG Technologies, Bigfoot Networks, Flextronics, Howie's Game Shack and InstantAction.We support the notion of this group enrolling new members -- but we're curious why GameStop has agreed to lend its massive, wealthy hand. Has the unrivaled gaming retailer finally figured out how to purchase and resell used PC titles?[Via Edge Online]
Mega64 shills for GameTap
Classic game subscription service GameTap has enlisted Mega64 to create a series of ads, which are currently running on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block. The two ads Mega64 posted on Youtube do an admirable job of explaining what GameTap offers, while also suggesting that either GameTap users are complete jerkwads, or that GameTap turns you into a jerkwad.The lesson isn't that you should avoid GameTap -- it's that you should only play it alone, where all of your friends and loved ones are safe from the dangerous levels of jerk radiation you'll emit. Check out the commercials after the break.
Verizon to offer GameTap-esque service in the Northeast starting this summer
Announced today and starting "this summer," Verizon will be offering "more than 1,400" PC games through its broadband service, for $9.99 per month. The service boasts a variety of games, ranging from Bejeweled to Splinter Cell, allowing customers to play the games over an internet connection or download the games directly to their computers -- provided the computer is connected to the internet, that is, presumably for license verification.For now, the service is only going to be offered in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, with no word on when other areas will be able to sign up. Between OnLive, Steam, GameTap, and now this, that digital download future we're all expecting seems to be more feasible every day. We've contacted Verizon for more information on the service and will update you accordingly as more news comes in.
GameTap: Emulation 'complexity' holding back Panzer Dragoon Saga
We've received a response from GameTap Community Manager Matt Marchini regarding the current status of Panzer Dragoon Saga. First and foremost, Marchini confirm that GameTap does have the rights to distribute Saga, but does not hold the exclusive publishing rights for the game and is not "barring others" from releasing it on other platforms.As to why GameTap has yet to release the game, Marchini -- himself a "self-confessed Sega fanboy" -- told Joystiq, "The main factor keeping GameTap from releasing PDS [is the] complexity of Saturn emulation." (We believe him, the Saturn was notoriously difficult to program for.) He notes that it can take months to properly prepare a single title for release "or worse, to discover that after months of development the game will not be releasable." He adds that it's a matter of the amount of resources needed to release a game versus its worth to GameTap. Naturally, the larger a game's potential audience, the more beneficial it is to GameTap.Thus, it comes down to consumer demand, and that's where you come in. Marchini informed Joystiq that GameTap has set up a poll about Panzer Dragoon Saga on the GameTap blog and said that the company will be keeping an eye on Joystiq's poll as well (be sure to cast your vote below). "If the audience is large enough to justify development time," said Marchini, "GameTap would reconsider the PDS as a higher priority."You heard the man, get to it!%Poll-30086%
GameTap sitting on Panzer Dragoon Saga rights, Joystiq mobilizes masses [update]
Technically, the second half of that headline hasn't happend just yet. We're working on it though, so bear with us. Now, the news: According to GameTap general manager Sene Sorrow, GameTap has the rights to publish Sega's Panzer Dragoon Saga.A little history lesson: Panzer Dragoon Saga received widespread critical acclaim but had a very limited release -- only 30,000 copies in the US -- making it one of the most sought after games out there. Even today, copies routinely sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay. Releasing the game on GameTap would finally give gamers everywhere a chance to play the game without having to explain the credit card bill to angry spouses.The problem, apparently, is that GameTap doesn't see a pressing need to publish the title. GameTap operations lead Jake Armstrong told GameInsano, "It's a good game and a very rare title, so there would be a definite cool factor in getting it out there, but there would be other emulation efforts I would think we would want to work on first."GameTap wants to know what its audience thinks about it though, so feel free to take part in our poll below and let the bigwigs know that you want Panzer Dragoon Saga. While you're at it, go ahead and send an email to Sorrow and make your feelings known: sene [at] gametap [dawt] com.We've contacted GameTap and will update this post with any new information.Update: Joystiq has received a response from GameTap regarding the status of Panzer Dragoon Saga. Click here to read all about it and see how you can help Panzer Dragoon Saga appear on GameTap.%Poll-30086%
GameTap taps into Microsoft Game Studios library [update]
GameTap's library of "on demand" games has just gotten that much larger thanks to a partnership with Microsoft Game Studios. Age of Mythology, Age of Empires 2, Fable: The Lost Chapter, Freelancer, Mech Warrior 4: Mercenaries, Rise of Nations and the Zoo Tycoon series are available now and lead off the service's MGS lineup, which will grow over the coming months.The arrangement applies to the US and Europe, the latter having already received Fable: The Lost Chapters, Mech Warrior 4: Mercenaries and Zoo Tycoon via GameTap's partner in the territory, Metaboli. Update: GameTap has clarified with MGS catalog roll out, stating that, at this time, "only Age Of Empires 2 and Fable are available now, the rest are coming soon."
Epic and Metaboli ink deal, Unreal series heading to GameTap
Epic Games, developer of the Gears of War series and everyone's favorite jackrabbit franchise, has apparently signed a deal with Metaboli, the European "partner" to digital download services GameTap and Games Planet, reports Develop. The contract solidifies a three-year partnership between Metaboli and Epic, with Epic bringing its entire Unreal series to the table. It remains unclear whether or not Epic will bring other franchises from its stable to the services but if the ailing economy dictates anything, it's the likelihood of folks selling what they can wherever they can. We contacted Mark Rein, VP of Epic Games, for comment and he told us it's, "Too early to know." It's a certainty we won't see the aforementioned Gears of War franchise though as it's handled by Microsoft. Rein told us, "Microsoft handles Gears of War PC distribution so that would be their deal." Sorry folks!
GameTap relaunch delayed, new games put on hold
PC gamers awaiting the multitude of changes coming to GameTap have been asked to wait a little longer. The official GameTap blog has announced that the relaunch, set to happen this week, has been put on hold because the "internal migration" is taking longer than expected. No new relaunch date has been set.Not only will gamers have to wait for the relaunch but for new games as well. Scheduled releases for this week have been shelved due to the relaunch delay, including the latest episode of American McGee's Grimm. However, the sandbox action game Just Cause will be available for free-to-play access for an additional week -- it was originally scheduled to be removed from the downsized list on March 26.[Via BigDownload]
GameTap Thursday: Insecticide, Freak Out & McGee's Sleeping Beauty
Another week, another update to GameTap's service. This week three titles have been added as the company preps the service for a major overhaul. This week's offerings continue the Grimm franchise -- with what GameTap old us is the biggest episode in the series -- while introducing new gamers to the world of hard-boiled insect detectives. Yeah, you read that correctly. Insecticide, Part 1 (Windows) - A "hard-boiled film noir action-adventure game" set a bug-ridden future? Sounds like realism to us, kids. Freak Out: Extreme Freeride (Windows) - An extreme skiing simulator that combines two of our favorite things, freaking out and the word extreme. American McGee's Grimm: Sleeping Beauty (Windows) - The continuing episodic adventures of Grimm this time tackling the age-old story of Sleeping Beauty. This one is free to play but only for today! Hop to it! GameTap has added Just Cause (aka GTA in the Caribbean) to the free to play catalog but will only be free until March 26. Check out a full list of the service's downsized free-to-play titles after the break.
GameTap makeover imminent, Mac no longer supported
In two weeks, on-demand gaming buffet GameTap will go under the knife. The update will introduce a new plug-in, allowing users to launch games from the desktop, start menu or from GameTap.com. We've placed the full list of new features to the service after the break.However, the scalpel of change will also cut out some of the current GameTap Player features for the relaunch. The big change is Macs becoming persona non grata. Beyond that: leaderboards, challenge play, IM and save states are also affected. GameTap will allegedly let users know ways to "work around" these alterations soon. All these changes are likely being done to integrate the current system with new owner European "partner," Metaboli.[Thanks, Matt]
GameTap Thursday: Painkiller Overdose, XIII Century Death or Glory
Oh, blargh. Writing this post last week was so much easier when it was about Syberia II. This week, GameTap gold subscribers gain access to a neo-DOOM game and an RTS that might be a good -- wait, no, we take that last bit back. Painkiller: Overdose (Windows) - The pseudo-sequel to the old school-embracing shooter where you continue to kill everything. XIII Century Death or Glory (Windows) - Um, really, we have no idea. It's apparently a "historically accurate" RTS set in Europe. No word if it's so accurate it has giant enemy crabs. X-Com UFO Defense will be available gratis for one week only. A full list of the service's recently downsized free-to-play offerings can be found after the break.
GameTap Thursday: Syberia II
The mammoth adventure of Syberia concludes in the sequel, now available to GameTap gold subscribers. Syberia II finds Kate Walker giving up on her former life, instead accompanying an eccentric inventor as he seeks out the world's last hairy elephants (hint: they're in Syberia). Don't worry if you missed out on the first enchanting (and sad) adventure -- the sequel includes a handy plot recap. Syberia II (Windows) - Hans has been found, but now Kate needs to help him fulfill his dream. Paws and Claws Pet Vet (Windows) - Pet Vet Sim Tycoon. That about sum it up? It's worth noting that GameTap axed 97 titles this week from its free-to-play service. A list of the 48 survivors can be found after the break.
GameTap removing 97 free games
This Thursday, GameTap will remove 97 games from its gratis lineup, making them available only to Gold subscribers. The current free lineup consists of 145 titles, making this a 67% reduction in games. Of course, quality is more important than quantity in this situation, and there are several noteworthy titles (Tomb Raider: Legend, Deus Ex, Psychonauts) being removed. Going forward, GameTap will make certain titles available free for one week only, which is something the service has been doing for almost half a year. It's unclear whether the cuts have anything to do with Metaboli taking over the service in the near future. Check out the full list of games being removed from the free service after the break.[Thanks, Steve]
GameTap Thursday: Mahjongg Investigation, Shattered Union, Pirates!
GameTap adds some potentially interesting titles this week to its gold service, but the real draw is Sid Meier's Pirates! being offered for free. The Caribbean romp to save your family and get both types of booty will be available gratis for one week. Pirates! is definitely worth checking out if it's somehow eluded your capture over the years. Mahjongg Investigation: Under Suspicion (Windows) - Mahjongg meets adventure game? Could be interesting. Shattered Union (Windows) - A turn-based strategy game that takes place during the United States' second civil war. Prepare for the future. The full list of free-to-play titles can be found after the break.
