We've been subscribers to and fans of Gametap as well in the past, though they've been having trouble keeping licenses to games and that's an issue (their library shouldn't ebb and flow the way it does, just increase in size). They've evolved the service from proprietary software with their own "TV" shows to Web-based software and just focused on games. I was always favorable to the service, but the issue with Gametap is that being restricted to PC and its disparate (and often fickle) users who tend to prefer free to pay, is a tough way to make it in this business. It's far easier to get a console crowd to bite who tends to favor simplicity and access, even if it costs them.
There is no ulterior Microsoft motive here, really, if you ask me. This is nothing more than putting a fancy shell on for instance what Nintendo is offering on their Wii console with the Virtual Console, or extending what Sony has done with their half-baked Home service on the PS3. I look forward to seeing what Microsoft comes up with, because of all the others - particularly on the console side - they seem to "get" the whole interface/online experience thing. There is no danger with Microsoft dominating in the console world, so there's no reason not to let them use their expertise to do things right. All three have their positives and negatives, so there's nothing wrong with Microsoft showing the right way to do things now and again.
Naturally the argument against this is why would I want to play, for instance, an Intellivision game on my Xbox 360, when I can play it for "free" on an emulator on the PC. It's about the rights holders getting paid (whoever they may be) and playing something legally, of course, which should always be a person's first choice when the price is fair, but above all - as is always the case with console implementations of these things - taking 100% of the hassle out of the emulation. You see a game, you buy a game, it works. Period. That's worth some dinero in my book.
We've been subscribers to and fans of Gametap as well in the past, though they've been having trouble keeping licenses to games and that's an issue (their library shouldn't ebb and flow the way it does, just increase in size). They've evolved the service from proprietary software with their own "TV" shows to Web-based software and just focused on games. I was always favorable to the service, but the issue with Gametap is that being restricted to PC and its disparate (and often fickle) users who tend to prefer free to pay, is a tough way to make it in this business. It's far easier to get a console crowd to bite who tends to favor simplicity and access, even if it costs them.
There is no ulterior Microsoft motive here, really, if you ask me. This is nothing more than putting a fancy shell on for instance what Nintendo is offering on their Wii console with the Virtual Console, or extending what Sony has done with their half-baked Home service on the PS3. I look forward to seeing what Microsoft comes up with, because of all the others - particularly on the console side - they seem to "get" the whole interface/online experience thing. There is no danger with Microsoft dominating in the console world, so there's no reason not to let them use their expertise to do things right. All three have their positives and negatives, so there's nothing wrong with Microsoft showing the right way to do things now and again.
Naturally the argument against this is why would I want to play, for instance, an Intellivision game on my Xbox 360, when I can play it for "free" on an emulator on the PC. It's about the rights holders getting paid (whoever they may be) and playing something legally, of course, which should always be a person's first choice when the price is fair, but above all - as is always the case with console implementations of these things - taking 100% of the hassle out of the emulation. You see a game, you buy a game, it works. Period. That's worth some dinero in my book.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[About Me]
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.