10 replies to this topic

[IMG News]

After a few delays, the GameTap Lite Player has finally been released for Intel Macs. The Lite client is the free ad supported version of the service providing access to a large variety of games. The Deluxe subscription based version of GameTap is scheduled to debut on Macs later this year.

Joystiq has posted a tour of the installation process for GameTap Lite, as well as an examination of performance for the emulated games.

We've tried out plenty of titles, including the underrated Neo-Geo shooter Blazing Star, the 32X tragedy otherwise known as Knuckle's Chaotix and much, much more. Thus far, the performance has been equal to our PC's running GameTap, which means that now, outside of illegal emulation, Mac owners have access to arcade perfection.

When it comes to PC perfection, however, the Mac client can't even be bothered. Finding a few DOS and Windows titles hiding in the library, we attempted to boot them up with a huge grain of salt. Said grain proved useful as the client downloaded our games, then immediately rejected them in a crashing blaze of glory. This was, of course, totally expected, but we were really looking forward to some Willy Beamish.

A few minor quirks aside, the first release of GameTap for Mac is solid. The titles that support online play perform just as well as they do on the PC, which means that now everyone can appreciate the multiplayer joy that is Twinkle Star Sprites.

Follow the links below to check out GameTap Lite and take the tour.

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[Hansi]

I'm stuck at work and don't have time to test this but does it work for international users?

[Magnum]

Hansi, on July 10th 2007, 10:40 AM, said:

I'm stuck at work and don't have time to test this but does it work for international users?

I'm pretty sure it will.

Anyhow, is there any chances of a PPC version?

[Hobeaux]

Magnum, on July 10th 2007, 12:56 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure it will.

Anyhow, is there any chances of a PPC version?

doubtful. I believe that they are using Cider or some such technology to port their tech over rather than a complete rewrite of the software. I could be wrong though.

[bradc]

They are indeed using Cider, so GameTap is Intel Mac-only.

[Tacohead]

I feel for PPC users but this looks to be the future of Mac gaming. The good news is it will most likely mean more games for the Mac. I'd imagine most PPC users will eventually have Intel Macs anyways so this issue should fade away with time.

Also good news is that Gametap provides further evidence that Cider works. The client and games I've tried work flawlessly. The installer and application look and work Mac-like. There's absolutely no evidence of Cider anywhere (unless you opened the "package contents" of coarse). I had a similar experience with Uru.

I realize the true test of Cider will be the EA games but so far I've seen or heard of nothing in available Ciderized games that indicate it doesn't work well.

This is great news for Mac games in my book.    

-PN

[Tesseract]

Hansi, on July 11th 2007, 01:40 AM, said:

I'm stuck at work and don't have time to test this but does it work for international users?

It does, but only if you're not logged in. If you log in, the web site tells you that the game is country-restricted and greys out the "play now" button.  

[Hansi]

Just to confirm GameTap is still just for US and Canadian citizens and access for sign ups is IP blocked but by-passible via SOCKS Proxy so it works. I tried out Metal Slug 2 and it had small slowdowns at times, also I can't seem to find anything to customize the keyboard layout and the game is set on difficulty level 4 so it's kind of easy since that's the default startup level, most arcades had it at 8 or 9. So for the NeoGeo games I'll stick to running them in my arcade cabinet or via MAME.

Most things seem to work but Saturn, Windows, Dreamcast and the Sam N Max games don't work but I hope those will be available once they get them working better with Cider. Great to see 32X game for the Mac for the first time thought.

[Tacohead]

Hansi, on July 10th 2007, 05:09 PM, said:

I tried out Metal Slug 2 and it had small slowdowns at times, also I can't seem to find anything to customize the keyboard layout and the game is set on difficulty level 4 so it's kind of easy since that's the default startup level, most arcades had it at 8 or 9.

Apparently the Deluxe player allows keyboard customizations.  It's coming for the Mac soon.

Hansi, on July 10th 2007, 05:09 PM, said:

Most things seem to work but Saturn, Windows, Dreamcast and the Sam N Max games don't work but I hope those will be available once they get them working better with Cider. Great to see 32X game for the Mac for the first time thought.

Have you tried any DOS games like the King's Quest or Space quest games and do they work yet?   Thanks.

-PN

[Tesseract]

Hansi, on July 11th 2007, 10:09 AM, said:

Just to confirm GameTap is still just for US and Canadian citizens and access for sign ups is IP blocked but by-passible via SOCKS Proxy so it works.

Presumably grabbing the client directly bypasses this silliness? Though you can't play games that need a Gold subscription without an account, of course.

[Pointage]

I'm curious as to how the Joystiq guys tried Knuckles Chaotix, as that doesn't seem to be available right now. Maybe they have some sort of special elite account…

And speaking of which, my "account" of the Lite client can be found here. (Terrible pun; sorry.)
http://raygunrobot.c...th-GameTap-Lite
tl;dr: The emulation is great, but other aspects of the client could use a little work, and the selection of games is a bit limited.