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Is freeware dead?

Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 21:02
by Zyx
With the advent of indie games and variety of digital distribution channels and especially mobile, are freeware PC games becoming extinct?

Now that channels like GOG.com, Steam Greenlight and Kickstarter exist, are developers choosing to sell their games for small amount instead of giving it out for free? Is this a good thing, because they can justify putting more resources into the games or a bad thing because games are being made for profit? Is this healthier in the long term?

Are developers targeting mobile, where they can potentially reach many magnitudes larger audiences than on PCs and where alternative revenue streams like advertising banners are more accepted? Are mobile phones and tablets more suitable platforms for small games?

Were freeware games just a transitional phase from traditional shareware model into digital distribution channels? Were freeware feasible only because charging for them was infeasible?

I'm Ron Burgundy?

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 0:57
by Pater Alf
I don't think that the freeware scene is dead, but it's true that many games that would've been freeware some years ago are now being sold as indie games. Is it a good thing? I think it is for the developers who now get paid and earn enough money that they can concentrate on creating great games. Also good for the gamers who get more quality games and more support (like patches and updates). On the other hand it's bad that some indie developers start doing the same bullshit that the big publishers do (like DLCs, DRM). But as always you can vote with your wallet and only give money to the devlopers who you think deserve it.

And I don't think that freeware will die away. There are still plenty of freeware games that get released every day (especially adventures and RPGs) even if many of them feel like indie-indie-games.

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:45
by eMTe
Whenever something gets pronounced dead by masses it begins to emit its own, very special light.

I say - bury the freeware.

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:39
by Chroelle
I think Minecraft did both good and bad here. It is the perfect example of someone doing exactly what we all cheer for - gameplay over graphics, and then went and sold it of as a pre-kickstarter project. And then this very indie blockish game went and made him a millionaire and his game one of the most popular EVER. So everyone wants to be Marcus "Notch" Persson and earn millions by selling your indie game for a few dollars.
You gotta love it, and also hate. No - freeware isn't dead - but it took a massive arrow to the knee!

(Says Chroelle who just sat back 10 minutes ago and enjoyed his coffee - while watching a Minecraft sunrise....)

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 14:48
by eMTe
Freeware wasnt a transitional phase, because it's rise was closely related with the rise of internet and game making tools. People would make freeware games in 80-ies and 90-ies, but necessary know-how and means of distribution were limited to small groups of individuals. Now, almost everybody can. The problem developers will face is lack of fresh ideas, not lack of funds. One free game by Yahtzee provides more entertainment than big budget productions and he's probably aware of that. Instead of cheating people (the way Dave Gilbert has chosen) he provides games with gameplay over graphics and full of ideas.

Afair when CWF was established the goal was to provide games which are on par in quality with some commercial games, but can be obtained free and legally. This we achieved. We proved that quality is not always preceded by large sums of money.

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 18:05
by Pater Alf
eMTe wrote:Instead of cheating people (the way Dave Gilbert has chosen) he provides games with gameplay over graphics and full of ideas.
Sorry, but in which way is Dave Gilbert cheating people?

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 21:55
by eMTe
Offering lousy games (Emerald City Confidential, Gemini Rue) for money while having positive freeware past.

Re: Is freeware dead?

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 20:25
by Pater Alf
Don't know about Emerald City Confidential, but the Blackwell games are great games in my opinion (much better than his freeware games). And Gemini Rue (which has metacritic of 82 by the way) wasn't even developed by Dave Gilbert (just published by Wedjet Eye Games).