Free legal (slightly older) retail games (really!)

[GHackmann]

Check out Freeloader.com. It's a gaming site whose big hook is that you can download full version retail games for free if you answer a few surveys. The selection isn't great (it's mostly European games, since the site is stationed in the U.K. -- not that there's anything wrong with European games, but a lot are more or less unknown in the U.S.) but there are a few gems like Grand Theft Auto, Spec Ops, and Beneath a Steel Sky.

The games are identical to the retail versions, except that they've been modified to work with Freeloader.com's "episode" system (that is, you can download just part of a game and it still works), so the only thing you're losing is the ability to use patches from the manufacturer. (Freeloader.com promises to release their own patches if necessary, but I don't think any of the games are new enough that patches are still being written for them.)

I've used them before, and like I said I'm not astounded by their selection of games, but it's not bad for free. It's a really good way to pick up Grand Theft Auto if you haven't already. (Personally, I'm dying to try out Hidden & Dangerous, since I've heard good things about it but I've never seen it on the U.S. side of The Big Lake.)

[hunge]

I like your idea of downloading LEGAL game. But how do you classify if it is retail? I will like a OEM version of it since it is probably cheaper, or I can probably make some money out of it after rebate or something.

[This message has been edited by hunge (edited 08-04-2000).]

[MaStAYoDA1]

What the heck is up with this crap recently? We don't need to tell people where you download software. Please don't do that.

[hunge]

Well... I am pretty quick on "satisfying all request."

[Elwood]

Yeah, I agree. Kindly keep the warez stuff to yourself. Just about everyone is quite aware of those software downloads out there, so you're not impressing anybody. Duh, HELLO....it's illegal....whoop-dee-doo. I'm kinda thinkin' this forum is for LEGAL deals, am I right? (well, except maybe for that Staples multi-coupon stuff)

[pennypinch]

If you two look at the title and his post, you'll notice the word "legal" mentioned a number of times. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[pennypinch]

Freeloader is actually a pretty cool idea that will be around for, oh, I'd say four months. Can they really afford to pay for the game licenses with just the amount of advertising they have? That surprises me. Oh well, the games they do have are not bad at all...not bad at all.

[AJ]

ok i'll delete this too then

[This message has been edited by AJ (edited 08-04-2000).]

[GHackmann]

I hope that the warez complaints didn't apply to my original posts, but just in case I need to emphasize (which I didn't really in the original post) that these downloads are not (a) illegal warez (their distribution is sanctioned by the games' publishers) or (b) normally available as freeware from the publisher (i.e. you can't get them off of "normal" download sites like CNet Download.com or ZDnet).

I certainly hope nobody thought I was advertising "hey, look, I found another generic download site" or "I found another way to steal games." I just thought it was similar to all those other fill-out-a-survey-and-get-something-free offers that are always posted here, except that here you get free downloadable games rather than promotional items.

[CluelessSi]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pennypinch:
If you two look at the title and his post, you'll notice the word "legal" mentioned a number of times. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
no they talking about a post that was edited already.
yes the first post is legal (i think) but a warez site was posted also.


freeloader seems legit but i still not sure if totally legal because i don't see anywhere on site with statements from the individual companies support them to do this.

[CluelessSi]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AJ:
no youre not. you guys are way wrong, and while this isnt actually a DEAL per se, don't blast him is you dont know what he or you are talking about.

This guy is pointing you to a site (pretty crappy one though) where they have abandonware games. Correct me if I'M wrong here, but after a number of years, games lose their copyright or something like that, and you can download them ALL LEGALLY for free. He's kinda pointing that out in his own way. Most people dont know about this. There are better abandonware sites on the net. he's obviously not trying to point out warez stuff- i guess you dont read what he means before you jump on someone...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

the warez statement was for an earlier edited out Post....

[CluelessSi]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GHackmann:
I hope that the warez complaints didn't apply to my original posts, but just in case I need to emphasize .....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

All the complaints were about a quickly edited out post that showed a warez site.
I visit here like every few minutes so i caught it. so to clear things up FIRST POST is legal according to site. and edited out post is well... edited out http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Realrammstein]

Whatever.

[AJ]

sorry, i missed that thread...from the same guy?

[phlick]

Hey, It's free, it's legal, its a deal. Never mind the bollaks, keep on posting the deals!!!!

I've been looking for a copy of GTA for a while now.

Good post!!

[GHackmann]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AJ:
sorry, i missed that thread...from the same guy?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No. One of the replies by somebody else pointed out a warez site as an alternate means of getting free games (the difference being, of course, that the warez site is illegal). The message has since been edited to remove the link to the site.

[CluelessSi]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AJ:
sorry, i missed that thread...from the same guy?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
not a thread
the reply to this topic by hunge had a link to a warez site but after the other guy told him not to post it he edited it out
meanwhile some ppl started getting confused with this "deal" as being the warez.

[hunge]

Holy.. that's alot of posts in an hour period. Well... Sorry for all the confusion I caused...

[Poseidon]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GHackmann:
I hope that the warez complaints didn't apply to my original posts, but just in case I need to emphasize (which I didn't really in the original post) that these downloads are not (a) illegal warez (their distribution is sanctioned by the games' publishers) or (b) normally available as freeware from the publisher (i.e. you can't get them off of "normal" download sites like CNet Download.com or ZDnet).
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmm...isn't illegal warez a bit redundant?

[MD2B]

How do you download a game? I registered and got 500 credits (credits req'd to download game episodes) I tried to download via the games, but when I click on the game, nothing happens.
What am I doing wrong????

[GHackmann]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MD2B:
How do you download a game? I registered and got 500 credits (credits req'd to download game episodes) I tried to download via the games, but when I click on the game, nothing happens.
What am I doing wrong????<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hit Games on the left side, and pick the game (you probably figured that out already). Hit the "freeload it" link, and on the very right side of the screen (if you've logged in) there should be a link for "download Episode."

When you click that, a pop-up window will show which will tell you that you need to download an .EXE file (the game itself) and a .DAT file (the "key," so to speak, which unlocks the setup program). Hit the continue button, and your browser should prompt you to save the .EXE file. Eventually, the pop-up window will change to a series of ads and short survey questions. Once you answer a few questions and view a couple of ads, the pop-up screen will disappear, and your browser will prompt you to save the .DAT file.

You need to be patient (especially if you're in the U.S.) as their servers are sometimes kind of slow to respond (but the downloads themselves are pretty fast). They might not work at all if you're using a proxy or Internet sharing program for some reason or another (they didn't work for me using a WinGate client, but when I switched to ICS it worked fine).

If you want to download the next episode, then on the frame where you have the download link, right-click and either hit Refresh (IE) or Reload Frame (Netscape). It will then be ready to download the next episode. (Why they don't use JavaScript to refresh it automatically is beyond me . . .)

Yes, it's a little bit of a hassle, but remember: FREE GAMES! (Yippee! http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif )