Pet Project: Shareware/Freeware List

[Mr. Fed]

I've decided to embark on a pet project -- a list and links page of freeware/shareware (not abandonware) crpgs.

Over time, I hope to make it fairly comprehensive.

I know the biggies -- spiderweb, proudfoot, helherron -- but would be very interested in any of your favorites that you'd like to see on a list.

I am also aware of some of the existing links pages (mad monkey's, for instance) but would like to hear about any links pages of crpgs that you find particularly useful.

Thanks in advance for any input. I'm thinking of putting a "contributed by" line, so you could belong to the ages.

[Defiant]

For freeware, you can take a look at this thread and some of it's links.

Edit; Oh, you want rpgs. Well, there are some in that thread. Like Betrayal at Krondor, Ultima IV, etc.

[Freezer-TPF-]

You might consider also doing a list for Palm/PPC RPGs, since they are essentially shareware and many tend to have that old school Wizardry/Ultima/etc feel (Dragon Bane I/II, Legacy, Albion's Crossing, etc).

[yossar]

What does shareware mean these days? What makes Avernum a shareware RPG instead of a retail RPG with a pretty long demo? Dungeon Siege had a pretty long demo, but nobody would consider that shareware. Is it that you're able to download it off the internet? Again, there are quite a few mainstream games that offer direct download (Guild Wars for one).

[The Meal]

http://www.thangorodrim.net/variants.html

~Neal

[Peacedog]

What does shareware mean these days? What makes Avernum a shareware RPG instead of a retail RPG with a pretty long demo? Dungeon Siege had a pretty long demo, but nobody would consider that shareware. Is it that you're able to download it off the internet? Again, there are quite a few mainstream games that offer direct download (Guild Wars for one).

Lets see:

Hyper Dictionary: [n] software that has been copyrighted but is sold to users with permission to copy it and give it to others

dictionary.com: [n]Copyrighted software that is available free of charge on a trial basis, usually with the condition that users pay a fee for continued use and support.

IMO, dictionary.com's is much closer to what people mean when they use the term (Hyperdictionary is usually a rock for something like this though). Why does Dungeon Seige not count? *shrug* I doubt most peoople would call it shareware. I think shareware has become synonymous with "indie/small developer" games, though blockbuster games have been shareware before (Doom).

Generally speaking, I think it's ok to say that shareware doesdn't give you a demo - you get the game. You just can't fully play it. Vogel's games restrict progress after a certain point; registration unlocks the full game. Some games impose time limits on individual play sessions or on overall play time - to play more you must register. Some limit how many times you can play before you must register. I've never been a fan of those other methods - they're often too restrictive. I like the way Vogel does it, myself.

Avernum is not a retail RPG with a long demo because: there isn't a demo. And it isn't sold in stores I suppose, but I think the first distinction is more important here. I don't think a retail presence preculdes a title being shareware. The nature of the industry is such that it isn't really practical to go that route with a shareware game.

[yossar]

Generally speaking, I think it's ok to say that shareware doesdn't give you a demo - you get the game. You just can't fully play it.

Ah, that makes sense. I guess it wouldn't be realistic for any game with a footprint larger than a few hundred MB to go that route, so it sort of excludes major releases by default. Although, there really isn't any practical difference between a shareware game and a major release that gives you a long demo and allows you to unlock the rest of the game by purchasing a key and downloading the rest. Or is there and I'm just not seeing it? A lot easier to get other people to distribute your game for you, I guess (hence the term "shareware"). But afaik most shareware games are still available principally from an official homepage. And now I'm just rambling...

[Kasey Chang]

Dungeon Siege's demo is basically the first level of the game, of which there are nine of them (well, sorta).