GamersGate

Last updated
GamersGate AB
Company type Private
Industry Video games, electronic commerce, digital distribution
Genre Content delivery
Retail
Digital distribution
Founded2006;18 years ago (2006)
Headquarters
Stockholm [1]
,
Sweden
Key people
Theodore Bergquist, Daniel Hjelmtorp, Gustav Nisser
Number of employees
25 [2]
Website gamersgate.com

GamersGate AB (formerly Gamer's Gate) is a Sweden-based online video game store offering electronic strategy guides [3] and games for Windows, macOS, and Linux via direct download. [4] It is a competitor to online video game services such as Steam, GOG.com, and Direct2Drive.

Contents

GamersGate sells games for over 250 publishers and developers, including Electronic Arts, Atari, Bethesda Softworks, 2K Games, Ubisoft, SEGA, Capcom, Paradox Interactive and Epic Games as well as smaller independent developers such as 2D Boy, Jonathan Blow and Amanita Design. As of September 2014, there are over 6000 games available through GamersGate. [5]

History

The idea of GamersGate was conceived by Paradox Interactive in 2004 [6] after numerous fan requests for better access to Paradox's games were finally answered in the form of direct downloads. After Paradox sold a game to an Argentine fan via a download link that was later removed, word spread on the Paradox forums and international fans began asking if they too could purchase video games through downloads. [7] Seeking to provide cheap distribution of games to countries that did not offer them in physical retail stores, Paradox developed a digital distribution system called "Paradox on Demand" [7] and commenced trial operations in April 2006. On 20 November 2006, the system was officially launched under the name "Gamer's Gate". Interest in the service grew such that in 2008, after other publishers requested that Gamer's Gate distribute their games as well, Paradox decided to separate the service into an independent company called "GamersGate". [8] By April 2009, GamersGate was offering 1000 video game titles. [9] By April of the following year, they had doubled their offering to 2000 titles. [10] An additional 1000 games were added in 2011, bringing the company's total to 3000 games. [11] This pattern has repeated each year with 4000 games offered in 2012, 5000 offered in 2013, [12] and over 6000 as of 2014. [5]

Features

As a digital distribution company, GamersGate offers digital rights management-free (DRM-free) games and downloadable content (DLC) for PC, Mac, Linux, and Android platforms. GamersGate is a client-free service that does not require users to log on in order to play purchased games. In a January 2012 article for The Escapist magazine, columnist Shamus Young speculated that these features would appeal to gamers opposed to the passive DRM validation, always-on DRM, and mandatory client program downloads that were common to many of GamersGate's top competitors. [13] GamersGate accepts online payment by credit card or cash via Rixty. [14] From 2012-2013, it offered a catalog of free games via its Void system. [15]

GamersGate is one of the earliest digital distribution sites [16] and has undergone major aesthetic redesigns over the years. The first major redesign occurred in May 2009 [17] when they adopted a design that Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Alec Meer described as "GoG-esque" and "shiny". [18] The second redesign occurred in July 2011 [19] and was interpreted by some as a response to changes in the industry including the launch of Origin and the acquisitions of Direct2Drive by GameFly and Impulse by GameStop. [20]

Downloadable content and developer tools

GamersGate was one of the earliest video game stores to offer downloadable content for PC games, starting with downloadable content for the Hearts of Iron and Europa Universalis series. [21] [22]

In December 2008, GamersGate began offering developers MicroSuite, a free in-game downloadable-content API that allows game companies to insert DLC microtransactions into gameplay. [6] [23] The release of MicroSuite came only a few months after GamersGate's release of the GameNerve Publishing Suite, a management tool allowing users to publish and digitally distribute newly created games in order to maximize profits for the creator rather than an intermediate distribution company. [24]

Client-free

GamersGate initially required a software client for its customers to download their purchased games, but on 28 January 2009, the company began allowing customers to download games through a micro-download. [25] Under this system, every game is associated with a small corresponding program that, when downloaded, will retrieve the install files for the customer's computer. Upon retrieval, the user installs the game and may then remove the downloader from the computer. [26] CEO Theo Bergquist has touted the client-less feature of GamersGate as a way to distinguish it from more dominant video game distribution platforms like Valve's Steam. [27]

DRM-free

Since its inception, GamersGate has eschewed the use of controversial digital rights management (DRM) schemes common to other digital video game distribution services. Games downloaded from GamersGate are released free of passive DRM validation and always-on DRM, and GamersGate users have the option of transferring purchased games to other accounts. [7] [13] Company CEO Theo Bergquist has emphasized the need for digital distribution companies to trust consumers. Although the potential for video game piracy and similar abuses are present through its method, GamersGate believes that trust in consumers acts as "a source of comfort" for its customers. [28] The company has sought to work against piracy by cultivating mutual respect between itself and its strong player community. [2] In an article for Information & Communications Technology Law, Peter Holm suggests that perhaps GamersGate's best DRM-free defense against piracy is simply that it makes the legal purchase of games easy and cheap. [29]

In addition to GamersGate's customer-friendly policies, rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union on the topic of digital right of first sale have clarified that lessors who indefinitely license software thereby exhaust their property rights to the software. [30] The effect of this ruling is that European digital distribution customers may resell downloaded games on the secondary market. Because GamersGate is based in Sweden and serves French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, and Swedish customers, this ruling has significance for GamersGate's European sales. [31]

Games

GamersGate has partnered with over 250 publishers and developers including 2K Games, [32] Atari, [33] Capcom, [34] Electronic Arts, [35] Epic Games, [36] Koei, [37] SEGA, [38] THQ, [39] [40] Ubisoft, [41] and Vivendi Games [42] [43] among many others. GamersGate has also signed distribution agreements with numerous smaller independent video game developers [44] [45] and a wide variety of international developers like the Russian 1C Company, [46] the British Blitz Games, [47] the German Crimson Cow [48] and Kalypso Media, [49] and the French Microïds. [50]

Initially distributing only PC games, GamersGate began offering Mac games in June 2009 [51] and later added Linux games and Android games. [52] As of June 2014, the site lists over 1500 Mac titles. [53] As GamersGate has expanded its catalog to include macOS (formerly Mac OS X) and indie games, it has been acknowledged as a good place to download Mac games [54] and for new game developers to get published and to make early sales. [55] [56]

Because it was formed as a split from a strategy game developer, the majority of the company's initial offerings were strategy war games. However, as third party developers signed on to distribute with Gamersgate, the site's offerings became increasingly eclectic. Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Kieron Gillen noted in 2008 that GamersGate's Top 10 Sales chart provided "a snapshot of a completely alien PC gaming world" with obscure but meritorious titles outperforming mainstream titles. Gillen suggested that this was evidence that "downloadable games enable niches." [57] This pattern has lessened through the years but has never entirely disappeared. New Tang Dynasty Television drew attention to GamersGate's charts in 2014, when the free-to-play co-op game Warframe ranked alongside Castle of Illusion . [58]

GamersGate frequently offers special deals and sales on its inventory. It has been praised by critics for its innovative bundling that, during some sales, allows purchasers to opt out of individual games enclosed within the bundle for a reduction in the bundle's price. [59] [60]

FreeGames and Void

At E3 2011, GamersGate announced that it would be offering free video games in exchange for advertisement views. [61] Players could download a game for free but, prior to playing it, would have to watch a short advertisement selected by GamersGate's advertising partner, Blind Ferret Media. [62] Advertisements would not be inserted during gameplay. [63] The new program, called "FreeGames", was set for beta release in mid-June 2011. Interest among gamers was so high that 10 thousand beta signups were made within the first few hours. The official start of the program was intended to be 1 September 2011 and to offer some 200 games. [64] [63] GamersGate CEO Theo Bergquist stated that the company's long-term goal was to offer as many of its 3000 games as possible under the FreeGames program. [11] Bergquist's claims that this was the first program of its kind [65] were refuted by Shacknews' Alice O'Conner, who pointed to a similar failed experiment by Ubisoft in 2007. [66] However, in the following weeks GamersGate's beta run proved to be a success. [15]

GamersGate officially launched the follow-up program to FreeGames, christened "Void", on 28 May 2012. Like FreeGames, the service allowed customers with an account to download certain games for free in exchange for watching a few short advertisements. [15] At release, nearly 100 games were available in the Void catalogue. [67] The company ended the Void service in January 2013. [68]

Market share

As one of the earliest digital distribution services, GamersGate saw rapid expansion in its earlier years with over 100 percent in growth from launch through 2009. [7] [69] Contemporaneously, GamersGate's parent company, Paradox Interactive, saw digital distribution overtake retail sales. In January 2011, it reported that GamersGate digital downloads accounted for 70 percent of Paradox's total revenue, which had grown over 1000 percent since 2001. [70] By July of the same year, Paradox reported that 90 percent of its sales were digital (through both Steam and GamersGate). [71]

The total market share of digital downloads going to GamersGate, however, is considerably smaller than its major competitor, Steam. It has also faced competition from newer companies like GOG.com and from contemporaries like Impulse and Direct2Drive. [72] [73] Analysis by Impulse owner Stardock in December 2009 indicated that Steam controlled at least 70 percent of the market with the other big players (Direct2Drive, GamersGate, and Impulse) competing over the remaining 30 percent. Stardock's claim that Impulse controlled 10 percent of the market was vocally disputed by both Direct2Drive and GamersGate, with GamersGate's Theo Bergquist arguing that "in many, many cases we know that GamersGate sell as many units as Steam for the mid-size segment of titles." [74] Luke Plunkett, writing for Kotaku , noted that "none of this bickering involves serious competing with Steam, leading us to believe that the PC scene's pecking order is Steam first, daylight second, and these guys jostling over the last spot on the podium." [75] A July 2010 study conducted by NPD Group failed to list GamersGate among the top 5 digital distribution companies. However, this study was disputed by both GamersGate and Impulse (which also failed to rank). [16] [76]

Localization and expansion

Launched on the World Wide Web from Stockholm, Sweden in 2006, [1] GamersGate has expanded internationally both online and offline. One of its first expansions took place in September 2010 when it opened an online branch within Facebook. [77] Starting with the Swedish site, se.gamersgate.com, [78] Gamersgate launched localized websites throughout Europe in late 2010 and early 2011. Specific versions of GamersGate were made for French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish language customers. [79] The following year, GamersGate announced that, due to a 50 percent growth in sales from the previous year and in anticipation of its upcoming Void advertising program, it would be opening a physical shop and office in New York in 2012. [80] [81]

Competition with other distributors

GamersGate has been in active competition with digital distributors including Steam, Impulse, Direct2Drive, and to a lesser extent OnLive, and Origin. Notably, GamersGate has gained a reputation for sharp criticism of Steam [82] which in 2011 Theo Bergquist suggested was "peaking". [83] Although market statistics convincingly show Steam to be the most dominant player in the digital distribution market, Bergquist argues that this is strictly due to the fact that the market is currently oriented toward the hardcore gamer subculture. [84] [85] Bergquist predicts that Steam will lose market share as the market widens in the future and that GamersGate, with its considerably less cumbersome client-free and DRM-free system, is well positioned to grow rapidly. [86] Disagreement over Steam's embracing of DRM technologies has led GamersGate and others to boycott the distribution of popular titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 that contain software such as IWNET, a player matchmaking service that works through Steam and therefore requires a Steam client and account. [87] Describing games containing such software as Trojan horses, GamersGate and other digital distributors have refused to carry certain games that mandate the installation of client software. [88]

GamersGate's criticism of Impulse has also received extensive coverage in the gaming press. As early as 2009, GamersGate criticized Impulse owner Stardock's analysis of its share of the digital download market as misleadingly self-aggrandizing. A series of back and forth comments between the companies prompted Kotaku's Luke Plunkett to describe GamersGate, Impulse, and Direct2Drive as "guys jostling over the last spot on the podium". [75] Criticism was again levied by GamersGate against Impulse in April 2011 in response to GameStop's acquisition of Impulse from Stardock. GamersGate's Theo Bergquist questioned the wisdom of the purchase, describing Impulse as Steam's "lesser talented stepchild" [89] and summarizing GameStop's press release as "we will do whatever we can to not be the next Blockbuster". [90] GamersGate specifically pointed to shortcomings in Impulse's technological capacities, describing the service as "outdated" and archaic. [91] In response, Stardock CEO Bradley Wardell suggested that the comments from GamersGate were more likely revelatory of GamersGate's financial situation and that perhaps the company wasn't operating as profitably as it claimed. [92] [93] [94]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troika Games</span> American video game developer

Troika Games was an American video game developer co-founded by Jason Anderson, Tim Cain, and Leonard Boyarsky. The company was focused on role-playing video games between 1998 and 2005, best known for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steam (service)</span> Video game digital distribution service

Steam is a video game digital distribution service and storefront managed by Valve. It was launched as a software client in September 2003 to provide game updates automatically for Valve's games and expanded to distributing third-party titles in late 2005. Steam offers various features, like game server matchmaking with Valve Anti-Cheat measures, social networking, and game streaming services. Steam client's functions include game update automation, cloud storage for game progress, and community features such as direct messaging, in-game overlay functions and a virtual collectable marketplace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stardock</span> Software and video game developer

Stardock Corporation is an American software development company founded in 1991 and incorporated in 1993 as Stardock Systems. Stardock initially developed for the OS/2 platform, but was forced to switch to Microsoft Windows due to the collapse of the OS/2 software market between 1997 and 1998. The company is best known for computer programs that allow a user to modify or extend a graphical user interface as well as personal computer games, particularly strategy games such as the Galactic Civilizations series, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, Elemental: Fallen Enchantress, and Ashes of the Singularity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital Extremes</span> Canadian video game developer

Digital Extremes Ltd. is a Canadian video game developer founded in 1993 by James Schmalz. They are best known for creating Warframe, a free-to-play cooperative online action game, and co-creating Epic Games' Unreal series of games. Digital Extremes is headquartered in London, Ontario. In 2014, 61% of the company was sold to Chinese holding company Multi Dynamic, now Leyou, for $73 million. In May 2016 Leyou exercised a call option and increased their stake to 97% of Digital Extremes for a total consideration of $138.2 million US. In December 2020, Tencent bought Leyou for 1.3 billion dollars, which included the majority stake in Digital Extremes that Leyou held.

Digital distribution, also referred to as content delivery, online distribution, or electronic software distribution, among others, is the delivery or distribution of digital media content such as audio, video, e-books, video games, and other software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CCP Games</span> Icelandic video game developer

CCP ehf., doing business as CCP Games, is an Icelandic video game developer based in Reykjavík. Novator Partners and General Catalyst had previously collectively owned a majority stake in the company, and in September 2018, CCP was acquired by South Korean video game publisher Pearl Abyss for $425 million. CCP Games is best known for developing Eve Online, which was released in 2003 and has since been maintained.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stardock Central</span>

Stardock Central was a software content delivery and digital rights management system used by Stardock customers to access components of the Object Desktop, TotalGaming.net and ThinkDesk product lines, as well as products under the WinCustomize brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Wardell</span> American novelist

Bradley R. Wardell is an American businessman, programmer, author and AI engineer. He is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of Stardock, a software development and computer games company.

<i>Sins of a Solar Empire</i> 2008 video game

Sins of a Solar Empire is a 2008 science fiction real-time strategy video game developed by Ironclad Games and published by Stardock Entertainment for Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is a real-time strategy (RTS) game that incorporates some elements from 4X games; its makers describe it as "RT4X". Players are given control of a spacefaring empire in the distant future, and are tasked with conquering star systems using military, economic and diplomatic means.

EA, also known as EA Desktop and formerly known as Origin, is a digital distribution platform for Microsoft Windows and macOS, developed by Electronic Arts for purchasing and playing video games. In October 2022, Origin for Windows was discontinued, directing players to the EA App, with the macOS version remaining as the primary method for users to download and play EA games on that platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impulse (software)</span> Defunct video game distribution platform (2008-14)

Impulse was a digital distribution and multiplayer platform. Originally developed by Stardock to succeed Stardock Central, it was purchased by GameStop in March 2011, and was subsequently rebranded as GameStop PC Downloads, with the client being renamed GameStop App. The client was discontinued in April 2014.

<i>Stalin vs. Martians</i> 2009 video game

Stalin vs. Martians is a parody real-time strategy video game developed by Black Wing Foundation, Dreamlore and N-Game, released on April 29, 2009. Described as "trashy and over-the-top" by its creators, the game mocks World War II strategy games and utilizes pythonesque humor. The developers state that Stalin vs. Martians is "obviously a parody, which sometimes gets close to being a satire" and is "halfway to becoming a trash icon of gaming industry for years". In some interviews the lead designer of the game compares Stalin vs. Martians to the Troma films.

Digital rights management (DRM) is the management of legal access to digital content. Various tools or technological protection measures (TPM), such as access control technologies, can restrict the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. DRM technologies govern the use, modification and distribution of copyrighted works and of systems that enforce these policies within devices. DRM technologies include licensing agreements and encryption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GOG.com</span> Digital video game distribution platform

GOG.com is a digital distribution platform for video games and films. It is operated by GOG sp. z o.o., a wholly owned subsidiary of CD Projekt based in Warsaw, Poland. GOG.com delivers DRM-free video games through its digital platform for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Direct2Drive</span> Video game digital distribution service

Direct2Drive is an online game store offering PC games via direct download.

Humble Bundle, Inc. is a digital storefront for video games, which grew out of its original offering of Humble Bundles, collections of games sold at a price determined by the purchaser and with a portion of the price going towards charity and the rest split between the game developers. Humble Bundle continues to offer these limited-time bundles, but have expanded to include a greater and more persistent storefront. The Humble Bundle concept was initially run by Wolfire Games in 2010, but by its second bundle, the Humble Bundle company was spun out to manage the promotion, payments, and distribution of the bundles. In October 2017, the company was acquired by Ziff Davis through its IGN Entertainment subsidiary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ubisoft Connect</span> Video game service by Ubisoft

Ubisoft Connect is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications service developed by Massive Entertainment to provide an experience similar to the achievements/trophies offered by various other game companies. The service is provided across various platforms. Ubisoft Connect is used exclusively by first-party Ubisoft Entertainment games, and although some third-party ones are sold through the Ubisoft store, they do not use the Ubisoft Connect platform.

In the video game industry, digital distribution is the process of delivering video game content as digital information, without the exchange or purchase of new physical media such as ROM cartridges, magnetic storage, optical discs and flash memory cards. This process has existed since the early 1980s, but it was only with network advancements in bandwidth capabilities in the early 2000s that digital distribution became more prominent as a method of selling games. Currently, the process is dominated by online distribution over broadband Internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denuvo</span> Anti-tamper software

Denuvo Anti-Tamper is an anti-tamper and digital rights management (DRM) system developed by the Austrian company Denuvo Software Solutions GmbH. The company was formed from a management buyout of DigitalWorks, the developer of SecuROM, and began developing the software in 2014. It was introduced with FIFA 15 in September. In addition to Denuvo Anti-Tamper, Denuvo Software Solutions has developed the anti-cheat system Denuvo Anti-Cheat and Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection, which attempts to prevent Nintendo Switch games from being emulated. The company was acquired by Irdeto in January 2018.

<i>Stardock Systems, Inc. v. Reiche</i> 2018 legal case

Stardock Systems, Inc. v. Paul Reiche III and Robert Frederick Ford, 2018 WL 7348858 is a legal case that led to a settlement confirming an intellectual property split for the Star Control series of games. After a motion at the United States District Court, the parties agreed that series creators Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford owned the copyrights for the games Star Control (1990) and Star Control II (1992), while Stardock owned the Star Control trademark, with neither side using each other's intellectual property in future releases.

References

  1. 1 2 Staff. "GamersGate". Gamesindustry.biz. Accessed 12 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 Rosén, Jimmy. Hyperdistribution and the future of copyright economics: A study of the contemporary Nordic Gaming industry . Linköping University, Department for Studies of Social Change and Culture, Culture, Society and Media Production. 2009.
  3. ↑ Staff. "Prima Strategy Guides via GamersGate Archived 2014-10-06 at the Wayback Machine ". Gamershell.com. 30 July 2009.
  4. ↑ Lawler, Tommy (4 March 2009). "Review / GamersGate (PC digital download service)". That VideoGame Blog. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  5. 1 2 "About GamersGate". GamersGate. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. 1 2 Caoili, Eric. "GamersGate Launches Microtransactions Platform". Gamasutra . 9 December 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Reid, Christos. "Alternative Access: Gateway to Gaming Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine " (cont. p.2). The Escapist . Issue 212. 28 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "Paradox Interactive Launches Large-Scale International Digital Distribution Service". GlobeNewswire. 20 November 2006. Retrieved 24 January 2007.
  9. ↑ Lee, James. "GamersGate catalogue surpasses 1000 titles". Gameindustry.biz. 21 April 2009.
  10. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate celebrates 2,000th title available for sale". Gamesindustry.biz. 30 April 2010.
  11. 1 2 Caoili, Eric. "GamersGate To Launch Ad-Supported FreeGames". Gamasutra . 9 June 2011.
  12. ↑ Staff. "LEADING DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM GAMERSGATE ANNOUNCES MASSIVE SUMMER SALE". MCV . 8 July 2013.
  13. 1 2 Young, Shamus. "Experienced Points: Digital Distribution: The Other Guys Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine " (cont. p.2). The Escapist . 27 January 2012.
  14. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate and Rixty Sign Deal: Flexible cash payment options for the GamersGate website". Gamershell.com. Accessed 11 September 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 Wittenkeller, Josh. "Gamersgate officially announces ad-supported free games platform VOID". Gamezebo . 22 May 2012.
  16. 1 2 Nunneley, Stephany. "Impulse and GamersGate don't agree with NPD digital sales results". VG247 . 23 July 2010.
  17. ↑ Ziemer, Joe. "GamersGate: Digital distribution site gets a lick of paint". Gameindustry.biz. 20 May 2014.
  18. ↑ Meer, Alec. "GamersGate: Redesigned, Crazy Sales". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 27 May 2009.
  19. ↑ Bell, Erin. "GamersGate.com gets an overhaul, adds achievements & more". Gamezebo . 22 July 2011.
  20. ↑ Meer, Alec. "A New Suit Of Clothes For GamersGate". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 22 July 2011.
  21. ↑ Tanelon, James. "Editorial: The Paradoxical Pay Policy". The Wargamer . 24 May 2014.
  22. ↑ Smith, Quintin. "Online Outlined: Paradox Connect Announced". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 26 August 2010.
  23. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (2008-12-08). "GamersGate launches new micro-transaction platform". VentureBeat . Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  24. ↑ Staff. "Gamersgate Announces GameNerve Publishing Suite". Gamasutra . 23 June 2008.
  25. ↑ Zeimer, Joel (28 January 2009). "GamersGate to Offer"Client-Free" Experience". Develop . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  26. ↑ Coldewey, Devin (25 February 2009). "Review: GamersGate, an alternative direct-download games service". TechCrunch . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  27. ↑ Chalk, Andy (8 February 2011). "GamersGate CEO: "We're Not Afraid of Steam"". The Escapist . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  28. ↑ Arendt, Susan. "Digital Distribution Is a Matter of Trust Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine ". The Escapist . 31 July 2009.
  29. ↑ Holm, Peter. "Piracy on the simulated seas: the computer games industry's non-legal approaches to fighting illegal downloads of games". Information & Communications Technology Law. Vol.23, Issue 1. Pp.61-76. 2014. DOI 10.1080/13600834.2014.899770
  30. ↑ "Judgment in Case C-128/11: UsedSoft GmbH v. Oracle International Corp. - An author of software cannot oppose the resale of his 'used' licenses allowing the use of his programs downloaded from the Internet". Press Release No.94/12. Court of Justice of the European Union. Luxembourg. 3 July 2012.
  31. ↑ Walker, John. "Crikey: EU Rules You Can Resell Downloaded Games". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 3 July 2012.
  32. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate/2K Games deal". Gamesindustry.biz. 15 August 2008.
  33. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate and Atari Sign Deal". Gamershell.com. 7 September 2007.
  34. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate and Capcom Entertainment Sign Deal". Gamershell.com. 29 April 2008.
  35. ↑ Staff. "EA Joins GamersGate". Gamershell.com. 27 February 2009.
  36. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate.com". Gamesindustry.biz. 23 June 2009.
  37. ↑ Staff. "Koei and GamersGate Sign Deal". Gamershell.com. 22 May 2009.
  38. ↑ Martin, Matt. "Sega inks digital distribution deal with GamersGate". Gamesindustry.biz. 19 January 2009.
  39. ↑ Geddes, Ryan. "GamersGate and THQ Announce Distribution Agreement". IGN . 16 January 2008.
  40. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate distributing THQ stuff online". Eurogamer . 17 January 2008.
  41. ↑ Staff. "Ubisoft Joins GamersGate". Gamershell.com. 12 March 2009.
  42. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate and Vivendi Games Partner To Offer PC Titles Via Digital Download". IGN . 30 June 2008.
  43. ↑ Staff. "Vivendi Games Joins GamersGate". Gamershell.com. 30 June 2008.
  44. ↑ Staff. "Indie Developers Join GamersGate". Gamershell.com. 9 April 2008.
  45. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate/Layernet deal". Gamesindustry.biz. 26 October 2009.
  46. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Signs Exclusive Deal on Selected 1C Titles". IGN . 7 August 2008.
  47. ↑ Elliott, Phil. "GamersGate inks deal with Blitz". Gamesindustry.biz. 11 August 2009.
  48. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Open for German Publisher Crimson Cow". IGN . 3 March 2008.
  49. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Enters Digital Distribution Partnership with Kalypso Media". IGN . 13 Feb 2008.
  50. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Adds Microïds to Growing Portfolio of Publishers". IGN . 10 July 2008.
  51. ↑ Cohen, Peter (10 June 2009). "GamersGate makes play for Mac gamers". Macworld . Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  52. ↑ Peeples, Jemery. "GamersGate Begins Selling Android Games – Has 50% Off Sale Until Tuesday". Hardcore Gamer. 5 May 2014.
  53. ↑ "Mac - GamersGate". GamersGate. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  54. ↑ Duggan, Michael. iPad Multiplayer Magic. Cengage Learning. P.256. 2011. ISBN   9781435459656
  55. ↑ Dillon, Roberto. HTML5 Game Development from the Ground Up with Construct 2. CRC Press. Pg.220. 27 March 2014. ISBN   9781482216615
  56. ↑ Galindo, David. "How much do indie PC devs make, anyways? (Part III)". Gamasutra . 27 June 2011.
  57. ↑ Gillen, Kieron. "Gamersgate Top 10 analysis". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 14 April 2008.
  58. ↑ Staff. "PC download charts: 'Borderlands' franchise ramps up for pre-sequel Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine ". New Tang Dynasty Television . 25 August 2014.
  59. ↑ Peeples, Jeremy. "GamersGate Offers Up Rockstar Bundles". Hardcore Gamer. 20 February 2014.
  60. ↑ Duncan, Alasdair. "Pick your own Rockstar games bundle at GamersGate". Destructoid . 20 February 2014.
  61. ↑ Tan, Maurice. "E3: GamersGate announces ad-supported FreeGames service". Destructoid . 8 June 2011
  62. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Selects Blind Ferret Media as Online Advertising Sales Partner". MCV . 30 June 2011.
  63. 1 2 Rossignol, Jim. "GamersGate Explain FreeGames". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 14 June 2011.
  64. ↑ Rossignol, Jim. "GamersGate FreeGames Beta SignUp". Rock, Paper, Shotgun 9 June 2011.
  65. ↑ Hill, Owen. "Gamersgate Freegames announced". PC Gamer . 10 June 2011.
  66. ↑ O'Conner, Alice. "GamersGate launching ad-supported free games". Shacknews . 9 June 2011.
  67. ↑ "VOID - GamersGate". GamersGate. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  68. ↑ "VOID - GamersGate". GamersGate. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  69. ↑ Elliott, Phil. "The Gate Keeper". Gamesindustry.biz. 4 March 2009.
  70. ↑ Tito, Greg. "Misc - The State of PC Games: Paradox's 2011 Lineup" (cont. pp.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine , 7). The Escapist . 27 January 2011.
  71. ↑ Senior, Tom. "Paradox sales are 90% digital, “we don’t really need retailers any more” says CEO". PC Gamer . 6 July 2011.
  72. ↑ Hill, Owen. "GOG release The Witcher 2 sales stats. Steam dominates all competitors combined". PC Gamer . 11 November 2011.
  73. ↑ Eichner, Andrew W. "Game Over, Insert Coin to Continue: Entering a New Era of Video Game Intellectual Property Enforcement". IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review . Vol.53, No.1. P.123. 27 January 2013.
  74. ↑ O'Connor, Alice. "Digital Distribution Platforms Dispute Market Share, Sling Mud". Shacknews . 1 December 2009.
  75. 1 2 Plunkett, Luke. "PC Download Stores Arguing Over Who Comes After Steam". Kotaku . 1 December 2009.
  76. ↑ Meer, Alec. "Impulse & GamersGate Demand Respect". Rock, Paper, Shotgun . 24 July 2010.
  77. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate.com". Gamesindustry.biz. 17 September 2010.
  78. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Kicks Off European Localization with Swedish Site Launch". IGN . 3 December 2010.
  79. ↑ Elliott, Phil. "GamersGate announces localisation plans". Gamesindustry.biz. 2 December 2010.
  80. ↑ Staff. "GamersGate Expands in New York". Gamershell.com. 22 December 2011.
  81. ↑ Bell, Erin. GamersGate to expand global reach with New York office Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine ". Gamezebo . 22 December 2011.
  82. ↑ Hillier, Brenna. "GamersGate CEO dismisses OnLive, Origin and Steam". VG247 . 20 December 2011.
  83. ↑ Hillier, Brenna. "GamersGate: 'We're not afraid of Steam', Valve's service 'peaking'". VG247 . 8 February 2011.
  84. ↑ Pearson, Dan. "GamersGate: 'We're not afraid of Steam'". Gamesindustry.biz. 8 February 2011.
  85. ↑ Rose, Mike. "GamersGate: 'We're Not Afraid Of Steam'". Gamasutra . 9 February 2011.
  86. ↑ Chalk, Andy. "GamersGate CEO: 'We're Not Afraid of Steam' Archived 2011-08-31 at the Wayback Machine ". The Escapist . 8 February 2011.
  87. ↑ Purchese, Robert. "D2D, Impulse, Gamersgate boycott MW2". Eurogamer . 6 November 2009.
  88. ↑ O'Connor, Alice. "Modern Warfare 2 Shunned by Several Digital Distributors Due to Steam 'Trojan Horse'". Shacknews . 6 November 2009.
  89. ↑ Westbrook, Logan. "GamersGate CEO Thinks Buying Impulse Could Be the Wrong Move for GameStop". The Escapist . 6 April 2011.
  90. ↑ Grayson, Nathan. "Store Wars: GamersGate says GameStop struggling to 'not be the next Blockbuster'". VG247 . 6 April 2011.
  91. ↑ Martin, Matt. "Impulse 'an outdated distribution platform' - GamersGate CEO". Gamesindustry.biz. 6 April 2011.
  92. ↑ Tito, Gre. "Why Stardock Sold Impulse to GameStop Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine " (cont. p.2 Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine ). The Escapist . 7 April 2011.
  93. ↑ Hillier, Brenna. "Stardock CEO responds to GamersGate criticism of Impulse". VG247 . 13 April 2011.
  94. ↑ Jenkins, David. "Stardock hits back at GamersGate criticisms". Gamesindustry.biz. 14 April 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.