GameTap Gets New Licensees, Officially Launches

Turner Broadcasting System's GameTap PC 'broadband entertainment network' officially launched today, following a soft launch two weeks ago, and the company has announced major new publishers and developers to provide content for GameTap, including Electronic Arts, Capcom, Take-Two Interactive Software, First Star Software, Dreamcatcher Interactive, Knowledge Adventure and 3000AD. Talking to the New York Times, representatives from GameTap indicated that the company hopes to attract 1.5 million to 2 million subscribers in two to three years, each paying around $14.95 per month for unlimited play of the GameTap library, though there are lower introductory offers. The service, which recently revealed Stuart Snyder as its general manager, is notable because it dips into the officially licensed back catalog of major game companies such as Activision, Atari, Midway, Namco, Sega, Taito, Ubisoft and Vivendi Universal Games, providing possible new revenue streams for classic titles. The full launch line-up for GameTap reveals possibly the largest officially licensed line-up of classic games ever assembled, including titles for the Sega 32X (Knuckles' Chaotix), arcade systems (Robotron 2084, Asteroids, Galaga), Atari 2600 (Pitfall!, Circus Atari, Breakout), Sega Dreamcast (Hydro Thunder, Mr. Driller), Sega Game Gear (Alien Syndrome, Sonic Labyrinth), Sega Genesis (Gunstar Heroes, Streets Of Rage, Shining In The Darkness), Intellivision (Astrosmash, Night Stalker), Sega Master System (Phantasy Star, Quartet), plus newer titles for Windows (Beyond Good & Evil, Pharaoh, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.) The company also announced a massive promotional campaign advocating for the service, estimated to cost more than $50 million through the end of 2007, and including :15- and :30-second "All About the Games" TV spots now airing throughout North America, as well as Turner's exclusive sponsorship of the first-ever MTV Gaming Week this fall, viral video campaigns, and other major sponsorships.