GameTap Launches 'GameTap Original' Label

Turner Broadcasting System has announced that it has formed a new label for its GameTap subscription PC 'all you can eat' gaming service, which currently offers over 700 licensed video games for download and play on demand. The new label, "GameTap Original", will represent a continuation of existing licensing agreements, as well as see new partnerships formed with additional independent developers and publishers to bring more original titles to the service. According to GameTap representatives, the goal of the new label is to “identify talented creators and enable them to take a new approach to games by providing a publishing infrastructure where sell-through isn't the sole metric for success.” In addition, representatives note that they are currently working with multiple developers, and have also opened up the submission process to game designers interested in bringing their projects to the service. Sam & Max: Episode 1, which launches today exclusively on GameTap, as well as the upcoming Myst Online: Uru Live, are two examples of franchises that GameTap has co-published and helped bring back to life. While nothing specific was announced regarding upcoming franchises set to debut as part of the new GameTap Original label, representatives did note that it will be used to identify soon to be announced episodic games based on renowned TV and film franchises. Finally, supporting its new GameTap Original label, GameTap will be the premiere sponsor of the 9th Annual Independent Games Festival, held in conjunction with the 2007 Game Developers Conference to celebrate the innovation and creativity of independent game developers. "Gaming is a creative industry by nature, and GameTap is committed to supporting innovation on the PC platform," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's vice president of content. "Video games are also becoming increasingly more expensive to develop, which is a hindrance to the pure creativity of the industry. GameTap Original will break down some of that barrier."