On Demand Entertainment is an idea that is sweeping across cable. You can currently watch many movies and specials whenever you want, and most will even allow you to pause or rewind the program. Giving the viewer the ability to watch whatever they want, whenever they want, puts the viewer in control. With video games becoming more main stream there is a new service coming out that promises on-demand gaming, GameTap .

GameTap will allow the gamer to play whatever game they want at any time from there PC. The website even boasts some original titles that will go along with hundreds of back logged games from old school systems. This seems like a cool idea, but will it actually work?

Retro gaming is big business. Many older gamers are getting a chance to relive their childhood gaming bliss with products aimed to bring them back. The Nintendo Revolution was rumored to possibly give gamers a chance to access the extensive Nintendo library of games. I would be lying if I said I never busted out my old Nintendo 64 and played some Goldeneye. But would I pay for such a service?

As with any video game system it all depends on the games. I think this could be very popular with gamers that like to try many different games. The original titles will be an important factor for this service. If GameTap could possibly secure exclusive rights to a few games that would certainly bring in the subscribers. But the biggest factor in the success of GameTap will be multiplayer.

It is not mentioned on the website but if GameTap is to stand a chance it has to have multiplayer of some sort. The older games will most likely not have multiplayer, but allowing players to compete against each other and keep score on a leader board will be vital. I am interested to see how this service unfolds and for those interested you can still sign up for the beta test.

-Seth (25-July-2005)

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