Digital Downloads for Gamers

Beth Galloway. "Digital Downloads for Gamers."
This is an excellent "core collection" of video games, many free, from an expert on them.

Tips
--email as a librarian, ask what kind of deals offered for multiple orders.
--ask whether can "beta test" games and get things for free this way.

Subscription Services:
GameTap- 900+ arcade games retro style. $7-$10/mo. 8 logins. No public performance.
Comcast Games on Demand- $15/mo. also has KidsPlay which has 72 titles. All sorted by ratings.
PlayFirst- By Viacom. $19.95/game/machine. 1 Fee per download.
Direct2Drive- $20-$50. Like going to GameStop for a game. Cheat codes, reviews at ign.com.
Shockwave Unlimited- Free. $5 to $10/mo. takes away all ads.
Overdrive- Also will have games available in Sept. 70 titles. Unlimited checkout. Educational slant, mostly for home users.

Free or Cheap:
Steam- Allows public performance. steampower.com
**StepMania- DDR for fingers. Open source. Kids can create dances & steps
**Snood- Word of Mousegames Puzzle & shooter games.
Apple Corps- Mr. Potato Head, except fruit, vegetables, political heads.
funbrain.com- Educational games with math, reading, science, etc.
Girl Scouts- girlsgotech.org
Neopets- Virtual pet. Highly commercial.
Webkinz- Toy, trivia. Earn coupons to win money off stuff.
Darfur is Dying- Genocide simulation game. Empathy next goal in video game designers path.
**Runescape- Medieval styled MMDRGP. Good place to start.
**Kingdom of Loathing- Free and funny turn-based RPG with online chat group option.
iFiction- Archive of over 250 text adventure games like Star Wars, Hitchhikers, Zork, etc. Background, precursors to popular games of today that involve decision making.
Setgame- Daily set puzzles.
Addicting games- 2D Games.

Bonus:
Education Arcade- Learning through authentic and engaging play.
Games for Change- Global warming, health, politics, etc.
Gaia Online- 3D digital community. Create avatar, buy something for it.
Second Life- 3D world created/owned by residents. Tons of games within.
America's ARMY- Great, free shoot-em, forums filled with antiwar conversations.