Overview
GameTap was an online video‑game service and digital distribution platform established by Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) in 2005. It offered subscribers access to a library of classic arcade, console, and PC games, as well as original video content under the “GameTap TV” brand.
History
- Founding and Launch – Conceived by Turner employee Blake Lewin, GameTap was announced in April 2005 and launched on October 17 2005 with a catalog of over 300 titles.
- Service Model – Operated as a subscription‑based rental service, similar to mail‑order services such as GameFly. Two subscription tiers were offered:
- Premium – Full access to the entire game library.
- Classic – Access limited to older console and arcade titles running via emulation.
- Original Content – In addition to games, GameTap produced original video series (e.g., Revisioned: Tomb Raider, new episodes of Space Ghost Coast to Coast) and a curated “GameTap TV” channel that leveraged Turner’s media catalog.
- Acquisition – In 2008, Turner sold GameTap to the French online‑gaming company Metaboli, which intended to expand the service globally.
- Decline and Closure – Over time, competition from emerging streaming platforms and changes in digital distribution led to a reduction of free‑play offerings and diminished subscriber numbers. Metaboli discontinued the service in October 2015.
Features and Offerings
- Game Library – Included titles from major publishers such as Activision, Atari, Midway, Namco, Sega, Taito, Ubisoft, Konami, Electronic Arts, Capcom, and others.
- Emulation – Classic games were delivered via emulated environments to run on Windows PCs.
- Multiplayer Support – Many multiplayer titles could be played locally on a single machine; additional online play was enabled through virtual‑private‑network tools such as Hamachi. Leaderboard tournaments were organized weekly.
- Digital Purchases – Beyond subscription access, GameTap also sold individual games for download.
Legacy
GameTap is remembered as an early attempt to provide on‑demand gaming via broadband streaming and subscription, preceding modern cloud‑gaming services. Its integration of video content with game distribution was a distinctive aspect of its platform. The service’s shutdown in 2015 marked the end of its decade‑long presence in the digital games market.
