Freeware games are available every day here
(24 posts) (14 voices)-
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruThanks Raybare any reference to free games is appreciated; however you'll find references to Gametop all over theses forums and in the game giveaway comments section as well (I frequently point to similar games to the game giveaway from Gametop. Ovrall a great site to visit if you haven't already.
You really should post warnings about the potential threat of home page hijacking and the inclusion of toolbars when you install ony of Gametops games rather than just post a link to the site as some community members may get caught out.
Most of their games include a wrapper that asks if you want these (the tool bar and your home page changing) installed. By default the tick boxes are always ticked and can easily be missed by an over zeleous user. Also your browser is opened everytime you close down a Gametop game. That said, the games from Gametop are okay. There are at least 100 to choose from now and the list is growing monthly; (There were only 40 games back in 2006 when I first discovered Gametop)
Another free games site you may be interested in is http://www.FreeGamePick.com though they have recently started to be more agressive with respect to toolbars and browser hijacking. A lot of the games now require you to instal the toolbar and allow your home page to be changed to FreeGamePick. The average user will probably not know how to change their home page back to default, so I think most of those games are now out of bounds unless you're desperate to play one fo free. They (FreeGamePick are now similar to yet another free games site called MyPlaycity. you can find the odd game from both sites free of these restrictions, but not many.
Posted 14 years ago # -
It's a bit annoying but if that's the price to pay for free games that don't have the ads in the middle (far MORE annoying), I'm willing to "pay" it. It's not a lot different than Alawar games now. There's the "wrapper" that you have to go through coming and going and it's basically the same annoyance. I can circumvent the wrapper/manager for some developers (like Sandlot and Big Game Fish) but not Alawar.
The one thing with FreeGamePick is you must create your own corrected shortcut if you don't install the toolbar. I always delete the toolbar folder it sticks in and then make hidden files visible to find the correct executable and then create the shortcut from here. I hide the files again after I create the shortcut. If you don't, the game WILL NOT RUN. Their shortcut REQUIRES the toolbar to run the game.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Terri218
MemberI always disconnect my DSL connection when I play games so the sites that try to get me to go to their web page when I exit the game just cause a window to open up and a "site not found error". Even sites that require you to be connected to the internet to activate the game (like GH or SW Clubs), don't require a connection once the game is open.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredDear fellow freebie hunters, most if not all games from gametop, freegamepick / myrealgames (.com) use the famous INNO setup packager to create the setup exe. There is a tiny and easy to use open source utility that will unpack those setup files directly, allowing you to extract the games like a ZIP instead of installing them by running the EXE, thereby avoiding all of the pifalls of the installation process (toolbars, scattered shortcuts, hidden files, etc.). If you can handle basic file management tasks with Explorer then you won't have to run one of those obnoxious installers again.
Download innounp, the Inno Setup Unpacker at http://innounp.sourceforge.net (specifically: innounp029.rar)
innounp029.rar contains a single exe and an html help file, extract these files to a new folder that you can work in. If you can't handle a RAR file then perhaps you can ask a friend for help or use this service to unpack the file for you: http://wobzip.org
After it's unpacked, right-click innounp.exe and create a shortcut to it in the same folder, then right-click the shortcut and select 'properties'.
Change the 'target' line by adding " -x download.exe" to the end of it, as in this example:
c:\Downloads\Inno\innounp.exe -x download.exe
You now have an example shortcut that you can modify to eXtract any inno setup based download.
There are several ways to proceed from here but I'd suggest making a copy of your example shortcut for each file you wish to extract (via a quick copy and paste). Then copy the game download into your working folder and modify the new shortcut properties to change the generic download.exe to the name of your downloaded file. Example: ...\innounp.exe -x fun-and-bullets.exe
An alternate method would be to copy the game download to your working folder and rename the download itself to 'download.exe', to match the command line in the example shortcut. This may be easier and more foolproof for some and would not require any additional shortcut editing.
When you double-click the shortcut it will invoke the command line for extracting (-x) the setup package and the contents will be unpacked to the current folder.
In the case of fun-and-bullets (the newest breakout clone) there will be an {app} and a {tmp} folder extracted. The temp folder contains the toolbar setup and can be deleted. The {app} folder contains the game files, it also contains a second Toolbar folder which can also be deleted.
Then all you do is rename the {app} folder to the name of the game and move it wherever you wish to on your drive, or archive it as is for future use. After you move the game folder you should create a shortcut to the game exe, name it whatever you like and then move it to wherever you want it.
Then be sure to delete the extracted bits and pieces from your working folder before proceeding with another download (toolbar folders, install_script.iss, etc).
This is a simple and refreshing way to 'install' those great free games by bypasing the installer entirely, avoiding and nullifying all of the stuff mentioned at the start. I welcome others to write and post a better tutorial than this for sharing this info in the future.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruSounds good, but to be honest when you agree to download and play one of those games your supposed to be accepting the licence that's provided with that game. Basically Gametop, Freegamepick, Myplaycity and other distributors are paying the developers of those games to be able to give away the games on the understanding that you allow your browser to open up to their web site. Circumventing the process is basically denying these sites of revenue which goes towards new games (plus of course earning to the site owners).
I know it's annoying having your browser opened up, but if you don't like it you should be supporting the developer by buying a clean version. that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it, lol)
W.R.
Posted 14 years ago # -
RosnSC
MemberW.R., your explanation/rationale sounds reasonable to me. I agree with your last sentence, too. I would rather have the 'inconvenience' of my browser being opened to the games web site (no harm done there, to my knowledge), than to sit through periodic, though brief, ads throughout the game play.
Sue
Posted 14 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredWhiterabbit, distributors like the ones mentioned all allow offline play (including mostfun and gamehouse), which means no additional (beyond the point of sale) ad revenue can be generated by such users. Think about that. Yet here you come trying to shame people like Terri because they don't trust these programs to have unfettered net access. These distributors don't demand the games have internet access to play so why should you? Don't play at being superior about it. Their business model is based on averages, assuming that most people will always be online and recieving ads, allowing for those who aren't. Perhaps you should start promoting freebies from sites like iWin since you feel so strongly about the requirement for net access and ad impressions.
Anyway, I agree with Dragonlair about the willingness to pay.
By the way, extracting the installer directly has nothing at all to do with stopping the browser from opening when the game exits, it doesn't affect that at all, it has everything to do with avoiding toolbars, web browser changes, useless license agreements and an explosion of shortcuts all over your pc due to the messy installer routines. It's easier than installing inside Sandboxie and then moving the game folder out to your main system, but that's also a great method for avoiding system clutter.
cheers raybare
My commercial freebie choices:
http://www.mostfun.com
(the biggest and best, with in game ads )http://gametop.com
http://freegamepick.com
http://myrealgames.com
(install with deliberate caution, browser launches when game exits)http://gamehouse.com
http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/genmorefun.htm
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/sponsored-trials/sponsored-trials/1354605
(all use in game ads)http://www.jenkatgames.com/free
(just say no to everything during install, including shortcuts, games are then free with no ads)I also check out Alawar's monthly gamebox freebie (no ads), Sandlot's weekly freebie (no ads) and BigFish's daily deal:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231711&page=43Posted 14 years ago # -
ZF - I tried your JenKat link and I have one complaint about it - it gives NO choices at all during install. However, I was able to just MOVE the two games I downloaded to where I wanted them (NOT in Program Files) and created shortcuts from there. It seems to work fine.
It also created desktop shortcuts for the games which I do not use (my desktop is black with no icon visibility turned off). It creates it's shortcut group for the game in the user's stuff rather than ProgramData (all users).
All problems are correctable but a bit of a pain.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Buzz,
Any site that has .rar in download links is suspicious. I would say there is a very good chance that this guy does not have the right to be offering them - in other words - he's violating copyright!
Note his "Dislaimer"
We are not storing any files in our hosting. We are only providing link resources from the other sites. All information and links are here for educational purposes only and are intended to satisfy the curiosity of our visitors only. If you find any illegal content, please report at the prospective website as we have no control over other hosting. The creators of this site take no responsibility for consequences of using provided information on this site. However, you can help us remove this bulk link from here by email us. Thanks for keeping this service clean.Agreeing with this Disclaimer YOU undertake obligation not to use links and information from this site for purposes forbidden by The International Laws. If you agree with these terms you are welcome to continue using materials provided on this site. Otherwise YOU MUST LEAVE this page immediately!
That "Educational Use" only is a standard statement to try to work around copyright laws.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruWhat on earth are you talking about ZF. i.e trying to shame Terri" I was trying to point out that trying to circumvent the wrapper that they include with the games you download from gametop is wrong. I was not trying to shame Terri, in fact I was trying to show that what you are suggesting isn't legal.
Posted 14 years ago # -
@ Buzz and others who found a site with "free" games:
When you are not sure about the legality of a website, please send us (admin/mods) a PM with the link, before you post it.
Dragonlair is right, the Disclaimer is typical for warez sites.
You all may download what and from where you like to, if you don't feel bad with stolen programmes; however, these links may not be published in the GOTD forums.
Thanks!graylox
Posted 14 years ago # -
FireBride
MemberRegarding ZF's list of freeware game sites, beware of games downloaded from Jenkat games. When some of the games offered by Jenkat Games start to download, WEB of TRUST gives an immediate warning, indicating the download links as a RED" warning site which is the worst rating and to be avoided.
I was going to download the game "Turtix" and then got the RED warning from WOT, so I aborted the download"
WR, I think you were being unfairly attacked by the comments ZF directed at you. Never do you act "superior" in fact, you have been only helpful and humble, many times ignoring your own pain and discomfort to assist all of us on this website.....
Posted 14 years ago # -
A few more notes on the Jenkat site.
I saw that WOT warning only if I clicked on the image of the game to try to get more information. I have CoolPreviews as an add-on for FF so I just hovered over the down arrow to get the icon and then popped it up for a description of the game and the download link. I downloaded 8 games and none gave me a WOT warning. A further test by Avira showed the downloads and the installs clean.
I did note that all the initial downloads were the same size (I think it was 1778 Kb). That was just the IntellQ installer. It took you through the "accept" (for the licensing) and at least 5 "declines" for the various products before it started the "real" download and install.
As I mentioned before, there were NO options given at this stage. However, I was able to MOVE the folders created from Program files to where I wanted them. I later noticed that the folders were far too small! For 7 of the 8 games, MOST of the actual game files were placed in C:\Program Files\Common Files\ in a folder name matching the game. I was able to MERGE in each case, that folder with the one I had already moved. Also, in each case, the original "main application" no longer worked but the one copied from Common Files did and everything is fine.
It's a lot of hassle to keep your system clean with this kind of garbage going on. It's just as well that they don't have that many free games!
You have to be very careful when the install is complete. It pops up your browser with an offer to download their "arcade". I do not recommend that one at all! Just close the browser (it's not a hijack).
After all this, I have one question. Has anybody downloaded and installed "Mr. Biscuits: Private Investigator" from them? It's a HOG and it's the one game that did not put the majority of the files into Program Files\Common Files and I cannot find the rest of them. What I have is far too small. I did a search of my entire hard disk for "biscuit" and all I found were the files, folders and shortcuts I knew about. Any help?????
Diane
Posted 14 years ago # -
Never mind my question about Mr. Biscuits. Somehow I do seem to have all the file gathered. The file size related to the size reported on the site is about right. I don't know how I got it confused.
I had to post again because it had been too long and the "edit" button was gone!
Posted 14 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredDragonlair (I wrote this before I saw your 'never mind'), I'm on dialup and can't easily snag a 44mb file for testing, but I can tell you that I have Mr. Biscuits already from Mostfun and the installation folder is 50mb, which means the installed game isn't much bigger than the download. I can also tell you that I've only picked up two or three games from Jenkat's free section so far and in each case the game itself was installed to Program Files and an additional single exe was placed in Common Files.
Whiterabbit wrote: "I was trying to point out that trying to circumvent the wrapper that they include with the games you download from gametop is wrong. I was not trying to shame Terri, in fact I was trying to show that what you are suggesting isn't legal."
Trying to show that extracting a setup exe isn't legal? You couldn't be more wrong about that Whiterabbit. In fact, to whip out the word 'illegal' is compeletely ridiculous, you might feel feel it's wrong (I don't believe it is and I try to hold to high moral values) but it's not even remotely illegal by any standards. I wasn't inclined to say much more but I'm surely not going to let that statement stand.
All setup exes are self-extracting archives, I use inno unpacker all the time on freeware utilities and other things because I hate installers, I prefer to extract files and move them and create my own shortcut. Programs like 7-zip will open and extract many installers (but perhaps you think that's illegal). As for using innounp, in the case of an inno exe a right-click look at properties will usually reveal if they are packed by inno, a free product that is arguably the most popular setup program due to its use of the unbeatable 7-zip compression routines.
To clarify from earlier, regarding "What on earth are you talking about" and "I think you were being unfairly attacked":
Whiterabbit wrote: "distributors are paying the developers of those games to be able to give away the games on the understanding that you allow your browser to open up to their web site. Circumventing the process is basically denying these sites of revenue."
That statement didn't appear to apply to me, thus I defended the earlier posters who choose to play offline or don't let their games or browser connect to the internet.
Whiterabbit wrote: "I know it's annoying having your browser opened up, but if you don't like it you should be supporting the developer by buying a clean version."
That statement was the icing on the cake that made me suggest he was being superior about the matter, I wrote it to give him pause. The implication seemed to be that if you don't do things the way he thinks is best then you are on some kind of inferior path and should be ashamed of yourself. Thus I pointed out that the distributors allow for no-ad players and that he shouldn't be making it his duty to shame people, telling them they should be doing this or that, or that it's wrong to do what is clearly allowed.
In any event, I've wanted to post those links and tips for what their worth, to give back to those who've given similar in the past, and with that I'm finished. Cheers.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Inas
Member@serenity - below is an URL for the macrumors.com free MAC-compatible games site. I also included the MYWOT & Site Advisor score/rating results for the MAC site. Enjoy!
_____________________________________________________________________________________SITE ADVISOR - Clean, Safe Rating for the MAC Free Games Site
Posted 14 years ago # -
Michelle
MemberTerri how could you? LOL. Gamehouse and Gametop know that people do this and they don't mind. For example I use to do this too when I shared an internet connection with my father when I had Verizon dsl with (Verizon's games on demand). I use to open up a game and tell my dad he could use the internet connection and disconnect from the internet. I guess that is also illegal.
http://gamesondemand.verizon.net/do/general?jspName=signUp -not free
That was before I went with realarcade. Now I don't have verizon anymore either. I have Comcast.
Posted 14 years ago #
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