GameTap

GameTap was an online video-game service created by Turner Broadcasting System, a Time Warner subsidiary, and launched in October 2005. It was designed around the idea of making a broad catalog of computer, console, and arcade games available through an internet-based subscription rather than through physical discs or conventional retail purchase. The concept was associated with Turner employee Blake Lewin and initially positioned GameTap as a digital counterpart to rental businesses such as GameFly, while also attempting to create a broader entertainment destination built around games and related video content. At launch, GameTap offered more than 300 games and subsequently expanded its catalog to more than 1,000 titles. Its licensed library covered a wide range of publishers and rights holders, including Activision, Atari, Midway, Namco, Sega, Taito, Eidos Interactive, Ubisoft, Codemasters, Vivendi Games, Konami, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Take-Two Interactive, Interplay, SNK Playmore, and Humongous Entertainment. The service supported both newer Windows games and older console and arcade titles, with emulation used for many classic releases. GameTap's principal paid offer originally provided access to the full catalog, while a Classic tier concentrated on older games. The company also experimented with direct digital sales and limited free access supported by advertising. GameTap was more than a game library in its original conception. Turner developed GameTap TV as a video section that used elements of the wider Turner entertainment portfolio and commissioned original programming. Its notable projects included Revisioned: Tomb Raider, a ten-part animated anthology featuring different interpretations of Lara Croft, and additional episodes of Space Ghost Coast to Coast. The video initiative was later discontinued, but it reflected Turner's attempt to combine game distribution with online entertainment programming. The brand also funded or exclusively premiered original games. These included Sam & Max Season One and Myst Online: Uru Live. In 2007, GameTap announced Galactic Command: Echo Squad from 3000AD, but the arrangement was canceled in early 2008 after repeated delays and a reassessment of the game's fit with the service's audience. Another prominent project was American McGee's Grimm, a 24-part episodic title that received early publicity through PC Gamer and was presented as a GameTap original. GameTap changed its commercial structure several times. In May 2007 it introduced Visitor, Green, and Gold levels, combining advertising-supported free access with a paid premium tier. Licensing also created catalog instability: in late 2007, the company announced that more than 70 games would leave the service, many associated with Electronic Arts and Interplay, apparently because licensing agreements were expiring. A Humongous Entertainment agreement was restored in early 2008, returning games such as Putt-Putt and Pajama Sam. Turner placed GameTap up for sale in August 2008, and Time Warner sold the service to Paris-based online-game company Metaboli in September of that year. Turner continued operating the service during a transition that extended into 2009, after which GameTap became available outside the United States and Canada. In March 2009, the original GameTap Player was replaced by a browser-oriented plug-in model. The revised structure included Free, Classic, and Premium packs, although the migration caused technical limitations and temporarily disabled some earlier functionality, particularly for users of 64-bit versions of Windows. Metaboli closed its American office in October 2010 and transferred operations to Paris. GameTap remained a Metaboli-owned service until October 2015, when it was shut down. The brand is therefore historically significant as an early large-scale attempt to combine subscription access, emulation, digital distribution, episodic originals, and web video within one game-focused platfo…

GameTap emerged from Turner's effort to apply internet distribution to a broad entertainment catalog. In April 2005, Turner Broadcasting System announced a service intended to provide both classic and contemporary video games online. The project was associated with Turner employee Blake Lewin and launched on October 17, 2005, with more than 300 games. Its library expanded substantially and eventually exceeded 1,000 titles. The service's original proposition resembled a subscription rental library, but without physical media. Members downloaded and played games supplied through the GameTap platform. The catalog included modern Windows releases alongside older console and arcade games, many delivered through emulation. GameTap initially offered Premium access to the complete collection and a Classic offering centered on older titles. It also sold selected games and briefly provided a limited selection for non-paying users. Turner sought to make GameTap a wider media destination. GameTap TV presented game-related programming and Turner-connected content, including Revisioned: Tomb Raider, an animated anthology released in 2007. The service also hosted new Space Ghost Coast to Coast episodes before the video section ended. GameTap funded or premiered original interactive projects, including Sam & Max Season One and Myst Online: Uru Live. It announced Galactic Command: Echo Squad from 3000AD in 2007, but canceled the agreement in early 2008 after delays and a decision that the project was not sufficiently aligned with its audience. American McGee's Grimm was another major original, structured as a 24-part episodic series. The business model changed in May 2007, when GameTap introduced Visitor, Green, and Gold tiers. Visitor and Green were free, with advertising and differing access levels, while Gold retained the essential benefits of the paid service. The catalog was dependent on third-party licenses, and GameTap announced in November 2007 that over 70 games would be removed in December, many apparently because two-year agreements with Electronic Arts and Interplay had expired. A restored Humongous Entertainment license in January 2008 returned several children's and family titles. Turner announced in August 2008 that it was seeking a buyer. In September, Time Warner sold GameTap to Metaboli, a Paris-based online video-game company that intended to build a global service. Turner managed operations during the transition into 2009. Afterward, the service expanded beyond its earlier United States and Canada focus. In March 2009, GameTap replaced its dedicated player with a website plug-in and reorganized subscriptions into Free Pack, Classic Pack, and Premium Pack. The migration created technical problems, including restrictions affecting 64-bit Windows users and the temporary loss of some previous features. In October 2010, Metaboli closed its American office and moved GameTap operations to Paris. The service continued under Metaboli but ultimately ceased operation in October 2015. GameTap's history illustrates the challenges of early digital game subscriptions: it had a large and diverse catalog, experimented with advertising, emulation, original episodic games, and online video, but also faced licensing turnover, software compatibility issues, and customer-service criticism. Its shutdown came before subscription game libraries became a standard feature of major console and PC ecosystems.

1. 2015Shutdown

   Metaboli ended the GameTap service in October.

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2. 2009Plug-in transition

   GameTap replaced its standalone player with a website-based plug-in and introduced new service packs.

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3. 2008Metaboli acquisition

   Time Warner sold GameTap to Metaboli.

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4. 2007Subscription tiers revised

   Visitor, Green, and Gold levels replaced the earlier basic subscription structure.

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5. 2005Turner announces GameTap

   Turner Broadcasting System announced an online service intended to combine classic and current video games.

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6. 2005Service launches

   GameTap launched on October 17 with more than 300 games.

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An early digital game-subscription and entertainment platform offering a large catalog of downloadable and emulated games, supplemented by original games and web video.

• GameTap PremiumGame subscription2005

  The principal full-access subscription, offering the broad GameTap catalog of downloadable Windows games and emulated classic console and arcade titles. It represented the service's central value proposition and was later associated with the Gold and Premium Pack tiers.

• GameTap ClassicClassic game subscription2005

  A lower-cost offering focused on older console and arcade games delivered through emulation. In the later plug-in model, the Classic Pack provided reduced-price access and excluded Windows games.

• GameTap TVOnline video2007

  A video section intended to expand GameTap beyond interactive software. It hosted original and licensed entertainment, including Revisioned: Tomb Raider and additional Space Ghost Coast to Coast episodes, before being discontinued.

• American McGee's GrimmEpisodic video game2008

  A GameTap original developed as a 24-part episodic series by American McGee. The project exemplified the service's attempt to use exclusive original content to differentiate its subscription library.

• Revisioned: Tomb RaiderAnimated web series2007

  A ten-film animated anthology that reinterpreted Lara Croft through contributions from different animators, writers, and comic artists. The series was released through GameTap TV and featured Minnie Driver as Croft's voice.

• 2009Replace the GameTap Player with a plug-inGeneration change

  GameTap revised its delivery technology and subscription structure during the transition to Metaboli management.

  What changed. The standalone GameTap Player was replaced by a website-based plug-in, with Free Pack, Classic Pack, and Premium Pack options.

  Aftermath. The migration caused technical limitations, including compatibility restrictions for some 64-bit Windows users and the loss of certain earlier features.

  Source
• 2008Sell GameTap to MetaboliM&A

  Turner Broadcasting announced that it was seeking a buyer for the service.

  What changed. Time Warner sold GameTap to Paris-based Metaboli, which took ownership as a wholly owned subsidiary.

  Aftermath. Turner managed operations during a transition into 2009, after which Metaboli expanded the service's availability beyond the United States and Canada.

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• 2008Cancel the Galactic Command: Echo Squad agreementOther

  The announced 3000AD project experienced repeated delays after being presented as a GameTap original.

  What changed. GameTap ended its deal with 3000AD in early 2008, stating that the title was not the right fit for its audience.

  Aftermath. The planned four-part episodic release did not proceed as a GameTap project.

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• 2007Introduce advertising-supported access tiersStrategy

  GameTap sought to broaden access beyond paid subscribers while retaining a premium membership for the full catalog.

  What changed. It introduced Visitor and Green free levels, supported by advertising, alongside the paid Gold tier.

  Aftermath. The change marked a significant shift from a primarily subscription-based model toward a mixed free-and-paid structure.

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• 2015GameTap service shuts down

  Metaboli discontinued GameTap in October 2015.

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• 2010Metaboli closes its American GameTap office

  Metaboli transferred GameTap operations to Paris after shutting its American office.

  Leadership change
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• 2009GameTap moves to a plug-in delivery model

  The original GameTap Player was replaced by a website-based plug-in, alongside new Free, Classic, and Premium service packs.

  Product generation
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• 2008Humongous Entertainment catalog returns to GameTap

  A renewed license restored several Humongous Entertainment games to the service.

  Other
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• 2008Turner seeks a buyer for GameTap

  Turner Broadcasting announced that it was exploring a sale of the service.

  M&A
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• 2008Metaboli acquires GameTap

  Time Warner sold GameTap to Paris-based online game service Metaboli, which operated it as a wholly owned subsidiary.

  M&A
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• 2007GameTap introduces Visitor, Green, and Gold tiers

  The service revised its business model to combine advertising-supported free levels with a paid Gold membership.

  Pricing
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• 2007GameTap announces removal of more than 70 games

  The company said that over 70 titles would leave the catalog, with many removals linked to Electronic Arts and Interplay licensing.

  Other
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• 2005Turner announces GameTap game service

  Turner Broadcasting System announced plans for an online service combining classic and newer video games.

  Product launch
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• 2005GameTap launches with more than 300 games

  GameTap began service on October 17 with a catalog exceeding 300 titles.

  Product launch
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1. GameTap