Information wants to be Free, just like these games

[Sarcasmorator]

The companies whose games are going up on Epic for free are getting paid to offer them for free. It's a loss leader for Epic to get people to keep visiting the store. I don't know if they get a per-copy amount or not, but opting out and lowering the claim numbers is something I consider worthwhile nevertheless.

 

[Issun]

I forgot about Nicalis. It's each person's choice where to draw the line, and I'm not going to tell you where your line is.

 

[Mogri]

On the one hand, Nicalis ain't getting a red cent of players' money for a free game and a game on the Epic storefront is probably easier to get running properly with minimal fuss on a modern computer than a 16 year-old freeware title.

On the other hand, fuck Nicalis and its shitty leader and shitty practices.

It is overwhelmingly likely that Epic compensates developers for the games they make free. I'm less sure whether they do so in proportion to the number of downloads they receive.

 

[MetManMas]

It is overwhelmingly likely that Epic compensates developers for the games they make free. I'm less sure whether they do so in proportion to the number of downloads they receive.

This is exactly why I specified players' money. I figured that Epic was compensating Nicalis for making their version of the game free.

 

[MCBanjoMike]

I'm pretty sure the people giving away free games on Epic are getting paid, at least a certain amount. As much as it pains me to say this, maybe skip this one.

 

[John]

Witcher 1 Enhanced Edition is free on GoG Galaxy as well. CD Projekt Red's not spotless, but at least they won't be giving money to anyone shitty by you adding this one to your inventory.

 

[YangusKhan]

This conversation makes me wonder how Sony handles compensation for its free PS+ games, as well... probably a similar thing as Epic store, really.

 

[Sarcasmorator]

You can pretty much assume the publisher gets paid something for whatever is "free," it's a common loss leader marketing thing.

I wouldn't give anyone crap for taking the Epic deal, just wanted folks to be aware of Nicalis maybe not being a company to support, if you wanna go that way.

 

[Purple]

Honestly if anyone's morally conflicted about grabbing a free copy of Nicalis-flavored Cave Story but DOESN'T have a problem with... well, grabbing a game developed and published by CDPR, via the storefront they also run, we need to have a very long and serious talk about where the lines are on things and how many you missed that particular company cartwheeling over while wearing a MAGA hat over the last few years.

But again, "don't accept this thing being handed to you for free" is really getting hardcore on not supporting someone, up there with "don't even pirate a copy because even just talking about it with people is giving the company free publicity." And at least in that case it's not like the people offering the deal are paying jerks out, they just are the jerks personally eating a loss.

 

[Kishi]

Cave Story is free on Epic through the 10th.

Cave Story is always free, forever. https://www.cavestory.org/download/cave-story.php

 

[pudik]

Pillars of Eternity: definitive and tyranny: gold are games on epic this week. been wanting to play both so neat

 

[John]

Epic's doing daily free games for a holiday promotion. Cities Skylines is up today, must be claimed in the next 24 hours. Their store is having problems for me at the moment, so might be best to try again later in the day.

 

[DANoWAR]

Epic's doing daily free games for a holiday promotion. Cities Skylines is up today, must be claimed in the next 24 hours. Their store is having problems for me at the moment, so might be best to try again later in the day.

I got it.

 

[Sarcasmorator]

Everyone also has a $10 Epic coupon for the holiday sale, so if you want to get, say, SW Squadrons for $14, now is the time

 

[John]

Oddworld: New and Tasty's today's game. I've got a soft spot for the Oddworld games, played the first one a ton in high school.

 

[John]

Today's title is The Long Dark, which I know nothing about. A list of upcoming games was leaked, and may or may not be accurate, but lined up to the first 3 games.

Defense Grid
Alien: Isolation
Metro 2033
Tropico 5
Inside
Darkest Dungeon
My Time in Portia
Night in the Woods
Stranded Deep
Solitairica
Torchlight II
Jurassic World Evolution

 

[MCBanjoMike]

The Long Dark is probably the game I'm most excited about, assuming that potential list is correct. It'll be nice to get a free copy of Darkest Dungeon, since mine is trapped on the Vita of all places.

 

[John]

The Long Dark's out now, so you're in luck.

 

[Troa11]

Today only you can get all the Ubisoft giveaways at once if you missed any over the last week (which I did) plus get Anno 1701. Honestly I only care because Starlink.

 

[MCBanjoMike]

Ooh, Trials Rising is among the free Ubi games. I'll always take a free Trials game.

 

[Ixo]

From the Cyberpunk Playlist thread:

I haven't played this yet but GoG is giving away Brigador for the next 68 hours, a cyberpunk mech action strategy game.

I haven't played it but I remember Austin Walker saying it's good. Here is a more mixed RPS review, but I'll definitely try it if it's free.

 

[MCBanjoMike]

Holy shit, the version of Brigador they're giving away includes the incredible synthwave soundtrack. Get it now!!

 

[Aleryn]

Thanks to Estragon and Ixo for the free Brigdor game +soundtrack. I've been watching the game for awhile and its nice to get it free, particularly via GoG [lack of DRM.]

 

[John]

RAGE 2's free on Epic this week. Don't know if it's good or bad, but it's free, and that's good. I played the first one for about an hour and liked it, so maybe I'll do the same.

 

[Ixo]

Passing the message on from Four-So: Sony's Play at Home 2021

The 2016 Ratchet & Clank is free right now until the end of the month, and starting in a week through April 22nd they'll be giving away:
- Abzû
- Enter the Gungeon
- Rez Infinite
- Subnautica
- The Witness

And these VR games:
- Astro Bot Rescue Mission
- Moss
- Thumper
- Paper Beast

Then Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition will be free from April 19th through May 14th.

So yeah! Be sure to hop on all of that! At the very least, make Ixo happy and play Rez Infinite.

 

[MetManMas]

I already own Ratchet & Clank 2016. Bought it 'cuz I wanted more stuff like that in the PS4 catalog; disappointingly that movie tie-in/R&C1 remake was the only one we got on PS4.

Anyway...ABZÛ and Subnautica? Very nice. I really liked ABZÛ when I played it via Games With Gold; I know it's basically "What if Journey, but water?" but I really like a nice scenic ocean game. Also been meaning to get Subnautica so this is certainly welcome!

The other stuff's nice as well! Even though I can't play 'em I will definitely add the VR games to my catalog in case I get a headset later on.

 

[Falselogic]

Subnautica is amazing!

 

[Aleryn]

That's A LOT of good stuff for free. Thanks Ixo.

 

[Exposition Owl]

Subnautica is amazing!

 

[MCBanjoMike]

Do you have to actually own a PS4 to get this stuff? If you can just go to the store and add them to your PSN account, I might do that for the day I actually get a PS4 or 5.