Doing it on the cheap!

If you’re stuck for cash but desperate for a new gaming fix this January, ‘subscriction-less’ (ahem, free) gaming should probably be top of your list of cheap entertainment thrills.

First, a little background: technological advances mean high quality gaming can now be delivered by high class programmers and game designers without any money changing hands.

How does the model work? Essentially, as with most internet businesses, a more committed few pay for the rest of us to game for free. Beware: you may enter into a game with no intention of shelling out for the latest headgear, sword, Nike Air Max (or whatevs) for your representative on virtual earth before becoming so enamoured with some piece of kit or other that you simply have to have it. Now.

Understandably, people – and, it seems, Irish people in particular – have some reservations about ‘free’ gaming (although shooting the little coloured balls at the other little coloured balls was a very popular diversion during my time in UCD). On the other hand, if recent reports on the evolving mentality of the Irish consumer are to be believed, we will stop seeing free gaming as ‘too good to be true’ and swiftly judge it a gift horse.

‘Subscrition-less’ gaming – an Irish success story

Interestingly, the ‘subscription-less’ market is home to an Irish-based Europe-wide success story. Digital Exchange based games publisher gPotato are among the leading suppliers of free games and are one of the few Irish-based companies that can legitimately be described as ‘thriving’ in the current economic climate.

I tested two games offered by gPotato, and will admit to being surprised and pretty impressed by both.

First up was ‘entry level’ offering ‘Dragonica’. This has been up and running for several months now. A cartoonish side scroller reminiscent of such well loved classics from back in the day as Golden Axe, though far smoother and superbly well animated, it also has obvious echoes of the modern Zelda games. ‘Dragonica’ offers a reasonable amount of complexity and diverse options in terms of character selection. You start out as one of four basic options and customise your character to your heart’s content.

In terms of difficulty, it will satisfy discerning gamers, at least for a while, but is easy enough to just pick up and play straight off the bat. Jumping, whacking bad guys and using combos accrue points within mission success in which will make your character stronger. Another bonus is that Heroes Of Gaia can be played via a console controller – dig out your SNES or Megadrive from the attic – meaning there is no time wasted learning a point and click system, and a more dynamic style of play is possible.

However, ‘Dragonica’ is not a game designed to satisfy those in search of really deep complexity and sophistication.

For that, gPotato are developing the ambitious Allods Online, which is in the latter stages of testing before its general release. This is a game intended to hook the World of Warcraft loving masses. The game’s concept is engaging – basically, groups of players build and control large flying galleons with crew member taking on different roles aboard the ship. Long range cannon battles and boarding of enemy ships, followed by melee combat, are the basics of the action.

Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ Trilogy

Again, I took a test drive. Again, I was impressed. The Allods world feels as though it has been inspired by the Phillip Pullman ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy – no bad thing. It actually looks terrific – with beautiful skyscapes and nicely put together ship interiors to stare out at them from – and there is also a large selection of characters to step into – you can choose to play on one of two sides in a larger conflict.

In terms of the action, the long-range cannon v cannon warfare is particularly well rendered with ships swooping and soaring. Battles upon boarding are a tricky test based: can a stronger opposing crew wreck the lovely galleon you’ve invested all that time (and, just maybe, a little money) in building from scratch. Melee combat is arguably slightly slower than ideal but pretty well done.

I won’t claim to be an expert on World of Warcraft or its imitators, but the buzz among those in the know is positive and, of course, there is no cost involved in giving it a go.

Of course, it’s not all swords and sorcery: there are lots more free games out there - with sports games among those currently out there and available to play. Free/subscription-less gaming is a field all gamers should keep an eye on.

Brendan Cole