RealNetworks Debuts RealArcade Beta

Game enthusiasts now have another reason to celebrate. The Internet has been an ideal platform for distributing games, and RealNetworks has decided to expand its product offerings to take advantage of this medium. Months after being released to developers, a beta of RealArcade and its services have gone live for the general public.

RealArcade allows gamers to play web-based games for free, to manage downloads, and it also provides communities for discussion and review. Moreover, the community also matches up players with one another for multi-player action. RealArcade also offers one centralized location for support and gaming tips, even with over forty developers signed on – some of which have provided exclusive content for Real's new gaming platform. One compelling feature is the ability to re-download purchased games after a hard drive failure or a reformatting.

Real seeks to compete with retailers who sell gaming CD-ROMs both on and offline. Developers can instantaneously upload and publish their games to an online area called "Games Bazaar" rather than wait for distribution on CD media. This approach has attracted over 120 titles so far, and more are on the way as the platform matures. Most games are available for fewer than twenty US dollars. Web-based games can be played for free.

For more information, visit realarcade.com or download via FileForum.