Shareware: Difference between revisions

== Companies and Creators ==

* [http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/ Spiderweb Software] still operates on the classic shareware model, releasing 20%-40% playable versions of ''Nethergate'' and the ''[[Exile]]''/''[[Avernum]]'' and ''[[Geneforge]]'' series.

** ''[[Escape Velocity]]'' was notable because the shareware release contained the full game plus Cap'n Hector, a friendly in-game character who would remind you to register the game. The "friendly" part only lasted until the game's trial period expired, at which point Cap'n Hector would hunt you down and ''murder'' you. And this was a game where your character could easily get [[Killed Off for Real]].

* [[Id Software]] was arguably the most famous company for using shareware. ''[[Doom]]'' only allowed the first 9 levels for free, leaving one to mail-order for the last 18 levels. ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' had the same shareware model, allowing only the first 10 levels out of 50. Interestingly, ''[[Commander Keen]]'' is a special case. The first and fourth games were shareware with no limits or messages. However, the second, third and fifth installments had to be purchased, leaving parts of the story unfinished for shareware users. The sixth game had a demo of the first three levels due to a different publisher.

* ''[[Halloween Harry]]'' (otherwise known as ''[[Alien Carnage]]'') is an interesting case. First it was released as ''[[Halloween Harry]]'' (with the first episode as shareware), but some thought the name would [[Viewers Are Morons|make people think]] it was a holiday game. So they renamed it to ''[[Alien Carnage]]'' and swapped the first and third episodes. Gamers could get the (formerly) third part for free now. That leaves only the second and fourth episodes that you had to pay for. It's all been released as freeware now, but it makes you scratch your head, doesn't it?

* ''[[Mini Robot Wars]]''

 

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