Free Games At Real Networks

By Digital Trends Staff Published October 25, 2009

We all know that the casual gaming market is booming, and Real Networks is eager to expand its share. So it’s now offering customers a free download of a full version of a different game each day as part of a larger site re-design that includes a new pricing structure.

John Barbour, the new president of the Games Division at Real, said:

Recommended Videos

"Today’s customers are dramatically more value conscious, and we’ve seen a growing demand for top-quality games at great prices. This new value pricing gives existing customers more ways to enjoy popular games, while providing an even better experience to attract a broader audience."

In addition to the free games, Real will also offer Gamehouse Club, where member will pay less for games as well as receive early access to the free games, and the FunPass subscription, which allows users to play every game on the site.

According to research, 85% of RealNetworks’ North American gaming portal customers are female, with 73% between the ages of 30 and 60.

Digital Trends Staff

Digital Trends has a simple mission: to help readers easily understand how tech affects the way they live. We are your…

Gaming

The best games of 2024 were the ones we didn’t see coming

Soh, Yoshiro, and Villagers prepare for battle in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.

Exactly one year ago, it felt like we knew what most of 2024's best games would be. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Tekken 8, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth all had the markings of reliable, big-budget sequels that would rack up awards come December. A lot of big-budget IP games were on the horizon too, like Star Wars Outlaws and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which one could assume would dominate the back half of the year. It felt like you could already guess most of what would be nominated for Game of the Year without even knowing what most of 2024's release calendar looked like.

Yet, as I look at my own personal list of my favorite 2024 games, it's anything but predictable. Half of it is filled with independent games that I didn't even know existed heading into 2024. The big-budget half of my list is even more surprising, as its loaded with the kind of left-field swings from major publishers that I could never have seen coming. All of that made 2024 one of my favorite years for gaming in recent memory -- but one that looked dire at a surface view.
You'll never see it coming
If you're the kind of gamer who only plays AAA games from established franchises or tentpole console exclusives, I can understand how 2024 could be viewed as an off year. The past 12 months were full of disappointments that made it seem like the industry was flailing. That began when Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League launched in February, which was the first of many big-budget flops this year.

Gaming

Use your Christmas money to buy these games in the Steam Winter Sale

Key art for the Super Citizen Edition of Helldivers 2.

So, it's Christmas Day. You've finished opening all your presents. Now, you've got a whole bunch of gift cards, and maybe even some extra cash thanks to a kind uncle who has no idea what to buy you every year. How should you spend it? As Digital Trends' senior gaming editor, allow me to be a devil on your shoulder and goad you into buying some PC games.

The Steam Winter Sale is happening now through January 2, 2025. As always, it brings some major discounts on some of the year's best games (and plenty more beyond that). If you've been waiting to buy some games this year assuming they'd get a discount down the line, this is your moment. To help you sort through your options, I've pulled together some of the best deals in this year's sales. I'm focusing on games that came out in 2024 to help fill out your backlog, but note that there's plenty more deals to explore this year.

Gaming

Get this underrated Star Wars game for just $2 in the Steam Winter Sale

Key art for Star Wars: Squadrons.

Star Wars: Squadrons is the most underrated Star Wars video game to be released since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, and you can pick it up during this Steam sale for just $2. It's a great time to pick it up, too.

December is a month I have always associated with Star Wars. I have fond memories of getting games like 2005's Star Wars: Battlefront II or Star Wars: The Force Unleashed on Christmas as a kid, and Disney has typically released recent Star Wars films in theaters or aired TV shows on Disney+ during this month. Right now, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is airing on Disney+, and its whimsical The Goonies-like vibe resonates with me more than any Star Wars show has since season 1 of The Mandalorian.