From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action


Don't look now, but I'm sneaking in this announcement a bit early. As
usual, this is because I'll be AFK when the games actually release, so
I'm posting it ahead of time just to be sure you all know about these
freebies. Sure, it's extra work for me, but I'm glad to do it. It has
nothing to do with pre-empting Ant and getting all those sweet, sweet
Internet Points for myself. ;-)


* Arcadegeddon https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/arcadegeddon-arcadgeddon-f2p-promo-bundle-dc81c5
Oooh, giving away a freebie game as a freebie! That's
generous, Epic! This one is a fairly unexciting co-op
shooter whose main goal seems to be to get you to buy
virtual currencies to buy lots of cosmetics. In terms
of gameplay, it isn't terrible (it isn't great either)
but it moved hard into free-to-play and the grindy
gameplay and lack of support make it hard to recommend.
Strike one, Epic.


* Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/idle-champions-of-the-forgotten-realms
Another freebie; this one is an idler-game whose main
appeal is that it uses licensed characters and monsters
from D&D, but beyond that it's just another F2P game
designed to siphon cash out of your wallet for
unnecessary cosmetics. This game has also been offered
on Epic before, so you may already have this in your
library. Strike two, Epic.


* River City Girls
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608
Oh thank gog, not another F2P game. This is a game
they'd actually expect you to pay for. It's basically
a retro-styled side-scrolling brawler (think "Double
Dragon"), except --as should be obvious by the title--
the protagonists are teen girls. It's fine, I suppose.
It's not really a genre I'm into, so it's hard for me
to judge. The visuals are nice enough, I suppose, and
the reviews are generally favorable. If you enjoy this
style of game, I suppose it's worth grabbing it. As
for me, it's just padding out The Number. That's a bunt
and you're safe on first, Epic.


So that's this week's offerings. Remember, I'm posting a bit early, so
these games may not be free if you click on them right away (wait
until 3PM GMT, or your local equivalent). Sorry for the early posting,
but I need those Internet Points. Anyway, I'll see you again in a week
for the next batch of freebies.





--- Synchronet 3.20c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 10/04/2025 14:13, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

So that's this week's offerings. Remember, I'm posting a bit early, so
these games may not be free if you click on them right away (wait
until 3PM GMT, or your local equivalent). Sorry for the early posting,
but I need those Internet Points. Anyway, I'll see you again in a week
for the next batch of freebies.

You're really selling those games there :-)
--- Synchronet 3.20c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:13:58 -0400, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* River City Girls >https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608
Oh thank gog, not another F2P game. This is a game
they'd actually expect you to pay for. It's basically
a retro-styled side-scrolling brawler (think "Double
Dragon"), except --as should be obvious by the title--
the protagonists are teen girls. It's fine, I suppose.
It's not really a genre I'm into, so it's hard for me
to judge. The visuals are nice enough, I suppose, and
the reviews are generally favorable. If you enjoy this
style of game, I suppose it's worth grabbing it. As
for me, it's just padding out The Number. That's a bunt
and you're safe on first, Epic.

This one actually looks like anime Scott Pilgrim (which I like). I had
stopped checking Epic. Thanks for the heads up.
--
Zag

This is csipg.rpg - reality is off topic. ...G. Quinn ('08)
--- Synchronet 3.20c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 13:13 this Thursday (GMT):

Don't look now, but I'm sneaking in this announcement a bit early. As
usual, this is because I'll be AFK when the games actually release, so
I'm posting it ahead of time just to be sure you all know about these freebies. Sure, it's extra work for me, but I'm glad to do it. It has
nothing to do with pre-empting Ant and getting all those sweet, sweet Internet Points for myself. ;-)

* Arcadegeddon https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/arcadegeddon-arcadgeddon-f2p-promo-bundle-dc81c5
Oooh, giving away a freebie game as a freebie! That's
generous, Epic! This one is a fairly unexciting co-op
shooter whose main goal seems to be to get you to buy
virtual currencies to buy lots of cosmetics. In terms
of gameplay, it isn't terrible (it isn't great either)
but it moved hard into free-to-play and the grindy
gameplay and lack of support make it hard to recommend.
Strike one, Epic.

* Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/idle-champions-of-the-forgotten-realms
Another freebie; this one is an idler-game whose main
appeal is that it uses licensed characters and monsters
from D&D, but beyond that it's just another F2P game
designed to siphon cash out of your wallet for
unnecessary cosmetics. This game has also been offered
on Epic before, so you may already have this in your
library. Strike two, Epic.

* River City Girls https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608
Oh thank gog, not another F2P game. This is a game
they'd actually expect you to pay for. It's basically
a retro-styled side-scrolling brawler (think "Double
Dragon"), except --as should be obvious by the title--
the protagonists are teen girls. It's fine, I suppose.
It's not really a genre I'm into, so it's hard for me
to judge. The visuals are nice enough, I suppose, and
the reviews are generally favorable. If you enjoy this
style of game, I suppose it's worth grabbing it. As
for me, it's just padding out The Number. That's a bunt
and you're safe on first, Epic.

So that's this week's offerings. Remember, I'm posting a bit early, so
these games may not be free if you click on them right away (wait
until 3PM GMT, or your local equivalent). Sorry for the early posting,
but I need those Internet Points. Anyway, I'll see you again in a week
for the next batch of freebies.

Wait, they're offering free games for free?? How bad has Epic gotten?
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:20:03 -0000 (UTC), in
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, candycanearter07 wrote:

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 13:13 this Thursday (GMT):

Don't look now, but I'm sneaking in this announcement a bit early. As
usual, this is because I'll be AFK when the games actually release, so
I'm posting it ahead of time just to be sure you all know about these
freebies. Sure, it's extra work for me, but I'm glad to do it. It has
nothing to do with pre-empting Ant and getting all those sweet, sweet
Internet Points for myself. ;-)


* Arcadegeddon
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/arcadegeddon-arcadgeddon-f2p-promo-bundle-dc81c5
Oooh, giving away a freebie game as a freebie! That's
generous, Epic! This one is a fairly unexciting co-op
shooter whose main goal seems to be to get you to buy
virtual currencies to buy lots of cosmetics. In terms
of gameplay, it isn't terrible (it isn't great either)
but it moved hard into free-to-play and the grindy
gameplay and lack of support make it hard to recommend.
Strike one, Epic.


* Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/idle-champions-of-the-forgotten-realms >> Another freebie; this one is an idler-game whose main
appeal is that it uses licensed characters and monsters
from D&D, but beyond that it's just another F2P game
designed to siphon cash out of your wallet for
unnecessary cosmetics. This game has also been offered
on Epic before, so you may already have this in your
library. Strike two, Epic.


* River City Girls
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608
Oh thank gog, not another F2P game. This is a game
they'd actually expect you to pay for. It's basically
a retro-styled side-scrolling brawler (think "Double
Dragon"), except --as should be obvious by the title--
the protagonists are teen girls. It's fine, I suppose.
It's not really a genre I'm into, so it's hard for me
to judge. The visuals are nice enough, I suppose, and
the reviews are generally favorable. If you enjoy this
style of game, I suppose it's worth grabbing it. As
for me, it's just padding out The Number. That's a bunt
and you're safe on first, Epic.


So that's this week's offerings. Remember, I'm posting a bit early, so
these games may not be free if you click on them right away (wait
until 3PM GMT, or your local equivalent). Sorry for the early posting,
but I need those Internet Points. Anyway, I'll see you again in a week
for the next batch of freebies.

Wait, they're offering free games for free?? How bad has Epic gotten?

Epically bad.
--
Zag

This is csipg.rpg - reality is off topic. ...G. Quinn ('08)
--- Synchronet 3.20c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 10 Apr 2025 11:49:09 -0500, Zaghadka <zaghadka@hotmail.com>
wrote:

On Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:13:58 -0400, in comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action,
Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* River City Girls >>https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608

This one actually looks like anime Scott Pilgrim (which I like). I had >stopped checking Epic. Thanks for the heads up.

I myself got vibes of "Kings of Power", which was an over-the-top
animated homage to the genre.* The game itself is probably fine. It's
just not something I get a kick out of.



* video available here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frPZQIouxBc



--- Synchronet 3.20c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 4/10/2025 6:13 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

Don't look now, but I'm sneaking in this announcement a bit early. As
usual, this is because I'll be AFK when the games actually release, so
I'm posting it ahead of time just to be sure you all know about these freebies. Sure, it's extra work for me, but I'm glad to do it. It has
nothing to do with pre-empting Ant and getting all those sweet, sweet Internet Points for myself. ;-)

* Arcadegeddon> * Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms

Two pieces of crap worse than shovelware. I already had Idle D&D on
some previous giveaway on Steam. I wish there was a way to make them
pay me a penalty for having it.

* River City Girls https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608
Oh thank gog, not another F2P game. This is a game
they'd actually expect you to pay for. It's basically
a retro-styled side-scrolling brawler (think "Double
Dragon"), except --as should be obvious by the title--
the protagonists are teen girls. It's fine, I suppose.
It's not really a genre I'm into, so it's hard for me
to judge. The visuals are nice enough, I suppose, and
the reviews are generally favorable. If you enjoy this
style of game, I suppose it's worth grabbing it. As
for me, it's just padding out The Number. That's a bunt
and you're safe on first, Epic.

I didn't get it, when I checked Epic earlier, but I did like Double
Dragon, but that was ~40 years ago. I'll go back and get it though just
on the off chance.
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:20:03 -0000 (UTC), in
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action, candycanearter07 wrote:

Wait, they're offering free games for free?? How bad has Epic gotten?

The goal of the freebies is twofold:

a) get people to sign-up to Epic GameStore. Onboarding new
users (that is, getting them to go through the bother
of setting up an account) is the hardest step (even
more difficult then getting them to come visit in the
first place), so companies often use bribers^h^h^h^h^h^h
incentives to encourage customers to take that step

b) encouraging people to visit the website, in hopes that
--whilst scrolling down to the freebies-- something else
will catch their eye and they'll buy that at the same
time.

But (a) is pretty much done; they've gotten as many new accounts as
they probably can from the program. And (b) doesn't seem to be very
effective, since people just aren't that interested in buying (or more
to the point, using the EGS client to play) games from Epic.

So Epic has been visibly scaling down the scope of the give-aways for
the past two or three years, relying more on free-games, small Indies,
and repeats. They'd take a significant hit in PR (and active user
count) if they killed the program entirely, so it continues on
life-support (and every now and again they throw in a 'big game' to
keep people interested) but it's mostly on life-support now. It's
served its purpose.

Anyway, for many games -- especially older titles or F2P-- these
free-offers are actually beneficially to the developer. They're
unlikely to make a lot of money from sales of the base game anyway,
but those new players may purchase DLC/MTX. So they sacrifice the
retail cost of the game (which they weren't going to get anyway,
'cause nobody was buying) to bolster MTX sales. I'm sure for a lot of
games --especially cruft like "Idle Champions of the Forgotten
Realms"-- it's not EPIC offering it for free so much as the publisher themselves. It's mutual parasitism; Epic gets the benefit of offering
another free game on Thursday, whilst the game developer gets new
players to buy the MTX.

TL;DR: expect to see a lot more of this sort of Thursday-freebies from
Epic.


--- Synchronet 3.20c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 4/10/2025 3:13 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* River City Girls https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/river-city-girls-e6f608
Oh thank gog, not another F2P game. This is a game
they'd actually expect you to pay for. It's basically
a retro-styled side-scrolling brawler (think "Double
Dragon"), except --as should be obvious by the title--
the protagonists are teen girls. It's fine, I suppose.
It's not really a genre I'm into, so it's hard for me
to judge. The visuals are nice enough, I suppose, and
the reviews are generally favorable. If you enjoy this
style of game, I suppose it's worth grabbing it. As
for me, it's just padding out The Number. That's a bunt
and you're safe on first, Epic.

from the screenshots and the video this looks like it could be fun.
installing that right now.

but yes, the other two offerings are basically garbage,
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