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A few big companies giving out freeware: Classics such as Zork 1

© Sean Weiser

What's better than a really cheap game that plays really well? How about a free game that plays great?

That's what some companies have been doing lately. It's a great gesture by some great companies to give out classic games that people will always love and play, but I think it's more of a promotional thing to promote some of their new upcoming games. Still, who could ask for more than a free game?

I first noticed this new promotional concept just browsing around the web and I came across Interplay's homepage. There I read how they had re-released their popular Battle Chess as freeware due to its sequel's success. I couldn't believe it! Here was a game I had played a long time ago and enjoyed a lot, and now it was free! I couldn't find anywhere at Interplay's site to download so I went to Lord's Soth's Games on the Internet, a collection of freeware, demos, shareware, cheats... And a quick search under "DOS Games" and I found it! Much of my time has now been spent playing this interesting version of chess, watching the pieces actually duke it out on the board. I haven't been too successful at winning, but who can complain when they're having fun? This find got me thinking on what other companies have re-released some of their older products as freeware or as really really cheap software.

I couldn't think of too many, but I'm sure there's much more than what I list. I've even heard from postings in some newsgroups that a few gaming magazines offer full versions of huge games. So don't just go on what I found. Go out there and search for great deals, on the web or in your neighborhood software provider.

Here are some of the games I found out there:

Battle Chess
Company: Interplay
Battle Chess was distributed as a way for Interplay to say "thanks". Due to the success of Battle Chess II, Interplay has given us this great game for free, and possibly hook us to go out and buy BC2. The game plays easy. After a quick start up, you're ready to go. Point and click to direct your pieces. When you capture an oppnent's piece, be ready for an entertaining animation of your own piece destroying the other.

Zork 1
Company: Infocom/Activision
The classic adventure game, Zork 1, has been brought to us by the kind people of Activision for free. The game that has been dubbed as the one that got the adventure genre started, Zork 1

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