Official GameTap 64-bit FAQ and Discussion
Updated: October 2009

Currently GameTap is in the process of bringing support to 64-bit versions of Windows. 32-bit versions of both XP and Vista are both fully supported.

Q: I just got a new computer and I don't know what version I have. How do I find out?
A: Microsoft has an article detailing how to check to find out. Look here.

Q: Why doesn't GameTap fully support 64-bit yet?
A: The virtual device driver that GameTap has used for certain platforms is provided by a third party vendor, and that driver is not 64-bit compatible. However, a new vendor has been brought in called Yummy that is much more flexible. See below.

Q: What is this "Yummy" thing I've heard mentioned?
A: It is the new 64-bit compatible device driver that Gametap is working to phase in. GameTap's first 64-bit title, Trine, was released on October 8, 2009. Many more games should be brought online with the new encryption in the coming weeks.

Q: OK! Great! Does that mean that when Yummy's switched on that I can play all of the games?
A: Unfortunately not. All games that were encoded under the old driver have to be re-encoded to use Yummy. This is a painstaking and time-consuming process. GameTap staffers have said that they hope to re-release a couple of games per week that have been re-encoded with Yummy. They plan to start with the most popular games on the service and work down from there.

Q: I'm a 32-bit user and I don't want Gametap burning all their resources on 64-bit users. What am I getting out of this?
A: Yummy doesn't just bring 64-bit compatibility. The driver also supports the use of game mods and patches. Downloads also move more quickly under the new encryption. Everybody benefits from this update!

Q: What parts of GameTap should currently run on 64-bit operating systems?
A: Platforms that currently do not work on 64-bit operating systems on GameTap:
Windows*
"8-bit" (these are really Windows versions of 8-bit games)

Platforms that should work on 64-bit operating systems on GameTap:
32-X
Arcade
Atari 2600
Commodore 64
DOS
Dreamcast
Game Gear
Genesis
Intellivision
Master System
Neo Geo
Saturn
SG-1000
Anything purchased from the GameTap retail store

*Most Windows titles are not 64-bit compatible yet. A full list of currently 64-bit compatible Windows titles are available here.

Examples:
Sonic the Hedgehog and Metal Slug should work on 64-bit, since they are Genesis and Neo Geo games, respectively.
Castlevania and Fallout should not work on 64-bit, since they are both "8-bit" and Windows games, respectively.

The Classic Pack subscription contains all of the 64-bit compatible platforms for half the price of the Premium Package subscription. If you have a 64-bit operating system and wish to only pay for what you're capable of playing, then this may be a great option for you.

Q: But what if I run GameTap in compatibility mode, will that make the unsupported games work on a 64-bit platform?
A: Unfortunately not.

Q: Why does GameTap not let me try to run an incompatible game anyway? The game runs just fine outside of GameTap!
A: The problem is not with the games, but with the client, specifically the encryption. It will not mount the game on a x64 system, regardless of whether the game works or not. GameTap used to allow you to try, but since it never works, there's not really a point. Hence the hard stop.

Q: Is there a timeline on when GameTap will be fully supporting 64-bit?
A: It's here now! The foundation for the new plugin is already in place, and games are beginning to be released that are 64-bit ready.

Q: Darn! I just subscribed to the premium package and I have a 64-bit operating system! Why didn't GameTap tell me what I was getting into?
A: The 64-bit compatibility issue is posted on the sign-up page for the service, and in the system requirements. The Terms of Service do say, however, that if you cancel your service and submit a refund request to customer service within 48 hours of signing up that you are entitled to a refund. Cancellation instructions are here: http://support.gametap.com/selfservice/ ... do?id=1470 and you can submit a request for a refund here: http://support.gametap.com/selfservice/submit.do

NOTE: This thread is now under heavy moderation. Off-topic posts will be deleted without warning.

My name should be on the list. It's not as pressing for me since I kept my copy of XP to dual boot (for more things than just GT) but I would like 64-bit support none the less.

I understand the staff probably can't comment too much on merger with Metaboli, but won't the merger make the new company have a bit more sway over Exent? You would think one really big customer telling them to get in gear would get some response.

I don't understand how the issue is outside of GameTap's control.

I work in the commercial software business and you're either a) on contract with your 3rd party provider and you get lawyer's involved because the lack of 64 bit support from their product is causing your product to hemorrhage money or b)you're not on contract and you've got to throw some money at them to have them get their butts in gear and upgrade their software or c) the 3rd party provider has gone out of business and you're screwed and need to look into alternate solutions ASAP.

We're two years into Vista's lifespan. It doesn't take that long to make a 64bit compatible driver; there can not be development issues at work here. This is a situational or monetary problem.

Presuambly it's b) and GameTap has deemed the 64bit market too small to be worth the investment. Companies don't "care" about people - they care about revenue. That's not an insult, that's just how business works and GameTap is a business not a charitable organization. If GameTap has determined that adding 64bit support isn't not fiscally viable, then so be it. However, with this in mind, the line regarding "caring" about 64 bit users is overtly disingenuous and disrespectful to anyone with more than a few brain cells to rub together that understands how industry actually works.

Give your users some credit. Most people appreciate the truth, even if they don't like it, more than "kind" lies - especially when they're obvious.

What's the difference between N64 "bits" and 64-bit Vista "bits"?

The N64 CPU clocked in at 93.75mhz and the databus width was only 32 bits.
64bit processors have been around since the 1960's or thereabouts, a 16bit processor from the 90s would out perform one since there are other factors to take into account. If you use a program like CPU-Z it will list additional features your CPU has. Front side bus, processor speed, cache, number of cores in example all are factors in how quickly your CPU handles information. The effect of multicore processors will vary depending on software applications and OS.

The majority of apps don't support multiple cores, and the majority run as 32bit executables even on a 64bit system. This has been changing as newer releases do take advantage of modern computers as people struggle to get those extra frames per second. The chief advantage IMO is speeding up the operating system and for multitasking.

Although the moderators in their infinite wisdom continue to dismiss it, the best off the shelf systems are all 64bit OS default now. It is unimaginable to me why anyone would purchase a new preconfigured PC that ran a 32-bit OS. I can understand dual booting, or building it themselves. I can understand even someone downgrading the OS with the intent of later upgrading it again. I cannot understand someone actively prefering the base stats on a 32bit machine, I cannot comprehend it, I don't want to either. To me that's like choosing a CRT TV over an HDTV and saying it's not about money, or lack of HD devices, but because CRT simply rocks. People will be people, but if I was that much against upgrading I'd hold off on a new PC until Windows 7 is released. I shouldn't have to say this, but that is MY qualified opinion. People who heart new PC's with 32bit windows on them, please feel free to.

> {quote:title=Stevedroid wrote:}{quote}
> Give your users some credit. Most people appreciate the truth, even if they don't like it, more than "kind" lies - especially when they're obvious.

If GameTap didn't "care" about 64-bit users then no effort would've been taken to make the arcade/console titles available to 64-bit users, which DID take time, money, and resources that could've been used for other things.

Ive run 64 since xp64. What do you gain more ram with software bugs. XP and vista 32 run close 3gb. When games need more then 64bit will be average. Now........heh. Why get 64bit vista? The day 64 is in most pc new os here.





power user that Uses 4gb ram doesnt mind issues and can find patches workarounds and know something wont run
64bit os

most user want software to run, not pay for ram not need, no searching for patches workaround guess if it run
32bit os

That's a bit harsh. I don't recall the 64 bit patch ever being described as "soon" In fact I think it's been said time and time again, "not in the immediate future" since it's a 3rd party thing.

> {quote:title=macnbc wrote:}{quote}
> If GameTap didn't "care" about 64-bit users then no effort would've been taken to make the arcade/console titles available to 64-bit users, which DID take time, money, and resources that could've been used for other things.
I apologize, I was unaware that those games were incompatible to begin with.

That said, making only 60% (subjectively speaking - the Windows games account for a lot of the service's worth in my opinion) of GameTap compatible seems like waste. I presume that the Windows games are quite important to the majority of your audience. Even if I had played only the Arcade and other classic console games when I had a subscription, I think I would still have canceled on the principle that I'm not going to pay the same price while being unable to access a significant portion of the service's content.

Obviously whatever time and money was spent wasn't a waste in the sense it's a necessary step towards making the entire service compatible with 64bit OSes, but if there aren't plans in place to make the Windows games 64bit compatible, then it seems a mismanagement of resources given that I, and presumably others, are not going to resubscribe or join just for the old games.

Tally another vote for a disappointed 64-bit OS customer. I just purchased a Gold subscription today and I'm extremely annoyed that my children won't be able to play the vast majority of those games on my 64-bit Vista laptop. I really hope they do something about this. It's truly rediculous that they haven't already found a solution to this, much less that they have no ETA whatsoever, nor an announcement that the driver is being worked on.

Very upsetting...

My old computer would not run some of the more intensive games on Gametap. At the same time it would not run some games that are now several years old, like Oblivion and Medal of Honor. It was obvious that I needed a new machine and I was concerned about getting a machine that would remain useful for sometime into the future. So i bought a system with a very good video card, 8G of ram and Vista 64 bit. I can now run games like Chrysis with the video parameters maxed out, but I can no longer run any of the games I loved on Gametap. Needless to say I am very disappointed. Wat really burns me is that the main reason I upgraded was so i could finaly play those Gametap games i could not get to run before. I really liked Gametap and I hope this issue is resolved soon.

I subscribed to GameTap several months ago, and loved the service - particularly the Windows games. To me, being able to play retro-games I no longer have means to play without resorting to illegal emulation was great, but it was being able to quickly download more recent games (and other PC Titles I already owned) easily without having to deal with installation/play CD's.

So, when I bought my new Vista-equipped computer and found the best aspect (in my opinion) of the service to be out of my reach without dual-booting (which I refuse to do for a single program) I was heartbroken, and had to unsubscribe. From a marketing stand-point, 64-bit compatibility would not only help enthusiasts, but casual gamers as well who may not know what the hell a 64-bit OS is. I'd be extremely upset if I subscribed only to find out I couldn't use half the service and I had no idea why. I realize this isn't GameTap's fault directly...but something should be done.

One of my biggest problems with this is that it has changed since the launch of gametap.

Originally gametap WOULD run windows games on x64. Let me repeat that... it WOULD run windows games on x64. Not all games would work, you would basicly get a message saying that the game might not run, due to x64. But the software would attempt to run. Much of the time with success. (I didn't gather any satistics on the matter because I expected it to get better, not worse.)

Now it doesn't even let any windows games try to run! Give us a warning but don't completely shut us down!

This is an issue with gametap and not the 3rd party disk image provider.

Please allow us to find the games that won't run on our own.

Erg, No windows Games ever ran under X64. They'd crash back to GT immediately.

Add me to the list, I have Windows Vista Ultimate (64bit OS).

> {quote:title=VooDooBlue wrote:}{quote}
> Originally gametap WOULD run windows games on x64. Let me repeat that... it WOULD run windows games on x64.

The problem is the encryption, not the game itself. That's why your statement is irrelevant.

Ya know, after reading this thread, I feel even more alienated than before. Since when has Windows put out an operating system that would be for a "niche market"? They are not now, nor have they ever been for the niche, they want the public like Tyrone Biggums wants crack and have maintained that for many years. To say that the 64-bit users are exclusive is insane, since we are just jumping ahead of the times. Linux has had 64-bit support for ages, and so has MAC. What I want to hear from the good folks at game tap is "we know that we are not keeping up, with the newest technology, but it is in the future." That's it. Just convince me that taking my time as a webmaster and professional computer technician to keep on the far back end of the cutting edge isn't a mistake, since apparently the bias against vista and 64 bit in general has extended to people who don't even really try to have a quad core processor, or SLI bridging on their systems. All I want to do is play some games, and when i'm told that buying a publicly available OS suddenly puts me in a specialty category I immediately feel like "the customer is always right" went out the window as soon as the company didn't have to actually talk to me. I understand that the intrinsic value of the games doesn't change, since a vast majority of the public is on a 32 bit system, but even the low end users are aware that the 64 bit revolution is upon them. Wake up guys, I would love to support your company, and tell everyone I know to get on here, but in reality, it seems more feasible for me to go get a subscription to steam or something, where they won't tell me that i'm different because I bought a more advanced OS. Here's to hoping that you will stop digging in your heels in the public eye, and just say that it's on the way, 64 bit supported games are coming. Thanks.

I responded in the other thread about this but I'd also like to get on the bummer list here as well.

I just built a brand new computer with Vista 64 and am also VERY dissapointed at the lack of support from Gametap.



It just plain stinks on ice!!

Just wanted to also express my discontent... Just built a new vista x64 system a few months ago and I'm about ready to give up. I agree that a rough timeframe would be nice...

Unfortunately, this message from TheRedEye doesn't lead me to believe that a 64bit fix will be released anytime soon: [http://www.gametap.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=107687#107687]

It looks like I'll be letting my account lapse at the end of the month. I'd love to play some fo the newer games on my quad core sli rig, but 32bit Windows only says I have 2.25GB of RAM when I had 4GB in the system. Vista x64 allows everything else I've tried to work and runs very nicely with 8GB of RAM.

> {quote:title=SScorpio00 wrote:}{quote}
> It looks like I'll be letting my account lapse at the end of the month.

Just to be clear, you have to actually cancel it. It won't just "lapse" on it's own.

hey guys.

very unscientific BUT just from what best buy is selling on their website on laptops running windows:
System Memory RAM
2GB (10)
3GB (52)
4GB (50)

windows desktops:
1GB (1)
2GB (7)
3GB (12)
4GB (32)
5GB (1)
6GB (5)
8GB (7)


so on laptops 64 bit has nearly 50% market share, and on desktops it has a majority share. (anything BB sells 4 gigs or more is 64 bit).

considering that if you looked at this a year ago, 64 bit probably wouldnt have been more than 15% share at best buy. the future is 64 bit.

gametap should probably start taking this more seriously.