Is the Real Arcade/BFG Game Pass worth it? I see if I sign up for a free 30 days I can get any game I want for free. There isn't much details on it though, anyone have it and can clue me in?

Patricia, it depends on how many casual games you buy. I can't tell you about Real Arcade, but I'm a Big Fish member and love it.

I originally joined for 3 months and as soon as that expired I signed up for a year. For the price, and the casual games and some adventure games (for instance, they have Ghost in the Sheet) it can't be beat.

But if you only buy a couple of casual games a year, then it might not be to your advantage.

I'm another fan of Big Fish Games.

I only signed up less than a month ago and couldn't pass up the 12 month membership where games only cost $6.99. So far I've purchased 3 additional games even before my second billing -- I think I'm getting addicted to casual games now.

They do carry a number of adventure games as looney4labs said (check out the "simulation" category).

Thanks, it was actually BFG that took me to the Real Arcade Game Pass? I was thinking about it because they do offer Tropix which I really liked, lol.

BFG is not affiliated with RealArcade. You can't have gone there through BFG.

Ana

LOL I was just coming by to post that I had make a mistake, I meant Gamehouse games took me to Real Arcade, they are the only ones with Tropix. I wanted to get it for my nephew for Easter but I think his mom might.

Real owns Gamehouse.
Not to poke a competitor, but there are significant differences.
The items below are to my best knowledge and I encourage you to ensure they are accurate:

Big Fish - Game Club
Recurring fee - Monthly
Price - $6.99-$9.99
Credits - Never expire
Games per mo. - unlimited per month at same low price
Game developers participating - All but RealArcade
New Games - 7 per week

RealArcade - Game Pass
Recurring fee - Monthly
Price - $9.99
Credits - Expire in 60 days
Games per mo. - Only one per month
Game developers participating - All but BFG or Oberon
New Games - 2 per week

Customer support is also critical (ask around).
BFG releases all games a day early to club members.
With BFG you also get a cuddly green plush Big Fish Toy after 1 year (coming in March)

And I'm not even in sales

Thanks BFG-Guy, very interesting to see the benefits together. I do not like the things the other sites install on my computer either, which is why I steadfastly stick with BigFish. Between the Game Club, your customer service and the absence of invasive automatic installs, I'm sold.

Ana

I am a club member of big fish as well as Real Arcade. I appreciate the updates to the game catalog on real arcade, that is the only thing I see that is added extra to their toolbar. Am I wrong Ana does real arcade add something I do not know about?
Curious mind needs to know
Thanks
Sherryah

I think Gamehouse has Tropix for free, but you have to put up with their ads popping up in the game.
They have some good games in their free games so it's a good deal if you don't mind dealing with ads.
The ads are only in the free/extended trial games. Fun Pass/Game Pass members don't have ads in their games.

Sherryah, like other game sites that use advertising as a way to boost their dollars, they use clear gifs to track your activities when you are not on their site. They state so Here. I do not care for web sites that monitor my actions when I am not on their site.
Just my personal preference on what I want on my computer.

Ana

I agree with Ana. Real Networks also a few years ago released a new Real Audio player that included something (I think) called Real Download that pretty much took over as your file download manager without asking. That's the point when I uninstalled it all and decided not to bother with anything put out by them.

I know what you mean aobut Real Audio, boy did that mess up my computer and fixed itself the moment I deleted it!

Thanks for the comparisons BF Guy!!!! I think I'll probably go with BFG if I join any. I did find Tropix (hardcopy) on the net for $9.99 new so I might just go that route than to join something for 30 days free trial.

Just one question, I was reading on BFG that you HAVE to buy a game every month? Is that true or can you save them until the games you really want come out?

Patricia, if you Join one of the clubs, you will be charged for 1 credit per month until your membership is up. At that point in time, you can quit, renew (this is probably automatic but I'm not sure) or change clubs.

So if you join for 3 months, you will be charged for Feb, Mar, and April at one credit each.

You can save or spend your credits--they never expire.

However, If you have already spent your monthly credit and a game releases that you would like and you don't want to wait, then you have the option to buy additional credits at your club price.

If you buy 3 games in Feb, you will still get charged for one in March and one in April because your agreement will be for 3 months at 1 a month, not for 3 games.

Does that help? Or are you more confused now?

Hey Patricia,

Actually with BFG, you're charged for a game credit each month which you can redeem whenever you want (they never expire). So you can save them and use them later.

I found this old post by BFG guy ( Game Club 101) particularly helpful before I signed up.

ETA: Someone else beat me to it!

Thank You Ana,for letting me know about hidden cookies on real arcade. I always flush my cookies away at the end of computer sessions with advanced windows care, free version. Now I understand where doubleclick cookie is coming from. I also use CC cleaner and will use it even more now that you have told me this.

Nope that makes complete sense actually, lol. Thanks for the info!

Actually the BFG Game Club is for a certain amount of games not months. The number of months is only relevant if you only get the one required game per month.

If you commit to 6 games and you buy 6 in the first month you can immediately cancel if you want to, but if you do not cancel you will get another credit each month forever until you cancel. You can easily cancel online at any time once you have hit your minimum number of games.

Once you have met your minimum, even if you cancel, you can reactivate your club membership at any time on a month to month basis (i.e. you can cancel at any time after you reactivate it).

Thanks BFG-Guy, for setting the record straight! I obviously didn't know what I thought I knew.

Cool, I'm going to sign up this week!

Patricia, I think you'll be very pleased with BFG. I know I am!

My only problem is resisting buying too many games now that I'm a member there and only recently discovered the joy of casual games (less than a month ago)!

I have that problem too

I belong to both BF, and RA. I only joined RA becuase they do get games that won't release on BF. However, I much prefer BF. It is so easy to download with BF. I have never had a problem with BF, and their customer sevrice is phenominal. I ofted have touble getting RA to download. Not to mention BF is slightly cheaper. If you can only choose one, go with BF.IMHO.

thracia