http://www.realarcade.com/promoFull?tps=life2_&gameid=superjigsawdesserts&src=ggpg
Super Jigsaw Desserts free $19.99 value (says offer expires soon)
(28 posts) (9 voices)-
Michelle
MemberHere's another one
http://www.realarcade.com/promoFull?tps=ezone_&gameid=diamonddetective
Posted 17 years ago # -
RichU
MemberThe games look good, but.... I googled realarcade reviews and saw a lot of negatives at download.com, regarding adware and spyware. http://www.download.com/RealArcade/3640-2099_4-10192751.html?pn=2&sb=0&v=0
I guess I'll have to avoid that site unless anyone can say that they have cleaned up thier act.Posted 17 years ago # -
While I haven't tried these offers in particular - but I have read through all 77 reviews. My opinion is there are a lot of sheep just saying what the other person said because it seems to be the popular thing to say.
Eeeew.... I got SPYWARE, ADWARE, VIRUSES!! (so another user asks, "Oh really, what do you use for your anti-spyware/virus and which infections were found) and the reply comes back, "....umm I got SPYWARE, ADWARE, VIRUSES!!!" - Adware, I can believe - sometimes having ads is the cost of running free software. As long as the adverts do not intrude into other processes/activities (ie. outside the free game) then I can usually live with that.
Spyware and Viruses - I do not believe RealArcade would be so incredibly stupid. Nobody in the reviews has mentioned which virus was detected, and obviously nobody else could verify the presence of a virus. (After all - why do I care about a virus report when they can't even tell me WHAT was detected - I'm protected, alert and looking for the bad guys. If they don't know what virus it was - how do they even know it WAS a virus?)I would suggest make sure your antivirus and antispyware are up to date - then install, and prepare to be disappointed when no alarms ring or bells flash.
Sometimes the real problem is you leave the unqualified to raise the alarm when something bad happens - then they trip over their own feet, land on their face, have a fright and scream to raise the alarm, saying "you should've seen it! I was attacked by 100 men all with guns... no, they had tanks... with rockets... it was horrible... don't install it, or else you might realise I have no idea what I am talking about.... run away & warn the others... and then we have 2 negative reviews.... "SPYWARE, ADWARE, VIRUSES !!"
Posted 17 years ago # -
Well no, FUD would be the case if another company (ie. a competitor) carried out the scare campaign against Real Arcade for commercial advantage. In this case it appears to just be less cluey users trying to appear helpful but minus any experience or knowledge.
Real NETWORK had some user tracking many years ago (I think they were affiliated with Aureate/Gozilla) - this affected RealPlayer, RealJukebox, RealAudio (Back in the days when RealAudio was bigger than MP3 or wma), RealVideo(Bigger than FLV), This was well know - and not a huge matter to deal with - but several years before RealArcade turned up on the scene.
I guess if a virus or spyware was detected in "Microsoft Excel 97" Then 10 years later "Microsoft Word 2007" would also have a virus and spyware - because they are both from Microsoft and all Microsoft software has viruses.
Posted 17 years ago # -
RunesageMagik
MemberBubby, I take credit for being one of the first to out Aureate Media because I happened to be on-line when Yahoo first let them infest computers. When I found Aureate's grimey fingerprints on my system files, I blew the whistle. Under cover of Yahoo cookies' free pass, they'd slip in and start messing with user's system settings. Within a couple hours, Steve Gibson (SpinRite/GRC.com fame) weighed in with a much clearer indictment, and the cozy Aureate/Yahoo assoc. didn't last too long. Don't recall RealPlayer being linked to Aureate but that wouldn't surprise me; never liked RP because of all the crap they dumped in Registry. It used to bollux my system. Their proprietary RAM extension was no picnic, either. OTOH, claims they plant viruses sounds like it comes from the same computer tyros who shout fire in the GAOTD Comments Theatre. If RP really has cleaned up their act, I'd be interested; but if they still feel it necessary to dump a ton of unnecessary files and BHO's in Registry, then stuff 'em. There's an increasingly blurry line between passive ads and in-you-face intrusive BS like ads with exploit scripts that capture your sound system, mouse or browser window ordering.
Posted 17 years ago # -
I don't use real player myself - I use the "alternate" player. At any rate "unwanted" or "unnecessary" software components are definitely not the same as Viruses or Spyware. Probably crap-ware or nuisance-ware is a better description. Most don't actually do anything malicious or nasty or even affect other processes outside the target app, but nobody likes bloat - especially if it doesn't serve a useful purpose for the user.
Posted 17 years ago # -
RunesageMagik
MemberEveryone's guilty of being imprecise from time to time, but as the thread highlighting Stupid Comments Theatre demonstrates, some people spend their lives mastering the art of misusing terms. I think it's listed in the criminal code as Premeditated Malapropicide. I doubt if 5% of computer users could differentiate between malware and spyware, but it's likely a far higher percentage think shovelware is used to remove crapware. :-)
Posted 17 years ago # -
kerikaz
MemberI had been a member of RealArcade for the past 3 years and was very happy with it. Got a game every month for a reasonable membership fee, great selection, etc. I just recently cancelled membership and went to another site for a couple of reasons. They got too pricey compared to others, could not carry credits over (now can for only 2 months), customer service, which is outsourced, is horrible, new version of RealArcade game manager had too many bugs and members were not getting satisfactory help.
I will say that I never had a problem with a Virus from any game I downloaded from their site, or have my Antivirus and Spyware software indicate that RA had added any to my system. There are some cumbersome files, but I don't think they cause me any problems. If they've got free games available, I'm there.
KerikazPosted 17 years ago # -
Agreed. As part of my professional portfolio was computer security (before and after) so being precise was somewhat important - like standing in an operating theatre as a surgeon, having just opened the top of the patients skull - and the reply to "what seems to be the problem here", elicits a response - "It's one of those bleedy things... umm a tumor or embolism or something... you know... you used the big knife to fix the last one... don't w-w-worry, I'll ta-t-ta-talk y-you through th-this one".
Lucky I have my hip flask with me, just to stop my hands shaking.
Posted 17 years ago # -
kerikaz
MemberActually, there is a whole list of games from RA that are "Extended Play" demos, meaning there are no time limits to playing them. You just have to deal with an ingame ad every now and then. The list can be found at http://www.gamehouse.com/downloadgames/?navnum=7&AID= ; however, I would not recommend downloading from Gamehouse as my Antispyware/adware software does recognize this site as loading adware, etc on your system. Just find the names of the games you like, then download from RA instead.
KerikazPosted 17 years ago # -
Michelle
MemberI have used realarcade for a while and I haven't noticed spyware or anything on my computer like that from it. The games are mostly small in size and I don't think they require many system resources. The second game I posted really seems good, I like it, the first one I am not too good at.
"
Actually, there is a whole list of games from RA that are "Extended Play" demos, meaning there are no time limits to playing them. You just have to deal with an ingame ad every now and then. The list can be found at http://www.gamehouse.com/downloadgames/?navnum=7&AID= ; however, I would not recommend downloading from Gamehouse as my Antispyware/adware software does recognize this site as loading adware, etc on your system. Just find the names of the games you like, then download from RA instead"That has to do with the ads in the game I think. But the realarcade giveaways are just like if you would have bought the game. I have bought some games off realarcade and when I log in to my account all the games I have got for free and the ones that I have bought are there for me to unlock.
The realarcade games giveaway are the same as if you would have bought the game from them, you just don't pay for it. I never noticed anything different and the new realarcade version seems better than the old one.
Posted 17 years ago # -
kerikaz
MemberFunkymom, thanks for the "welcome". Yes, we just bought a house in Surprise last June. Have lived in the Phoenix area for many years, but had moved to Hawaii (nice!) due to a contract job I was working. Have to say, we're glad to be back, though.
Michelle, yes once you've downloaded the unlimited version games or your purchased games, they are there forever. So, even though I'm not a member any more I can still redownload my games if necessary. And for free, I really don't mind a few ads on the demos :-) (BTW all: these are full version demos, not just a few rounds over and over.
kerikaz
Posted 17 years ago # -
sukibabe
Games JunkieSorry, as a former Real Arcade member, their new system sucks!
I still Beta test for them, but cannot run the new system!
I have delt with Tech suppost way to long to bother anymore!
Like I told funkymom, try it, if it works then good!
I have the installer for the original V1.4 saved in my Tech Folder! They take it off and I put it back on, lmao!
I quit back in 2006, due to price(7.99) at that time! Now $9.99 a month!Big Fish updated their system too, and didn't manage to screw it up like RA did!
They also kept their price point the same, and you can buy all the games you want at that price! RA $9.99 a month, one free(not really) game a month, all others are $14.95!
Big Fish, pick your level, mine is the $6.99 a game. I can buy at that price whenever I want. I still have Real Player, only because I bought a license to burn CD's! However, they won't let me update the player, which is free, unless I purchase another license which they told me was a ONE time Fee(yes, untill you want to upgrade the player), lmao!
I haven't YET to get into that subject with them, but I will!
Sorry, Real is a very sore subject with me!
Suki
EDIT: I had no problems with spyware from them! They just have poor customer support and charge to much! I hope you know that Game House is in Bed with RA! They are married, lol!Posted 17 years ago # -
sukibabe
Games JunkieWARNING: To all V1.4 users! The above Free games will remove V1.4!
The Diamond Detective one was a Real(pun intended) mess!
I don't know were "ezone" is located, but it took off the US verson of 1.4, and installed its own! Which looked like the US version, with the exception of when I opened it it said "Good Day Mate" and showed Diamond Detective as being a Demo!
Also had a link to their site and said at the bottom "Powered by Real Arcade"!After 2 hours of crap, I got the setup to work, by getting rid of everything to do with it! Even went so far as to get rid of my installer with it!
Went back to the link: http://www.wikifortio.com/670740 (good until March 17th) to "Save" a new installer to my Desktop. Ran the installer and everything is fine!This warning is specific for MAMOO aka MOO! As I know she would kill anyone who messed with her V1.4............LMAO, and hideing!!!
So Michelle, I thank you for the links! Anything I can get Free from RA is Payback!But please try them out before you post! I believe (haven't looked yet) the "ezone" link was Aussie ( no offence BuBBy )!
I was able to get myself out of it, but others might not.Now both are Full Versions and living happy on my V1.4!
Suki
Posted 17 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruThanks for the link Michelle, (my spouse is called Michelle; guess what record was in the charts when she was born in the late 60's, lol.
I used to subscribe to RA a couple of years ago, but cancelled my subscription because I prefer to have my purchased games easily transferable between computers, which I found wasn't the case with RA games as you had to re-download the game every time you wanted to reinstall for each computer.
I've not bothered reinstalling any of the 15 or so games I bought from them since I left so today is an opportunity to pick up some of the ones I miss playing (one is an arkanoid that features chickens, black worms and some excellent power ups though it's been so long since I played it I've forgotten the name lol.
I never had any problems with Real Arcade while I was with them. I enjoyed the frequent beta testing (there always seemed to be one or two to do), and today’s game downloaded with no problems. It's quite good apart from the inability to upload your own pictures, but apart from that there are enough jigsaws to keep an enthusiast going for ages especially if you set the slider to full which gives jigsaws with around 1100 pieces. Not bad. My kids thought it was funny that you could set then to four pieces, which is great for 2 and three year olds
p.s.
I just tried to log onto my old account to download the games I bought and can no longer log on. That's a little worrying. hope I haven't lost all my games because od it. (One mnore reason not to sign up with RA again I reckon)
Posted 17 years ago # -
kerikaz
MemberWhiterabbit - This is from the RA Customer Service page:
"If you purchased a game more than eighteen months ago, please e-mail Games Support so they can send you a redownload link for your game."
Unfortunately, you will have to contact them....good luck with that!
Like Suki and many other RA customers, I also still have the V1.4 version of the player and have not attempted to download anything new in fear that I will lose this great version and get stuck with the lastest and not so greatest version :-)
Kerikaz
Posted 17 years ago # -
sukibabe
Games Junkiekerikaz
Just go to the link I provided above and "SAVE" the installer to your Desktop!
Then run the setup. Once you have done this(it will take some time to get the game page to update) close V1.4 and move the installer to a folder! I didn't have problems until last weeks Evals(they updated the installer version) and screwed it up again!
Gee Whabbit, I quit in 2006, and when I went to download the games, my info was still there. I am able to redownload all my game, the 18 month thing doesn't play, mine are still all there. They had my Email address and I am a returning customer box checked, lol! I am still however with the community(Forums and Beta testing)! I have about 75 games from them!Suki
Posted 17 years ago # -
kerikaz
MemberThanks Suki, I will follow your instructions. I've just been nervous about doing anything because of all of the problems. I read the forums at RA every day and the problems are amazing and getting more frequent. Never was this way until recently. You are right about the games also, I can redownload any of my games no matter how long ago I purchased them. Whiterabbit - could you have used a different email when you original purchased them?
Kerikaz
Posted 17 years ago #
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