It seems like there’s been a flurry of exercise just lately in PC games shops. Discord just lately added a retail part to their multi-chat shopper, and now browser game hub Kongregate is getting in on the motion. Kartridge is their new retailer, obtainable in each browser and desktop app types. It’s principally targeted on smaller unbiased studios, in addition to supporting a variety of free downloadable or browser-based games, and wraps every part up within the achievement-chasing social programs that Kongregate was so well-known for. Below, a remarkably restrained retailer launch trailer.
Even moreso than Discord, Kartridge is concentrated on smaller unbiased studios, and is presently giving high billing on its storefront to the likes of Speed Brawl and Fossil Hunters. Hopefully each of these (and many extra in addition to) can discover some traction right here whereas they beforehand struggled on Steam. On high of the business stuff is a whole lot of browser-based or pay-what-you-want games with costs beginning at free. Some browser games do require you to put in an Adobe Flash plugin so that you can use, however ought to hopefully act as a protected little walled backyard for notable flash games.
Impressively, there’s little or no friction (past organising an account) in organising Kartridge’s app model. While it’s maybe an issue that it installs direct to your C drive, it makes the method virtually immediate. It didn’t a lot as current me with a single pop-up or immediate earlier than launching straight into the shop. Similarly, launching games is only a matter of clicking ‘install’ then ‘play’, normally a seamless course of. Speed and ease appear focuses right here. I’ve not but tried shopping for something, but it surely helps common bank cards and Paypal, and all costs are listed in US {dollars}.
It’s all the time good to see extra methods of placing cash within the pockets of small studios, and extra corporations that includes the work of smaller creators. Still, this retailer launch feels a bit too late to actually seize any zeitgeist. The sluggish dying of flash and the phasing out of games supporting it have robbed Kongregate of a lot of their clout. Hopefully this’ll get them again on monitor and searching sturdy.
Kartridge is open for business, and you’ll log straight in for those who keep in mind your Kongregate username and password from again within the day.
