GameShadow

[Voodoo]

While obtaining Mirror's Edge from Electronic Arts last night, I found that I was able to register some of my EA games with the registration service. This allowed me, if so desired, to download digital copies of the games I own a retail copy of. While this isn't particularly useful if I have the retail DVD, it is especially useful if I am away from home for work and decide that I'd like to get my Red Alert 3 on...

After entering many CD keys, I found that I was only able to get Red Alert 3's retail key registered. But, while fustrated that I couldn't register Battlefield 2142 in order to obtain a digital copy I tripped across something of interest. One of their advertisements was for a product called GameShadow.

What is GameShadow? Here is a description of the service from Wikipedia...
GameShadow is a gaming community website and freeware utility that keeps PC gamers up-to-date with patches, game demos, trailers, mods and other content for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 games. GameShadow identifies the exact version of every game installed on a user's PC, then checks its database to determine which updates are available for those games. The site also offers insightful features on the nature of the games industry, an industry blog, and a Gaming Network. It is available for Microsoft Windows only. GameShadow is based in Over Norton, Oxfordshire, England.

GameShadow was previously a subscription service, but in May 2006 it announced that it was available free.
I went ahead and installed the service. After the installation was complete, it asked me where to scan. Once the scan was complete, it told me which games needed patches, if my DirectX was up to date and finally informed me if my GPU drivers were outdated. Happily, most of my games were up to date but I was surprised that my nVidia driver was outdated. I told GameShadow to go ahead and download the update. Once downloaded, the client asked if I'd like to go ahead and install which it performed without issue.

All in all, my first experience with GameShadow (http://www.gameshadow.com/) was very positive. I recommend you to give it a try as well.

[Jackel]

Hmm. I might have to try this, although most of my games are through steam, which automatically updates my games anyways.

[roboninja]

Hmm. I might have to try this, although most of my games are through steam, which automatically updates my games anyways.

I was thinking the same thing. It is a cool idea for non-Steam games, however. Plus, the addition of checking things like DirectX and video card rivers is always useful.

[biosc1]

Yes, very interesting...I'll have to give this a go when I get home and see what it finds. Graphics driver checks alone are worth it.

[PathMaster]

Neato, might have to give this a try.

[Bad Buddha]

I had a copy of this running from when I installed CivCity: Rome a long time ago. I used it for quite a while and found it to be quite helpful and handy. Haven't bothered to re-installed it since my last system rebuild.

It had a tendency to suggest that I download demos and trailers for games that I already had installed. Also had some issues identifying the installation of specialized Unreal Tournament patches.

[Deadend]

This would be handy as hell... if I didn't play just Steam games and WoW anymore. Still, about damn time I hear of a service like this. I think Xfire can do something similar too?

[Karak]

Wait...this downloads patches without your request? That would be terrible. I can count over 20 games in the last 6 months where the latest patch caused CTD or other issues including invalidating saves(the worst thing ever) mucking up AI, invalidating graphics settings and not letting you reset them, sound glitches and so forth.
I wouldn't touch this with a 40 foot pole. That is just way to scary for me personally.

[Voodoo]

Wait...this downloads patches without your request? That would be terrible. I can count over 20 games in the last 6 months where the latest patch caused CTD or other issues including invalidating saves(the worst thing ever) mucking up AI, invalidating graphics settings and not letting you reset them, sound glitches and so forth.
I wouldn't touch this with a 40 foot pole. That is just way to scary for me personally.
It only downloads what you request to be installed. What it does is merely informs you of there are items available (including patches) for the games you have installed. It is ultimately your choice to execute the software's suggestion.

[Karak]

It only downloads what you request to be installed. What it does is merely informs you of there are items available (including patches) for the games you have installed. It is ultimately your choice to execute the software's suggestion.

Copy sorry I misread. So basically instead of the games autoupdater it would be this? I guess that could be useful. I feel better knowing that it doesnt just download in the background so I wouldn't spend 10 minutes each day saying NOT to install something.
It seems very ad driven but thats understandble in this enviroment. Sounds a lot like xfire.