Shareware: a business model
Shareware is a type of software distribution model that allows users to try a program before purchasing it. It's a marketing strategy and distribution method that was particularly popular in the early days of personal computing, primarily during the 1980s and 1990s.
Shareware games were released for free with limited functionality (for example: no saving, missing levels, time limit), often via a BBS (Bulletin Board System), a floppy disc or a CD included in a printed magazine or by direct download (when internet was in its infancy). If the user liked the shareware product, they could pay to obtain an upgrade and unlock the full game. When digital distribution started to become popular, shareware games slowly faded into oblivion.
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Sango Fighter
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1993freeware Panda Entertainment Technology Co.
Scorched Earth
DOS1991protected
Secret Agent
DOS1992protected Apogee Software
Secret Agent: The Escape
DOS1996 PhreAk Software
Seek and Destroy
DOS1996 Safari Software
Seek and Destroy was a shoot'em up published by the well known Epic Megagames in 1996 that tried to change the usual shoot'em up gameplay for the better. Instead of wave after wave of enemies to shoot down, you are given short missions to accomplish with your helicopter or your tank (yes, you can choose). At first, missions could seem a bit repetit...
Shadow Warrior
DOS1997protected 3d Realms
Sherlock: The Game of Logic
DOS1991protected Everett Kaser Software
Shooting Gallery
DOS1990 Arcanum Computing
Skyroads
DOS1993freeware Bluemoon Interactive
Skyroads: Xmas Special
DOS1994freeware Bluemoon Interactive
Slicks 'n' Slide
DOS1993
Snood
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1996freeware
Softporn Adventure
DOS1981freewareNSFW Sierra On-Line
Solar Winds 2: Galaxy
DOS1993 Stone Interactive Media
Solar Winds: The Escape
DOS1993 Stone Interactive Media
Space Miner
DOS1983
Spacewar
DOS1985
Spacewar is one of the earliest digital computer games and is often considered the first interactive video game. It was created in 1962 by Steve Russell, Martin Graetz, and Wayne Wiitanen at the MIT. The game was developed on the PDP-1 minicomputer; this is a DOS port, released in 1985.Spacewar! features two spaceships, controlled by players, that ...
Squarez Deluxe!
DOS1993freeware Adept Software
Stargunner
DOS1996 GT Interactive Software
Subhunt
DOS1997
Super Battleship
DOS1988
Super Bubble Mania
DOS1997
Super ZZT
DOS1992 Epic MegaGames
Tank Wars
DOS1990
Temple of Kroz
DOS1990freeware Apogee Software
Terminal Velocity
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac OS1995protected Terminal Reality
Tetris (Academysoft)
DOS1996 AcademySoft
The Adventures of Maddog Williams in the Dungeons of Duridian
DOS1992freeware Game Crafters
The Aethra Chronicles
DOS1994
The Aethra Chronicles is not a well know fantasy RPG, but it deserves some praise. It was developed by only one person (Micheal Lawrence) and, as the title implies, was intended to be the first volume of a saga. Unfortunately, volume two and three were never made. For a shareware game, Aethra was pretty solid and is still loved by the ones who play...
The Big Three
DOS1989 SDJ Enterprises