Mech Commander Gold

[eMTe]

RTS with mechs by Microprose.

"Gold" pack consists of original Mech Commander game (1998) and its expansion Desperate Measures and was released in 1999. The funny thing is that there's no proof that it is free. Ive downloaded it and there's only a standard commercial license included, however there are various claims in web that game was released as free download by the publisher, but it was so long ago that this page doesnt exist.

Game can be downloaded for example from this source:

http://www.shacknews.com/file/20900/mec ... -free-game

Since there are no proofs that game is really freeware (might be freeware just like Grand Theft Auto - was available only from publisher's site, but since the site is gone and game was never made freeware as "free for download from any source you like" its status is technically abandonware) I submit it with caution.

[Zyx]

GTA is still available from Rockstar, as is GTA2 as Rockstar Classics. Sure, they're not freeware in the sense that they can be distributed freely.

I think a better comparison is the Command & Conquer series, the first games were released for free on EA's site in 2007 to celebrate the 12th anniversary. That site is since gone (and the games are now available on EA's Origin for a fee) but many sites still host the games as free downloads.