Websites using Abandonaid

Okay, let s break down Abandonia, its revenue, alternatives, pricing (which is interesting!), and customer care.

What is Abandonia?

Abandonia is a website dedicated to providing abandonware games (mostly DOS-based). Abandonware is a term for software, often games, that is no longer actively sold or supported by its copyright holder. The legality of distributing abandonware is a complex legal gray area, as the copyright technically still exists even if the copyright holder isn t actively enforcing it or profiting from it.

Key Features:

• Large Library of DOS Games: The core draw is the extensive archive of classic DOS games.
• Free to Download: All games on Abandonia are available for free download.
• Reviews and Ratings: Users can contribute reviews and ratings, helping others discover good games.
• Active Community: A forum allows users to discuss games, seek help with running them, and share nostalgia.
• Search and Filtering: Tools help users find games by genre, year, rating, etc.
• Game Information: Each game page usually includes information like release year, genre, developer, publisher, and sometimes technical notes on getting it to run.

Revenue Model:

This is a crucial point. Abandonia primarily relies on donations and advertising revenue.

• Donations: They explicitly solicit donations from users to help cover server costs, bandwidth, and maintenance. This is a primary income stream.
• Advertising: The site features ads, often banner ads, throughout the pages. This generates revenue based on impressions and clicks.

Therefore, there is NO direct pricing for accessing content. It is a free-to-use website supported by voluntary contributions and ad revenue.

Alternatives to Abandonia:

Here s a list of alternatives to Abandonia, with notes on their approach and focus:

• MyAbandonware: Similar to Abandonia in terms of focus and content. Also offers a wide selection of DOS games and other abandonware. Free to download, supported by ads. A strong direct competitor.
• RGB Classic Games: Focuses primarily on older DOS games that are explicitly released as freeware or under open source licenses. Tends to be more legally cautious.
• Internet Archive (Software Collection): The Internet Archive has a vast collection of software, including many old DOS games. A significant portion of this is accessible and playable through emulation in the browser. More of an archive than a curated site like Abandonia.
• DOSBox: While not a website for downloading games, DOSBox is an essential tool. It s a DOS emulator that allows you to run many classic DOS games on modern operating systems. You ll need to find the game files elsewhere, but DOSBox is crucial for playing them.
• GOG.com (Good Old Games): GOG.com sells DRM-free classic games that have been updated to run on modern systems. This is a paid alternative, but it offers convenience, legal access, and often technical support. They work to secure distribution rights.
• Steam: Similar to GOG.com in that it s a store that sells games but may also offer older titles that run on modern hardware. This is a paid alternative.
• Archive.org: Includes a wide variety of abandonware games, but often less curated.
• Emuparadise: While it did host ROMs and ISOs, it removed them due to legal pressure. It may still offer resources related to emulation and information on retro games, but the key download element is missing. Be aware that many ROM sites operate in a legally questionable area.

Customer Care Details:

This is where things get a bit sparse because of the nature of the site.

• Forums: The Abandonia forum is the primary place for user support. You can ask questions about games, troubleshoot problems, and get help from other users.
• Contact Form (Limited): Abandonia does have a contact form on their website (usually for reporting errors, etc.) for contacting administrators, but it s not designed for extensive customer support. Response times may vary considerably.
• No Formal Support: Do not expect phone support or dedicated email support like you would find with a commercial service. It s largely community-driven.
• Troubleshooting Guides (Game-Specific): The game pages often include user comments or notes on troubleshooting common issues. This is invaluable.

Key Takeaways:

• Abandonia is a valuable resource for retro gaming enthusiasts, offering a large library of free DOS games.
• It operates in a legal gray area, relying on donations and advertising revenue.
• Customer support is primarily community-based through the forums.
• Consider alternatives like GOG.com or Steam if you prefer a legal and supported way to play classic games.

Important Considerations about Abandonware:

• Legality: Be aware of the legal implications of downloading and playing abandonware. While many copyright holders turn a blind eye, there s always a theoretical risk.
• Security: Scan downloaded files with antivirus software before running them. Untrusted sources can sometimes contain malware.
• Compatibility: Expect to do some troubleshooting to get older games running on modern systems. DOSBox is your friend!
• Ethical Considerations: Consider supporting developers and publishers by purchasing their games (if available) on platforms like GOG.com or Steam.

I hope this gives you a comprehensive overview of Abandonia!