So after looking at several puzzle giveaways (the one that directly inspired me was yogsloth's quick giveaway), and finally having some free time this weekend, I've decided to make my own puzzle. This one is esoteric. And more than once.

Although solving the puzzle is its own reward, there are also 3 games for grabs to the first 3 people who get the answer. I chose different genres, so hopefully you'll find something you like.

Initially I wanted the code itself to be the answer to the puzzle. However, since as yogsloth's puzzle illustrates it would mean that a leecher can grab all three, I decided not to.
So the answer is going to be the name of the games. Possibly shortened and acronymed. Just so you know what answer to expect, it would be an alphanumeric string, upper and lower case, with some punctuation. Something like this: ThemeHosp,NWN2,SMAC in which case the games are Theme Hospital, Neverwinter Nights 2 and Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (note: you don't have to figure out the acronyms). Just PM me the string if you get it and I'll PM you the code for the game you choose.

Before we start, some rules:
_One game per person. First solved first served (and first to choose).
_No rep or join date requirement, but some forum activity appreciated. Since this giveaway requires the participant to do some solving, I'm going to be very lenient on this rule. However in order to prevent scammers, bad leechers or cheaters (multiple accounts etc.) from getting the game, I reserve the right to refuse entry.
_Since you don't know the games in advance, gifting or trading the code is allowed. If you're happy and the receiver is happy, then I'm happy too. But...
i) You may not dump the code or put it in ninja giveaway thread or similar.
ii) I don't want the code to end up in unredeemed limbo, so it has to be redeemed within 7 days. If you gift/trade the code, make sure the receiver is aware of this.

That's it. I'm hoping this puzzle will at least get someone interested in its subject. I really like it. If there is enough interest in this, I'll post some hints. If not, the codes will probably be used in another giveaway or maybe donated to someone else hosting one.

Where to start? First hint? There is already one in the thread's title. I even posted a wikipedia link.

Here goes:

(Someone please bump this thread. Puzzle won't fit in one post and I can't make two consecutive ones.)

EDIT: some > and < characters get messed up when I paste here, so for the moment the text of the puzzle is here:

http://pastebin.com/CsYxyhkL

Winners so far:

helpo1: Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete
drennan: (no game taken; didn't I say solving it is a great reward in itself ;))
adaliabooks: Planescape Torment
Wishbone: no game taken
AgentBirdnest: no game taken
chadjenofsky: no game taken
siulebuo: no game taken
Artoemius: no game taken

The giveaway is over. The last game Duke Nukem 3D Atomic Edition is sadly left unclaimed and will be dontated to another giveaway.

Hints and solution are in attachments. I've put gradual hints, so if you get stuck you can read them one by one instead of looking at the full solution.

If someone still stumbles across this later, I hope you enjoy solving the puzzle even if it means you won't get rewarded with any games.

Please note that later posts in this thread might contain some spoilers.