Microsoft has a thing for trying to corner other peoples' markets, it seems. Not content to bullrush the games industry in the first place, then desperately grasp for some of Nintendo's fanbase, Microsoft is now looking to rival Steam by distributing PC games online.
Games for Windows LIVE general manager Chris Early confirms that MS will be offering a digital distribution platform via the Games for Windows LIVE Marketplace. The Marketplace will offer demos, videos and additional game content, something which Early claims that you "can't do today on a PC."
He has not heard of the Internet.
The Marketplace is due to launch in two to three weeks. I am sure that Valve is currently quaking in its booties.
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Contest:
9:23 AM on 11.13.2008
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Steam is great but there's room from improvement. Competition is always nice.
PCs are an open platform, and don't require input or clearance from MS to go on sale. Therefore, there's little actual incentive for publishers to include LIVE functionality unless their games are 360 ports or multiplatform. Incidentally, the only games WITH Live functionality are Gears (the first), Shadowrun, and Fallout 3, and Fallout 3's just track pointless achievements.
By comparison, Steam is just a frontend. It understands the way the PC market works.
About the only thing I have hope for with Marketplace is that it can make more DLC available in a better, more unified way, so that PC players don't continually get the shaft on DLC additions like map packs and whatnot.
1) I hate everything DRM, and Steam is DRM up the ass...no resell here.
2) Steam makes every game take waaay longer to load than it should since it needs to connect and verify with Steam everytime you play.
Personally, I wish Steam would just die (but I know it won't). Unfortunately, I'm all too certain that Microsoft won't do any better and will probably be worse.
@daddy gamer:
Why the steam hate? You get so much in return for having to deal with load times and DRM. Friend tracking system, instant updates, achievement tracking, and best of all, you can jump on any computer with an internet connection and d/l + play your games. It's easily at par with Xbox Live except it's free.
This kinda reminds me of when they came out with the Zune. It was too little too late.
I do loves me Steam though.
It's also due to the respect that Valve shows PC gamers these days. Yes, Steam is an elaborate form of DRM, but it's DRM that actually adds functionality. The ability to log in on any computer and download your games again, no discs or cd keys necessary, friend list, automatic updates, forums, special sales, demos, trailers, all offered through the one client.
The fact that the games available on the system are by Valve is just the icing on the cake.
MS can throw all the money at PC gaming it wants but it's still apparent they don't understand the PC gamer. They only got interested in PC gaming again when Valve began to dominate the market and made Microsoft all but irrelevent. When Valve begins making games for Linux using OpenGL then we can kiss MS goodbye for good.
people still use ign for ANYTHING?
microsoft is gay.