Games on Demand for Windows gets some non-LIVE titles

One step at a time, Games for Windows LIVE is becoming slightly more tolerable.

Games on Demand for Windows, the digital distribution aspect of the service, is expanding: non-GFWL games are now being sold, and there’s the promise of day-and-date releases from 2K Games, Capcom, Microsoft Game Studios, Rockstar Games, THQ, and Ubisoft going forward.

Among the first titles not associated with Games for Windows LIVE are Age of Empires III, Assassin’s Creed 2, Borderlands, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Max Payne 2, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Splinter Cell Conviction, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. These games are — much to my surprise — for the most part competitively priced.

And while we’re on the subject, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Warrior Within have been temporarily marked down to $2.49 a pop. A little competition in the realm of digital distribution never hurt anyone.