Games for Windows Live 'Games on Demand' launches

[Jos]

As expected, Microsoft launched an assault on Steam and other similar services by opening up its Games for Windows Live Games on Demand digital distribution feature late yesterday. As the name suggests, Games on Demand will allow users to purchase titles, using a credit card or by redeeming Microsoft Points, and download them directly from their PC. For now, however, the service's catalog is limited to just 13 games.

As part of an introductory offer Microsoft is giving 50 percent discounts on Shadowrun, a decent online shooter that never got much attention, and life simulator Viva Piñata. A free copy of puzzle game Tinker, which had previously been released with Windows Vista Ultimate, is also available for download.

Besides these titles the rest of the lineup includes Fallout 3, DiRT 2, Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV, Battlestations Pacific, FUEL, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Section 8, Juiced 2, and Red Faction: Guerrilla. Previously promised indie titles Osmos and World of Goo are strangely absent from the list, however.

Prices are comparable to other digital distribution services, ranging from $9.99 to $49.99. If you are new to Games for Windows Live you can download the client here, while existing users will need to update to the latest version (v3.2) in order to access the Games on Demand feature.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/37359-games-for-windows-live-games-on-demand-launches.html

 

[Puiu]

They still have a lot of work to do to make steam worry even a little bit.

 

[TomSEA]

LOL...13 titles? Yeah boy, that's gonna bring in the masses.

 

[compdata]

Time will tell.

 

[treeski]

This would have brought more immediate users if they had offered a good discount on a bigger title game, like, "Resident Evil 5."

 

[9Nails]

I'm a long time Steam user. Happy with it. But feature for feature, does Microsoft even compare to Steam? Does it have the friends list, allow you to import non-steam games, allow you to store your game configurations into the cloud, let you play on any computer, etc?

 

[Relic]

While they are still new its nice to see more competition then just juggernaut Steam and on occasion Impulse with some cool stuff. Lets hope they do it right as they have a long way to go. And hopefully they don't turn this into another Xbox Live and attempted to nickle and dime PC users to death as that simple won't work thanks to our open platform and competition we have .

 

[Timonius]

It's not about the number of games available right now. It's about the service and the experience. And Microsoft is still losing this particular battle. Here are my particular problems with the Games for Windows Live 'service':
1. I have to buy microsoft points to then buy any of your products? Really? Well I guess I'll stick to Steam or Impulse.
2. I can't add the items I would like to a 'shopping cart'. (I tried adding one of the Fallout 3 expansions and I couldn't go back to add another one or even another product altogether.) The 'shopping cart' is pretty much a worldwide standard.

So right now I think I'll file Games for Windows Live under 'EPIC FAIL'! I'm sticking to Steam and Impulse...they are much more user friendly.

Microsoft PC users to do list:
-add shopping cart function with a final checkout feature
-add ability to purchase directly via credit card (no points system, we're pc gamers, not console gamers).

 

[Richy2k9]

hello ...

even if i said in the 1st announcement that more actors brings more competitions, if it is to have a clone, or worst a bad copy of other existing systems, thanks but no thanks.

i wish MS could go further, the right way, for i'm a PS3 & PC gamer so will have the best of both ... huh! sorry!

well good luck to MS, i'm staying with steam & it's usual 75% off for weekends

cheers!