Microsoft intoducing 'Games on Demand'

Full game downloads have only recently been introduced to Xbox live, and now the service is moving to Games for Windows Live, Microsofts Windows branch of the 'Live' gaming franchise. It is set to start December 15. Director of Games for Windows Live, Chuck Osieja called the move, "Microsoft's return to delivering Windows games built on unique LIVE experiences." Last summer the Live service had to drop its subscription fees in order to compete with Valve's service, Steam.

 

At present though, Valve has a much larger catalogue of games than Microsofts new service, meaning it will be difficult for Microsoft to have a great impact on the market anytime soon, if ever. The starting lineup of games offered include; Resident Evil 5, Red Faction: Guerrilla and Battlestations Pacific, World of Goo and Hemisphere Games' Osmos. All of which are currently available via Steam. Steam hasn't had real competition in the games on demand market yet so it will be interesting to see what stops Microsoft will pull out in order to gain the upper hand.