Compared to Steam and Direct2Drive, Microsoft isn't exactly a big player in the digital games distribution market, but it hopes to reverse that with the launch of its Games for Windows Marketplace.
Microsoft today announced the Games for Windows Marketplace, a new online PC games store will launch on November 15th.
"With Games for Windows Marketplace, we set out to create a digital store built for PC gamers end-to-end," said Kevin Unangst, Senior Global Director, PC and Mobile Gaming, at Microsoft. "And by integrating with our existing Xbox LIVE and Windows Live services, we've made it easier than ever for millions of gamers to see for themselves how easy buying PC games can be."
Aside from its integration with Xbox LIVE accounts, the new Marketplace doesn't seem to offer anything we haven't seen before. Nonetheless, Microsoft promises exclusive deals and discounts.
Microsoft has confirmed that the Games for Windows Marketplace won't host games that utilize Valve's Steamworks platform since it is considered a competing service. "If a game is a Steamworks game, it's not something we're selling," Peter Orullian, product manager for PC and mobile gaming at Microsoft affirmed.