Microsoft Announces Games for Windows Marketplace

Microsoft announced today the upcoming service called Games for Windows Marketplace. This is basically a Steam-like extension to the Games for Windows platform. It will be going live on November 15 (just in time for Christmas it seems), and will provide much of the same service as Steam, such as integrated purchasing and ‘Deal of the Week’.

Games for Windows has largely remained an optional marketing extra for developers and publishers to stick on the front of their packaging. Games for Windows Live then added Microsoft’s twist on DRM, multi-player and online social community, but never really took off. From personal experience, the service got in the way more than contributing anything, leaving me with countless occasions of trying to play games but failing to connect for various reason, not too unlike how Steam started out.

This announcement is to tie in with the soon to be released heavyweight titles such as Fable III, Age of Empires Online and Microsoft Flight. The service also has various publishers ready to go like Square Enix with Deus Ex, Warner Bros Lego Universe, and newly released titles such as Dead Rising 2 and Lost Planet 2.

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 22, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the Games for Windows Marketplace, a new online PC games store that combines the convenience of the Web with the power of Games on Demand online distribution. Launching Nov. 15, the Games for Windows Marketplace will offer PC gamers a robust lineup of games they love, easier navigation and purchase, and recurring specials such as Deal of the Week.