Microsoft announces Games for Windows Marketplace

Microsoft has just announced that it will be launching an online PC game marketplace, which has been creativly named “Games for Windows Marketplace”

Launching November 15, Microsoft says the Games for Windows Marketplace will offer PC gamers a “robust lineup of games”  - initially launching with a set of 100 titles. The following was taken from an article on TechCrunch:

Microsoft promises that the store will be optimized for speed, allowing for rapid obtaining and gameplay with fewer clicks to actual purchase and download. Gamers will be able to search for and download games on a PC, anytime, and redownload games they purchased at some point in the past if need be.

From the looks of it, you’ll need a (free) Xbox LIVE gamertag, Zune tag or Windows Live ID to purchase titles on the Games for Windows Marketplace. The new store also supports Microsoft Points as well as credit card purchasing, both of which are big pluses.

The store will also feature promotions on select games every time they visit the Marketplace, combined with the “Deal of The Week” and other recurring and seasonal offers.

To get a taste of what to expect: right now, the Deal of the Week on Gamesforwindows.com is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for $3.75 (or 75% off).

Here’s a list of games that will be available (from the press release):

- “Fable: The Lost Chapters”
- “Grand Theft Auto III”
- “Lego Universe”
- “CarneyVale”
- “Dead Rising 2″
- “Lost Planet 2″
- “Max Payne”
- “Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition”
- “Flight Simulator”
- “Gears of War”
- “Halo”
- “Zoo Tycoon”
- “Fable III”
- “Age of Empires Online”
- “Microsoft Flight”

Sounds cool. With Cell C taking on the big broadband boys here in SA hopefully we will continue to see prices drop and data speeds increase, this is way more convenient than going to the local gaming store - Whooha.