Will Microsoft's new PC game store rival Steam?

October 22nd, 2010

Delivering on its promise to announce more PC gaming schtuff this year, Microsoft today unveiled their updated response to the hugely popular Steam. It's called Games For Windows Marketplace (original, I know), and it's replacing the current Games for Windows website that nobody visits on Nov. 15.

Some things to note about the new site:

1. Unlike Steam, the new Marketplace is a web store. Click, pay, and download, right from your browser. That said, Microsoft will release a seperate client "to manage really really large files that aren’t maybe so easily managed through the web," the company says. 
2. It's launching with 100 games; a far cry from Steam's current catalog of 1200 games, but everyone's gotta start somewhere. 
3. Games will be sold in dollars, not those confusing and annoying Microsoft Points. And like Steam, Microsoft promises weekly discounts on games, and a revamped community, including online rankings, etc.

Overall it's great to see a gaming juggernaut get behind the PC in a big way. I'm doubtful Microsoft can catch up to Steam's 30 million head start. Either way though, the message is loud and clear: PC games are growing again. Competition is thickening. That mean's more games for you at lower prices.

Rock on.