Microsoft to take on Steam in battle of the digital distribution systems
It’ll be hard for Microsoft: Steam is a much stronger brand than Games for Windows Live, a faceless concept that evokes imperialist Microsoft tendencies and the vast, flaccid tentacles of their Live services. The only way they can make this little adventure work is by shoehorning themselves in, as they have suggested they will do with Fallout 3 DLC, and forcing a market presence. It’s a certainty that they can’t beat Valve, but with the amount of clout they’ve got, they’re guaranteed at least a spot in the lineup.
Microsoft also can’t ignore the fact that Valve is a smart company and receptive to the whims of the market. The service is no longer viewed as a novelty distribution system or Valve’s personal fileserver; the day-one releases of major games like Fallout 3 and Far Cry 2 are indicative of the faith that developers and producers have in the distribution system. It’s not quite ready to be a sole method of release, but it’s really just a matter of time before that comes to pass, too.