There's digital distribution like Steam and, increasingly, downloads from the major console and game makers.
The software developer and proprietor of digital distribution store Steam has a plan to sell custom PC gaming machines to geared toward competing with next-generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
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Online distribution services like Steam and GOG.com have great deals on all sorts of titles and make purchasing and playing those titles really easy and convenient.
Crowdfunding and internet distribution methods like Steam and Xbox Live Arcade have similarly removed many of the barriers that either kept these games from commercial success or forced uncomfortable deals with large publishers in the past.
This meant either having to download games from a digital distribution service such as Steam or Origin, or having to lug about a portable optical drive.
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Steam is a completely different monster in digital distribution and cloud storage.
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Consoles may be experimenting with digital distribution, but simply put, Steam has mastered it, and its ease of use, organization, selection of titles and low, low prices make it indispensable for any gamer.
All of this is made possible by the diversity of available distribution platforms (browser based games, Steam, the App Store) but also the openness of new technologies.
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Yeah, Steam -- you know, that wildly popular game distribution service that's doing its darnedest to kill off boxed video game sales.
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Steam, with its 40 million users is leading the PC game distribution site, making it an attractive partner for publishers who want access to that vast audience.
If you follow my section of the site here at all, you know that I constantly reference Steam as a model for what other media companies should be aiming for with digital distribution.
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