Digital gaming distribution taking off

GamesIndustry.biz tells us that Sega will soon be selling games via downloads and EA are distributing the expansion pack Battlefield 2: Special Forces through EA Downloader, with more downloadable content to come. For some reason EA’s English-language store has a notice saying “This EA store services North America. Click here for access to our other global stores” and the link kindly took me to their EA Europe front page with the option of viewing in Deutsch or Sverige. I’m not sure what they expect us strange UK foreigners to do, but there doesn’t seem to be anything stopping you from ordering via the North American pages.

With all that money saved on shipping, packaging, retail mark-ups and the rest, does anyone think the savings will be passed on to us, the consumers? With Amazon.com listing the RRP as $29.99 (their price $24.99) and EA’s download store selling it for $29.99, looks like a resounding No! Play.com has it for £14.99 but once they finally get around to closing that Jersey tax loophole (if ever) it would be cheaper to get from EA, since Customs wouldn’t be able to hit you for the VAT. I have no idea how legal that is – if you do, let me know!

Other digital distribution stores:

• Steam – Half Life, Rag Doll Kung Fu…
• Funsta – Deus Ex, Worms…
• Freeloader – Lots of odd little games I’ve never heard of…
• Direct2Drive – F.E.A.R, Civilization 4 and lots more…