Direct2Drive Snuggles Up To THQ

IGN's digital shopfront Direct2Drive just jumped into bed with THQ. The fruit of their union is the news that a whole range of THQ titles will now be available on the service, including some that are actually quite good.

Company of Heroes and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. probably head the list as far as recent critical renown goes, with finicky RTS Supreme Commander also available. More appealing to someone like me, whose PC cannot run any of those games, is word that the entire Dawn of War series will also be making the trip. So you can pay loads of cash just to watch the intro over and over and paint Space Marines. Which is all I ever did. Luke Plunkett

3:00 AM on Tue Jun 26 2007
By Luke Plunkett
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10 comments

Comments

Morpork at 03:24 AM on 06/26/07
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Luke, CoH demands you upgrade your PC! Quickly, now.
Draconis at 04:12 AM on 06/26/07
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Dawn of War's OP is still one of the absolute best in any video game ever. I hope the series does arrive on D2D.
Shiryu at 05:25 AM on 06/26/07
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Im kinda looking forward to picking up the entire thing boxed, with the compilation Warhammer 40.000 Dawn of War Paltinum Collectors Edition.

Have you never found ironic that Starcraft ripped off WH40K but in the end, DOW ripped off Starcraft and made it even better!?

Lets see who wins out of StarCraf 2 and (heres hoping) Dawn of War 2 on the Company of Heroes engine. Much like Luke, my Pc wont run it, but as long as it comes with a killer intro movie, ill be pleased.
Irenicus at 06:02 AM on 06/26/07
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It is a pretty good RTS. D2D is a pretty good provider to, I hope digital distribution like this hits consoles soon.
axiomatic at 08:36 AM on 06/26/07
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Yeah I have to agree. I made my first Direct2Drive purchase late last week and the whole experience was good. It was easy to get through the purchase and one thing they do not advertise to well on their site is that most of the game install files are pre patched. What I'm saying is that the install files are not the initial release files. My first purchase was Sword of the Stars and the installer was already at version 1.2.1 which means I didn't have to download any patches! Nor do I ever have to hunt for the DVD or manual to find the unlock key since they are kept online as well. Its a win/win all the way around.

Now if Direct2Drive would just let me validate games I already own to be unlocked in their system (like Steam does) they will gain my undying fealty.
Irenicus at 09:25 AM on 06/26/07
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@axiomatic: thats the thing tho, D2D is like a store and steam like a service provider, which is why I like D2D cause I dont have to be a member etc just purchase on the fly like walking into a store.
RPGZero at 10:36 AM on 06/26/07
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Hehe, I've been so lazy in getting the DoW games lol... I want them, but I've been holding out for a big Platinum version with both expansions or something.

Hopefully it makes it to Steam too as I much prefer that to D2D, then I'll grab 'em!
The Commissar at 12:09 PM on 06/26/07
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Good, hopefully more games and publishers will partner with D2D. It makes it easier to find older titles (or newer ones that did'nt do so well) - is damn convenient and fast.

Steam is balls in comparison because if they decide to ban you from their network for whatever reason - perhaps for charging back Terror of the Deep because it does'nt run and they released it with a fan-made hack patch - you lose access to ALL your games. Direct2Drive I am simply downloading an archive and I could, were I unscrupulous, distribute it to friends.

No, I would rather if more companies chose Fileplanet/D2D than Steam. That being said, here's to digital distribution. <3
brello at 12:19 PM on 06/26/07
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I guess this is decent if you're embarrassed to buy games in public, don't have a car or don't feel like leaving the house at the time. I'll stick to the local retail stores though, I still like having the case/discs/booklet.

Maybe someday, digital media...maybe someday.
Irenicus at 12:33 PM on 06/26/07
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@brello: ouch, what if... it is holiday or late and stores are closed or game is sold out in local stores etc etc etc. And I also like to admit, some games I would never and no one would will buy if you had to drive to the store to pick up lol like many of those smaller games etc.

Some games you might have picked up digitally and love but because of having to go to the store you might just forget screw it or be to critical before purchase.

Just some thought from me anyway :)