The giant e-tailer Amazon has announced the launch of a new PC game download store that should move the company into a battle for market share against RealNetworks, Big Fish Games, and PopCap.
The store, available here, currently has over 600 downloadable games, with all priced at $6.99 to $9.99 USD.
As a promotion of the store, the company is offering three free full version games, “Jewel Quest 2,” “The Scruffs” and “Build A Lot.” Every other game comes with a free, 30-minute trial.
When asked whether Amazon had a chance to succeed in the now crowded online games market, Greg Hart, Amazon's vice president of video games and software, added:
"Sure, sure. A great example is when Amazon.com entered the traditional retail video game space two and a half years ago... obviously that was a very competitive and crowded space, but we've been very happy with our growth in that space."
"Certainly there is a lot of competition, and a lot of sites out there that do a very good job, but we think we bring a lot of things... certainly trust, and the convenience aspects... are all elements of the shopping experience that will carry over to casual game downloads very well."
As a promotion of the store, the company is offering three free full version games, “Jewel Quest 2,” “The Scruffs” and “Build A Lot.” Every other game comes with a free, 30-minute trial.
When asked whether Amazon had a chance to succeed in the now crowded online games market, Greg Hart, Amazon's vice president of video games and software, added:
"Sure, sure. A great example is when Amazon.com entered the traditional retail video game space two and a half years ago... obviously that was a very competitive and crowded space, but we've been very happy with our growth in that space."
"Certainly there is a lot of competition, and a lot of sites out there that do a very good job, but we think we bring a lot of things... certainly trust, and the convenience aspects... are all elements of the shopping experience that will carry over to casual game downloads very well."
