Games on Demand, already an Live success, will soon be offering full-scale releases for sale and download on the PC too - the service set to be integrated with Games for Windows Live.

The service will officially launch on the 15th of December, although the launch line-up is quite 'light' compared to Xbox Live's platform.

Resident Evil 5, Red Faction: Guerilla and Battlestations: Pacific not to mention World of Goo and Osmos are on offer for starters.

Microsoft will allow games to be purchased via card or Points, and the launch of this platform sees Microsoft taking on Valve's service, the current market leader on the PC.

By Luke Guttridge