Walmart Launches Online Gamecenter Store

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With all of the hype surrounding Valve’s digital distribution platform Steam and its hihgly publicized launch for Apple’s OS X operating system, it’s obvious that the Internet is becoming a favored way of purchasing digital media of all types. Currently, along with Steam, several companies have begun putting games up for purchase through their website or digital distribution platform of their own, Activision Blizzard and Amazon included.

Some argue that not physically having the game disc is a deterrent but those who support digital distribution are happy with being able to log on to a given service and download their already purchased games anywhere in the world. The market is there, and companies are taking notice both selling games for download, and physically online in general.

The latest of such companies to hop on bandwagon is one you may not have anticipated; Walmart. The mega budget retailer has just announced the launch of Gamecenter, their own take on selling games to consumers, something they have been doing for some time now but are highlighting with this new service.

Much like Amazon, Gamecenter will reward those who pre-order games online with some pretty worthy incentives. The most noteworthy of said incentives has to be the $50 digital gift card they will give you when you pre-order 3 PS3 and Xbox 360 games at once from a list they have compiled. Of these games, hard hitting titles to make note of are Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Fallout: New Vegas, Medal of Honor and NHL 11, among others.

They have a whole slew of other promotions including a $20 digital giftcard when you pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops, Buy 1 Xbox 360 Platinum hits titles and get the second one free and just $1 for shipping on most games.

Considering Walmart itself is a massive company, their Gamecenter should compete fairly well with Amazon’s already established online game store. And, if they keep up with these promotions, more and more gamers will surely flock to it as time goes on.