Major digital distributors Direct2Drive, GamersGate and Impulse have refused to stock Infinity Ward's highly anticipated shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on PC due to its reliance upon Valve Software's rival distribution platform Steam, Voodoo Extreme reports.

"We believe strongly that when you buy a game from us, you shouldn't be forced to install and run a 3rd party software client to be able to play the game you purchased," D2D explains in a statement masquerading as a listing for Modern Warfare 2 in its store. A representative later told Kotaku "We don't believe games should force the user to install a Trojan Horse."

Modern Warfare 2 on PC will use Steam and Valve's Steamworks framework for DRM purposes as well auto-update, achievement and anti-cheat features, among others.

However, both Direct2Drive and GamersGate sell ACE Team's Zeno Clash--which requires Steam. D2D also offers several other Steam-based titles... Read more

The PC version of Street Fighter IV will hit North American retailers on July 7, Capcom business development VP Christian Svensson recently revealed in a blog post.

Some retailers, including Capcom itself and Amazon.com, will sell a $60 bundle that packs a SFIV-branded MadCatz Fight Pad alongside the otherwise-$40 DVD release. The PC version packs support for higher screens resolutions than the console editions that hit earlier this year, and also includes three new optional visual filters.

The game will also be available from various digital distribution outlets, including Capcom's estore, Steam, Impulse, Direct2Drive, Metaboli, Gametap, Nvidia.com and GamersGate, all of which should reflect the standard MSRP of $39.99.

Digital retailer GamersGate has discounted its catalog of Ubisoft-published PC games by up to 50%, recreating and, in some cases, surpassing recent Steam deals. Direct2Drive is running a similar sale, offering some games not on GamersGate.

The sales runs until Sunday, May 3, with the full list of games and prices following:

GamersGate
50% Off
• Assassins Creed - $9.95
• Beyond Good & Evil - $4.99
• Blazing Angels - $4.95
• Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII - $9.95... Read more