Developer, publisher and digital distributor Stardock has released its annual customer report by CEO Brad Wardell, giving insight into its platform Impulse's competition with Valve's Steam as well as interesting figures and estimates concerning the past year.

Stardock estimates "based on discussions with publishers along with the numbers we are aware of" that Steam owns 70% of the digital distribution market, while Impulse sits in second with a 10% share and the remaining 20% is shared between all others.

The successes of Steam and Impulse are due in part, Wardell believes, to their digital exclusives. Impulse's include Sins of a Solar Empire and Demigod--which it publishes--while Steam has the Left 4 Dead and Half-Life developer's own games as well as third-party releases using Steamworks for DRM, among other functions.

Wardell describes Steamworks as a "challenge" for Impulse as it effectively creates Steam exclusives of games which are not technically such... Read more

Update: According to Big Download and Blue's News, Left 4 Dead 2 pre-orders were listed as Steam's second top-grossing game for the week of 11/8 - 11/14, though it seems that listing disappeared after the game launched on November 17.

Original: The week before Left 4 Dead 2's release curiously saw Valve's zombie shooter get left behind by digital customers, as online pre-orders for the sequel slipped from the number three spot on Steam's top ten to, well, a position not listed on the chart.

Unsurprisingly, sales juggernaut Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 topped Steam's charts, with Direct2Drive, which refuses to sell MW2, seeing Dragon Age reign again.

Steam Top Ten (by Revenue): 11/8 - 11/14

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Infinity Ward
2. Dragon Age: Origins - BioWare
3. Dragon Age: Origins Digital Deluxe Edition - BioWare... Read more

Last week was a big one for PC RPGs, as BioWare's long-awaited Dragon Age: Origins dominated the sales charts of digital distribution outlets Steam and Direct2Drive, joined by Gearbox's shooter-RPG Borderlands and Runic's Diablo-esque Torchlight.

Also of note is the fact that the Steam charts include three titles not sold by Direct2Drive: Left 4 Dead 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Shattered Horizon.

Steam Top Ten (by Revenue): 11/1 - 11/7

1. Dragon Age: Origins Digital Deluxe Edition - BioWare
2. Dragon Age: Origins - BioWare
3. Left 4 Dead 2 (pre-order) - Valve... Read more

Update: Gyromancer will sell for 1200 Microsoft Points / $15, a representative of publisher-developer Square Enix has confirmed with Shacknews.

Original: The downloadable collaboration between Bejeweled maker PopCap and Final Fantasy developer Square Enix will hit PC and Xbox 360 on November 18.

A puzzle-RPG a la Infinite's Puzzle Quest, Gyromancer combines the quest and experience mechanics of traditional role-playing games with combat based on the color-matching gameplay of Bejeweled. No price yet, but we'll keep you updated.

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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

NCsoft's fantasy MMO Aion was the biggest PC seller at retail in September, according to NPD's new data for the month. EA Maxis' The Sims 3 and Cryptic's superhero MMO Champions Online rounded out the top three. On the order of more recent sales data, Left 4 Dead 2 captured the top spot on the Steam sales list last week, edging out Gearbox's just-released Borderlands and BioWare's upcoming RPG Dragon Age: Origins. Check out both charts below.

NPD US retail sales for the month of September:

1. Aion
2. The Sims 3
3. Champions Online... Read more

Steam preorders for Black Jacket Studios' hover-tank sport combat game Metal Drift have opened, providing a slight discount on the indie game.

Drift can be had for $10 now, with a pre-order also providing immediate beta access, or $12.50 when the game officially launches October 22. The game features five different arenas with which to level up your upgradable sport-tank. Multiplayer modes include "a goal-oriented game type that allows for high level strategy and team dynamics," and supprt up to 12 players. Check out the trailer below for an idea of what to expect.

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After years of console exclusivity, Oddworld Inhabitants' action-puzzler Munch's Oddysee (an original Xbox launch title from 2001) is being ported to the PC alongside its Western-themed shooter Stranger's Wrath--the studio's second Xbox-only release.

"We are in the process of converting Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath to the PC, so that all four of the major Oddworld games will be re-releasing this winter in a package called 'The Oddbox," Oddworld's ... Read more

In a new interview with Maximum PC, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford claims that Valve's dominance in the PC digital distribution arena could come to hurt the industry, citing a "dangerous" conflict of interest and a lack of competition that has already lead to the exploitation of smaller developers.

"I'll tell you what, Steam helps. As a guy in this industry though, I don't trust Valve," said Pitchford, who later clarified that while he personally trusts the company, "a lot of the industry doesn't."

"Valve is taking a larger share than it should for the service it's providing," he said. "It's exploiting a lot of small guys. For us big guys, we're going to sell the units and it will be fine."

Pitchford explained that since Microsoft "is focused on the console... Read more

Continuing to expand its Steam offerings, Electronic Arts today released six more titles on the distribution platform, including DICE's classic multiplayer shooter Battlefield 2.

The new additions are listed below. Sadly, there's no discount to celebrate the new arrivals, which Steam is known to do from time to time.

• Battlefield 2: Complete Collection - $29.99
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising - $19.99
• The Godfather - $9.99
• The Godfather II - $39.99
• Medal of Honor: Airborne - $9.99
• Need for Speed: Shift - $49.99

Update: Impulse has also added Battlefield 2: Complete Collection at $29.99.

The PC digital sales reign of Aion has drawn to a close. The top spot on Steam last week was claimed by the newly-opened Left 4 Dead 2 pre-orders--no surprise considering its pre-order numbers are running at 300% of the original's--while Direct2Drive saw the coronation of Gothic developer Piranha Bytes' new RPG Risen.

Post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth has already dropped from Steam's charts, though it's holding steady at D2D--resisting the advances of the ongoing fifth anniversary $5 sale.

Of course, it's important to note Aion has standard and collector's editions high in both charts, though it's impossible to judge whether combined they would claim the top spot.

Steam Top Ten (9/27 - 10/3) by revenue

1. Left 4 Dead 2 (pre-order) / Valve
2. Left 4 Dead / Valve
3. Aion Collector's Edition / NCSoft... Read more

The rocket-powered hijinks of armored opossum Sparkster are to continue, as Konami today revealed plans to revive the old 16-bit series on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

"The idea is that there haven't been any games these past 15 years simply because Sparkster hasn't had any adventures," Konami producer Tomm Hulett told 1UP. That all changes when battle once again calls on our hero, resulting in the discovery that his former pig foes have now allied with the opposums in a war against the wolves.

Slated to arrive as a digital download in 2010, the side-scrolling sequel is set fifteen years after the last entry, 1994's Sparkster, and is being developed by Climax. An "arcade" mode is set to retain the difficulty and level-by-level approach of the past titles, with a "free play" mode offering modern design concessions like saves and level select.

Gabe Newell--president of Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Team Fortress and Left 4 Dead developer Valve--has declared that "based on the strength of pre-orders, Left 4 Dead 2 will be the fastest-selling product in Valve's history."

The statement came as part of today's revelation that the November 17-due PC and Xbox 360 shooter will be backed by a $25 million ad campaign. The original, released last year, had a $10 million ad budget. Valve noted plans for a "more aggressive" European campaign spanning television and outdoor ads in more cities and markets.

"Left 4 Dead 2 has consistently run at 300% of Left 4 Dead's numbers," Newell added, with marketing VP Doug Lombardi clarifying that "Left 4 Dead 2 has already set the record for greatest number of pre-orders in our company's history."

Though the PC release of Borderlands isn't due until October 26--a week after the PlayStaiton 3 and Xbox 360 editions--digital distribution outlet Steam is looking to make the wait a little easier on your wallet by knocking 10% off PC pre-orders.

That brings the price of Gearbox's shooter-RPG down from $50 to $45 on the PC--$15 cheaper than the $60 console editions. Of course, you'll need to make sure your rig can run it--thankfully, the developer passed along these system requirements... Read more

Throwing yet another pre-order incentive into the mix, Valve today announced that those who pre-order Left 4 Dead 2 from "participating retailers" will get 10% off the game.

The offer brings the PC version to $45 and the Xbox 360 edition to $55. Of course, the company's own PC digital distribution outlet Steam is among those participating.

The developer is also offering those who preorder an exclusive melee weapon, the American baseball bat, and early access to the demo. Valve utilized similar techniques for the first Left 4 Dead, with pre-orders getting early demo access and a discount.

The controversial zombie shooter sequel hits PC and Xbox 360 on November 17.

NCsoft's fantasy MMO Aion once again dominated the digital PC sales arena last week. The title took the top two slots on both the Steam and Direct2Drive charts with its collector's edition and standard download, respectively. The plucky post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth also seems to be doing well, capturing the third slot on both lists. Beyond the massively multiplayer stuff, Direct2Drive's five dollar sales are clearly pushing numbers, and Steam is still selling Counter-Strike.

Steam Top Ten (9/20 - 9/26):

1. Aion Collector's Edition
2. Aion
3. Fallen Earth... Read more

Though it's only Thursday, Steam has already kicked off its weekend deal, a half-off sale on Monolith's shooter F.E.A.R. 2 and the downloadable "Reborn" expansion. That puts F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin at $24.99 and the downloadable add-on at $4.99.

In addition, the retailer is offering UK residents 10% off its entire EA catalog until September 27 to promote the fact that it's now selling those games in the territory.

NCsoft's latest MMO Aion topped both the Steam and Direct2Drive sales charts leading up to the game's North American launch today. Cryptic's own massive multiplayer title Champions Online continued to rack up sales following its recent September 1 opening, while Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum did well in its debut week on PC.

Steam Top Sellers (9/13 - 9/19):

1. Aion Collector's Edition (Pre-Sale)
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum
3. Resident Evil 5
4. Star Wars Jedi Knight Collection
5. Garry's Mod... Read more

As promised, LucasArts today re-released the entirety of its Star Wars-based shooting and saber-swinging Jedi Knight series through digital distribution outlet Steam.

The five games are available in the $19.99 Jedi Knight Collection, or individually:

• Star Wars: Dark Forces - $4.99
• Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II - $4.99
• Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith - $2.99... Read more

Responsible for countless amusing images and experiences, Garry Newman's self-titled Source mod "Garry's Mod" has been briefly marked down 50% to $5 on Steam.

Initially released on Steam in 2006, the paid download lets you bring models from various games into an open sandbox and play with them accordingly. Since then, it's brought in over $3 million and given creator Newman financial stability.

"This game requires that you own a Source engine game such as Counter-Strike: Source, Half-Life 2, or Day of Defeat: Source, cautions the program's official description. "Click here for a full list of games that meet this requirement. Please note that Portal: First Slice and the bundled Half-Life 2: Deathmatch do not fulfill this requirement."

The half-price sale runs until September 21. Thanks to JediDwag for the tip.