To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more

Amazon launches digital downloads service for games and software

Amazon logo

Amazon is now selling digital download versions of selected PC games and software, in an effort to compete with the likes of Steam and Origin

Amazon is now selling digital downloads for selected PC games and software alongside boxed copies of the same titles, for customers that don’t want to wait for the postman to start playing.

The new service, which is currently limited to select games from Ubisoft and Electronic Arts, plus titles from several smaller publishers, will let customers start downloading their games straight away, either directly from Amazon or via a download code through Valve’s Steam or Ubisoft’s Uplay platforms.

Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3, The Sims 3, Borderlands 2 and Mass Effect 3 are among the more high-profile titles currently available, although the boxed copies are often significantly cheaper – Tomb Raider costs £29.99 for a digital download, but can be picked up for £15 if you’re prepared to wait for the postman.

At the time of writing, the best deal appears to be Assassin’s Creed 3, which costs £14.99 whether you buy it digitally or in boxed form.

Amazon is also opening a free-to-play store, which currently includes Stronghold Kingdoms and Second Life, among others. In-game content and currency will be available to buy for players to add to their characters should they choose.

PC software will also be available digitally, with Norton Internet Security, Sage instant accounts, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Rosetta Stone language courses all making the initial list.

Xavier Garambois, Amazon’s European Consumer Business VP, said that “Customers buying software and video games who want their products quickly can now download these products straight to their computer with the click of a button. Not only is this exciting for everyday purchases but for major upcoming releases, Amazon customers will be able to get their hands on products without waiting for them to arrive in the post”.

To see what games are currently included in the Digital downloads section, point your browser to http://www.amazon.co.uk/digitalgames.

Read more

News