Namco Bandai Pushes More Games Through Digital Distribution

Steam has already managed to make a statement, and more and more companies are beginning to follow on Valve's example. Digital distribution is starting to become increasingly popular, especially in North America, so it's no wonder that everyone is trying to make their push to grab a piece of the market. Digital distribution is somewhat more cost effective, as the production cost of each individual copy is drastically reduced, for the actual disc and the package are no longer required.

So, with downloadable content packs also on the rise, it's only natural that distribution will evolve from physical to digital, but, of course, that doesn't mean that a boxed release will disappear anytime soon. Even so, with digital distribution sales on the rise, publishers would be naive to not start further exploring this domain. And another big company to start taking this delivery system more seriously is Namco Bandai, as it has announced that it will begin to make available more and more titles via digital distribution.

The Xbox Live Games on Demand, as well as the PlayStation Network, will receive new titles to their library. “Expanding our digital distribution presence across all major platforms is an essential part of our worldwide corporate strategy,” the Vice President of Online Development at Namco Bandai Games America, Robert Stevenson, said. “Through this initiative, our consumers will have access to our latest releases, bestsellers and hard to find classics with the press of a button.”

The list of Namco titles already available on the XBLA and PSN, as well as an upcoming one can be found bellow, along with the price and their respective ESRB rating. Expect this list to grow slowly, but steadily, if the publisher will stay true to its words.

Xbox LIVE Games on Demand

Ridge Racer® 6, E for everyone, now available for 1600 Microsoft Points;
Beautiful Katamari™, E for everyone, available Q1 2010.

PlayStation Network for the PSP system

SOULCALIBUR®: Broken Destiny, T for teen, now available for $39.99;
TEKKEN® 6, T for teen, now available for $39.99;
Ridge Racer®, E for everyone, now available for $14.99;
Me & My Katamari™, E for everyone, available today for $19.99.