It is a given that the Xbox 360 will make use of the Live network to deliver content from day one. The service - currently being upgraded for the new generation of Xbox hardware - is the best of its kind without doubt, and an expansion of what it currently delivers was always on the cards.
Regular readers will remember that SPOnG exclusively revealed
that downloadable game demos will be available from day one of the 360’s launch, news that hinted at the considerably wider scope of Live in the coming months.
Related news surfacing today talks of an opt-in package for publishers whereby they circumvent the retail sector, offering games in downloadable form, direct to consumers in the home. Gossip was strengthened by GarageGames President Mark Frohnmayer, who said, "GarageGames now has three powerful engines, and we're constantly improving our development toolset. We've got several exciting projects on the horizon including a killer casual game being developed in partnership with another company and a downloadable title for the upcoming Xbox 360."
Microsoft representatives during last month’s E3 in Los Angeles made many references to Live evolving into a ‘marketplace’ for downloadable content, though at that point, full games - on-demand and digitally delivered - had not been specified.
As soon as official confirmation lands, you’ll be the first to know.