GameAgent

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GameAgent was an online store, digital distribution platform, and information hub for OS X games. The platform is owned and operated by Aspyr, while the e-commerce portion is being handled by Digital River. [1]

Digital distribution is the delivery or distribution of digital media content such as audio, video, software and video games. The term is generally used to describe distribution over an online delivery medium, such as the Internet, thus bypassing physical distribution methods, such as paper, optical discs, and VHS videocassettes. The term online distribution is typically applied to freestanding products; downloadable add-ons for other products are more commonly known as downloadable content. With the advancement of network bandwidth capabilities, online distribution became prominent in the 21st century.

Aspyr Media, Inc., doing business as Aspyr, is an American video game developer and publisher based in Austin, Texas. Established in 1996, the company specializes in porting video games from Microsoft Windows to macOS and Linux with partners 2K Games, Activision, Gearbox Software, and others.

E-commerce is the activity of buying or selling of products on online services or over the Internet. Electronic commerce draws on technologies such as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems.

Contents

History

Launched in 2008, GameAgent originated as a storefront and digital distribution platform specifically for games published by Aspyr. It sold titles both as digital downloads and as physical boxes and featured games on both the OS X and Microsoft Windows. Many of the initial games offered digitally came with the Software Passport digital rights management (DRM).

Microsoft Windows Computer operating system, by Microsoft

Microsoft Windows is a group of several graphical operating system families, all of which are developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. Active Windows families include Windows NT and Windows Embedded; these may encompass subfamilies, e.g. Windows Embedded Compact or Windows Server. Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.

Digital rights management (DRM) is a set of access control technologies for restricting the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. DRM technologies try to control the use, modification, and distribution of copyrighted works, as well as systems within devices that enforce these policies.

Since its launch, GameAgent has added titles from additional publishers, such as Feral Interactive, to its library of titles it sells directly.

Feral Interactive video game publisher

Feral Interactive is a video games publisher for macOS, Linux, and iOS platforms. It was founded in 1996 and is based in London, UK. Feral Interactive works with publishers such as Square Enix, 2K Games, Sega, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Codemasters. Feral develops and publishes ports of its partners' popular games including the Total War series, Batman: Arkham, Tomb Raider and XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

In 2012, the GameAgent site was completely overhauled, removing boxed options and Windows PC games from its offerings. It introduced a new look and new features, many of which can be found in the current iteration of the site. It also began adding games not sold directly; instead it offered links to purchase games on the Mac App Store and Amazon.com, in addition to its own purchase links.

In November 2016, the service was discontinued. [2]

Digital rights management

While some of the games that GameAgent sells directly still use the Software Passport DRM, many of the more recent titles rely on Steam for DRM. As such, GameAgent sells Steam codes for these games; these codes are redeemable via the Steam client. Other titles rely on other serial-based systems of DRM.

Steam (software) digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform

Steam is a digital distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation for purchasing and playing video games. Steam was first released in 2003 as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates to its first-party games, but grew out in features and offerings from third-party developers and publishers. Steam offers digital rights management (DRM), matchmaking servers, video streaming, and social networking services. Steam provides the user with installation and automatic updating of games, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud saving, and in-game voice and chat functionality.

Titles not sold directly by GameAgent rely on a myriad of DRM solutions, depending on where the game is purchased. Mac App Store titles all feature Apple's in-house DRM solution, while games purchased from Amazon.com may feature DRM from Steam, EA's Origin service, or any other developer-hosted DRM solution.

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References

  1. Cohen, Peter (May 9, 2008). "More Details Emerge About Aspyr's Game Agent Service". PCWorld . IDG Consumer & SMB . Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  2. Lund, Bailey (November 15, 2016). "GameAgent Sunsetting - The Aspyr Blog". The Aspyr Blog. Retrieved March 11, 2017.