Comparing Digital Download PC Game Stores

Once it was simple.  I had one icon on my system tool tray; Steam.  The one place I could find all my downloaded games.  That's the past now, and although digital downloads only make up 25% of the video game market, every online store hub seems to have its own version of digital distribution.  Each with its own gimmicks, biases, and shady fine print in the user agreements.  The purpose of this article is to compare the different stores, to allow the consumer to make a logical choice, and not necessarily just based from price.

Note: All international companies have US/int downloads available.  Specific games may still require accounts for different venders, even tough the game was not purchased via that particular site.

Steam
Owned by: Valve; USA, Wa
Online required for Gameplay: Sometimes
Cloud & local save sessions: yes
DRM in service: Yes
Game Matching: Yes
Client patches games: Yes
Client required: Yes
Resale Option: No
Mac Support: Yes
Popular Sales: Week in December & July.  Midweek and weekend sales.
Notes: The site that leads the digital download revolution.  As they've been around the longest, considered the most reputable & reliable.  Although, service has been recently hacked.   Humble Bundle and other games cam often be tied onto the service library.  A dispute over patching has eliminated modern EA games from library.

Impulse (Gamestop Now)
Owned by: Gamestop; USA, Tx
Online required for Gameplay:Yes
Cloud & local save sessions: Yes
DRM in service: Yes
Game Matching: Yes
Client Required: Yes
Resale Option: No
Notes: Formally owned by Stardock, was purchased by Gamstop, to get into the online action.

Good Old Games
Owned by: CD Projekt; Poland
Online required for Gameplay: No
Cloud & local save sessions: No
DRM in service: No
Game Matching:No
Client required: Optional
Resale Option: No
Popular Sales: weekend
Notes: Focuses on mostly older games, best known for DRM free libraries for game and service. 

Green Man Gaming
Country: UK
Online required for Gameplay:Yes
Cloud & local save sessions: No
DRM in service: No
Game Matching: No
Client required:Yes
Resale Option: trade back
Popular Sales:Free game promotions

Gamers Gate
Owned by: Swe
Online required for Gameplay: No
Cloud & local save sessions: No
DRM in service: No
Game Matching: No
Client required: No
Resale Option: No
Popular Sales:
Mac support: Yes
Notes: Site has rewards system called "Blue Coins".  For buying games and utilizing their social tools, you'll gain "Blue Coins".  This virtual currency can be used to get new games, however the coins expire after 12 months, if not used.

Direct2Drive
Owned by: Gamefly; USA, Ca
Online required for Gameplay: No
Cloud & local save sessions: No
DRM in service: No
Game Matching: No
Client patches games: Pre patch only
Client required:Optional
Resale Option: No
Popular Sales: Black Friday deals
Mac support: Yes
Notes: Site has a history of denying games that require Steam hookup.

Other Online Stores:

• Origin - EA
• Notorious for invasive user agreements
• Big Fish Games
• Specializes in unknown bargain bin titles
• Amazon - Digital Download 
•  Much like their music service, its direct download of game, no strings attached
• Battle.net - Blizzard
• Blizzard games only; also supports micro-transactions
• Ubi Shop - Ubisoft
• Buyer Beware, Ubisoft has some of the most draconian DRM

Questions will always linger about digital stores, and the meaning of "ownership".  What if your account is hacked? Why did a ban in a forum, ban me from my games?  The consumer will never truly know what will occur to their libraries, if a company is bought out or goes under.  Unlike your money in a bank, you have no protections in place if something happens to the company storing games that you had purchased.

My Choice:   I'm sold on all the good Steam deals.  You simply can not ignore some of their great pricing.  Overall, Valve supports PC gaming and in turn, I'll support Valve.  I also like Amazon Download option.  Its simple, no complicated applications, just DL and install game, much like you bought it from a retail store.