The platform offers many key advantages over existing technologies - including rapid download speeds enabling play within minutes instead of hours, far greater security, and improved ease of use for the customer.
Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin said: “This is a really exciting development for us, as it gives us the opportunity to do for PC Games what iTunes has done for music. The GDI technology will revolutionise how the mass market will play games, and will give them more choice for less money.”
The PC games industry is plagued by high distribution costs and piracy which has hampered the growth of this market. Several of the world’s major games publishers have already registered their support. The Koch Media Group, Europe’s largest PC games distributor, working with major brands such as EA, Ubisoft and Deep Silver, were one of the first to witness this new technology in action. At the recent demonstration, their reaction was so enthusiastic that negotiations are already well advanced in preparation for the AWOMO launch.
Koch Media are one of the pioneers of on line distribution and work with e–tailers such as Metaboli and Gamesload and have many years experience in on line delivery but are constantly looking for ways to improve their service.
Roger Bennett, former director of ELSPA, the games industry association, said: “After twenty one years in the computer and video games industry, I can honestly say I have recently seen in operation the most unique technology that can bring the most potential value to the industry.”
Chris Gorman OBE, director of GDI, says, "The highly alluring combination of being able to download a game in minutes instead of the existing standard few hours and the promoted mega cash prize gaming tournaments will create a Mecca of opportunities for sponsors and promoters to target the vast gaming community.”
GDI intend to launch their AWOMO platform later in 2007 with a large selection of games available in order to meet the huge international demand expected.