Prey to use online distribution

DiStream has announced that 3D Realms’ Prey will use their xStream service to enable gamers to download the game, much like what gamers can do today with Half-Life 2 and Steam. The xStream service will allow gamers to start playing bought games almost immediately, with downloading being carried out in the background as you play. Steam requires the full game to be downloaded before you can start playing.

“Gamers will be able to pre-order and pre-load Prey onto their hard drives, ready for instant activation and play upon the official release date,” said 3D Realms CEO, Scott Miller. “Or, after the official release, players will be able to buy the game and begin playing in minutes, as if the full game was already downloaded. This is what sets Game xStream apart from anything else the industry has seen.”

“Together 3D Realms and Game xStream are ushering in a whole new secure delivery platform that gives consumers the ability to play a game as soon as it’s released,” said Terry Nagy, Vice President of Business Development for Game xStream. “Working with 3D Realms on the first online distribution of the high profile release of Prey is a strong vote of confidence for the Game xStream service.”

Prey has been receiving good reports from E3 and the game is a big scoop for DiStream and their xStream service. It appears that the age of digital distribution is upon us.