Id Software Gets On Board with Steam

The developer announced Friday that its entire catalog would be for sale through online downloads.

Although Id Software and Valve have always been seen as rival FPS developers, Id made a significant concession to its competitor last week by signing on with the company’s Steam online distribution service. Id CEO Todd Hollenshead revealed his company’s move during a keynote address at QuakeCon on Friday, an Id-centric gaming event in Texas.

Gamers are now able to download every Id game up to Doom 3, and all the way back to ID classics like the Commander Keen series and Wolfenstein 3D. Prices range from $4.95 for older games to $19.95 for the newest.

Steam is gaining popularity as an effective way for software vendors to market their back catalogs – a feat that has traditionally been tough to pull off at physical retailers with limited shelf space. Eidos interactive also signed on to the service in March to offer older versions of the Tomb Raider and Hitman series. Other notable developers include Sid Meier’s Firaxis Games, Ritual Entertainment and PopCap Games. As of May, Steam boasted 13 million accounts.