Tech Shout!

Valve and Eidos Interactive have teamed up to announce a new agreement to launch “dozens of new and best-selling PC titles” through Valve’s Steam digital download service.

The companies have disclosed their plans to release “complete franchise sets” of series such as Tomb Raider and Commandos over Steam. Furthermore, Eidos also plans to launch forthcoming releases, such as Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Championship Manager 2007 over Steam as well.

Steam users can now access several titles from Eidos’ Hitman franchise, as well as Battlestations: Midway, Just Cause, and the entire Commandos series. Eidos will soon announce additional titles in the coming weeks.

“For over 10 years, Eidos has been a leading publisher on every major gaming platform,” said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. “Offering legendary action franchises in complete sets and working with Eidos to deliver new releases is a great step forward in our efforts to expand Steam’s offerings, and to do so in ways that provide highest value to customers.”

Tom Marx, senior business development manager: new media at Eidos said, “Eidos is delighted to add Steam to our extensive digital distribution network. Steam represents an opportunity to distribute our games electronically to millions of gamers around the world.”

He further added, “It also provides us a direct connection to these extremely active PC influencers who frequent Steam as a source for new content and information. As a result of being a spotlight feature on Steam this year, we expect to see sales of Tomb Raider: Anniversary benefit across all channels.”