Virgin Plans the 'iTunes of PC Games'

Flamboyant Virgin Head Honcho, Sir Richard Branson, hopes to do for PC games what an 'iTunes' has done for music...

Virgin Games and Game Domain International (GDI) have announced plans to launch an 'iTunes like' platform for streaming distribution of PC games.
The joint platform, dubbed "A World of My Own" aka AWOMO is presently in its initial testing stage, and is expected to launch in the latter part of this year.

Commenting on the development, Branson said this is really exciting, and that GDI technology will revolutionize how the mass market plays games, giving them more choice for less money.

Reportedly, game publishers, including the likes of Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Koch Media have already evinced interest in participating in the project.

While AWOMO faces quite an uphill task, Virgin Games and GDI are both banking on the platform's rapid download speeds, greater security, easier interface, and yes - prizes, including a 'trip to the Moon'.

A confident Chris Gorman, Director of GDI, said that the highly alluring combination of being able to download a game in minutes instead of the existing few hours, and the promoted mega cash prize gaming tournaments would create a 'Mecca of opportunities' for sponsors and promoters to target the vast gaming community.

A lot is expected out of AWOMO... Once it completes the first phase, the platform is intended to morph into a virtual world - somewhat like Second Life and its counterparts...