Microsoft on Friday announced the Games for Windows Marketplace, a new online PC games store stocked with downloadable games for play on personal computers running on its software. "With Games for Windows Marketplace, we set out to create a digital store built for PC gamers end-to-end," said Kevin Unangst, senior global director, PC and Mobile Gaming, at Microsoft. "And by integrating with our existing Xbox LIVE and Windows Live services, we've made it easier than ever for millions of gamers to see for themselves how easy buying PC games can be."

The Games for Windows Marketplace (http://www.gamesforwindows.com) store allows for ultra-fast downloads on a PC and users can redownload games they purchase if needed. Gamers can check out deals on select games every time they visit the Marketplace, as well as the Deal of The Week and other recurring and seasonal offers.

Gamers can also search by titles or genres to find the games they want; they can even find new games from their favorite publishers with dedicated publisher pages.

Games for Windows Marketplace will launch with a managed portfolio of 100 titles. The launch roster includes blockbuster games such as "Fable: The Lost Chapters" (Microsoft Game Studios) and "Grand Theft Auto III" (Rockstar Games Inc.) from some of the industry's biggest developers, such as Capcom Entertainment Inc., 2K Games, Square Enix Co. Ltd. and more. In addition to top retail games, the portfolio will bring new indie titles to the forefront such as "Lego Universe" (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) and "CarneyVale" (Microsoft Game Studios), which will hit the Games for Windows Marketplace and retail stores at the same time and date; recent hits such as "Dead Rising 2" and "Lost Planet 2" (both from Capcom); and best-sellers such as "Max Payne" (Rockstar) and "Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition" (Square Enix).Games for Windows Marketplace will also be the place to find franchises from Microsoft Game Studios, such as "Flight Simulator," "Gears of War," "Halo" and "Zoo Tycoon," as well as upcoming blockbusters "Fable III," "Age of Empires Online" and "Microsoft Flight."

Anyone with a Windows Live ID (Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows - LIVE or Zune account) can login and immediately start shopping in the Games for Windows Marketplace. The new store also supports Microsoft Points (as well as credit card purchasing), allowing the more than 25 million users of Xbox LIVE, Zune Marketplace and Games for Windows - LIVE to use their Microsoft Points balance seamlessly across platforms.

The new Games for Windows Marketplace launches Nov. 15 at http://www.gamesforwindows.com.