Digital distributors shun PC 'MW2'

Online storefronts have refused to stock the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 due to its mandatory installation of the Steamworks client.

Digital distributors Impulse, Gamersgate and Direct2Drive declined to sell the title. The latter referred to the Valve software as a "Trojan horse".

The PC edition of the upcoming war sim will use Steamworks for installation, patching and saved game management. "We don't believe games should force the user to install a Trojan horse," Direct2Drive told Gamesutra.

The retailers cited a conflict of interest as the main reason for not stocking a title carrying a competitor's storefront. "We share some of the same concerns as Direct2Drive over the bundling of the Steam client with the game. The most obvious issue is the forced inclusion of a competitor's store that blocks us from carrying the game," Impulse added.

Impulse also pointed out that its issue is not with the game or publisher Activision, saying: "Our issues with the game are solely with the Steamworks bundling. We enjoy a great relationship with Activision and would love to sell the title, but not with Steam."

Modern Warfare 2 is released for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on November 10.