Eidos Interactive and Valve Software are poised to slap those who claimed "the PC is dead" back to the age of the Commodore 64. With their agreement of a team-up for the online distribution of Eidos titles, the PC games industry just started to give the next-gen consoles a run for their money, using means to avert piracy.

Eidos Interactive, the UK-based world-class publisher for titles such as Tomb Raider, Commandos and Championship Manager, will now be distributing its new line of games and their bestsellers over Steam's online digital distribution network, including Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Championship Manager 2007. Other titles to be distributed include Hitman titles, Battlestations: Midway, Just Cause and the entire Commando series.

Gabe Newell, Valve Software's co-founder and president, was happy to extend their services to a major PC games publisher, toward an online community that is overly loyal to the PC platform. Steam is the premier distribution network for Valve Software, where they have been distributing games such as Rag Doll Kung Fu and Counter-Strike: Source. Tom Marx, development manager at Eidos, replied:

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. 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.