personally I like direct2drive along with sometimes buying the retail version of the game (usually on impulse when at best buy or wherever, and some games like left4dead are not available on direct2drive). I log in and can download as many times as I want for years (my oldest games are 4 years old and still DL just fine), I can find almost any game and all I have to do when I install is enter a code and it works with no front end software (steam) needed at all. It just works as if the DVD is in the drive and runs flawlessly.
I already think Steam is a step in the wrong direction (it has caused my comp to crash on more then one occasion and even when it works uses up system recources in the already hungry Vista that I really would prefer it leave alone) and Games for Windows Live only makes the problem worse by adding Microsofts clumsy hands into the mix. I don't see why games that can be UPDATED by a client (ala Impulse) but don't require the client to play once its downloaded/updated can't be the wave of the future. I love Impulse and Direct2Drive, tolerate Steam only to play Left4Dead and despise windows live.
The perfect system would be something just like the PSN network but for PC. Super easy to buy games, easy to use interface with every game self contained....why PCs can't manage a simple seamless experience like that is beyond me.
PSN ID: ChosenOne feel free to add me
