Online Retailers Refuse Selling Modern Warfare 2

Several online distributions are refusing to sell digital copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, what is believed to be the most popular title this holiday, due to the required inclusion of Steamworks software, a competing online distributor.

Online retailer Direct2Drive, which is owned and operated by IGN Entertainment, provided this statement on its website: "At Direct2Drive, we believe strongly that when you buy a game from us, you shouldn't be forced to install and run a 3rd party software client to be able to play the game you purchased. Because COD MW 2 requires you, the consumer, to do that, we aren't able to offer the game via Direct2Drive at this time."

Stardock's Impulse online store is also not stocking digital copies of the popular shooter: "Impulse will not be selling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 either. 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," the retailer said to VE3d.

"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."

The website also confirmed Gamersgate will also not be stocking the game for similar reasons.

Neither Valve nor Activision have responded to requests for comment at this time.

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