Not just Tomb Raider: Anniversary, in fact, but a whole bunch of other Eidos titles for the PC will also be released through Valve's online distribution service, Steam. The first agreement between the two companies also covers complete franchise sets of classics such as Tomb Raider, Commandos, and many of the Hitman titles, some of which are already available on Steam, we were informed.

Over the weekend, Eidos released its first wave of titles online, comprising the full Commandos series, most of the Hitman games, along with Just Cause and the recent Battlestations: Midway, all for the PC. Pricing information was not immediately available in Valve's communique, but a quick look on Steamgames.com reveals the following available games - together with their steaming price tag:

- Just Cause - $35.95

- Battlestations: Midway - $35.95

- Hitman: Blood Money - $35.95

- Commandos: Strike Force - $26.95

- Hitman: Codename 47 - $17.95

- Hitman 2: Silent Assassin - $17.95

- Commandos 3: Destination Berlin - $13.45

- Commandos 2: Men of Courage - $8.95

- Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines - $8.95

- Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty - $8.95

Demo versions for some of these games - namely Battlestations: Midway, Hitman: Blood Money and Just Cause - are also available for (free) download via Steam. Over the coming weeks, Valve will announce additional games from Eidos' catalogue for online (re-)release, including Championship Manager 2007.

"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," said Tom Marx, Senior Business Development Manager: New Media at Eidos. "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."

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is currently set for release during May 2007, for the PC, PlayStation 2 and PSP platforms.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)