Xbox downloadable games can now be sold in retail stores

Microsoft has begun selling codes for downloadable Xbox games and content on physical cards at select retailers in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, seemingly in an effort to drive sales of digital goods. Developers who are interested in releasing their games on the Xbox platform should take note, as this could potentially make digital-only titles more visible to a broader audience of potential players -- though it's unclear whether or not Microsoft would ever sell third-party Xbox games and content in this manner. For now, only Microsoft Studios content is being sold this way. According to a post on the company's Major Nelson blog, Microsoft is now selling download codes for Forza and Halo in-game content, as well as for full games like State of Decay and Max: Curse of Brotherhood. While Microsoft has been selling cards with codes that can be redeemed for Xbox Live currency at retail for years, this is the first time that individual Xbox games have been distributed in this fashion.