P2P becomes a cash cow for PC gamers

Video game players will now be able to legally download PC games and earn cash back for sharing them through a closed peer-to-peer network, thanks to a new deal between Wurld Media and Trymedia.

The owner of the P2P site Peer Impact said it has opened its doors to the PC gaming provider in a contract that makes more than 1,000 titles available to Wurld Media subscribers. The two companies are currently in beta testing. Officials said Peer Impact is expected to have games available for download in the coming weeks.

Members earn cash back if they help redistribute games purchased through the network, representatives with Wurld Media said. Members simply leave their computers on, and if another Peer Impact member buys a game from that computer, the P2P said it will reimburse that member with credit towards future purchases.

Founded in 2002, Trymedia titles span across genres from casual games like "Diner Dash" and "Rock and Roll Jeopardy," to the action-filled "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay - Developer's Cut" and fantasy role-playing games like "Warlords Battlecry III." The majority of titles in the catalog are available for under $20.

Most of Trymedia's games are also offered on a try-before-you-buy basis, which lets members test drive games before they commit to a purchase.

Considering Trymedia's ActiveMARK brand of digital rights technology lets players backup, play on multiple computers, and share their games, the two companies say they're very confident the strategy will work.

Peer Impact's model is an interesting contrast to traditional 'open' P2P model particularly in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling against open P2Ps.

Wurld Media has already signed with four of the five major music studios to distribute songs, but swapping games between members is completely new for the company. Executives report Wurld Media is also eyeing distribution deals for movies and audio books.