Valve to distribute UK studio's cult strategy title via Steam

Valve Software has announced plans to distribute Darwinia, a strategy title from UK developer Introversion, via its Steam download service.

Darwinia has become something of an underground classic since it was released earlier this year, garnering high praise from critics - including Valve's own Doug Lombardi.

"After playing the game around the office, there didn't seem to be a reason why a game as great as Darwinia wasn't available to gamers worldwide," Lombardi commented.

"When everyone gets their chance to play it, we think they'll be staying up all night protecting Darwinians just like us."

Valve originally established the Steam service to distribute its own titles, such as Half-Life 2. Darwinia is the second non-Valve title to get the Steam treatment following Rag Doll Kung Fu, a quirky fighting game from Lionhead designer Mark Healey.

Darwinia will be available for pre-loading from December 1, priced USD 19.95. The game will go live on December 14.