DISCover at E3 2006

DISCover is aiming to bring the PC gaming experience into the living room. Addressing some of the largest roadblocks for the less savvy users, their My Games interface - a unique approach simulating a console system with a Windows Media Center PC - might just be capable of doing that.

Stepping away from the hardware roots created three years ago, the key phase for DISCover's software offering is, "Make it user-frendly." The first step is to eliminate the interactive install process, which is laden with landmines for the uninitiated. The My Games interface pulls down the necessary information to make a default installing possible without any input from the user. The next step is providing preset keymappings for game controllers so that there is no need to install or update drivers. Combining these features allows DISCover to make a "console" out of PC titles.

Taking a cue from Xbox Live, the My Games interface includes a virtual market. Users can purchase new games, as well as strategy guides and other content, and have it digitally delivered to their hard disk. Those preferring physical copies of their games are in luck thanks to a deal with EB Games. Streamlined with a smooth interface that should be familiar to any Windows users and TryMedia's liberal digital rights management software, buying games online has never been easier.

Existing bundling deals include HP, Sony, and Alienware hardware. The DISCover console is also Intel Viiv certified to make creating the ultimate media center PC even easier. Version 2 of the software is expected to be released in June and more information can be found at DISCoverconsole.com.