SCi/Eidos has secured a new e-distribution deal for Tomb Raider: Anniversary in the U.S. The PC version of the title will launch on download site GameTap simultaneously with the retail release on June 6th.

"We are constantly looking for innovative ways to generate revenues through the mass market appeal of our titles," said Eidos New Media's head of business development, Gina Jackson. "Partnering with GameTap in North America allows us to combine our expertise in developing and publishing quality games and Turner's expertise in television programming and communicating to the mass market, to exploit a mutually beneficial business proposition."

Eidos, of course, is no stranger to digital distribution of its titles. A cursory glance at Metaboli, a UK-based download site, shows Hitman: Blood Money, Championship Manager 2007 and Tomb Raider: Legend are all available for download for a monthly subscription fee.

This further expansion of Eidos's e-distribution channels does cause SPOnG to wonder, however, why Game would want to expand its bricks and mortar empire with the acquisition of GameStation. Music retailers such as HMV are already suffering thanks to music downloads. While full console game downloads aren't yet available in the same way that PC games are, we're getting ever closer to full realisation of e-distribution thanks to increasing download speeds and hard drive sizes.

You can find all the latest Tomb Raider: Anniversary news and assets on SPOnG's dedicated game page.