If industry analysts are to be believed, online distribution of games is going to be the next big thing. Valve Software's Steam program has already alleviated the need for gamers to leave their homes in order to get Half-Life 2, allowing customers to just click a few times to initiate a high-speed download.

　　Gaming shut-ins everywhere will be happy to hear Game xStream's announcement today that the upcoming sci-fi shooter Prey will be directly downloadable through its streaming content-delivery service.

　　Like the Steam service, Game xStream lets players download a game in its entirety before activating it on the game's official release date. Unlike Steam, once the game is officially released, Game xStream will also let users stream the game and start playing it before it's actually finished downloading to their hard drives.

　　Prey is the first 3D Realms title to be distributed through Game xStream, but according to the announcement, it "represents a long-term partnership that will continue with future games."

　　The boxed version, which lands on store shelves in 2006, is being published by 2K Games. 2K Games was not mentioned in the release, meaning it could very well be cut out of the loop with downloaded copies of Prey, as VU Games is with every copy of Half-Life 2 distributed via Valve's Steam service.

　　Prey is unusual not just for a sci-fi shooter, but for any game, period. It is speckled with Native American mythology, alien abductions, and an array of biomechanical weaponry. The game was first conceived in 1997, even making it to the E3 show floor. Now, several years later, developer Human Head Studios is giving it another go.

　　Prey is sceduled for a 2006 release on the PC. For more info on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.