At its start in May of 2010, Green Man Gaming sought to become a unique digital distribution system by incorporating features not found from most other sites available to users that download games. Green Man Gaming experienced rapid growth, as evidenced by its call for more employees just three months later, a partnership with computerandvideogames.com, and involvement in the Golden Joystick awards a short time later. It even received a nomination for the 2011 MCV award.

At first, Green Man Gaming closely resembles the sites of many other digital download vendors. The website features several games on the homepage, including an animation that periodically sorts through featured titles. Other sections of the homepage, such as a search bar at the top, a panel featuring the best selling games at the right, and a menu bar featuring genre options at the bottom allow users to narrow their search. After clicking on one of the thumbnails representing a title, users are presented with videos, screenshots, synopsis, requirements, and reviews to aid them in their purchasing decision.

After taking a closer look, however, it becomes evident that the Green Man Gaming digital distribution system is a little different from other vendors in the industry. One of this site’s greatest benefits is that it allows users to purchase and download games, register the activation key, and then sell the activation key back to the website after they have finished playing the game. It is then deactivated and the key is sold to another user, thus allowing the site to live up to its motto of “Load, Play, Trade.”

Another unique feature found on this site is the option for independent software vendors to distribute games through their site. This creates a much larger library for gamers to choose from when they buy online using Green Man Gaming. The content found in these games is typically more unique than those in the mainstream market, allowing Green Man Gaming to set itself ever further apart from its competitors.

Despite the unique features offered by Green Man Gaming, many problems have also been reported. Several issues with the client spurred an outcry from users shortly after its initial release, which busied staff members with answering angry e-mails while also searching for a solution. Others have also reported trouble finding the title after it has been downloaded to their computer. Still others have reported issues in which the software reported a missing requirement that was clearly met by their system, along with frustration in searching for the correct solution.