In 2002, a few French gaming developers decided to start a digital distribution service that differed from the traditional approach of other vendors. The result was Metaboli, and digital distribution was sure to never be the same. This service promised a new experience for customers and by the time that it began expanding internationally in 2005, over 15,000 people had already subscribed. Currently, 700 titles are available as digital downloads on Metaboli.

In order to provide a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else, many new innovations are offered. One of these popular among gamers is the ability to play a game before it even finishes downloading. That’s because the Metaboli digital downloads are packed in a preinstalled format, meaning that users can skip the installation process and jump right into their favorite game. Unlimited access is also provided for every game that users buy online, even if users would like to play their games on more than one computer. Parental controls are also included, allowing parents to easily control the games that children have access to. And if users need to delete a game in order to conserve hard drive space, they can do so without losing any of their saved progress, just in case they decide to download it again one day.

Rather than paying for each title individually, subscribers gain access to games through a monthly subscription. Different levels are offered, and the one chosen will ultimately determine the experience of the gamer. Although they all include the previously mentioned benefits, different games are available for the different subscription services. The chill-out Pack is the most popular choice, offering over 350 games at a fixed monthly subscription rate. For those that prefer classic PC games, the Essentials Pack is the right choice, giving them access to over 200 of their favorite old-school titles. And for those that want access games as soon as they become available, the Premium Pack is the way to go. This service allows users to download games as they are released and provides access to over 700 titles.

Sometimes offering something fresh does have a way of backfiring, and this has sometimes been the case for Metaboli. If users decide to end their subscription, every game that has been downloaded is rendered useless. This occurs regardless of which package was chosen and how long they were a member. Numerous issues are also reported when attempting to download a game, including useless error messages that offer no remedy for the problem.