Trying to steal a bit of attention away from Facebook’s big Home event, Microsoft has just announced a new program to get Windows Phone apps more attention called “Red Stripe Deals.”

Apple and Google both offer ways to see featured applications and games in their respective app stores, but they aren’t regularly pointing out which apps are for sale. (However, there are several third-party apps that show you what is for sale.)

Now, every Thursday, Microsoft will offer up a new collection of Windows Phone apps and games that are discounted.

“Each week the Store’s Red Stripe Deals Collection will feature three popular apps and games — typically one Xbox game, one indie game, and one top-rated app — for at least 50% off the original price,” Microsoft writer Michael Stroh wrote in a blog post.

The first apps and games available under the Red Stripe Deals banner are Runtastic PRO, Assassin’s Creed: Altairs Chronicles HD, and King Oddball. All of them cost $0.99 each.

Man pushing sale buttons via ra2studio/Shutterstock