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Games for Windows Live Launching in May

by Chris Remo, Mar 13, 2007 11:32pm PDT
Related Topics – Bungie, Games: PC, Games for Windows

Microsoft has just announced that its Games for Windows Live online gaming service, modeled after the successful Xbox Live program, is set to launch on May 8. Coinciding with the launch will be the release of Hired Gun's Windows Vista version of Bungie's Xbox hit Halo 2 (preview), which does not support cross-platform multiplayer. In June, FASA Studio's multiplayer shooter Shadowrun (preview) will ship for both Xbox 360 and Windows Vista, and does support cross-platform multiplayer. Later in 2007, Carbonated Games' Uno will be released for Windows Vista and will feature multiplayer compatibility with the Xbox 360 version of the game released last year. Games for Windows Live (which is officially known as "Games for Windows - LIVE") offers two tiers of service--Silver and Gold--similar to Xbox Live; in fact, subscriptions between the two different platform versions of Live are shared, so users with an existing Xbox Live Gold accounts can use Games for Windows Live's Gold-level services. Users of either tier of Games for Windows Live will receive a gamertag, gamerscore, and profile; voice chat capabilities; single-player Achievements; and friends list functionality. The friends list will track users across both platforms. Unlike Xbox Live Silver, the free Games for Windows Live Silver membership level also includes online multiplayer through a server browser system. Upgrading to Gold, which runs $49.99 per year or $6.99 per month, will grant players access to multiplayer matchmaking, multiplayer Achievements, and cross-platform multiplayer in supported games. Currently, the only games announced for Games for Windows Live are Halo 2, Shadowrun, and Uno. Microsoft's press release refers to these titles as the "first wave" of games that will support the service.


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Comments

18 Threads | 62 Comments
  • #41
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    By: kungfusquirrel x
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    I like the initiative overall. The free features are more than enough to count as an improvement over most games, and standardization across the PC platform with that sort of feature list I think can only be a good thing for revitalizing the PC as a gaming machine in the mass market. It'll add a little more strain to developers that now have to worry about TCRs for the PC platform, but so far nothing sticks out as a waste - the features they're pushing are going to be important for gamers on PCs, and certainly frustrations for many of us here in the past (widescreen, dual monitor, 360 controller, etc.)

    I know people are complaining about the pay option, but the good news is it doesn't offer all that much - it doesn't look like anyone who doesn't already play online on a 360 really will need to pay for Gold.
    Mar 14, 2007 9:52am PDT
  • #13
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    By: aeg1x This person is cool! x
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    In fairness, Microsoft is showing increased faith in the PC platform these fays, with the Games for Windows and Live Anywhere initiatives tied in with the launch of DirectX 10 and Windows Vista seeming to put the PC on an equal footing with 360 in the company's plans. But Lombardi is doubtful of the Redmond giant's long-term commitment to strengthening the PC market.

    "Right now it seems like it's part of the marketing push to help Vista. To really back a platform is a sustained effort over years and years, so we'll see if in two years Microsoft is still spending money to put Games for Windows sections in retail, and having PR people preach that message that we were just talking about, which is that the PC isn't dying, in fact it's actually bigger than all the consoles put together. You know, if it were to sign up for that, that's great. If it's going to use it to promote sales of Vista, that's really not good for the industry, it's good for Microsoft in the short term."

    http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=23438
    Mar 14, 2007 12:39am PDT