Microsoft Unites Xbox and PC Gamers With Debut of Games for Windows

[sladesurfer]

Xbox LIVE extends to Windows Vista to create single online gaming service starting with “Halo 2” on May 8.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the extension of the Xbox LIVE® games and entertainment network to the Windows® platform, bringing together the most popular online console game service with the most popular games platform in the world. Debuting on May 8, 2007, with the launch of the Windows Vista™ version of the Xbox® blockbuster “Halo® 2,” Games for Windows — LIVE will connect Windows gamers to over six million gamers already in the Xbox LIVE community. Then, launching in June, “Shadowrun™” will for the first time connect Windows gamers with Xbox 360™ players in cross-platform matches using a single service. “UNO®,” releasing later in 2007, will also support cross-platform play between Windows and Xbox 360.

The launch of Games for Windows — LIVE marks a major expansion of the Xbox LIVE service across multiple platforms, uniting gamers with a single identity, a single gamertag, a single friends list and a single list of achievements attainable on the Xbox 360 and a Windows-based PC. Games for Windows — LIVE gamers will be able to easily find and play supported titles online with their friends across a Windows computer or an Xbox 360. As a unified service with Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows — LIVE will be available in every country and region supported today by Xbox LIVE.

:) http://thehotfix.net/comments.php?catid=1&shownews=3184

[perkam]

Urge to use Linux...increasing...

Perkam

[Cobalt]

Lol. I can't wait for this. Just wait till the console gamers realise how poor control pads are for FPS games :D

[Jamesrt2004]

I think this is awesome personally

[Jamesrt2004]

Lol. I can't wait for this. Just wait till the console gamers realise how poor control pads are for FPS games :D

hehe Why I think it will be awesome :p:

[JamesBong420]

Lol. I can't wait for this. Just wait till the console gamers realise how poor control pads are for FPS games :D


dito!!!!!! cant wait to tear a hole in some of these :banana::banana::banana::banana: talkin noobs.. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[VIctorj]

haha XBOX vs PC....give me a break.


We're going to whipe some console asses it seems.

[afireinside]

Now all those stupid kids who think they're "pro" at halo 2 and think MLG is the :banana::banana::banana::banana: can face reality :woot:

[Shpoon]

And there's my one reason to buy Vista!

[Jamesrt2004]

And there's my one reason to buy Vista!

Surely its got to be the ONLY reason apart from DX10 lol

[Kanten]

So.....we're going to have to pay to play PC games online now?

If so. :slapass:


Also, couldn't they come up with a better name?

[Starscream]

So.....we're going to have to pay to play PC games online now?

If so. :slapass:


Also, couldn't they come up with a better name?

they dont talk about money but the way they say it means that u have to have a LIVE acount to play these special PC games on the LIVE platform.
and you gotta pay for ur LIVE acount.

dunno if u can play them online without a LIVE acount but i doubt that MS will give you the option.

[vudoodoodoo]

It's like paying to play XBL on X360.

[Mikesnav]

Multiplayer is free (Silver).

Cross-platform multiplayer (Gold) will cost you. (360 VS PC, for example)

[Shpoon]

Surely its got to be the ONLY reason apart from DX10 lol

QFT....and since I can't afford DX10...BOOM.

[Magnj]

this is gonna be epic

[Kanten]

Multiplayer is free (Silver).

Um....that requires a Gold account.


It's like paying to play XBL on X360.

Except XBL is a necessary service for the Xbox hardware's online play. Doing the same for a PC is not only pointless, it's just a cheap grab for cash.

Are they hosting their own servers in the style of MMO's that require the fees to maintain operating costs? Didn't think so.

I know people would be calling for blood if Battle.net did something like this.

[AntiNazi]

Um....that requires a Gold account.




Except XBL is a necessary service for the Xbox hardware's online play. Doing the same for a PC is not only pointless, it's just a cheap grab for cash.

How was it necessary? PS2 games didn't need it. They could have easily just had each game launch its own server browser like PC mp games have been doing forever. LIVE in generally was a cash grab. It's only "necessary" because they coded it that way...

[Kanten]

How was it necessary? PS2 games didn't need it.

Yes, and DNAS SUCKED.

[AntiNazi]

Yes, and DNAS SUCKED.

Again, a software limitation. Nothing at all to do with hardware.

[Wrench]

They arleady posted this but to let you guys know they will gimp the PC version so it doesn't have an advantage of the console version.

Shadowrun which is supposed to be cross platform will give XBOX players autoaim and no bullet deviation as well as other tweaks. Whilest the PC players will be give NO autoaim but they will also reduce the sensitivity of the controler to be equal to the game pad. Also they will add balistic deviation.

Do you still want to pay for this garbage?

[Mikesnav]

Um....that requires a Gold account.

Um.... no it doesn't. That may be the case with the Xbox, but it isn't for Windows.

I don't post false information.

Silver Membership Features
• Single gamertag
• Common gamer profile
• Common gamerscore
• Single player achievements
• Private chat via text and voice
• Common friends list and online presence
• PC only multiplayer including browsing a list of active PC games

Gold Membership Features
• All Silver membership features
• Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
• TrueSkill™ matchmaking
• Multiplayer achievements
• Cross-platform gameplay (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/mar07/03-14G4WandXboxLIVEPR.mspx)

[clayton]

I'm not really interested into the PC vs XBOX 360 debate as far as the Gold membership goes. Silver with free multiplayer play for PC is good enough.:)

[Jester FPS]

I can't wait!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

I can hear it now, "KEYBOARD NOOB!!"

[oshox]

OK, you console cowboys will have to educate me a little, as the last console I bought was a PSX. It didn't have multiplayer.

So, to play Halo 2 or Shadowrun, I have to purchase, 1) The game itself 2) A "Gold" subscription to M$'s multiplayer service? AND I've got to put up with Vista? That's a whole lot of suck right there.

It'll be worth it, I guess, if I get to take some snotty Halo 2 pros and rub their noses in the dirt.

[DTU_XaVier]

This isn't "Games for Windows"... This is "Games for People who play lousy consoleports because companies don't make PC-games anymore"... But I still want to own the consolecrowd on Live :D

Best Regards :toast:

[Revv23]

yeah i posted this yesterday..

it will be interesting to see how it works out..


it has the potential to be amazing. ive been waiting for this ever since console games went online.

[Motiv]

This makes me incredibly uneasy.

Currently multi gaming games are reliant on clans to setup and run the servers, giving us a wide variety of mods and a wide mix of custom maps.

If MS go this way, I can see eventually it will cost people to play Multiplayer games on Microsoft's own servers.

No variety, no custom maps and no mods.

[Wrench]

This makes me incredibly uneasy.

Currently multi gaming games are reliant on clans to setup and run the servers, giving us a wide variety of mods and a wide mix of custom maps.

If MS go this way, I can see eventually it will cost people to play Multiplayer games on Microsoft's own servers.

No variety, no custom maps and no mods.

MS doesn't host the servers you do they only host the Live stats.. So essentialy what you are paying for is there space for your gametag.. Sounds like an awsome deal to me :D

[Patriote]

Now all those stupid kids who think they're "pro" at halo 2 and think MLG is the :banana::banana::banana::banana: can face reality :woot:

QFT! F:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: g well said :lol2:

[Cobalt]

All you nay-sayers need to get a grip. Silver membership is free and you can play anybody else on a PC, its only if you want to start killing console gamers that you need the gold services (a price I am gladly willing to pay :D)

Motiv; while all MS games may end up on live servers, requiring nothing but to register for a free stats tracking service, most games aren't owned by MS so don't start with the conspiracy theories just yet.

[voltaire2030]

Lol. I can't wait for this. Just wait till the console gamers realise how poor control pads are for FPS games :D


So true :D