games for windows - live

Rumor: Windows 8 will play Xbox 360 games

As we always do with rumors, we're taking this one with a grain of salt. But CNET sister site GameSpot is reporting that Microsoft's next operating system, Windows 8, may be able to play Xbox 360 games.

The source of the rumor is a site called Teknylate, which doesn't cite a source for the actual news. GameSpot points to another post on Insideris in May that teased the idea, but did little to back it up.

Whether it comes to fruition or not, this certainly seems like a plausible move for Microsoft, considering the company has begun to blur the lines of separation between Xbox Live and PC gaming. A quick visit to Xbox.com gives access to PC games in the Xbox Marketplace, as well as tracked achievements that fall under the Games for Windows Live brand. … Read more

Rumor: Windows 8 to get gaming focus

Microsoft is said to be bringing a bigger focus to PC gaming in the next version of Windows.

Citing anonymous sources, TechRadar reported yesterday that PC gaming will be part of a "new push" by Microsoft, as well as a "key component for the whole OS."

Little is known about the next version of Windows. Slides that leaked onto the Web earlier this year hinted at a variety of features, including a digital software marketplace that would let users purchase and install Windows software.

Over the years Microsoft has been involved with several similar efforts--both through … Read more

Microsoft puts PC game downloads in the browser

Microsoft wants to let PC gamers know it's still serious about delivering game software and is putting that idea to the test with a new system that places fewer roadblocks in the way of getting gamers connected to digital game downloads.

Today, the company is announcing a new online store that will let gamers buy digital copies of games--old and new--from just their browser. The site, which opens up on November 15th retains the Games for Windows Marketplace moniker, but is an online version of the store that's long been available through the company's Games For Windows … Read more

'Games for Windows - Live' gets a few upgrades

Game for Windows - LIVE (GFWL) is an online gaming service for "Games for Windows"-branded PC games. It functions much like an Xbox Live, but for the PC. On Tuesday Microsoft announced a couple of updates to the service.

In an effort to prevent game piracy, Microsoft will be implementing zero-day piracy protection and server-side authentication, that hopefully will help prevent game piracy before a game's street date, and include added protection for publishers and users by requiring authentication for online play.

To help users access additional game content in the most seamless way possible, GFWL … Read more

Microsoft improves Games for Windows Live, still has work to do

We give Microsoft credit for finally understanding that what works on a console won't necessarily appeal to PC gamers. First, it stripped away the much-derided, fee-based Games for Windows Live Gold membership level. Now the entire Games for Windows Live interface has received an update. The Xbox 360-style "blade" interface is gone, replaced by a fully mouse-driven drop-down menu system. If it only worked as well as it should.

To clarify, you're not intended to download a GFW Live client for your PC, at least not yet (technically you can). For the moment, you're instead supposed to launch any GFW Live-enabled game, log in to the Live service, and from there follow the update prompt. Microsoft says a separate downloadable client is coming, along with a PC gaming-oriented Marketplace that will sell updated content for GFW Live-supported games.

For now, you can use the GFW Live service to socialize and find people to play with from your Windows or Xbox Live friends lists. It also includes an achievement system, as well as an update monitor, which can be both a blessing and a curse. For example, the recent Fallout 3 patch has its share of problems, but GFW Live requires you to update, or else it will log you out (the same is true of Valve's Steam service, GFW Live's primary competition).… Read more

Microsoft speaks on Games for Windows Live changes

Q&A If you missed our earlier post on Microsoft's announcements from the GameFest 2008 conference, here's a brief recap:

Games for Windows Live is now free at all membership levels In the fall, Microsoft will launch a digital distribution service called the Games for Windows Live Marketplace DirectX 11 is official, and it will include support for GPU programming, among other new features.

We had a chance to talk to Kevin Unangst, Microsoft's Senior Director of Global Gaming, and he provided some more details.

What was the deciding factor that lead Microsoft to drop the … Read more

Games for Windows Live goes free

Update:

We found a press release in an unexpected Inbox folder that gives a few more details on Microsoft's announcements. All of the user-matching, cross-platform multiplayer, and other formerly-premium services via the Games for Windows Live Gold Membership should now be free (effective today, says Microsoft). The digital distribution comes this fall, along with a revamped user-interface.

The release also features the official announcement from Microsoft of DirectX 11. Features include support for GPU computing, and better use of multicore CPUs, among others.

Original post:

We have an interview with Microsoft's Kevin Unangst in a few hours, so … Read more

Microsoft rallies behind PC gaming

Q&A Kevin Unangst, Microsoft's Senior Director of Global Gaming, hit the interview rounds starting in April, with the goal of working to dispel the myth that PC gaming is in trouble.

That idea came about in the beginning of the year following a report from NPD research showing that U.S. retail sales of PC games trailed those of games for the various consoles. As Unangst and others have pointed out since the NPD report, those figures do not take into account subscription-based PC gaming, like the World of Warcraft juggernaut, nor do they factor digital distribution … Read more