Microsoft Launching Games for Windows - LIVE on May 8th Options

[Xbox-Scene]

Microsoft Announces Games for Windows — LIVE Posted by XanTium | March 14 11:24 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From the press release: [QUOTE] 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. Members of Xbox LIVE automatically receive the functionality of Games for Windows -- LIVE, using the same gamertag and friends list at no additional cost. For a single, unified service, the pricing of the LIVE services across both Xbox and Games for Windows is identical. In addition, Games for Windows -- LIVE introduces the best of Xbox LIVE functionality to please PC gamers, such as in-game voice chat, integrated achievements and dedicated servers. The offering of both Silver and Gold memberships will remain in place for gamers on the Xbox 360 and Windows PC. There is no cost associated with signing up for a Silver membership. Gold memberships will deliver the premium online network experience for $49.95 (U.S.) per year. Current Xbox LIVE Gold members will automatically have access to Gold features on Games for Windows -- LIVE titles. 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 [/QUOTE] Read the full press release here.

[quall]

It is nice to see that it will be free for PC. The only thing you need to pay for is to play against people on the 360.

[ProphetOfPain]

"...........Debuting on May 8, 2007, with the launch of the Windows Vista version of the Xbox blockbuster "Halo 2,"








ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i'm ready~!!! i'm ready~!!

[dvsone]

* PC only multiplayer including browsing a list of active PC games

Great news for PC games, but there is going to a very slow take up of gold accounts meaning not a lot of cross platform action going on. Makes you wonder whether developers will be bothered after shadowrun gets shafted. It's a double edged sword but i think it swung the right way. MS just need to come up with better gold features to pull people over.

This post has been edited by dvsone: Mar 14 2007, 05:03 PM

[chessmastor]

wow now i can get owned by an aim hack on halo 2, while i am playing my xbox.

[Diekund]

wow now i can get owned by an aim hack on halo 2, while i am playing my xbox.

true. true.

[lightsp33d]

I hope this project will die as soon as possible, there is nothing so cool like being owned in FPS by some dude who uses keyboard and mouse vs x360 game pad Also there will be massive cheating !

[yourM0M]

i didnt realize id get owned by someone on a pc while im playing halo2 on my box.....oh wait, i WONT....read the article noobs shadowrun and UNO are the only announced cross platform Live games so far!!

[troyBORG]

I bet when i start playing Halo2 on my vista pc I will someone ask me how i got achievements in halo2.

If i understanding that right. So with silver PC to PC is still free (like it is right now), but PC to 360 is where you need the gold membership and you are able to use the TrueSkill matching system.

[sha]

LAME!!!! Keep console players on consoles for games like halo shooters. There are way to many cheaters on PC aimbot are for loosers. Thats why I love playing on xbox 360.

[1nsan3]

Too many cheaters on pc? hell there are too many cheaters on xbox and 360.
M$ knows that the cheating will escalate, and they havent said anything yet to try and stop it! but why should they care , as long as they can make more $$$ who cares who cheats at what game. besides Windows Vista sucks. Its fisher price look, and even more security flaws. I will stick with my 360 and windows xp pro and Red Hat Linux. let the cheaters play with the cheaters.
Remember u can always play with JUST your friends, piss on the public matches ( too many whine tits )

[Maverick0984]

I love the idea for most cases, but am worried like some others have mentioned about the inclusion of PC gamers to the xbox gamer universe for games like Halo 2. There is more than enough people actively playing it and we don't need "more" players. In most cases, I've gotten good enough anyway on xbox to compete with a PC player just fine. However, I love my Team Snipers and something tells me against a PC player, sniping would be a bit lopsided, way more that just regular games.

Not even mentioning the possibility of hacks circa counterstrike 1999-2004.

[XHN_SCRAPY]

FINALLLLYY now thats what its about having people play together wether it be pc and console now thats taking a risk. so now itll be interesting if the can cross-platform and play all consoles all together. ps3-wii-xbox 1- xbox 360- mac. man the possabilities with all this stuff and then with it you would have more sells on your products etc etc etc etc...........

oh and those Who say keyboard and mouse is better than controller well get a consoles and use a MOUSE AND KEYboard adapter lol like the fspx360 thing sry not sure what to call it busy right now lol. well with the adapter you can use keyboard and mouse and ps2 controler etc etc on the 360.

This post has been edited by XHN_SCRAPY: Mar 14 2007, 07:08 PM

[Diekund]

i didnt realize id get owned by someone on a pc while im playing halo2 on my box.....oh wait, i WONT....read the article noobs shadowrun and UNO are the only announced cross platform Live games so far!!

you are a prat

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

how about you learn to read

[Havok]

"LIVE introduces the best of Xbox LIVE functionality to please PC gamers, such as in-game voice chat, integrated achievements and dedicated servers."

Way to dilute the achievement system some more.... They worked hard to clamp down on gavesave cheating and such to prevent such things.. now they are going to open pandoras box again??