XNA Gamefest 2008: Windows LIVE now completely free to gamers; Windows LIVE Marketplace coming |
Ó
More news is streaming from Microsoft's press conference at the 2008 XNA Gamefest, and it appears that new development applies to Vista gamers at every length. The Redmond giant just made the free licensing of Games for Windows - LIVE to developers official, and with the Microsoft-sanctified multiplayer feature, they also announced the launching of Windows LIVE Marketplace.
Yes - a digital distribution service just for Windows Vista and future versions of Windows. Something that Stardock wouldn't have expected, perhaps?
Even heavier in the news weighing scale is that they've seemed to also announce that ALL Games for Windows - LIVE services will be available for free. We're not 100% sure of this announcement, but deeper investigation into other news streams also explicitly concur this bit of information as well.
The scope of this free service has not been fully itemized, but we're told that the services for same-platform and cross-platform multiplayer and matchmaking are now cost-free. If this is true, then Microsoft at least has done something to infuse new blood to PC gaming.
Other details of a user-interface revamp have emerged, and though Microsoft's Chris Satchell was generous enough to leave some sample screens, we could not find any officially released.
Also, we've heard that new games from Eidos and THQ have recently passed Microsoft's Games for Windows certification, and Battlestations: Pacific and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II will incorporate Games for Windows - LIVE technology for multiplayer. More updates as we get them.
Related articles:
- Blizzard's Paul Sams thinks Microsoft should put more focus on PC gaming
- Stardock: PC gaming's poor performance 'not Microsoft's fault'
- Gears of War online playable only through Games for Windows - Live
Via Develop
Contact Us:
The QJ.net Network |
 |
| Site | Feed |
| QJ.NET | RSS |
| Nintendo DS | RSS |
| PlayStation 3 | RSS |
| PSP Updates | RSS |
| Wii | RSS |
| Xbox 360 | RSS |
| MMORPG | RSS |
| Personal Computer Games | RSS |
| iPhone - iPod Touch | RSS |
| QJ.NET Forums | RSS |
Add QJ.NET
User Favorites - December
User Favorites - December
Categories
Archives
Accessories
Artwork
Betas, Testing
Deals
Demo
Drivers
Events
Featured Articles
Genre
Guides, Tips, and Tricks
Hardware
Humor
Interviews
Lore
Mods
News
Off Topic
On Shelves This Week
Opinions & Analysis
Patches
Previews
Reviews
Rumors
Scans
Screenshots
Site News
Steam
Titles
Utilities
Videos
Windows Live
XNA Studio Homebrew
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
Comments [refresh]
wait. so does this mean that games for windows that are online games using the games for windows live service will no longer require a subscription to play online?
YES!! ms finally got the idea that no one wants to pay to play a game online on their pc. thats the main reason i havent bought any games using windows live ;)
...we tried very hard to verify the particulars. Right now, everyone's saying that Microsoft did -+say+- that is was "now free" to consumers, which by context actually means they dropped the Gold subscription.
Instead, I think they're going to try to earn money via the Marketplace.
well, sure enough, when i went to the games for windows homepage, there was an announcement about the live service being free. here's the info on the site: http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/Live/Pages/AboutLive.aspx
if you look down the page a bit, you'll see that it says free multiplayer. :)
now i need to go buy gears of war or something.
i'm pretty sure that the live service for the 360 is still going to use the gold type of subscription, where you have to pay to play online and stuff.
P.S. you guys need an editing function ;)
...we do need to improve this commenting system. That's on the way, but don't know when it'll be done.