Many gamers are critical of the slow pace at which Microsoft has implemented its plans to bolster PC gaming. The company seems to talk the talk on the matter, but exclusive releases of Xbox 360 software and an Xbox-centric focus from its game division suggests that it isn't walking the walk. Today however, the company's campaign aimed at bettering the PC gaming landscape has finally culminated in the release of the new Games for Windows Live service, which is now available to those who own Games for Windows-compatible software.
Ars was given an exclusive first look at the revamped service back in August. "If you look at how we design the service end-to-end, we learned from that last year of usability," Kevin Unangst, global director of Windows gaming, told Ars. "Gamers wanted the interface to be more Windows-like. It should be easy to navigate with a mouse and keyboard; it should look like a Windows application."
The new interface is more tightly integrated into the games, making it not only more pleasing to the eye, but also more functional. Improved speed of the interface and improved access to the various community features of the Live platform make the new interface a vast improvement over the old one.
There are a number of benefits to the new Games for Windows Live interface—some that make the system even better than the new Xbox dashboard. The keyboard and mouse have a significant impact on the interface design: users can easily click through menu tiers and type messages to friends directly, without the cumbersome and slow interface for text input on the 360.
Of course, the real selling point here is that the Games for Windows Live service is now free. This development came about back in July of this year, as Microsoft looked to respond to the increasing amount of negativity surrounding the PC gaming platform. With no subscription fee and a new interface both now in effect, Microsoft is hopeful that PC gamers will get on board with the company's offerings.
To that end, the company is touting its PC gaming platform with a number of high-profile titles under the Games for Windows umbrella alongside the launch of the new interface. Fallout 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV, as well as James Bond 007: Quantum of Space, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Red Faction: Guerrilla, and Battlestations: Pacific are among the significant titles compatible with the new platform.
With this stage of the update now live, Microsoft is moving forward with plans to release a standalone client for the service, which will allow users to download games and interact with both their Games for Windows and Xbox 360 friends through the streamlined Windows application. No release date has been announced for the standalone client as of yet, but it will likely coincide with the release of the Games for Windows Live Marketplace.
The Marketplace, which will position Microsoft to compete with digital distribution services like Steam and Greenhouse, is set to go live in the next few weeks. In addition to downloadable titles, the Marketplace will also feature downloadable content for the supported games, just as the Xbox Live Marketplace does for Xbox games. Bethesda, creators of Fallout 3, is one studio that intends to support the Marketplace when it launches with premium content for its recently-released RPG.
Given that there is no longer a subscription fee attached to Games for Windows Live, PC gamers really don't have much of a reason to fuss about the system. In some ways, the developments actually make the platform attractive—especially for those of us who have friends with Xbox 360 consoles, as well. If Microsoft can come forward with a strong initial offering for the Games for Windows Live Marketplace and continue to corral high-profile titles for the service, Live could very well gain some footing quickly in the PC gaming space.
Microsoft bolsters PC gaming with new Games for Windows Live
