Games for Windows Live to get Marketplace, full title downloads

Microsoft Today unveiled upgrades to its Games for Windows Live service -- the PC equivalent of Xbox Live -- that immediately updates the interface, and promises a Games for Windows Live Marketplace in early December.

The re-design optimizes the Live interface for Keyboard and Mouse, John Schappert, VP of Live Software and Studios said, "This new release was designed specifically with our community of PC gamers and game developers in mind. It's a natural next step in delivering a world-class online service for Windows gamers."

The following step will be even bigger. In December, the Games for Windows Live Marketplace will open, and Bethesda Software's wildly popular Fallout 3 will be the first title to offer premium downloadable content to PC gamers. Downloadable content will not be limited to add-ons, videos and demos, either.

Games for Windows Live General Manager Chris Early spoke to Shacknews yesterday, confirming that making fully downloadable titles available is the next step for the service.