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Microsoft Expands Xbox Live to Windows

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

March 14, 2007, 11:30 AM

Microsoft continued to build on the success of its Xbox platform by extending it's popular Live gaming platform to Windows PCs. The service would debut on May 8, and would connect gamers on both platforms together.

"Shadowrun" will be the first PC and Xbox 360 title to allow gamers on either platform to play one another in a single environment starting in June, although the Vista version of "Halo 2" due May 8 will permit person-to-person matches across either platform.

"UNO," which has become a popular Xbox Live Arcade title, is slated for release later in the year.

In a humorous twist, Microsoft's Live naming convention has forced the company to give the new service an odd name: "Games for Windows -- Live," with the double hyphen meant to signify that the office is not a Windows Live service, but a different type of "Live" service altogether.

Gamers would be able to use their "gamertags" between either platform, and maintain a single list of achievements. The service for Windows PCs would be available in every country where Xbox Live is currently available.

"The benefits of expanding Xbox LIVE to Games for Windows titles is twofold: We're bringing together two communities that share a passion for playing online games, and we're enhancing the online experience for PC gamers who have long desired seamless game and voice connectivity," Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment chief Peter Moore said.

Certainly, the cross-platform tie-in highlights an area where Microsoft is in a league of its own. Neither Sony nor Nintendo produce PC versions of their games, and both companys' online services are currently seen as inferior to that of Microsoft's.

There will be no additional charge for the PC functionality, and a single Xbox Live subscription would cover both platforms.

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By drumcat

posted Mar 15, 2007 - 5:45 PM

Great ideas, but fire your lame marketing team.

Score: 0

By WedgieGiver

edited Mar 14, 2007 - 11:45 PM

Certainly, the cross-platform tie-in highlights an area where Microsoft is in a league of its own. Neither Sony nor Nintendo produce PC versions of their games, and both companys' online services are currently seen as inferior to that of Microsoft's.

True SONY themselves dont have anything cross platform, but they forget Final Fantasy XI (MMO) which is on PC, PS2, XBox 360 and you play in the SAME worlds with people on the other systems.

Score: 0

By cap737

edited Mar 14, 2007 - 5:46 PM

"Microsoft's Live naming convention has forced the company to give the new service an odd name: "Games for Windows -- Live," with the double hyphen meant to signify that the office is not a Windows Live service, but a different type of "Live" service altogether."

Hmmm... Solitare -- live...I wonder what achievements you can unlock with that game...maybe a feature of Vista that you didn't pay for?? XD

Score: 0

By computershack

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 12:41 PM

Expect XBox 360 gamers to be pwned by PC gamers on a scale that's just not funny. No gamepad competes with mouse/keyb for 3D shooters.

Score: 0

By gallyjh

edited Mar 14, 2007 - 1:15 PM

While that is true, I believe either MS will either make a mouse and keyboard for the console (though they vowed to never do this) or they just won't let users of a console to play against users on a PC who have a better advantage, particularly FPS games. Obviously there are games that can be played together (ie UNO) where there aren't disadvantages between the two platforms.

Score: 0

By ModderXManiac

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 1:47 PM

They are already out as 3rd party adapters, but they aren't proving to work well for, say, Gear of War.

It's true though, pc gamers certainly have some advantages at least framewise. I have tried both platforms, and it so turns out that console gamers can aim just as well if not better than those on a PC.

Score: 0

By THZGryphon

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 5:16 PM

"I have tried both platforms, and it so turns out that console gamers can aim just as well if not better than those on a PC."

Time how long it takes to turn 360 degrees or look straight down to straight up on a console. No matter how much you mash a gamepad, there is a max speed at which it will make the movement. With a mouse, a flick of the wrist makes these movements a fraction of the time it takes by pad.

Score: 0

By mshulman

posted Mar 15, 2007 - 3:06 PM

True, but I believe this is something that has been thought of and adjusted for. At least from what I have heard of Shadowrun, it certainly sounds that way.

Score: 0

By Mystiqq

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 2:01 PM

"Some" advantage is huge underestimate. People with gamepads better than people with mouse/keyboard is just outright lie.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 4:19 PM

""Some" advantage is huge underestimate. People with gamepads better than people with mouse/keyboard is just outright lie."

Not really. I can aim better with a controller than with a mouse. It is all just personal preference.

Score: 0

By Niro

edited Mar 15, 2007 - 10:29 PM

by the time you move your analog stick to the left to start moving your screen towards my position...I would have already done a 360 degree spin just for the fun of it and cought you with a headshot.

Don't get me wrong I love my xbox...but there's no way in hell I'm playing an FPS with an analog stick against someone with a keyboard/mouse...

I'll put money on it right now...top 50 on all FPS games will always be PC players.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 12:29 PM

What was that about Home killing Xbox Live? I believe that comment just flew out the door.

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

posted Mar 15, 2007 - 8:46 AM

Not at all, the opposite infact. This is a really BAD move for xbox owners..

Why should I waste my money buying an xbox, when I can use my PC, which plays games better? I can also hammer the Xbox players, because I can use mouse/keyboard in FPS games...

LOL, prepare to get 0wned...

Score: 0

By Niro

edited Mar 15, 2007 - 10:34 PM

LOL there he is again! I love it! The guy who can spin negative Sony new into positive news while at the same time spinning positive MS news into negative news! You must really enjoy the little world you live in don't you?:)

Score: 0

By mshulman

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 12:29 PM

I like the concept, but I wonder how they will avoid cheating.

Score: 0

By ModderXManiac

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 12:47 PM

Meh, they'll buy out and implement Punkbuster.

Score: 0

By Mystiqq

posted Mar 14, 2007 - 2:06 PM

In reality, Punkbuster hes very little effect on people who really want to cheat. Ive seen exactly how effective it has been for Battlefield 2. Basically, the same cheaters ive personally caught still keep cheating after 6 months.

Score: 0

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