Back in 2007, Microsoft Launched “Games for Windows Live,†a service intended to give PC gamers a unified system for multiplayer games – much like Xbox Live – and give the Pc gaming scene a much needed shot in the arm.
It has, to date, been a disappointment, specifically with regards to content delivery. Microsoft plan to change that – by relaunching the Games for Windows Marketplace; and making it a direct competitor to services like Steam and Direct 2 Drive.
The relaunch is scheduled for 15th November, with the aim to turn the marketplace in to "a destination for games for PC gamers". It will include GFWL titles, as well as other games that haven’t quite aligned with the branding. "Sure, we’re going to have Live-enabled titles, and we love those, but that’s not all you’ll find here," said Peter Orullian, a group product manager, to Joystiq.
It won’t have all the features users of more mature platforms like Steam currently enjoy – like rating systems – so they’re offering up incentives for the curious. "Definitely you should show up on day one, because we’re going to have a great pre-order on a title you may care about." Fable 3, mayhaps?
It also looks like MS points will work across platforms; not that they’ll be necessary.
"What’s cool is if you happen to be a console game and you have MS Points in your Xbox Live account, or you could be a Zune Pass Subscriber, or you could just have a Hotmail account – any of those will work to sign in, and then you can spend those points if you have them or you could buy more points," he said."But one of the other things that’s new about Games for Windows Marketplace is that won’t be necessary. If you don’t have those or don’t want to do it that way, you’ll also be able to purchase games with a debit or credit card."
It’s an interesting path for the company to take, considering the proliferation of Valve’s digital store. Good luck, Microsoft. You’re going to need it.
Source : Joystiq
Last Updated: October 22, 2010
ALKi
October 22, 2010 at 18:27
no wonder valve is kissing sony ballsack laytly!!!
Rengaw
October 22, 2010 at 18:55
The new Fallout Vegas for PC requires a online Steam installation which from past bad experience I’ve found Steam collects and shares your information they get off your system with third parties, they make a tiny little box of text on the back of the game package to notify you of a requirement to connect through Steam in order to play a single player offline game, so tell me besides getting your information what need is there for them to require this connection, download content and or software validation is not a good enough excuse, it’s simply to get your information and pass it along to make more money off you.
lans
October 22, 2010 at 20:08
Sony PSN + Valve vs MIcrosoft
Flame on!
AC!D
October 22, 2010 at 20:33
Well if they charge for it like they attempted last time then im pretty certain PC gamers will be smart enough to say hell no yet again.
Its funny though a couple of years ago when MS were getting all this great support from Valve it occured to me that its a strange partnership becuase they would eventually be direct competitors. MS doesnt have any friends. If they do its for short term partnerships like the LG 3D and Toshiba HD DVD partnerships.
Luna
October 23, 2010 at 05:49
Honestly, I’m invested in Steam as it is. I have a bunch of games, and one of them (Dead Rising 2) also plays via GFWL as is.