Games for Windows Live was an attempt to bring a console-like interface to PCs in a wayward, misguided attempt to unify the systems. It was nothing short of a disaster; a hobbled and broken layer of DRM that failed to understand and cater to PC gamers wants and needs. By those who even remember it, it’s looked upon with the same sort of derision as other systems like Ubisoft’s uPlay and EA’s Origin. Microsoft is bringing Xbox Live to Windows PC’s again in Windows 10. And it’s trying to not make the same mistakes.
Microsoft will be one of the key players at the inaugural PC gaming E3 conference, and they want to assure PC gamers that this time…this time, admit, they have PC gamers’ interests at heart.
“This time around, though, things will be different because the Xbox and Windows gaming sides are tied together “as one connected ecosystem,” Microsoft’s Xbox head Phil Spencer said in an interview with PC Gamer.
“Our vision is to unify platforms so gamers can play the games they want on any Windows 10 device—PC, Xbox One, or otherwise,” Spencer said. “That can come in the form of game streaming to a Windows 10 PC from Xbox One or simultaneously shipping games on both platforms.”
Xbox One games are more likely to be ported to PC, though the company will also invest in PC-specific games. (Please, Age of Empires. Please).
“While we want to break down the walls between platforms, we also know that certain games are optimized for certain devices.”
That said, the platforms are certainly converging a little.
“We want to make clear that when we talk about Xbox going forward, we’re talking about gaming on all Windows 10 devices—PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox One, and HoloLens- And we’ll talk about some of the games we have coming to the PC this year.”
And honestly? I hope it works out. I like Spencer’s general direction (I think he’s helped turn the Xbox One’s image around quite nicely) and think this could actually be a boon for PC gaming. He’s also realistic about it all – realising that it won’t ever really compete with Steam.
“Steam is very much a gamer’s store, but I think our Windows Store will start off with a diversity of content like the App Store or Google Play. I think there are enough gaming customers to go round, and I don’t expect anybody’s going to delete their Steam account when they buy a game in the Windows Store and vice versa.”
Besides, anything’s better than Games for Windows Live.
Last Updated: June 5, 2015
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 5, 2015 at 08:05
I’d like to put GfWL and uNOplay in separate cages, starve them for 6 days, and then let them fight over a grape
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 5, 2015 at 10:24
grape seed* … fixed it for ya.
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 5, 2015 at 08:18
Urgh, Age of Mehpires. I bet you they’re going to make Freelancer. Because everyone else is making a space sim.
Anyway, seeing is believing. They haven’t delivered on any of these PC promises for many years now.
Johann
June 5, 2015 at 08:24
I wouldn’t mind a new Freelancer. That game was awesome!
DJSkippy
June 5, 2015 at 08:46
Threw a lot of my life hours away on that game
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2015 at 08:50
LOL same here
Ghost In The Rift
June 5, 2015 at 08:18
So PC Master Race gonna get a master boner?
Cant wait for E3 though, keen on seeing where Xbox is heading.
SlasherZA
June 5, 2015 at 08:44
” inaugural PC gaming E3 conference”
How is it inaugural? Its been running for many a year…
Geoffrey Tim
June 5, 2015 at 08:49
No, this is the first time there’s been a dedicated PC gaming press conference at E3. it’s usually the big console players who host conferences, this time Pc gamer and AMD have teamed up to give PC gaming some love.
Lord Chaos
June 5, 2015 at 08:49
Except I still need to open GFWL before I can launch Fallout 3 on Steam
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 5, 2015 at 08:52
Would I be cynical in assuming once bitten twice shy? Also, this means that if I want to play an Xbone game on PC, I have to firstly own an Xbone and secondly have to deal with 640 x 480 resolutions… No thanks, Streaming games from one device to another is like asking someone to wipe your rear end after a visit to the loo….
Aries
June 5, 2015 at 09:14
But if it vice versa, the Xbone might be getting 60fps
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 5, 2015 at 09:24
Yep, if you are streaming from a mobile device maybe…
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
June 5, 2015 at 10:26
Steam in home streaming works like a bloody charm. As long as you are wired at 1gbs (and you should be dammit!). Played wolf in HD off an asus eeepc.
RinceTheElfRoot
June 5, 2015 at 09:04
I like the idea, let’s hope they don’t balls it up…
MakeItLegal
June 5, 2015 at 09:49
more empty promises
Matthew Holliday
June 5, 2015 at 11:36
“That can come in the form of game streaming to a Windows 10 PC from
Xbox One or simultaneously shipping games on both platforms.”
which direction they go with this is key.
why would someone want to stream a xbox game on their pc? streaming is going to result in the same broken layer of DRM that was games for windows live.
our internet cannot handle streaming, so its completely irrelevant here in SA, and local streaming is a waste of time, why stream to your PC if the xbone is in the same room?
i want forza for PC, not streamed to PC.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
June 5, 2015 at 12:24
Well I don’t want to buy an Xbox so that I can stream it’s games to my PC, especially not with my current rig…
Pieter Kruger
June 5, 2015 at 13:51
You stream it from your Xbox to your PC over your home network still using the Xbox controller.
Matthew Holliday
June 6, 2015 at 17:31
assumed as much, but local streaming is still a waste, why stream to your PC instead of the tv?
Jonah Cash
June 5, 2015 at 13:31
“or simultaneously shipping games on both platforms.” This would really piss Pieter Kruger of immensely! Because I would be right in my views, that owning a PC and PS4 means you can play all the games…. Hahahahahaha
Pieter Kruger
June 5, 2015 at 14:14
Yes, because everybody owns a PC AND PS4 right? What about cross buy, would that piss you off should that happen?
Jonah Cash
June 7, 2015 at 07:22
Nope, my PC and PS4 has me covered thanks! They are making a mistake in my opinion.They are making the Xbox One a bit redundant if you ask me… Will still own the smaller version one in a year or two’s time.
Earagand
June 5, 2015 at 14:19
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Skyblue
June 5, 2015 at 15:05
“game streaming to a Windows 10 PC from Xbox One” – I like the sound of that but they first have to release something I actually want to play perhaps?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 6, 2015 at 17:26
I’ll only believe it when I see it…. (Granted, I’m strangely excited to try out Win 10 soon)