It's really the next natural step in Games for Windows Live development. The Xbox 360 Games on Demand program has been doing well enough, and services like Stardock's Impulse and Steam have already proven the viability of the digital download store model, so now we're getting Games on Demand for Games for Windows Live.

"With Games on Demand, we didn't just want to create a cut-and-paste version of existing digital distribution services," said Mike Ybarra, general manager of LIVE Engagement Services. "We challenged ourselves to deliver an integrated platform that takes full advantage of the unique capabilities offered by the LIVE service. Our goal has always been to create a seamless online gaming experience for the Windows community, and Games on Demand is a great step toward that end."

From the initial announcement, the main difference between Games on Demand and something like Steam is the use of Microsoft points to purchase games along with actual cash money, but it's certainly a start. If they can keep prices competitive, they could be on to something.

Speaking of starts, the service's launch lineup will include Resident Evil 5, Red Faction: Guerrilla, and Battlestations: Pacific, along with Live-enabled versions of popular downloadable titles like World of Goo and Osmos. If those aren't enticing enough, there's also a free Live-enabled version of Tinker, the Windows Vista Ultimate Extra exclusive for those willing to download the Games for Windows Live client when the service goes live on the 15th.

You can download the Games for Windows Live client at Microsoft's official website.

Grand Theft Auto fan site GTA4.net spotted the five Games For Windows Live Achievements specific to Rockstars' first downloadable episode, hinting that the Xbox 360-exclusivity surrounding the episode is due to expire.

Those Achievements made an appearance following the most recent title update to the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV, issued by Rockstar today.

The short answer to the headline is likely "Yes," but we've reached to the developer seeking an official response.

The Lost and Damned for GTA IV PC [GTA4.net]

Now more than three years after promising, and some say failing, to deliver a PC gaming renaissance with the Vista operating system, Microsoft is set to roll out Windows 7.

But this time there are no apologies or promises. PC gaming, it seems, has taken a back seat.

When Windows 7 goes on sale on Oct. 22, PC gamers will have little reason to run out to buy it, says Matthew Murray, managing editor of ExtremeTech.

"I don't think there's a lot about (Windows 7) that's going to make it that much more compelling to gamers than Vista," Murray said. "It's a bit better using memory, and it's a bit faster in certain areas, but the performance overall isn't really that much different. If you have Vista and you're happy with it, you can probably keep it, at least for now."

To be fair, much of that promised renaissance in 2006 was tied to the Games for Windows initiative, which launched alongside the Windows Vista operating system.

While the two hit at the same time, they're not directly connected.

The biggest idea behind Games for Windows was to make it easier to play games on your PC. This was done by creating a set of criteria that computer games needed to meet to have the Games For Windows label on their box.

Those criteria included compatibility, easy installation and including parental controls. There were also a number of neat ideas tested out, but never fully realized. Most computer games require an installation before playing, but the Tray and Play option was meant to allow gamers to pop a game in their computer and start playing almost immediately, similar to what most console gamers experience now. Unfortunately, only one game, Halo 2 for the PC, currently uses this system.

The most noticeable way in which Vista and Games for Windows crossed over was the operating system's Game Advisor and Games Explorer.

The Game Advisor ranks a person's computer and available games making it easier to tell if a title would play on a PC.

The Games Explorer was meant to collect all the games installed on a computer and display them in one folder. It's here that Window 7 does bring a modicum of improvement for gamers.

One of the biggest issues with Games Explorer was that it often didn't detect games that were purchases through online retailers and providers like Steam.

While Windows 7 still doesn't seem to include Steam in the Game Explorer, it now has the ability to if the company wants to support the service. If a game provider does choose to be listed in the Game Explorer, computer owners will be able to view news from the service and information about the service's games, all inside the window.

Another update to Games Explorer allows you to be notified when a game you own has an update or patch and then install the update from the explorer without having to launch the game.

Finally, Games Explorer will track statistics for the games you play, showing you how many times you've played, how long and your win and loss ratio.

Currently only the included games seem to support this function, but I'm sure more will include it after the operating system officially launches.

Murray says the only improvement he can find in Windows 7 for gamers is in the Games Explorer, but even he doesn't find it that useful.

"Being able to check for updates for all your games in one interface is a nice feature, but since it doesn't install the updates automatically (the way Windows Update itself does), I don't know how useful that's going to be to a lot of people," he said. "And I've never gotten that into using the Games Explorer anyway—I tend to just add icons to the new taskbar, as with everything else. Aside from that, there aren't a ton of game-friendly changes I've come across."

The problem I have with Windows 7, though, isn't its failure to vastly improve the gaming experience, it's Microsoft's failure to take advantage of the attention brought by the launch of a new operating system to once more thrust PC gaming into the spotlight.

The biggest promise the Games for Windows initiative made when it initially was unveiled was that it would be backed by a huge marketing campaign, one similar to the push Microsoft gave the Xbox 360 when it hit.

But that was never fully realized and PC gaming was left to suffer as a second favorite system next to the Xbox 360 and Microsoft's continued marketing blitz for its gaming console.

In the vacuum left by Microsoft game developers, chip manufacturers and PC builders have come together to try and reinvigorate PC gaming though the PC Gaming Alliance. But even this effort seems oddly absent during Window's big week?

If Microsoft want its PC gaming platform to thrive they will need to do more than offer lip service in the future. But with the lasting success of the gaming console and PC gamers' ability to seemingly put up with anything, why should they?

Microsoft declined to comment for this article.

Well Played is a weekly news and opinion column about the big stories of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come. Feel free to join in the discussion.

In an interview with Shacknews, Wardell was asked if he knew why Microsoft wasn't "showing more leadership" on the PC. Wardell - well, just let the man speak for himself. He's quite comfortable with doing so, after all.

I started out as a big Games for Windows Live advocate. I intended for Elemental to be on Games for Windows Live, but then as we got closer, the Xbox group took it over more and more. And they have things where, oh, if you want to use Games for Windows Live to update your game, you have to go through [their] certification. And if you do it more than X number of times, you have to pay money. It's like, "My friends, you can't do that on the PC."

On the console, I don't have to update my game because an anti-virus program got an update and is now identifying my VB scripts as viruses and I have to apply an emergency patch. That would just add insult to injury. We've had to upgrade our games plenty of times over the years, not because we found some bug, but because some third-party program, or driver, or whatever screwed it up. If Games for Windows Live maintains that strategy and they take over, I'm done. I'm not making PC games. I would be done.

Is he impertinent? Impolite? Merely exaggerating? Maybe, but the man does have a point.

Stardock Interview Part 2: Brad Wardell on PC Gaming [ShackNews via Maximum PC]

GFW 3.0 went live yesterday, and while the changes aren't as drastic as the major cosmetic overhaul we saw last update, you'll notice a few neat touches under the hood, including some new colour changes and the ability to buy DLC from within a game.

I'm going to grab it today, with hope burning a white-hot hole in my heart, as it was the last GFW update that killed my Fallout 3 install. Who knows, maybe this update will let me get back to a game I haven't played since October.

[image]

The two new maps share a volcanic theme, hence the name of the downloadable pack, available tomorrow on Xbox Live and June 25th for Games for Windows Live players. The Volcano Map, which is playable in the game's Island Capture, Competitive and Duel modes, features a Hawaiian-style (with pineapple and ham?) island setting, with Duel mode taking place around a partially submerged volcano.

The second map, Choke Point, is set in a narrow channel surrounded by two volcanic outcroppings, where players can participate in Escort, Siege and Duel modes.

Both maps will be available tomorrow for the Xbox 360 at a price of 560 Microsoft points, with the price carrying over to the Games for Windows version later on this month.

As we reported previously, PC users who downloaded the Broken Steel downloadable content via Games for Windows Live this morning were treated to a "cryptographic message is not formatted correctly" error. We contacted Bethesda's Pete Hines, who explained that the error is related to Games for Windows Live.

We're seeing the same error folks have reported, which is a Games for Windows Live DRM install error. Microsoft is working on fixing it, and we'll let everyone know once we've verified it.

Hopefully this won't take too long to fix. In the meantime, Xbox 360 users seem to be doing just fine, so the PC players who laughed at the Xbox 360 issues with the Pitt downloadable content are now getting a healthy dose of karmic retribution.

Update: Spoke too soon! Xbox 360 users are experiencing a nasty bug that keeps them from activating Project Purity. We're beginning to think that having the word "Broken" in the title was a bit of a bad call. Still, that issue isn't effecting everyone, so at least someone is playing it, right?

With retail chains increasingly limiting their shelf space for PC games, and most mainstream media coverage of gaming directed at the splashier Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 multimedia consoles and family-centric Wii, PC gaming finds itself in a fight for the hearts and minds of gamers.

Leading the charge in that fight is the recently formed PC Gaming Alliance, a consortium of computer manufacturers, parts makers, retailers and game developers.

Christian Svensson, an executive at game developer Capcom and member of the alliance board of directors says that the purpose of the alliance, which was formed early last year, is to pin down hard numbers for game developers. How many people play games on their PC? What sort of PC do they have? What are the current trends?

"I joined to get a better understanding about the market and what's working for people," Svensson said. "The low hanging fruit for (Capcom) is to take our content and our brands and bring them to another platform."

Capcom, traditionally a developer with a focus on consoles, has recently started to bring more of their games like Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter IV to the PC.

"We feel we can create an incredible and perhaps different experience than the PC has had before," he said. "The PC versions of Street Fighter IV and Devil May Cry 4 will be the definitive versions of the game."

But often the PC version of a game comes out after the console versions hit, something that in the long run can impact sales. That's because unlike with consoles, there is no single standard for the PCs that games may run on. It's the same issue that has for so long hampered mobile game sales.

"The beautiful thing about the PC is that it's a completely open platform," Svensson said. "Anyone can get any game to market. There are no boundaries.

"But that same thing cuts the other way, no guidance means no oversight."

So developers need to make sure that when they make a game it can play on a wide range of computers, from a high-end desktop to a cheap laptop, so they can sell to the larger chunk of that 300 million gamer market. And unlike with consoles, technology for PC gaming jumps forward every 12 to 18 months or so, making the sweet spot for game development a moving target.

Drew Johnston, Microsoft's group program manager for Windows gaming, says that another similarity between computers and cell phones is how prevalent they are.

"Most people in the U.S. and many other parts of the world have both a phone and a computer, so they're instantly part of those demographics, and an audience for developers," he said.

The key, both Johnston and Svensson agree, is to make it easier for gamers to get their games on PC.

That's what Microsoft tried to do when they launched Games for Windows – Live with the rollout of Windows Vista. But initially the program stalled.

Johnston says that's because gamers initially thought that Games for Windows – Live only worked on Vista and that initially gamers had to pay a subscription to play multiplayer games, something that Microsoft also requires with Xbox Live.

"What's right for the console isn't always right for the PC," Johnston said Microsoft came to realize.

Last July, Microsoft dropped the subscription fees for the PC version of live. Then, at the end of last year Microsoft revamped the service, tweaking it to work better for PC gamers and adding more robust anti-piracy measures.

Johnston describes the future of PC gaming as "growing and evolving" saying that it is as strong as it has ever been and leading the way in many new ideas, like digital distribution, online services and social gaming.

Perhaps most significantly, the alliance plans to soon announce a new set of PC system requirements that would be used to identify a PC gaming machine.

The idea, Svensson said, is to make PC gaming as seamless an experience as console gaming is.

It could also perhaps lead to a new renaissance in PC game design, reminding all of those millions of PC owners that their machines are just as capable at entertaining as is a console.

Well Played is a weekly opinion column about the big news of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come. Feel free to join in the discussion.

Microsoft first attacks PC game piracy with the introduction of zero-day piracy protection and server-side authentication, requiring that consumers verify their products before participating in online play. If that doesn't sell game publishers on the service, there's also a new Marketplace API that allows developers to integrate in-game stores, opening up new revenue streams without taking the gamer out of the game. Finally, players will be able to save their game settings to their Games for Windows LIVE account, allowing them to access them via any compatible PC.

"This update and other features currently in development represent a tipping point in the evolution of Games for Windows – LIVE as a leading online PC gaming network," said Ron Pessner, general manager of Games for Windows – LIVE. "In the coming months, we will continue to deliver on our promise to provide gamers and publishers with the industry's best connected gaming experiences through the LIVE service."

While the Games for Windows platform itself has been mildly popular with publishers and developers, far less have embraced the actual Games for Windows LIVE online gaming service. Perhaps these newly announced changes will signal a turnaround in that trend. Probably not, but good on Microsoft for giving it the old college try.

This means Games for Windows Live players of Batman: Arkham Asylum will be able to earn Gamerscore points by unlocking achievements, and really that's about it. There's Live connectivity, but being a single player game, Arkham Asylum really doesn't get much of a boost from this.

Still, it is good to see more PC titles slipping under the Games for Window Live banner. Of all of the games released as part of the Games for Windows brand, only 15 so far have been Live-enabled. With DIRT 2, Battlestations Pacific, Fuel, Stromrise, and now Batman: Arkham Asylum all due out this year for Games for Windows Live, the service seems to slowly been picking up steam. Fingers crossed, Games for Windows Live!

Batman: Arkham Asylum coming to LIVE [Games for Windows]

Beginning April 9, The Last Remnant will be available for purchase via Steam. After the action role-playing game hits the service Square will continue to add to its roster of games on Steam. Prices will be announced down the line.

"We are excited to offer the millions of Steam customers online access to Square Enix titles beginning with our major action RPG, THE LAST REMNANT," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Inc. and Square Enix Ltd. "Square Enix is committed to delivering the best quality titles to PC gamers and distribution on Steam is one of the many steps we are taking to increase accessibility for fans in North America and PAL territories."

"Square Enix is a fantastic addition to the Steam lineup," said Jason Holtman, director of business development at Valve. "We are thrilled that Square Enix chose to bring its diverse portfolio of titles to Steam and know that our customers will be ecstatic to hear this news."

Seriously Microsoft, just ditch Games For Windows Live and go with Steam already. It's inevitable.

The company also confirmed to Kotaku that Chris Early, former general manager of Games for Windows Live, was indeed laid off. Ron Pessner, who comes from Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, will be assuming his duties as well as other areas within Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business.

“Moving ahead, Microsoft will continue to invest in Windows as a first–class gaming platform through great Windows out of box experiences, our online gaming services including Games for Windows – LIVE, MSN Games, and Messenger games, and through new games for Windows developed by Microsoft Games Studios," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "Our Windows gaming service efforts will be led by General Manager Ron Pessner, who is joining Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. He comes from within Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division.

"Working closely with Ron will be Dave Luehmann, a long time Microsoft games veteran and General Manager within Microsoft Games Studios, who will now be overseeing internal development and publishing for all Windows-based games.

Beyond these changes, we are not commenting on specific personnel issues at this time.”

Earlier today we wrote about a possible reason behind the high number of lay offs in the Entertainment and Devices division, which includes Xbox 360. It looks like maybe Microsoft is trying to consolidate some of those management positions.

VentureBeat report that Chris Early, former general manager of Games for Windows Live, was among those given their marching orders last week as Microsoft laid off an estimated 1600 employees. It's sad for the man on a personal level, but hardly unsurprising on a professional one.

The Games for Windows Live service has been met with little but disdain and/or apathy from many consumers since launching, Microsoft's attempt at structuring a platform-wide online system seen by many as a futile attempt to shoehorn a console gaming experience onto the more traditionally open-ended PC.

Still no word on just how wide these cuts affect the Games for Windows group, but if Early has been laid off, that doesn't exactly sound like a vote of confidence in the group.

Microsoft’s Chris Early, head of Games for Windows Live, among the layoffs [VentureBeat]

The beta will be available exclusively to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm owners on Jan. 21, followed by a worldwide public release on Jan. 28. The beta will feature all four playable races, five multiplayer maps, and Microsoft's Games for Windows - LIVE TrueSkill Matchmaking.

That's right, Games for Windows Live is back. Kinda odd that this beta will use Live matchmaking but be made available through Steam, isn't it?

Dawn of War II is scheduled for a Feb. 23 release on PC through worldwide retail and online outlets.

Just last summer Microsoft tried to jump start PC gaming with an ad-heavy, pr-pushed launch of Games for Windows Live. The PC-clone of the popular Xbox 360 online service was meant to bring the some respect, popularity and profitability that console games have been seeing of late.

But the thing is, it didn't really take.

First you had the problems with telling PC gamers they needed to pay for something they've always gotten for free. So Microsoft did away with that, then you had competing services that were, frankly, about a gajillionbillion times better. (cough)Steam(cough). So now, not daunted by facts, or figures, or reality, Microsoft is relaunching Games For Windows Live with another PR push, this one containing a free Sidewinder keyboard, mouse, a mouse pad, headphones and copies of James Bond Quantum of Solace and Fallout 3.

Why don't they just look into handing Valve the keys to the dwindling PC kingdom and get on with making some kick ass software, like Gears of War 3?

We've revisited the concept [for Games for Windows – Live]. Rather than offer an 'Xbox Live for Windows' type experience, let's optimize the service for PC gamers – let's make a great PC online gaming service. As a result of that, we completely redid the interface.

It took you this long to figure out PC gamers expect a service optimised for, well, PC gaming? Sheesh. GFW and menu aficionados, you can get a better look at the new interface in the gallery below. Microsoft Overhauls Games for Windows – Live [GameDaily]

Eventually, that may mean a proper digital distirbution solution for PC games sold via Live Marketplace. According to the brief interview snippet, it sounds like Microsoft is still figuring that out. We just hope it involves Clippy the paperclip saying things like "It looks like you want to reduce the number of computers on which you can install this game. Would you like help"?

Microsoft Confirms Plans to Challenge Steam with Digital Distribution of Full PC Titles [Shacknews]

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 22, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. celebrates its second anniversary of the Games for Windows initiative this month with the news that the year’s biggest blockbuster, “Grand Theft Auto IV” (Rockstar Games), will debut on the PC this November exclusively as a Games for Windows-branded title, joining a growing list of more than 85 top PC games from today’s hottest publishers. Liberty City comes to life through a revitalized Games for Windows – LIVE experience, including expanded online matches, cutting-edge DirectX 10 graphics, and new LIVE features such as a redesigned game interface, out-of-game client and marketplace.

“We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multiplayer experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players, “ said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “As we work toward the release of the PC version, Games for Windows – LIVE affords us the opportunity to seamlessly translate the multiplayer console experience for PC gamers. The service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC.”

In addition to “Grand Theft Auto IV,” some of the year’s most-anticipated titles will take advantage of Games for Windows – LIVE, including “Fallout 3” (Bethesda Softworks LLC), “Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II” (THQ Inc.) and “James Bond: Quantum of Solace” (Activision Publishing Inc.).

Games for Windows – LIVE delivers a truly connected experience for PC gamers, letting users enjoy a common Gamertag, Gamerscore, and unified friends list that carries across both supported PC games and the Xbox 360 console, as well as single and multiplayer Achievements, voice chat, text messaging and TruSkill online matchmaking.

“Great Windows-based games like ‘Grand Theft Auto IV,’ ‘Fallout 3’ and ‘Dawn of War II’ are proof that Microsoft is delivering on its promise to provide the best possible PC gaming experience on Windows,” said Kevin Unangst, senior global director of Windows gaming at Microsoft. “We are engaged with our community and listen attentively to their needs and concerns. With their input our platform has continued to evolve, and we’re proud of the marked improvement the Games for Windows program has brought to PC gaming in its first two years.”

Help With Games for Windows Naming [GamerScore]

There's lots of issues about price points and models and the benefits to publishers — you have different developers that do things on different platforms. It certainly interests us, and it's one of many things we talk about, the fact that we have a service that spans both platforms opens up all kinds of opportunities like that. When we feel like we have all of the right pieces together, and we have partners who tell us they want to do that, you can expect that it's something we'll look at, much more closely.

Interesting, no?

Games for Windows Head Kevin Unangst Explains Move to Free Live [1UP]