Microsoft readies Games for Windows Live

Published on March 16, 2007 By Island Dog In WinCustomize News

This week Microsoft announced that it's PC version of "Live" will be released on May 8th. Like Xbox Live, gamers on their PC's will be able to earn achievements, tally a "gamerscore", and be able to connect with friends through text and voice messages.
If you already have an Xbox Live account don't worry, Microsoft says you will get a Games for Windows Live account at no additional cost. For the rest of you the service will be the same price as Xbox Live, a Silver account will be free, and the Gold accounts will be $49.99 with the Gold account obviously having more features.

On the same day of its release Halo 2 for the PC will also launch and be compatible with Live. Following that other games will be released which will allow PC gamers and Xbox 360 users to play together.

Comments

Lassan

on Mar 16, 2007

Awesome! I hope to have my copy of Vista by then.. Hopefully!

shukcb04

on Mar 16, 2007

so is this just like a computer program or what? i dotn know anything about this "live" stuff.

spymercinator

on Mar 16, 2007

WHAT!!!???
You need live to play Halo 2 MP.
Omg, that's the greediest thing I've ever heard.
Not only is the thing only available on vista, you need a 50$ internet program to play. Not mentionaing that the game will probably bee 80 dollars.
**** vista.

Double Zero

on Mar 16, 2007

Not only is the thing only available on vista, you need a 50$ internet program to play. Not mentionaing that the game will probably bee 80 dollars.
**** vista.

LoL...They need to do something to get people to buy Vista, sales are slow, interest is null.... I suppose you can say **** Vista, for awhile, but if you really, really want to play Halo2 and that is the only way to do it....well...do the math..LoL

Keikonium

on Mar 16, 2007

Did the first post not say that the silver version of 'live' will be free >__>?

I kinda took that to mean that you can buy Halo 2, and play it online for free under the silver account? But if you want more features, then you need to get the $50 gold account. So thats no more greedy than charging for an xbox live subscription...

Then again, thats only how I interpreted it. I'm the furthest thing from an xbox (or halo...) fan so I'm not to sure how the gold/silver account thing works.

Flibbertygibbets

on Mar 17, 2007

I figure since I already pay $50 a month for internet access I shouldn't need to pay to play a game. If I do... I simply don't buy that game, or in this case, console. It's sad how greedy these corps are getting.

NeoK

on Mar 17, 2007

aye. this is the 5th site i've seen this reported on and every time someone dosn't read.

ALL PC TO PC PLAY IS 100% TOTALLY FREE WITH OR WITHOUT LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

you only need a Silver Live subscription to play GFW Live MP games. and even than it's free. The $50 gold subscription allows you to play cross platform (in games that support it) between the PC and the 360. It also has a couple other extras as well.

And all NON-Live games will have free MP or whatever the game developers decide. WoW and other MMO's will still be pay obviously but games like UT3 and other FPS games will have free MP either through Live or through their own service.

So once again. PC to PC play is totally free even if it's a LIVE game. you only have to pay if you want to play PC VS 360.

boss0190

on Mar 17, 2007

I figure since I already pay $50 a month for internet access I shouldn't need to pay to play a game

Yeah, and if I pay $50 a month for basic cable tv, I shouldn't have to pay for HBO and Showtime and of course, no PPV stuff.

LegendaryC

on Mar 17, 2007

This is old news to me.

Its good Microsoft isn't being to greedy and allowing us to play only for free. I would never and will never pay for playing online games (Besides my internet company.)

pjdark

on Mar 17, 2007

i just get an xbox 360 gold membership time card. It's only 8 bucks,and it's good for a month. Works for me anyway

i'm cool with that

WebGizmos

on Mar 17, 2007

Man....that really sucks the big one...I was waiting for Halo 2 to come out...but I have no intension of getting rid of a PC that works just fine for a more expensive one just to play a game. Here's a online petition for those who want to see Halo 2 works on WindowsXP WWW Link

PcItalian649

on Mar 17, 2007

Finally, a way to end the "PC vs Console" saga question, people on PC's will finally be able to prove that the Keyboard/Mouse combo will always out perform a Controller when it comes to playing games (Except racing/flying/ect)

shukcb04

on Mar 17, 2007

wait so what is this "live" stuff????

NeoK

on Mar 17, 2007

@WebGizmos: petition all you want but it wont happen. The game was developed with the soul purpose of being Vista only because it's the flagship game for Windows Live. Though since it doesn't use DX10 you might be lucky if a single player patch for XP comes out.

@Pcitalian: i'm looking forward to that very much, at least once more mainstream games get PC to 360 compatibility. like C&C, UT3, NFS.

@shukcb04: it's the same as Xbox Live. allows you to play Live games online. earn achievements in the game, meet friends and talk with them. download demos and movie trailers and stuff like that. Go to the Xbox Live site for more info on it.

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