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PSA: Street Fighter X Tekken DLC now live on GFWL, Steam content delayed into next week
Good news, everyone! Half of the PC versions of Street Fighter X Tekken have reached DLC parity with their console brethren. Granted, there are only two PC versions of SFxT, and the one that got the DLC first is the Games for Windows Live version, but at this point we're sure the PC fighting game community is grateful for pretty much whatever they can get.DLC for the Steam version of SFxT was originally planned to launch simultaneously with the GFWL release, but an "unforeseen error with the Valve submission process" has caused it to be delayed into "early next week," according to an update on Capcom Unity.
Toy Soldiers storm PC today, DLC for XBLA's Toy Soldiers: Cold War tomorrow
Signal Studios dropped several information bombs today about its Toy Soldiers series, with the first volley announcing that the original Toy Soldiers will be available on Steam and Games for Windows Live Marketplace today for $9.99. The Steam version will be 25 percent off during launch week.Wait a minute, but Toy Soldiers on XBLA is $15! Not anymore. The XBLA version is receiving a permanent price drop to 800 MSP ($10).Signal Studios, which notes the Toy Soldiers franchise has had over 1 million paid downloads, also announced DLC for last year's excellent co-op XBLA sequel, Toy Soldiers: Cold War. The "Evil Empire" and "Napalm" packs will expand the single-player and co-op campaigns, having players take on the role of the USSR or Americans."As a thank you to our fans, we are releasing a Multiplayer DLC compatibility pack for free," said Toy Soldiers: Cold War Game Director Jason Ilano. "This will give them a chance to join matches hosted by players that have the new content, play it, and decide if it is for them."The dueling side expansions will be 400 MSP ($5) apiece and the launch codes are set to execute tomorrow, April 25.
Ms. Splosion Man platform 'splosion: coming to PC, iOS, Windows Phone
Like playing Ms. Splosion Man, but have an intractable grudge against your Xbox 360? Twisted Pixel is bringing its concussive platformer to several new platforms, including PC (on both Steam and Games for Windows Live), iPhone, iPad, and Windows Phone 7. The porting process is a multi-studio endeavor, requiring the talents of not only Twisted Pixel, but Iron Galaxy, Fire Hose Games, and Panic Button Games as well.The PC version appears identical to the XBLA release, but the mobile game is a "unique experience" designed specifically for touchscreens -- using a virtual d-pad. You'll be able to find out how well these new containers withstand explosive force this summer.
Batman: Arkham City PC patched, DX11 fixed for some
A new PC patch for Batman: Arkham City corrects debilitating performance issues associated with DirectX 11 -- for the most part. Though some players may now enable advanced graphical effects without penalty, the documentation considers DirectX 11 off-limits for 32-bit versions of Vista and Windows 7 until another patch can be issued. Gotham's unsavory penitentiary has been in need of correctional facilities since its launch on PC, well after the acclaimed console versions. This latest patch addresses a few more errors, including a progress-halting boss glitch and -- our favorite -- "a crash that occurred when selecting 'Press Start' immediately when available at the Title Screen." There should be some kind of punishment for skipping past that lovely title screen music, but that's a bit harsh.
Microsoft discounts Super Meat Boy, other content across its platforms
This week, Microsoft is offering discounts across Xbox Live, Windows PC and its mobile platforms. It's being billed as a fan appreciation sale and we're sure Microsoft would appreciate if its fans spent money. It's kinda how these things go. Highlights include Super Meat Boy for $5, a few discounted add-ons for Left 4 Dead 2 and Homefront, half-off Indie Games titles Flotilla and Weapon of Choice, and a few PC and mobile joints for good measure. If you want to spend, there's a good chance you can find something to spend money on here. The only thing we'd suggest is that perhaps you hold off on the five different premium Xbox 360 themes available. There's no word on whether or not they'll be compatible with your new Dashboard next month.
Batman: Arkham City swoops to PC on November 18
Warner Bros. has deemed today the day to reveal Batman: Arkham City's delayed PC launch date as November 18, one month to the day after its arrival on consoles. The Games for Windows version was delayed last month via a terse WB announcement, which didn't provide an explanation at the time. We can exclusively reveal why today: Bruce Wayne is exhausted, y'all. He's got a lot going on, between film and TV and video games, and he just needed a few weeks to chill. Okay, that and PC version bug fixes.
Xbox Live coming to Windows 8
As part of Microsoft's continuing effort to provide its users one all-encompassing ecosystem for all of their entertainment needs (or something), the company has announced that its latest operating system, Windows 8, will support Xbox Live. Exact details on integration are forthcoming, but the biggest question that surfaces in our is: What does this mean for Games for Windows Live? We've got some questions in to Microsoft and will update as soon as we can. [Update: A Microsoft spokesperson tells us "we currently have nothing to announce beyond the statement that Major Nelson posted on his blog."] In the meanwhile, how about some tentative rejoicing? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Batman: Arkham City supports Games for Windows Live
For Batman, capturing criminals and maintaining safe, clean streets in Gotham is its own reward. For those of us lacking giant inheritances and cavernous basements, the incentive to do good just for the sake of being good isn't really enough. We need something we can hold; something we can point to and say, "I did that, here's my proof." Achievements! It was just our roundabout way of saying Batman: Arkham City will support Games for Windows Live on PC, according to a Warner Bros. rep speaking to VG 247 today. We assume, just like its predecessor, the game will also be sold through Steam, though there has yet to be a games page created for it. We've contacted Warner Bros. for clarification. Achievements and DRM for Arkham City will be handled by Microsoft's platform.
Skyrim will feature Steamworks support, also an adorable dog
A recently released packshot of the PC version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim carried a Games for Windows masthead, leaving some of the gaming community worried that it would also use the Games for Windows Live DRM system. Apparently, that's not the case: Bethesda's Pete Hines confirmed to PC Gamer that it wouldn't use GFWL, and the company's official Twitter account double confirmed that it would instead implement Steamworks. That is, like, so much confirmation. If you don't really care about things like PC DRM solutions or, um, PCs in general, you might find the screenshots posted below a little more scintillating. There's a picture of a dog in one of them! A wonderful, wonderful dog. %Gallery-131028%
Games for Windows Marketplace to merge with Xbox.com on July 11
It's about time. Microsoft is finally consolidating the Games for Windows Marketplace and Xbox.com into one big ultra mega site. Makes sense, right? The transition will take place on July 11, Eurogamer confirmed, when all of the Games For Windows content will find a new home at Xbox.com. Back in November, the GFW site received quite the overhaul in an attempt to bring a more accessible experience to its web hub. Currently, there's a thread on the Xbox.com forums discussing the move, if you feel like being part of the conversation. You know, if you want. No pressure!
Section 8: Prejudice Overdrive Map Pack coming June 1
Are you familiar with the nooks, crannies and sweet, skydiveable air above each of the maps included in TimeGate Studios' beefy downloadable shooter, Section 8: Prejudice? Next Tuesday, June 1, the game will receive the Overdrive Map Pack, a bundle which includes two new maps which will be playable in all game modes: A magma-covered battlefield known as Abaddon, and a decidedly colder frozen wasteland called Sky Dock. The two new maps will launch on Xbox Live Marketplace and Games for Windows Marketplace for 320 Microsoft Points ($3.99). Sounds like a fair price for the raw, visceral thrill of plummeting into a pool of volcanic rock. Yes, that's not the smartest strategic move, but c'mon.
SSFIV Arcade Edition PC to discourage piracy (and frustrate buyers) with 'limited' offline mode
Okay, so there is a catch. We figured Capcom had a "solution" in place when it confirmed that Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition was coming to PC. The problem? Piracy -- the threat of which kept Capcom from releasing vanilla SSFIV on PC just a year ago. In a blog post on Capcom-Unity, company VP Christian Svensson has addressed some "Stuff You Want to Know About SSFIV:AE for PC." Scroll down and you'll get to the catch. "SFIV unfortunately was plagued by pirates and hackers that messed up leaderboards," Svensson writes of the original iteration on PC (which still sold well by Capcom's earlier account). "To hopefully remedy that, SSFIV:AE will be making use of what is called SSA technology." While not as random as certain TSA measures -- SSFIV:AE players can still wear shoes and needn't limit their beverages to 3.4-ounce bottles -- the game's Software Security Assurance protocol is no less strict. Players are required to be signed into Games for Windows Live in order to access most of the game's features and content. In offline mode, SSFIV:AE is reduced to a sort of demo, with players limited to local play only (obviously), but also restricted to 15 of the 39 fighters and unable to save settings or challenges progress. DLC is inaccessible when playing offline, as well. Should the GWFL connection be lost mid-game, the player is given a chance to sign back in at a "logical break point" -- but should that fail ... you're in demo mode. And if you don't live in a GFWL-supported region? Svensson calls that a "buyer-beware situation." Prospective purchasers should also be aware that Steam and Impulse will implement their respective "security solutions" (in addition to SSA), and that Steam users won't use GFWL Marketplace to purchase DLC. "We'll provide more details on that wrinkle at a later date," Svensson notes.
Xbox Live Marketplace experiencing outages [update]
The Xbox Live status page (and our own abortive efforts to download stuff) reveals that the Xbox Live Marketplace is currently experiencing an interruption in service. According to the site, "users may experience difficulties" browsing Xbox Live Indie Games, the Games Marketplace, or the Games for Windows Live Marketplace from either an Xbox or a PC. It's more than "difficult" -- in our case, at least, the XBLIG page returns no results at all. Given recent history, it's tempting to jump immediately to topic of hacking. However, there's no evidence of that, so we're going to assume the blame lies with molemen instead. Molemen are stealing our Marketplace access. Update: Microsoft sent Joystiq a statement attributing the outage to "an internal operational error," which it is working to resolve "as quickly as possible." You can find the full statement -- which does not confirm or deny the involvement of molemen -- after the break.
Resident Evil 5 is half price on Games For Windows
Starting today and running until Thursday, April 28 at 11:30am EST, Resident Evil 5 is half-off on the Games For Windows marketplace -- down to $15 from its usual $30 asking price. Sounds like a perfect opportunity to give a lonely Majini a home. Sure, they may be parasitic shells of their former selves, but that doesn't mean they don't have feelings, guys. It should be noted that this is the base edition of Resident Evil 5, sans both DLC packs: Lost in Nightmares and Desperate Escape. It also doesn't include the Versus mode.
Section 8: Prejudice drops April 20 for 360, PC and PS3 to follow
Timegate Studios has dated two of the three versions of its upcoming FPS sequel Section 8: Prejudice. Via its Twitter account, the developer confirmed that the game will land on Xbox Live Marketplace in two weeks on April 20, followed by the Windows version on Games for Windows Live come May 4. The PS3 release doesn't have a firm date; the game is simply noted as coming "summer 2011" to PSN. Whenever it hits, it'll carry the same $15 price tag as the other versions.
Bulletstorm PC demo now out on Steam and GFWL
If you're a PC user who wanted to try Bulletstorm through legal means, the demo is available now on Steam and Games For Windows Live. A demo for consoles has been available since prior to the game's February 22 launch. For a game that seems to use an expletive-filled roulette wheel for its dialogue, Bulletstorm delivers a clip full of fun. Check out the demo, just make sure that nobody with sensitive ears is around.
Gears of War free with Bulletstorm on Games For Windows next week
Microsoft's Games for Windows Marketplace is having a buy one, get one free sale on Epic Games shooters starring guys with really big arms. Specifically, the digital storefront is giving anyone who buys next week's foul-mouthed FPS Bulletstorm a free copy of the original Gears of War. The deal will be valid from February 22 -- Bulletstorm's on-sale date -- through March 8. People Can Fly's game will carry a sticker price of $59.99, while Gears normally goes for $19.99.
Age of Empires Online's Egyptian faction, social features announced
Microsoft has revealed the Egyptians (a.k.a. the "blue guys") in Age of Empires Online, its two-faction freemium revamp of the series. The Egyptians will oppose the red team (obviously), which is hellbent on expanding Greece's borders across the whole world. Stay tuned -- we'll be posting our preview of the Egyptians gameplay later today. Additionally, Microsoft has detailed some of the social and MMO features planned for AoE Online, which center on players' capitol cities, and has confirmed Game for Windows Live support (including Achievements). The capitol city -- you can have two; one each for your Greek and Egyptian civilizations -- will be the player's persistent headquarters, used to access quests and rule over the empire, and will function as a travel destination and interaction point for other players. Aside from marveling at your flower gardens (think of your capitol as "FarmVille Lite"), visiting players can join up with you in co-op missions or simply shop at your unique store fronts. Paying players will have incentive to encourage visitors to shop, too, as the premium faction upgrade adds kickbacks: You'll receive in-game currency for purchases made from your stores. Microsoft's detailed "cheat sheet" of the differences between free and paid play is posted after the break. Importantly, Microsoft has said it won't "nickel-and-dime" players -- upgrading from the free-to-play version of a faction is done through a one-time premium add-on, the "Premium Civilization Pack." Microsoft has not yet announced pricing for the upgrades. Age of Empires Online is currently in beta and should be released this year. %Gallery-114988%
Hunt down S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl for 99 cents
Microsoft's ridiculous Games for Windows Live holiday promotion continues, offering another game for a price worth paying even if you don't care about the game, or don't know what the game is! Today, it's S.T.A.L.K.E.R, on sale for 99 cents. It's the perfect time to catch up with the goings-on in desolate, irradiated future Chernobyl before the sequel arrives in 2012 -- or, if you're like us, it's the perfect time to add yet another game to your near-infinite backlog. It's better than spending full price for a game you'll never play, right?
Deus Ex: Game of the Year just 99 cents today on Games For Windows
It seems the Games for Windows Marketplace is trying its darndest to establish itself as the premiere source of awesome games that cost less than a 20 oz. bottle of soda. For example, today, you can pick up Warren Spector's epic FPSRPG Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition for just 99 American cents.
