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Games for Windows certification streamlined for Windows 7 launch
You'd think that owning and operating the world's most ubiquitous operating system would make Microsoft popular with PC game publishers, that they'd be jumping at the chance to have the company's 'Games for Windows' nomenclature. For the software giant, this hasn't been the case so far, with major publishers like EA and Valve sticking with their own distribution services for PC gaming. Microsoft hopes to change that with its recent announcement of a streamlined approval process for GFW-labeled games, just in time for the launch of Windows 7 -- the "Games for Windows Self Certification Site."By opening up a website that advertises the various marketing benefits of bringing titles to the GFW label, it appears that Microsoft is putting forth at least a minimal effort to keep its PC gaming business running. We've reached out to Microsoft for more information on the new self certification process and will update this post when we know more.[Via Big Download]
Games for Windows Live goes 3.0
If you were running about the Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3 or tossing hadoukens in Street Fighter IV on your PC recently, you may have noticed a Games For Windows Live update. Microsoft reports the new update is now available, which adds the Marketplace, anti-piracy measures and a host of other new features to the PC suite. Congrats, Microsoft! You've finally turned our PCs into Xbox 360s![Thanks, Kent!]%Gallery-36743%
Rumor: Gears of War 2 chainsawdomizing PC
There are some rumors circulating around the internets that Gears of War 2 could make a belated arrival on the PC platform, just like the first title. IGN points to Beantown Games, the originator of this vicious little rumor, which posted details from a supposed unreleased press release for the game, along with supposed box art shots featuring the Games for Windows logo.IGN then gave Kotaku the nod, who went to work checking into some of the stuff Beantown Games posted. The blog found inconsistencies in the Beantown post, with the supposed leaked press release being a near carbon copy of the original press release for Gears of War 2 on Xbox 360. Then, there's the UPC codes, which apparently all point to The Golden Compass. It's odd, to say the least.As much as all of this seems like malarkey, one shouldn't entirely rule out the possibility of Gears of War 2 on the PC. The first game released on PC in November of 2007, a full year after the release of the original Xbox 360 game. Since the sequel released on Xbox 360 in November of last year, we wouldn't put it past Epic and Microsoft to crank the game out on PC some time in 2009. Though, when we contacted Microsoft, a spokesperson said "We have no plans for Gears of War 2 on the PC," so take it as you will.Source - Beantown Games [Via IGN]Source - Kotaku
Yatta! Your lame PC will run Street Fighter IV, specs revealed
It must be quite an annoying wait for you PC gamers, knowing that your console brethren are already finding enjoyment in Street Fighter IV. There must be something we can do to make this interim more bearable? Oh, we know! We have just the thing; we've got the specs, thanks to Capcom. Wouldn't you just love to know if your PC can handle all of Bison's psycho power? Chances are, it can. Check after the break for the minimum requirements and see if your rig stacks up.
E3 Games for Windows Live announcements? Not so much!
Do you like Games for Windows? Oh, you do? How about E3? Great! Now here's the rub: You can't have them together. According to our brothers from other mothers at Big Download, the GFW announcements at E3 2009 are going to be, well, non-existent. A Microsoft PR rep said that the company doesn't feel as though the game is aimed at PC gamers, but rather console-focused. And while Microsoft plans on holding a Windows 7 reception at E3 where a variety of PC games will be demoed using the new operating system, the press conference set to "completely transform how people think about home entertainment" (does that mean we'll pay someone else to think about it for us?) won't feature any new GFW newsplosions.
Street Fighter IV PC comes packin' ... a fightpad
For the few of you out there waiting for a PC version of Street Fighter IV and who, simultaneously, had not prepared for playing the game with a keyboard and mouse, Capcom has luckily thought ahead. It's including a MadCatz Fight Pad in the $60 Games for Windows version of SFIV that'll be sold at your local brick and mortar. We're wondering how many folks are willing to snag one of these for the controller alone!Problematically, the company has at once solved your problem and caused another -- how are you going to play against friends in your house with only one controller? Knowing that the arcade controllers released have come in fairly short supply, here's hoping the introduction of PC Street Fighter IV brings with it a bevy of the unfortunately necessary controllers to the market.
PC version of Street Fighter IV to feature Games For Windows Live
Poor Games For Windows Live. The branding and service have been so neglected that it actually gives us a little spring in our step to see someone embracing it, like the way we like to hear about Brad Pitt buying mosquito nets for poor countries. Its latest benefactor is Street Fighter IV on the PC, which will use the service to provide multiplayer and Achievements when it arrives on home computers this summer. Out of curiosity, have any of you been waiting for a PC release to polish up your Tiger Uppercut?[Thanks, The Weaponeer!]
Games for Windows update to address piracy, DLC
Microsoft has revealed new plans for the Games for Windows Live platform, focusing on copy protection and downloadable content, according to Develop. The features built into a new GFW update will help game companies prevent game piracy before a product's street date with server-side authentication -- including "authentication for online play".GFW users will also be able to save general settings to an account, which can be carried over to games played on any "compatible and connected Windows PC," which sounds similar to the Xbox 360 General Settings feature, sans the cloud preferences are saved on.Microsoft also plans to encourage downloadable content by simplifying the process. Using new APIs, developers will be able to create in-game store fronts to make DLC access a streamlined process for customers while "providing developers and publishers with new revenue streams."Microsoft promises that the GFW team is hard at work on "several projects" tied directly to the Live platform and hope to build "new developer relationships" to get the most out of the platform. It seems Games for Windows Live is slowly creeping up to the functionality of the Xbox 360 Live platform. We're finally here! Quick, someone check the temperature in Hell.
Fallout 3: Motivations, enemies and perks of 'The Pitt'
GameSpy recently sat down with Bethesda senior producer -- lead producer of all DLC -- Jeff Gardiner to discuss The Pitt, revealing a host of interesting tidbits for Fallout 3 fans. The Pitt begins with the player encountering an escaped slave, named Werhner, from Pittsburgh, who claims the leader of The Pitt has discovered a cure for mutations. After disguising themselves as a slave, players will have to "find work, and figure out how to gain audience with raider boss." New quest lines, "stylized" Power Armor and weapons aren't the only things added to Fallout 3 with The Pitt DLC; new mutated foes will hunt down the player. Trogs (pictured above) are subhuman life forms, heavily mutated by the unique Pittsburgh radiation. "They scurry around on all fours, fear the light, and hunt in large packs," said Gardiner. The Pitt is expected to add the same amount of game time to Fallout 3 as Operation: Anchorage did; however, players will be able to return to The Pitt when their quest is completed. Three of the four achievements added for The Pitt will be obtained by completing the quest. The last is "much more difficult," involving the collection of one hundred steel ingots found in the area. Three new perks have also made the travel to Pittsburgh. One adds to the "killing efficacy" of the new Auto Axe melee weapon, another relates to the extreme radiation of the area, and the last is "rewarded after completing a Pitt fight." The Pitt DLC releases on the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows Live on March 24 for 800 ($10).%Gallery-45395%
Batman: Arkham Asylum goes Games for Windows Live
Microsoft has revealed Batman: Arkham Asylum will lead the charge this summer as a Games for Windows Live release. The Bat will join Stormrise, Battlestations: Pacific and Red Faction: Guerrilla in what the official GFW blog calls "a strong summer" lineup -- not like it'd be biased about it, right?Batman: Arkham Asylum is currently in development by Rocksteady Studios -- of Urban Chaos: Riot Response fame (or shame, depending on your take) -- and follows the comic book mythos of the renowned DC character. Joystiq recently went hands-on with Batman: Arkham Asylum; check out the post to find out if it's just another routine brawler or "the best Batman game ever," as Warner Bros. has claimed.[Thanks, TheWeaponeer]
Fallout 3's 'The Pitt' dated March 24, new screens
Bethesda just made the release date of Fallout 3's second DLC pack, "The Pitt," officially official: Tuesday, March 24. Like last month's "Operation: Anchorage," the upcoming DLC will come in at 800 ($10) on Xbox 360 and Games for Windows Live simultaneously. Also, Pete Hines from Bethesda confirmed that the recently released patch for the game "is specific to DLC and is required to play The Pitt. It doesn't address anything with the base game outside of that."In tandem with the confirmed release date, Bethesda also dropped a trio of new screens that you can check out below in our gallery.%Gallery-45395%
Microsoft appoints new Games for Windows boss
Congratulations, Ron Pessner! You've been chosen by Microsoft to head up the Games For Windows Live division and step into the shoes of one Chris Early, who recently became the victim of our terrible "layoffs" tag. It says here you've come from the Entertainment and Devices division, and will be joined by Microsoft Games Studios' Dave Luehmann, who will oversee development and publishing for Windows games.That's right, Ron, they have games on Windows now. To be fair, you undoubtedly boast a keen awareness of the matter, as Microsoft claims to be pursuing success for its PC gaming platform with renewed vigor. According to a statement published on Gamasutra, the company hopes to further "invest in Windows as a first–class gaming platform through great Windows out of box experiences," not to mention a variety of online services like LIVE and MSN games.And hey, you're taking over at a point where Games for Windows Live is free. That has to be easier compared to the last guy.
Games for Windows Live boss among Microsoft layoffs
Chris Early, general manager for Games for Windows Live, has been listed among the casualties of Microsoft's first sweeping round of layoffs. While Microsoft has yet to make a formal announcement, VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi reports that emails to Early have bounced, and surmises that "more well-known managers will exit now there are fewer people to manage."The former exec was first put in charge of GFWL in July 2007, and had been an evangelist for the platform since the early days of Live Anywhere. Takahashi ponders if this might signal the beginning of the end for service altogether, which despite a recent revamp has struggled to find acceptance. We wish Early the best of luck as we turn our heads skyward and wonder aloud if anyone in this economy is truly safe.
The Best of Big Download: November 10-16
The holiday shopping season is about kick into high gear....keep your stress down about buying presents for your mother-in-law by checking out a week's worth of highlights from Big Download:Exclusive features Playing Together: Co-op in PC FPS Games: Doom started the whole co-op mod in PC shooters and we look back at the trend on the eve of the launch of Left 4 Dead. Microsoft talks about Games For Windows Live plans: Microsoft's Michael Wolf gives us the 411 on their plans to revamp their Games For Windows Live service include their upcoming Marketplace additions. America's Army AA3 screenshot comparisons: America's Army is developing an Unreal Engine 3 revamp of their free multiplayer shooter and we have detailed screenshot comparisons of both the current and upcoming versions. League of Legends interview: We chat with Riot Games about their upcoming multplayer fantasy action-strategy game. Reviews: We review the latest American McGee's Grimm episode King Midas MODMonday: Our mod column this week is about a graphical revamp of Wolfenstein 3D, WolfGL Big Iron: Our hardware column this week takes a look at the perils of system restores in PC rigs Mac Monday: This week's look at gaming on the Mac takes a look at the recent fantasy RPG Kivi's Underground. Independent Minds: Our regular look at the indie game scene takes a look at titles made with the Unity platform. Boot Disk and Virtual Bargain Bin: Both our retro gaming and value priced game columns this week are about the turn based strategy game Disciples: The Sacred Lands. Big Ideas: Our regular look at trends in gaming is all about game reviews and how useful they really are. Freeware Friday: Our regular look at free games this week is about the procedural RTS game Dyson. BigCast: Our weekly podcast on PC gaming has some guest chatters this time round from sister sites Joystiq and GameDaily. Contests: We are giving our readers a way to win one of three copies of the PC version of Quantum of Solace and we still have beta codes to give out for Battleforge.
What to expect from the Games for Windows Live Marketplace
One part of the new (Improved? You decide.) Games for Windows Live is, well, live. That would be the in-game interface we covered yesterday. It's fast, functional, and even swaps Windows UI elements out for 360 controller button icons when you connect a 360 controller to your PC (a nice touch).The next element of the GFWL reset is due next month: the Marketplace. We got to go hands-on with this standalone app and ... it's very much what you would expect. The Marketplace app will become available once the first GFWL DLC rolls out; load up a GFWL game and it will auto-download. Similarly, GFWL games will check upon starting up if there are any title updates – just like 360 games – and download / install them with no muss, no fuss.
Games for Windows Live redesigned - screenshots, details
click for more Games for Windows Live screenshots With little (no?) fanfare, Microsoft has rolled out an update to its also-ran Games for Windows Live service, ready to shed some of that bad name just in time for this holiday's GFW-branded lineup (think Fallout 3 and GTA IV). So what's in store for you, PC gamers? Mostly, a much needed UI refresh. Gone is the ill-advised, console-inspired Blades interface – in its stead is a much slicker (much quicker!) menu that pops down from the top of the display. All the features you'd expect to be there are there: gamertag, friends list, messaging, achievements. As announced earlier this year, they've also done away with the tiered subscription service for PC gamers. No more "Gold" service – all of this is free, including TrueSkill matchmaking.%Gallery-36743%Indeed, there isn't much new in the way of functionality with one notable exception: the Marketplace. Though it's not available just yet (we'll let you know when "in the next few weeks"), the standalone Marketplace app will be akin to its 360 counterpart, offering publishers and developers a place to host trailers, demos, and DLC – all integrated into the game. Available now: the ability for a game to alert you to patches, and then download them and seamlessly patch them into your game. Boot it up again and – voila! – you're running the latest release. No messy files to download or delete.We'll have our writeup of the latest installment in the GFW Live saga tomorrow; however, for now, flip through some of these screenshots from yesteryear to see what's changed. If you've taken it for a spin, let us know what you think. Oh, hell with it: you'll let us know what you think regardless! (Full presser after the break).%Gallery-2105%
Full PC games on 'road map' of GFW Marketplace
Full game digital distribution is in the cards for Games For Windows Live, we just don't know when that hand will be dealt. "Clearly it's on our road map," GM Chris Early confirmed to Shacknews. An update to the service today added video, demo and DLC support to Microsoft's PC Marketplace.Should services like Steam be concerned? Not yet, at least. But with Microsoft already locking up exclusive content for GFW Live (see Fallout 3 PC DLC), there's precedence to suggest the company could scoop into its considerable war chest and strike up some exclusivity deals when it gets around to offering full releases. Of course, Microsoft is known for taking its sweet time getting to the ultimate destination. Road maps can be complicated, you know?
Cross-platform multiplayer free on Xbox 360 [update: limited-time only]
When Microsoft recently flipped the switch to turn Games For Windows Live into a free-for-all, several cross-platform multiplayer games apparently brought their Xbox 360 denizens with them. That's right, all three cross-platform titles (Shadowrun, Universe at War: Earth Assault and Lost Planet: Colonies) can be played online by any Xbox 360 user with a high-speed internet connection -- freeloading Xbox Live Silver account holders specifically -- according to a thread on Xbox Forums. Of course, the catch is you've got to have a copy of one of the participating game discs. So when Joystiq went to verify the reports, we realized our chest-o-games only contained the good ones. Any far less snobby readers care to shout out a "yea" or "nay" on the matter? [Update: X3F's Xav de Matos has confirmed that the Xbox 360 version of Lost Planet: Colonies can be played online using a Silver account.]In the interim, we've contacted Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for Xbox 360, who told us we can expect Microsoft to issue an official statement shortly.Update 7:10pm: And we've heard back from a Microsoft rep who tells us, "Last week we announced that we were taking off the Gold-only restriction for multiplayer gaming over Games for Windows- LIVE. For a limited time, we are offering free online multiplayer on Xbox 360/ Games for Windows titles that offer LIVE cross platform play. This promotion won't last, so we encourage everyone to take advantage of it while they can." You heard the man, go take advantage of it!
The Best of Big Download: July 20-26
E3 may be over (and it may have not been the greatest installment of the event) but Big Download has some more game impressions from the show plus some other original features to check out. Here are the highlights from the past week:Original Features E3 Impressions: Check out our impressions of games from E3 like Dark Void, Damnation, Operation Flashpoint 2, and Tomb Raider Underworld Here There Be Heroes: Exploring the Champions universe: Take a look at the history of this super hero pen-and-paper RPG and forward to the upcoming Champions Online MMO. Indiedaze:TIGSource Procedural Generation Competition: Take a look at the indie games who were the winners of a recent game development contest. Interview: Microsoft's Kevin Unangst: We chat with the Games for Windows general manager about their decision to make Games for Windows Live free and offer the first screenshot of the revamped UI for the service. Downloads Far Cry 2 E3 trailer: Check out the shoot-em-up action in this trailer promoting the Ubisoft FPS Project Origin E3 trailer: It's both exciting and scary at the same time. It's footage from the Monoloth shooter sequel Dragon Age: Origins Trailer: Check out the first gameplay footage from Bioware's long-in-development RPG Dawn of War II Gameplay Trailer: Check out footage from this upcoming sci-fi RTS from Relic and THQ DC Universe Online E3 trailer: It's the first footage from Sony Online's upcoming super hero MMO
Games for Windows Live goes free
This topic sure to be a hotbed of commenting action. Yesterday Microsoft announced that Games for Windows Live, the PC-based equivalent of the Xbox Live service, has changed to a completely free business model. After a lukewarm launch against PC service powerhouse Steam the Games for Live service has ended the Gold/Silver distinction for PC gamers that Xbox Live subscribers are subjected to. Changing to a free model means gamers can compete in cross-platform gaming (where applicable) at no additional charge. The question now remains, does this move signify a a change that must be made to the Xbox Live structure or are the services two completely different beasts. Consider, only a handful of games and features exist on the PC side of Live and with strong competition from other free services it's a move Microsoft had no choice but to make to survive. So, what are your thoughts on Games for Windows Live going free?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in. Via Engadget]
