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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.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 beta on Jan. 21
click for hugeness Relic Entertainment's Mark Noseworthy has confirmed with Joystiq that the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 closed beta will begin January 21st if you purchased the original Dawn of War expansion, Soulstorm. Procrastinators, take note: you'll be introduced into the public beta just a week later on January 28th. Or, break the cycle of lethargy and pick up the expansion in order to grab an early beta spot.We got a closer look at Dawn of War 2 during CES, and fans of real-time strategy games will not be disappointed ... unless you don't own a PC (but c'mon, how could you be an RTS buff without owning a PC?). Dawn of War 2 will be a PC-only release with Games for Windows Live features like voice chat and Achievements.
Counting Rupees: The Network is the Platform
Each week Jeff Engel and Geoff Brooks contribute Counting Rupees, a column on the business behind gaming: "The Network is the Computer" - John Gage, Sun Microsystems, 1984 When John Gage said this in 1984 it was a fairly controversial statement. Computers were getting smarter and more powerful and seemed to be moving away from the DUMB terminals of the past to more application-oriented, personal computing. At the time, most people probably weren't considering that an incredibly powerful, pervasive, interconnected web of servers and computers allowing for petabytes of data all over the world to be stored, accessed, manipulated and interacted with, would be used by more than 20% of the world's population, and nearly 75% of the US population. Looking at where we are today, his words seem fairly prescient. Not that the technology and power in computers hasn't also been improving at an astonishing rate, but there's certainly been a shift in how people use computers as internet penetration has increased. After all, would things like the iPhone or EeePC or Mini 12s or email terminals really serve much of a purpose if not for their ability to connect to a network? So, what does this really have to do with gaming? Well, there's certainly been some interest in creating web games, ranging from incredibly simple but fun diversions like Desktop Tower Defense, to more complex first-person shooters like Fallen Empire: Legions or the Quake 3: Arena remake, Quake Live. But this is really just the start. Recently, people have been mostly puzzled as to why Microsoft would continue to try and keep "Games for Windows Live" alive when it was so unpopular when it launched. Indeed, people were not very interested in paying for services that they were already used to getting for free. A few months ago, Microsoft had to scrap the idea of making people pay for the service and now, more recently, it has launched a new client for it. Judging from the response, it doesn't seem like most people care about the service. What's Microsoft thinking here?
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%
Rockstar: GTA IV PC delayed to Dec. 2
Rockstar has confirmed the delay of the PC release of Grand Theft Auto IV, reflected on retailers' sites earlier this week. The game has been pushed from November 18th to December 2nd. The developer did not cite particular reasons for the hold up, reports IGN, but we can assume it's due in part to typical, last minute bug squashing and system optimization. On that note, Rockstar did finally release official system specs:Minimum System Requirements OS: Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) / XP (Service Pack 3) Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 Ghz / AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4 Ghz Memory: 1.5 GB RAM; 16 GB hard drive space Video card: 256 MB NVIDIA 7900 / 256MB ATI X1900 Recommended System Requirements OS: Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) / XP (Service Pack 3) Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 Ghz / AMD Phenom X3 2.1 Ghz Memory: 2 GB (XP) / 2.5 GB (Vista) RAM; 18 GB hard drive space Video card: 512 MB NVIDIA 8600 / 512 MB ATI 3870
Let's play name that Games for Windows software!
Team Gamerscore Blog needs your help. See, there's a new Games for Windows stand alone client that's set to release for the PC soon, a program that will let PC users access to the XBLM, buy content and get added Live functionality as time goes on. So, what's the problem you ask? Well, they don't have a name for the software and they'd like your creative genius in help deciding one. Pop on over to the official G4W poll of officialness to vote on your favorite client name (we're partial to "Games for Windows - LIVE Portal") or, if you don't like the options given, make up your own client name. Just don't recommend "Games for Windows - Home", because we hear the MS peeps take offense to it.
Silver Live members get free cross platform title playtime through Fall
With Microsoft's Games for Windows reveal last week, where they announced all Games for Windows titles would be allowed to access a fully functioning Xbox Live without the need for a Gold account, comes word that ALL cross-platform titles on the Xbox 360 will be allowed access multiplayer functionality as well. Though, only for a limited time.Shacknews confirmed the news with Microsoft which ultimately means that anyone who owns Universe at War, Shadowrun or Lost Planet: Colonies Edition on the Xbox 360 can play multiplayer online against 360 and PC Live members with a free Silver Xbox Live account. The catch being that this free Xbox 360 cross-platform gaming is more of a promotion and will only last until the rollout of the Fall update later this year. So, if you're part of the Silver crowd, own 360 versions of any of the games listed above and have the urge to play online, you better enjoy it while it lasts. Your freeloading time is limited.[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
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]
Games for Windows Live now free
Interesting that this didn't get announced at E3, but Games for Windows Live is now free for all. Yep, totally free, cross-platform multiplayer with the 360 included -- which obviously raises the question of whether Live will ever be free on Xbox. We think that's a pretty safe no -- unlike Games For Windows, Xbox Live actually makes money, which is pretty hard to turn down, and without a ton of competitive pressure from, say, Playstation Home, it's hard to see why Microsoft would turn that funtime cash fountain off. Still, there's always hoping, right?
Microsoft makes Games For Windows Live free for all
Microsoft's struggling Games For Windows Live service, which promised an Xbox Live like online experience with voice chat, unified friend lists, and cross-platform play between PC and console, is about to shrug off its chief criticism: cost. MS announced today that it is ending the XBL-style tiered pricing structure – which put a year of Gold membership at $49.99 – and making the service free for all users.The change is effective immediately, affecting all current GFW Live titles (such as Halo 2 and Shadowrun) as well as future releases. MS is also set to expand the service through a GFW Live Marketplace, due this fall. Like the XBL Marketplace, the PC-centric store will offer free and paid downloadable content, demos, and trailers (is this PC Live Arcade?)In addition to these announcements, MS is working to make the GFW Live interface "much more PC friendly" (read: not like the Xbox 360's now deprecated "Blades" interface) along with reducing the technical requirements for developers. One criticism of the interface from the development camp has been that it must be built into every GFW title, rather than a stand-alone client such as Steam.
Games for Windows Magazine goes online-only
The list of defunct video game magazines has grown quite a bit over the last few years: Tips & Tricks; Computer Games; the Official PlayStation Magazine (the old one, not the new one). Well, we can add another name to the list today, as Ziff Davis just announced that Games for Windows: The Official Magazine will no longer exist in its print form.In announcing the move, effective as of the April/May issue, Ziff Davis Vice President Simon Cox assured readers that the decision had "nothing to do with the Chapter 11 stuff," and everything to do with the computer gaming audience's massive migration to online news sources. The magazine's editorial staff will be transferred to computer game coverage on 1UP.com, Cox said, though the magazine's art team will be moving on. Current subscribers will be able to transfer their subscriptions to Electronic Gaming Monthly or request a refund PC Mag, according to 1UP's Dan Hsu [updated with correction from Hsu himself @ 3:09].The decision marks the end of the run for a magazine that started in 1981 as Computer Gaming World and leaves Electronic Gaming Monthly as Ziff Davis' only print video game magazine and Future's PC Gamer as America's only computer game-focused print mag. Will this latest streamlining help attract interest in the long-offered sale of the Ziff Davis Game Group? Given the widespread contraction of the magazine market, we can't say it would hurt.
Lost Planet: Colonies - details and Akrid gameplay
Continuing our coverage of Capcom's Digital Day event is gameplay from the upcoming Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - Colonies Edition. Colonies is the Platinum edition of the best-selling title Lost Planet: Extreme Condition adding new characters, multiplayer maps and modes. The most exciting of which is the ability to play as the Akrid, the enemy monsters from the single-player game, in various modes along with a ton of other announced features.Gamers who have an old save file and are thinking of pinking this one up to continue your Lost Planet adventure should be wary. Capcom has stated that the game is not compatible with the previous release. Colonies has been built for cross-platform play with Games for Windows Live in mind so we assume the code had to have been changed, sure that doesn't make sense for single-player game but anyone interested in this version would be in it for the multiplayer if they've already played the original. But on the lighter side of the news, the game will feature 1000 fresh gamer points to be acquired. Check out Akrid gameplay after the jump.Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - Colonies Edition is set to release on May 27 on the Xbox 360 and PC.
Borderlands shifted to fiscal '09, 'better balance' cited
As noted in Take-Two's most recent guidance for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2008, Gearbox-developed Borderlands will release in fiscal 2009 instead of fiscal 2008. The publisher explained that the apparent pushback allows for "additional development time" and provides "better balance" in the release schedule of its triple-A titles. Previously, Borderlands was dated for 'Holiday 2008,' which, if after November 1, would fall into Take-Two's fiscal 2009 anyway. Today's notice looks to be less a significant launch delay then, and more a tweaking of financial projections.
Microsoft toying with the idea of a Games for Windows Marketplace
In an interview with Eurogamer, Microsoft's Games for Windows (G4W) senior global manager director Kevin Unangst mentioned that they hope to bring some sort of Xbox Live Marketplace to the G4W platform.When talking about the possibility of a G4W Marketplace, Unangst said that "you can be confident we want to enable things like digital distribution, the ability to do downloadable content for games - that's a direction we're definitely headed in". He was also clear about the fact that they "don't have anything specific to announce in terms of timeframes right now" regarding a Marketplace or a way to obtain DLC on the G4W platform. It's an interesting and welcomed idea, but wouldn't you think priority number one would be to get more developers on board to support G4W? We think that's where the effort should be focused.
The Kwari model: Can RMT be taken to the next level?
I was in the bathroom the other day, reading Games for Windows (because let's be honest, where else would anybody read GfW?) and they had an article on an extremely interesting, though vaguely troubling new shooter called Kwari. Its basic premise is that players pony up a small amount of cash, the amount varying depending on the stakes of the game, and players lose or gain a portion of the pot based on their fragging prowess. Or to put it more simply, it's like online poker, but instead of cards, there are bullets. Designer Eddie Gill of Kwari Limited was hoping that in adding a financial incentive to the basic shooter model, it would result in an experience that was much more intense for the players involved. And if he took in a cut of the profits as well, what's the harm? By all accounts, Kwari utterly fails at delivering an engaging shooter experience, so whatever sociological implications the game would have had were rendered moot because of sloppiness on the developer's part. Still, this perception that online games could be tweaked to be a form of online gambling got me thinking. Is this business model just a developer supported real-money transaction (RMT) scheme, or is it even deeper down the rabbit hole of Shylock-esque shamelessness?
CES 2008: Conflict Denied Ops aims at non-existent 'casual FPS' market
Just a few months ago we brought you impressions of an early build of Conflict: Denied Ops. As the newest chapter in the perpetually-lackluster Conflict series, our opinion then was that the game was following in the footsteps of its 4.0 kindred. We were frustrated with the flat look, boring linear gameplay and the use of a needless buzzword – "Puncture-Tech" – to describe destructible environmental elements. In checking in on the game's progress in a near-release state today at CES, we found that many of these same concerns are still applicable. Eidos and Pivotal Games have stopped using that meaningless marketing buzzword and thrown in a few twists on the A-to-B gameplay, but Denied Ops is basically the same flawed game we saw in October.So what's the solution for a game company that has an overly-linear title on their hands? Apparently, you start calling it a casual game. That's right: Conflict: Denied Ops is now a "casual first-person shooter." You know: for all those grandmas who have been itching to break into the 'killing things' genre.
CES 2008: Hands-on with first public showing of Space Siege
The last Dungeon Siege update came out almost 18 months ago. Chris Taylor and his Gas Powered Games have had plenty of time to mull the next move, reflecting on half a dozen titles in the fantasy world, and even a major motion picture. The move they've made – a quick hyperspace jump away from the fantasy setting – shouldn't surprise anyone. With the Games for Windows initiative ramping up to full power it's the perfect time for the unveiling of Space Siege. Even in pre-alpha state, Space Siege is already exactly what you'd expect. Instead of a hard-jawed warrior wading through waste-deep goblin blood with sword clenched, the protagonist is a hard-jawed space marine wading through waste-deep alien blood with a big gun clenched in his hands. There isn't a lot of game to actually play on the CES show floor, but what there is reminds us of how much fun it is to mindlessly click creatures to death. Despite the similar-sounding nature of the game, there were actually a number of changes to the formula on display; enough that we think some folks are going to be surprised.
CES 2008: New titles join Games for Windows portfolio
In another CES 2008 announcement, Microsoft has highlighted nine new additions to its Games for Windows endeavor, promising to "continue the momentum for Windows-based gaming in 2008" and "revive" the PC gaming space. The titles due to be dressed in Microsoft's colors include: Alone in the Dark (Atari) Bionic Commando (Capcom) Conflict: Denied Ops (Eidos Interactive) Empire: Total War (SEGA) LEGO Indiana Jones (LucasArts) Microsoft Train Simulator 2 (Microsoft Game Studios) Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock) Space Siege (SEGA) Tomb Raider: Underworld (Eidos Interactive) The list not only cements the "Underworld" subtitle to Eidos' next Tomb Raider, but provides reassurance as to the longevity of Microsoft's initiative. Games for Windows is sure to be around for quite some time if Alone in the Dark manages to arrive under its banner. Microsoft's polite press release is also keen to remind us that other expected 2008 titles -- Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Borderlands, The Club, Fallout 3 and Frontlines: Fuel of War -- will stand beneath the flapping emblem.
