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Games for Windows Marketplace, Xbox.com becoming one big, game-obsessed family
Games for Windows Marketplace will no longer have to drift through life alone. Microsoft announced this week that the Steam competitor will be absorbed by Xbox.com -- a seemingly logical merger, given the site's association with Xbox Live. The move comes in spite of an attempt on Microsoft's part to completely revamp the service late last year. The Marketplace is set to move into its new digs on July 11th, so here's hoping it takes advantage of its last few days of freedom in style -- by sitting around in its underwear playing video games, naturally.
Dirt 3 Monte Carlo DLC now available worldwide
Codemasters probably had no idea the accidental synergy it was creating, dropping the Monte Carlo DLC for Dirt 3 the same week that the soon-to-be hit romantic comedy of the same name was arriving in theaters, but here we are. Unfortunately, Selena Gomez isn't a new rallycross driver in the upcoming pack, and as far as we know, there isn't any rallycross in the film. What a waste! Regardless, the $10 pack is now available on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 via their respective digital storefronts, and on PC via the Games for Windows Marketplace. It comprises eight new tracks set in the miniscule Mediterranean monarchy of Monaco (specifically Monte Carlo, of course). If, like us, you don't have a summer villa in the DLC's lavish setting, you may want to take a peek at the maps in action before purchasing the pack -- for that, we suggest heading into our gallery below.%Gallery-127363%
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.
Street Fighter IV, Square Enix titles 50% off on GFW marketplace
Microsoft is putting the hurt on prices for select titles on the Games For Windows marketplace through next week. Capcom's PC version of Street Fighter IV is half off the usual price during the promotion -- $14.99 -- as are 16 titles from Square Enix. The sale is effective through next Wednesday, February 16. You'll find a full list of discounted titles after the break. We're shoryuken find something you'll want on it.
Battlestations: Pacific half-off on Games for Windows Marketplace
If you're not content with restricting your dude-shooting to dry land, you might want to divert your attention to Battlestations: Pacific -- through the morning of Thursday, February 3, the sky, sea and undersea shooter is half-off ($15) on the Games for Windows Marketplace.
Games for Windows Marketplace relaunches right on time
Just as planned, the new browser-based Games for Windows Marketplace launched today. "Definitely you should show up on day one, because we're going to have a great pre-order on a title you may care about," product manager Peter Orullian teased several weeks ago. Well, we're not seeing "it" aaand ... there's not even Call of Duty: Black Ops on offer (or even Modern Warfare 2 for that matter). A Steam-killer this not -- not yet, at least. What the Marketplace does have going for it is a relatively user-friendly, if (for now) bare-bones interface, anchored by Live integration (squint and you'll see your faded-out, cross-platform Gamerscore in the upper right when you log in). Of course, Microsoft has stated its intent to vastly expand the site's catalog by offering plenty -- and there are plenty -- of PC games that are not Live-enabled. The new design also wisely highlights both the Deal of the Week (Osmos for $2.50) and new "DailyDeal" (GTA IV for $12), which are going to be key aspects of the new Marketplace. Additionally, there's an option on the site to add Microsoft Points to your Gamertag (Windows Live ID) account, and, while not obvious until you proceed to "checkout," you can use points as a payment method to purchase Games for Windows content -- already a dangerous aspect of the new Marketplace.
Microsoft says it's 'doubling down' on PC games
Well, it looks like the forthcoming launch of Microsoft's browser-based Games for Windows Marketplace could just be the beginning of a broader PC gaming push from the company. Speaking with Kotaku, Microsoft's Peter Orullian, group product manager for Windows PC and Mobile, said rather boldly that PC games "is a place where we are doubling down." Exactly what that means beyond the new Games for Windows Marketplace isn't clear, but Orullian did mention that Microsoft has a "healthy list of features we're going to start bringing out once the store launches" in response to a question about further integrating PC and Xbox 360 gaming (something the company is also exploring with the revised Xbox.com).
Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace relaunches in your browser on November 15
Microsoft just announced that its new Games for Windows Marketplace online PC games store will launch on November 15th. Think Steam, but not quite. The store offers online web access from anywhere and features fast purchase and download turnarounds to accelerate the time to game play; discounted games; and game search by title, genre or publisher. Games for Windows Marketplace is integrated with Microsoft's existing Xbox LIVE and Windows Live services and will launch with over 100 titles including "Fable: The Lost Chapters" and "Grand Theft Auto III." Anyone with a Windows Live ID can login. Check out the full press release after the break before heading over to Joystiq for more detailed coverage.%Gallery-105819%
Games for Windows Marketplace gets competitive, relaunching Nov. 15
In November, Microsoft will reboot its Games for Windows Marketplace. In doing so, the company aims to beef up its online portal with more games -- and not just those few that align themselves with the Games for Windows Live branding -- and provide a more competitive and comprehensive retail experience. Peter Orullian, who helped develop digital distribution strategies for Xbox Live, has been tapped to effectively manage the relaunch. %Gallery-105596%
