Posts Tagged ‘games for windows live’
Street Fighter IV on PC Gets Games for Windows Live, Better Graphics
Capcom is once again in the news today, revealing more about the upcoming PC version of Street Fighter IV, including the fact that it will feature Games for Windows Live.
GFW will bring online play, in-game messaging and friend lists, voice chat and achievements to the PC version. However, it won’t let PC players fight against Xbox 360 gamers.
PC gamers will also get higher resolutions and several artistic visual effects including sumi-e ink and watercolor shaders.
The game is set for release on PC this summer.
Microsoft announces Games for Windows Live updates
Microsoft’s failing and much criticized game service, Games for Windows Live, will be receiving new features in the future. Microsoft revealed at GDC that the service will feature cloud computing, which will allow gamers to access their content from anywhere. Other features include new APIs to developers and better DRM/piracy protection.
Games for Windows Live has been criticized in the past for being too draconian and too limiting in comparison to rival services like Valve’s Steam.
Microsoft Axes GFW Live Head
Continuing its onslaught of job cuts, Microsoft has let Games for Windows Live general manager Chris Early, according to Dean Takahashi via VentureBeat.
The effect of Early’s departure on the service is not known. Games for Windows Live is included in quite a few games these days, offering video and demo downloads, as well as free online multiplayer. The service is also set to sell premium downloadable content starting tomorrow, beginning with Fallout 3. GFW was eventually expected to sell full games.
Microsoft recently eliminated 1400 jobs throughout its divisions, with the Entertainment and Gaming divisions seeing most cuts. Overall, the company plans on axing 5000 jobs across the next year and a half.
GFW Live Marketplace Launches
In its bid to make the PC a more full-featured gaming platform, Microsoft today launched its Games for Windows Live Marketplace, a platform that will provide game demos, videos, add-on downloadable content and will eventually sell full games.
The Marketplace is part of the latest version of GFW Live, which can be downloaded from Microsoft’s website. You will be able to launch Games for Windows as a stand-alone program after installing it. Windows XP users will need to download a hotfix update for the software to work.
There isn’t much content on the platform right now save for game demos of Viva Pinata and Kane & Lynch.
GTA 4 Goes Windows Live Exclusive
Serving a blow to the open multiplayer community, Microsoft today announced that the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 4 will exclusively use Games for Windows Live for its multiplayer component when it is released next month.
"As we work toward the release of the PC version, Games for Windows Live affords us the opportunity to seamlessly translate the multiplayer console experience for PC gamers," said Rockstar founder Sam Houser. "The service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC."
Microsoft notes that the game will benefit from future Live features such as redesigned game interface, out-of-game client and marketplace, among others.
GTA 4 is due out on PC on November 18.