Microsoft preps online game distribution service

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 07/23/2008 08:43 AM | source: | 0 comment(s)

Microsoft today announced that its Games for Windows initiative is set to expand with the launch an online PC gaming marketplace this fall. The service will deliver free and paid downloadable game content, along with trailers, demos, and other content comparable to the company's Xbox Live offerings. In addition to the added features, the Games for Windows Live interface will also be redesigned to be "much more PC friendly." Microsoft has not yet specified whether full games will be made available for purchase on the network.

The company further announced that all Games for Windows Live multiplayer features are now entirely free.

Games for Windows Gold offered achievements, matchmaking, cross-platform play, and other features at a monthly subscription of $7.99, or $49.99 yearly. While the same features carry similar charges on Microsoft's Xbox 360 platform, gamers often criticized Microsoft for offering them at the same price on the PC, as free programs have traditionally offered comparable functionality.

Related Stories

Microsoft urges companies to dump Windows XP - 09/19/2011 10:09 AM
In an new post on the official Windows blog site, Microsoft's Stephen L Rose stated that there are two big reasons for leaving Windows XP behind. One of them is, of course, the fact that there is a ne...

Microsoft shows off Windows 8 preview - 09/14/2011 10:04 AM
Microsoft presented a developer preview of Windows 8 at its BUILD conference in Los Angeles. The company demonstrates the new Metro user interface, Internet Explorer 10, new touch features and many ot...

Microsoft adds RAW preview support to Windows 7 - 07/28/2011 10:04 AM
After a quick codec pack download, those of you running Windows 7 or Vista should be able to preview RAW files straight from Windows Explorer, without having to use third-party tools like Adobe Bridge...

AMD Bulldozer APU could Power Microsoft's Next Xbox Console - 07/22/2011 10:43 AM
Accriding to a rumor on the web Microsoft's next-generation Xbox gaming console might be powered by an AMD-designed accelerated processing unit that is based on the Bulldozer architecture, according t...

Microsoft reveals 128-bit AES encryption based wireless keyboard - 06/07/2011 09:04 AM
Mircosoft announced the Wireless Desktop 2000, a new wireless keyboard that protects your keystrokes with AES 128-bit encryption. The unit will be available within about a month for roughly $40. The e...