Games for Windows - Live
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 Games for Windows – Live's "Guide" menu |
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| Developed by | Microsoft |
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| Latest release | 1.2.0241 / 2007-12-11 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | User interface, Voice chat, Text messaging |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | www.gamesforwindows.com/live |
Games for Windows – Live (trademarked as Games for Windows – Live[1]) is an online gaming service for Games for Windows-branded PC titles. It enables Windows PCs to connect to the Live service, which will eventually include other devices including Windows Mobile and Zune. Users, each with a unique Gamertag that carries over from Xbox Live, are able to play online, keep track of their friends' status, send and receive messages, gain and keep track of Achievements, voice chat across platforms, and more. Some games allow for cross-platform play, such as Shadowrun, pitting Windows players against Xbox 360 players.
The features of the service will initially be limited, but will grow just as the features of Xbox Live have over the years. The service was shown in near-final form at CES 2007 during Bill Gates' keynote speech. Xbox Live Arcade will launch on the service later in the year.
The service is open to 3rd-party developers, but they must be able to meet certain Technical Certification Requirements (TCRs), which include (but are not limited to): game ratings, total number of achievement points, content, game profiles, and Live connectivity[citation needed]. Games for Windows - Live games must also meet standard Games for Windows (games that do not have Live support) TCRs. For more information regarding Games for Windows TCRs, see Games for Windows: Technical Requirements on the Microsoft Developer Network.
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Products
One of the first Games for Windows – Live-enabled title was Halo 2 for Windows Vista, which was launched to the public on 2007-05-31.[2] The game supports all the standard Live features (such as achievements, voice chat, messages, etc.), but does not offer cross-platform play with Xbox or Xbox 360 players.
Another game released was Shadowrun, which launched simultaneously on Windows Vista and Xbox 360 on 2007-05-29[3], and is the first game to offer cross-platform play on the Live service. Shadowrun is the first game to be played between Live on Windows Vista to Live on Xbox 360.
Sega, Eidos, and THQ have signed on to include Games for Windows - Live in their upcoming games. Epic Games also included this service in their game engine Unreal Engine 3.[4] Universe at War: Earth Assault from Sega includes cross platform play between Xbox 360 and Windows over Live.
User interface
The user interface or "Guide" follows much the same layout as the Xbox 360 version. Apart from minor cosmetic differences it matches the features of the Xbox 360. This includes messaging (text and voice), friends list, recent players, private chat, and personal settings.
The client that provides this interface is included with Games for Windows – Live games. It is only available when running a game designed for the service. Access to Live functions outside of games is not possible although an out-of-game client is currently in development.
The current version of the in-game Live client is 1.2.0241, released on 2007-12-11. It is available for Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and Windows Vista operating systems. [5] Version 1.2 added offline achievements and the ability to be able to see if the user's friends are joinable in a game. The client also auto-updates when users are logged-on to a Live-aware game.
Games for Windows Live features
- Single gamertag
- Common gamer profile
- Common gamerscore
- Single player achievements - All titles have achievements, though some share the list with the Xbox 360 version
- Private chat via text and voice
- Common friends list and online presence
- Windows only multiplayer including browsing a list of active Windows games
- Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
- TruSkill matchmaking
- Multiplayer achievements
- Cross-platform gameplay
Changes
On 2008-07-22 Microsoft's Chris Satchell, CTO of the company's Entertainment devices division, announced that Games For Windows Live would be free to developers. Previously, select publishers and developers used the system and had to pay for it – now, however, it is free. Also, all Games For Windows Live features are now free for gamers, such as matchmaking and cross-platform play. Satchell added that the move was a "way to improve Windows gaming".
As well as free multiplayer, Microsoft has reduced the technical requirements for those developers looking to utilize Live – such as removing playlist servers, allowing studios to use the Microsoft matchmaking servers instead. They will be adding a new Marketplace to the Windows version of Live later this year. Microsoft is also said to be revamping the UI which should make a debut in late 2008.[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Microsoft Trademarks". Microsoft (2007-12-13). Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2007-05-24). "Halo 2 Vista delayed again". GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
- ^ "Xbox.com | Shadowrun - Game Detail Page". Microsoft. Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
- ^ Minkley, Johnny (2006-08-22). "GCDC: "Cross-platform floodgates will open in 2008" - MS". Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
- ^ "Download Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable 1.2". Microsoft (2007-12-12). Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
- ^ French, Michael (2008-07-22). "Games for Windows Live now free to developers". Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
External links
- GfW Live Support page, including client update
- Official announcement press release
- TrueSkill Research
- ExtremeTech article describing Live Anywhere
- Article on Dedicated Servers and Halo 2
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