Fresh from the success of the upgrades to Xbox Live, Microsoft have decided to give the red-headed stepchild that is Games for Windows a bit of attention (if not TLC).
No, it’s not integrating Facebook and Twitter into the interface – that would be pointless… Rather it’s now entering into the *ahem* Digital Distribution market.
Whether this now means we finally get a decent persistent client that allows such simple things as managing friends lists outside of games, we don’t know.
What we do know is the guff in the press release after the cut…
On December 15, Games for Windows — LIVE will evolve beyond LIVE gaming and include a portal for accessing and downloading your favorite LIVE-enabled titles…courtesy of Games on Demand!
Games on Demand for Windows lets you easily purchase and download great titles from the Games for Windows — LIVE library right from your computer, and re-install your games whenever you want, wherever you want. Games for Windows — LIVE now gives you the flexibility to access and play your games where and when you want, all straight from your PC!
“With Games on Demand, we didn’t just want to create a cut-and-paste version of existing digital distribution services,” said Mike Ybarra, General Manager of LIVE Engagement Services. “We challenged ourselves to deliver an integrated platform that takes full advantage of the unique capabilities offered by the LIVE service. Our goal has always been to create a seamless online gaming experience for the Windows community, and Games on Demand is a great step toward that end.”
The launch lineup will include recent hits like Resident Evil 5 (Capcom), Red Faction: Guerilla (THQ), and Battlestations: Pacific (EIDOS), as well as new exclusive LIVE-enabled versions of popular digital games like World of Goo and Osmos, distributed by Microsoft Game Studios. All games can be purchased either by credit card or with Microsoft Points. Games on Demand for Windows will be available in markets that currently support the Games for Windows — LIVE service.
Microsoft is also offering an updated LIVE-enabled version of Tinker, formerly an exclusive Windows Vista Ultimate Extra, as a completely free download from the Games for Windows — LIVE client.
“Connected digital experiences are defining the continued growth of Windows as a gaming platform,” said Chuck Osieja, Creative Director of Games for Windows — LIVE. “Today marks Microsoft’s return to delivering Windows games built on unique LIVE experiences.”
Games for Windows — LIVE delivers a truly connected experience for PC gamers, letting you enjoy a common Gamertag, Gamerscore, and unified friends list that carries across both supported PC games and the Xbox 360 console. The service also offers single and multiplayer Achievements, voice chat, text messaging and TruSkill online matchmaking.
To download the Games for Windows — LIVE client, visit www.gamesforwindows.com/live.
If by ‘delivering Windows games built on unique LIVE experiences’ they actually mean ‘delivering ported console releases built on a shonky half-arsed college project of a brand’, then yes, sounds about right!
