Jump to content

Games for Windows – Live: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
←Replaced page with '{{*[http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?p=861 Description of Live Anywhere Features] *[http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/8725 Demo of Live for Wi...'
ClueBot (talk | contribs)
1,596,818 edits
m Reverting possible vandalism by 76.175.132.131 to version by SkyWalker. False positive? Report it. Thanks, User:ClueBot. (283792) (Bot)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Software
{{*[http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?p=861 Description of Live Anywhere Features]
| name = Games for Windows - Live
| logo = [[Image:Games for windows live logo.jpg|220px]]
| screenshot = [[Image:GfW-Live 1.jpg|220px]]
| caption = Games for Windows – Live's "Guide" menu
| author =
| developer = [[Microsoft]]
| released =
| latest release version = 1.2.0241
| latest release date = [[December 11]], [[2007]]
| latest preview version =
| latest preview date = [[September 5]], [[2007]]
| operating system = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| platform =
| language =
| status =
| genre = [[user interface]], [[voice chat]],<br>[[text messaging]]
| license = [[Freeware]] (with some non-free features)
| website = [http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/Live/Pages/AboutLive.aspx www.gamesforwindows.com/live]
}}

'''Games for Windows – Live''' (officially spelled ''LIVE'') is an online gaming service for ''[[Games for Windows]]''-branded [[Personal Computer|PC]] titles. It enables [[Windows]] [[Personal Computer|PCs]] to connect to the [[Live Anywhere|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 (2007 video game)|Shadowrun]], pitting PC 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 [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]] [[2007]] during [[Bill Gates|Bill Gates']] keynote speech. [[Xbox Live Arcade]] will launch on the service later in the year.

The service will be open to 3rd-party developers, but they must be able to meet certain requirements, which could include game ratings, total number of achievement points, and the ability to properly connect to Live.

==Products==
The first Games for Windows – Live-enabled title was ''[[Halo 2]]'' for Windows Vista, which was launched to the public on [[May 31]] [[2007]][http://www.gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6171471&part=rss&subj=6171471]. However, many copies made it to store shelves and were sold on May 29, meaning it was still the first Games for Windows – Live game. 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.

[[Image:GfW-Live Banner.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The banner displayed on Games for Windows – Live software]]

Another game released was ''[[Shadowrun (2007 video game)|Shadowrun]]'', which launched simultaneously on [[Windows Vista]] and [[Xbox 360]] on May 29 2007[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/s/shadowrun/], 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.

Future first-party titles that have been announced include ''[[UNO (Xbox Live Arcade Game)|UNO]]'', the popular [[Xbox Live Arcade]] title, which will also allow for cross-platform play, as demonstrated at Microsoft's keynote speech at CES 2007, [[Gears of War]], an updated and enhanced version of the Xbox 360 version with extra content, and [[Viva Piñata (Games For Windows)|Viva Piñata]], another port of a popular Xbox 360 game. All three games are due out in [[2007]].

[[Sega]], [[Eidos Interactive|Eidos]] and [[THQ]] have signed on to include Games for Windows - Live in their upcoming games. [[Epic Games]] also included this service into their [[game engine]] [[Unreal Engine 3]] [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19172]. [[Universe at War: Earth Assault]] from Sega is to include cross platform play between Xbox 360 and Windows over Live.

==Version History==

December 2007 (1.2.0241)

==User interface==

[[Image:Gfwl_gamer_card.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The gamer card allows the user to communicate with other players.]]
The user interface or "Guide" follows much the same layout as the Xbox 360 version. Apart from minor cosmetic differences it also matches the same features as 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 a Windows client similar to messenger is under consideration for future versions of the service.

The current version of the in-game Live client is 1.2.0241, released on December 11 2007. It is available for [[Windows XP]] (Service Pack 2) and [[Windows Vista]] [[operating system]]s. <ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d6a69b9f-2aef-4125-b162-edf0ae922caf&DisplayLang=en | title = Download Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable 1.2 | publisher = Microsoft | accessdate = 2007-12-12| date = [[2007-12-12]]}}</ref> 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.

==Differences between Gold and Silver memberships==

'''Games for Windows – Live Silver Membership 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
*PC only multiplayer including browsing a list of active PC games

'''Games for Windows – Live Gold Membership Features'''
*All Silver membership features
*Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
*TruSkill matchmaking
*Multiplayer achievements
*Cross-platform gameplay

==Pricing and subscriptions==

Games for Windows – Live uses the same pricing structure as Xbox Live. The silver level service is free, while the Gold level requires a regular subscription. The gold subscription pricing is below:

{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!Country
!1 Month
!3 Months
!12 Months
|-
|'''[[Europe]]'''
|[[Euro|€]] 6.99
|€ 19.99
|€ 59.99
|-
|'''[[United Kingdom]]'''
|[[Pound sterling|£]]4.99
|£14.99
|£39.99
|-
|'''[[Australia]]'''
|[[AU$]] 10.95
|AU$ 29.95
|AU$ 79.95
|-
|'''[[Sweden]]'''
|[[Swedish krona|SEK]] 60
|SEK 179
|SEK 549
|-
|'''[[USA]]'''
|[[US$|$]]7.99
|$19.99
|$49.99
|-
|'''[[Japan]]'''
|[[Japanese yen|¥]]819
|¥2079
|¥5229
|}

Memberships can be purchased either directly from the interface (credit card required), or as prepaid Xbox Live cards at retailers.

Games for Windows – Live and Xbox Live are essentially the same network, so subscribing to one automatically gives you access to the other, therefore current Xbox Live Gold subscribers will get access to Games for Windows – Live Gold and vice-versa. In addition to shared subscription, all achievements, friends, players and messages pool together across both platforms. [http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=38636]

== Criticism ==
Online PC games, particularly [[First-person shooter|FPSs]], are traditionally run and funded independently by [[Clan (computer gaming)|Clans]], gaming groups or independent players. [[Game server#Game server hosting|Game Servers]] are typically rented by the Clan or group, and provided for players to use free of charge. Often the only infrastructure operated or paid for by the game developer is a master server which collects and serves a list of available independent servers.
Though for Halo 2 and Shadowrun, the game owner is able to setup their own dedicated server[http://blogs.ign.com/MGS_HiredGun/2007/05/04/53959/], this may not be the same for every other game on Games for Windows – Live. It is down to developers to add this functionality into the service and it is not yet known whether third parties are required to add it to get the Live branding.

It should also be noted that PC games have, up until the release of Windows Live, not required any additional fee to play online except for handful of games, typically [[MMORPG]]s such as [[World of Warcraft]]. This change to paying an extra fee on top of the cost of an internet service provider encourages future games to have similar extra costs and may turn off many from games they might otherwise have purchased. One bonus to this is that if a user already owns an Xbox 360 and chooses to subscribe to the paid version of Xbox Live, their one paid Gold account works seamlessly across both platforms, making the service more appealing if the person owns both Microsoft systems.

It should also be noted that any ''Games for Windows - LIVE'' game requires at least Windows XP Service Pack 2. This has drawn attention because if the runtime refuses to install with the purchased product, the entire game, regardless if the player wishes to play the single player element or not, will be completely locked out.

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games|Gamepad.svg}}
*[[Games for Windows]]
*[[List of Games for Windows titles]]
*[[Windows Vista]]
*[[Xbox Live]]
*[[Live Anywhere]]

==External links==
*[http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-us/support/live/Pages/default.aspx GfW Live Support page, including client update]
*[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/mar07/03-14G4WandXboxLIVEPR.mspx Official announcement press release]
*[http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1960510,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532 ExtremeTech article describing Live Anywhere]
*[http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?p=861 Description of Live Anywhere Features]
*[http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/8725 Demo of Live for Windows UI and discussion]
*[http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/8725 Demo of Live for Windows UI and discussion]
*[http://blogs.ign.com/MGS_HiredGun/2007/05/04/53959/ Article on Dedicated Servers and Halo 2]
*[http://blogs.ign.com/MGS_HiredGun/2007/05/04/53959/ Article on Dedicated Servers and Halo 2]

Revision as of 02:28, 24 March 2008

Games for Windows - Live
Developer(s)Microsoft
Stable release
1.2.0241 / December 11, 2007
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Typeuser interface, voice chat,
text messaging
LicenseFreeware (with some non-free features)
Websitewww.gamesforwindows.com/live

Games for Windows – Live (officially spelled LIVE) 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 PC 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 will be open to 3rd-party developers, but they must be able to meet certain requirements, which could include game ratings, total number of achievement points, and the ability to properly connect to Live.

Products

The first Games for Windows – Live-enabled title was Halo 2 for Windows Vista, which was launched to the public on May 31 2007[1]. However, many copies made it to store shelves and were sold on May 29, meaning it was still the first Games for Windows – Live game. 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.

File:GfW-Live Banner.jpg
The banner displayed on Games for Windows – Live software

Another game released was Shadowrun, which launched simultaneously on Windows Vista and Xbox 360 on May 29 2007[2], 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.

Future first-party titles that have been announced include UNO, the popular Xbox Live Arcade title, which will also allow for cross-platform play, as demonstrated at Microsoft's keynote speech at CES 2007, Gears of War, an updated and enhanced version of the Xbox 360 version with extra content, and Viva Piñata, another port of a popular Xbox 360 game. All three games are due out in 2007.

Sega, Eidos and THQ have signed on to include Games for Windows - Live in their upcoming games. Epic Games also included this service into their game engine Unreal Engine 3 [3]. Universe at War: Earth Assault from Sega is to include cross platform play between Xbox 360 and Windows over Live.

Version History

December 2007 (1.2.0241)

User interface

File:Gfwl gamer card.jpg
The gamer card allows the user to communicate with other players.

The user interface or "Guide" follows much the same layout as the Xbox 360 version. Apart from minor cosmetic differences it also matches the same features as 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 a Windows client similar to messenger is under consideration for future versions of the service.

The current version of the in-game Live client is 1.2.0241, released on December 11 2007. It is available for Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and Windows Vista operating systems. [1] 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.

Differences between Gold and Silver memberships

Games for Windows – Live Silver Membership 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
  • PC only multiplayer including browsing a list of active PC games

Games for Windows – Live Gold Membership Features

  • All Silver membership features
  • Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
  • TruSkill matchmaking
  • Multiplayer achievements
  • Cross-platform gameplay

Pricing and subscriptions

Games for Windows – Live uses the same pricing structure as Xbox Live. The silver level service is free, while the Gold level requires a regular subscription. The gold subscription pricing is below:

Country 1 Month 3 Months 12 Months
Europe € 6.99 € 19.99 € 59.99
United Kingdom £4.99 £14.99 £39.99
Australia AU$ 10.95 AU$ 29.95 AU$ 79.95
Sweden SEK 60 SEK 179 SEK 549
USA $7.99 $19.99 $49.99
Japan ¥819 ¥2079 ¥5229

Memberships can be purchased either directly from the interface (credit card required), or as prepaid Xbox Live cards at retailers.

Games for Windows – Live and Xbox Live are essentially the same network, so subscribing to one automatically gives you access to the other, therefore current Xbox Live Gold subscribers will get access to Games for Windows – Live Gold and vice-versa. In addition to shared subscription, all achievements, friends, players and messages pool together across both platforms. [4]

Criticism

Online PC games, particularly FPSs, are traditionally run and funded independently by Clans, gaming groups or independent players. Game Servers are typically rented by the Clan or group, and provided for players to use free of charge. Often the only infrastructure operated or paid for by the game developer is a master server which collects and serves a list of available independent servers. Though for Halo 2 and Shadowrun, the game owner is able to setup their own dedicated server[5], this may not be the same for every other game on Games for Windows – Live. It is down to developers to add this functionality into the service and it is not yet known whether third parties are required to add it to get the Live branding.

It should also be noted that PC games have, up until the release of Windows Live, not required any additional fee to play online except for handful of games, typically MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft. This change to paying an extra fee on top of the cost of an internet service provider encourages future games to have similar extra costs and may turn off many from games they might otherwise have purchased. One bonus to this is that if a user already owns an Xbox 360 and chooses to subscribe to the paid version of Xbox Live, their one paid Gold account works seamlessly across both platforms, making the service more appealing if the person owns both Microsoft systems.

It should also be noted that any Games for Windows - LIVE game requires at least Windows XP Service Pack 2. This has drawn attention because if the runtime refuses to install with the purchased product, the entire game, regardless if the player wishes to play the single player element or not, will be completely locked out.

See also

  1. ^ "Download Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable 1.2". Microsoft. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2007-12-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Games_for_Windows_–_Live&oldid=200442588"