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*Common gamer profile
*Common gamer profile
*Common gamerscore
*Common gamerscore
*Single player achievements - All titles have achievements, though some share the list with the Xbox 360 version (The PC and Xbox 360 versions in fact have seperate lists, allowing gamers to acheive points for both versions of the game, these lists usually consist of the same acheivements though)
*Single player achievements - All titles have achievements, though some share the list with the Xbox 360 version (The PC and Xbox 360 versions in fact have separate lists, allowing gamers to achieve points for both versions of the game, these lists usually consist of the same achievements though)
*Private chat via text and voice
*Private chat via text and voice
*Common friends list and online presence
*Common friends list and online presence

Revision as of 03:03, 22 July 2009

Games for Windows – Live
Developer(s)Microsoft
Stable release
2.00.0687.00 / April 23, 2009[1]
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Available inEnglish
TypeUser interface, Voice chat, Text messaging
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.gamesforwindows.com/live

Games for Windows – Live (trademarked as Games for Windows – LIVE[2]) 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, putting 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. Games for Windows - Live games must also meet standard Games for Windows (games that do not have Live support) TCRs.

History

File:GfW-Live Banner2.jpg
The banner displayed on Games for Windows – Live software

One of the first Games for Windows – Live-enabled title was Halo 2 for Windows Vista, which was launched to the public on May 31, 2007. [3] 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 May 29, 2007 [4], and is the first game to offer cross-platform play on the Live service. Shadowrun was 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. [5] Universe at War: Earth Assault from Sega and Lost Planet: Colonies Edition from Capcom include cross-platform play between Xbox 360 and Windows over Live.

On July 22, 2008 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. Also, all Games For Windows – Live features were now free for gamers, such as matchmaking and cross-platform play. Satchell added that the move was a "way to improve Windows gaming".[6]

As well as free multiplayer, Microsoft reduced the technical requirements for those developers looking to utilize Live such as removing playlist servers, and allowing studios to use the Microsoft matchmaking servers instead. The new Marketplace was made available for Games for Windows – Live on December 5, 2008. Microsoft also released the newly designed User Interface, on November 12, 2008.[7]

User interface

File:GfW-Live 1.jpg
The gamer card allows the user to communicate with other players. Previous version interface

The user interface or "Guide" was changed from earlier versions (Made to match the Xbox 360's appearance) to a new appearance. The guide includes messaging (text and voice), friends list, recent players, private chat, and personal settings.

File:Fallout3 2009-07-14 18-49-19-89.jpg
The newly updated and current appearance for the Games for Windows - LIVE Guide while playing Fallout 3 Guide Version 1.2.

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 version 2.00.0687.00,[1] released on April 23, 2009. It is available for Windows XP (Service Pack 2) and Windows Vista operating systems. Version 1.2 added offline achievements and the ability 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.

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 (The PC and Xbox 360 versions in fact have separate lists, allowing gamers to achieve points for both versions of the game, these lists usually consist of the same achievements though)
  • 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
  • TrueSkill matchmaking
  • Multiplayer achievements
  • Cross-platform gameplay

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Games for Windows - LIVE Redistributable v2.00.0687.00". Microsoft. April 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  2. ^ "Microsoft Trademarks". Microsoft. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  3. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2007-05-24). "Halo 2 Vista delayed again". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  4. ^ "Xbox.com | Shadowrun - Game Detail Page". Microsoft. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  5. ^ Minkley, Johnny (2006-08-22). "GCDC: "Cross-platform floodgates will open in 2008" - MS". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  6. ^ Chris Remo, Christian Nutt (July 22, 2008). "Microsoft To Add Games For Windows Marketplace, Drop Multiplayer Fees". Gamasutra. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  7. ^ French, Michael (2008-07-22). "Games for Windows Live now free to developers". Retrieved 2008-07-28.

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