In a move that will make big waves in the (relatively) small PC gaming market, Microsoft has announced a games-on-demand service for Windows. The service will kick off on December 15, 2009. Here are some of the launch details:
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 such as 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 have 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.
Valve should be worried about this initiative. It could be a very large problem for its competing Steam service. Although Steam is more established, Microsoft obviously has the money and infrastructure to make its service immediately competitive. Then again, I wonder if MS will fully back this endeavor. It makes so much money from Xbox 360 and has clearly been pushing gamers towards its Xbox 360 console. Its recent PC gaming efforts have been half-assed.
In the past, a lot of you have told me that you’re never going back to PC games outside of Blizzard titles. Does Microsoft’s new service interest you?
What happened to letting xbox and pc users play online together?
@Smartguy Ah, another Microsoft initiative that hasn't gone anywhere. Surprise!
@Ray
Yeah. It was a really good idea. I surmise that it was more the publishers than MS…but I can see it both ways.
In short, I will be more than happy to finger point at Activision.
What do you think killed the awesome idea?
Actually, RE5 allows it. That said, I will probably break down and buy RE5 through their service. The only reason I haven't bought it is because Steam games are unreliable when it comes to Live games. Some are and some aren't. Lost Planet is an example of what I mean, the disc version is a Live title but the Steam version is not. I like playing with my friends and don't want to waist money buying the wrong version.
@Smartguy
I blame PC gamers. GFWL was initially a paid service. However, PC gamers complained so much that Microsoft made it free. Since then, Microsoft hasn't done much with it. I guess they see little point in supporting the PC community if they refuse to pay for anything. Maybe their Games On Demand will bring in enough money to change that.
@Sandrock
Is RE5 like that because you had to pay extra for the MP anyway?
@Smartguy
Zing, but I think Capcon just doesn't want to get into the hole dedicated server business. Plus, they probably don't have to do much coding after making the 360 version.
it's a strange thing.
it would make sense for multi plat games to adopt the "no matter what system, everyone plays against everyone" philosophy.
Oh well.
I dream of the day where PC, Xbox, and Sony console players can all play the same multiplayer game together.
Yeah, yeah, yeah; I know it's not going to happen because of proprietary this and network incompatibility that, but a guy can dream, can't he?
-M
@Iceman
Dream not for FFXI did just that!
might want to qualify your answer with "good games"
@Iceman It's a lovely dream…that's right up there with me winning the lottery on Saturday.
@ Sandrock;
I did not know that, but then again I cannot play MMORPGs for I have a wife and job and I have no intention of losing either. Standard, single-player RPGs are more than enough for me.
@Smartguy;
ZING!
@Mr. Padilla;
So what you are saying is that if you win the lottery this Saturday, you'll make my multi-player multi-platform dream come true? Well in that case, I'll put a dollar down on your behalf for the Florida Lottery. Got any lucky numbers for me to play? I need six. If you want me to drop another dollar, we can do the powerball and I'll need a seventh number for that one.
-M
Since Steam is made of relentless Valve goodness and Game For Windows thus far has been nothing but a pain in the ass, no, I don't think I'll be messing with it.