Games For Windows - LIVE Gold To Cost $50

[Tan]

Games for Windows — LIVE will connect Windows gamers to over six million gamers already in the Xbox LIVE community. Then, launching in June, “Shadowrun™” will for the first time connect Windows gamers with Xbox 360™ players in cross-platform matches using a single service. “UNO®,” releasing later in 2007, will also support cross-platform play between Windows and Xbox 360.

Gold memberships will deliver the premium online network experience for $49.95 (U.S.) per year. Current Xbox LIVE Gold members will automatically have access to Gold features on Games for Windows — LIVE titles........READ MORE

[Tondog]

Screw Microsoft. Games For Windows Live is probably the worst idea I've ever heard in my life.

At least MS had the decency to keep PC to PC multiplayer free, but God knows that probably won't last too long, especially with these being exclusive to GFWL Gold...

• Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
• Cross-platform gameplay

So, you can certainly have a friends list with Silver, but no, you can't set up a multiplayer match with them directly.

I just hope XFire will be able to combat Microsoft's money hungry Games For Windows machine.

[Tan]

This is dangerous new ground which could make or break certain games. That or it'll be ignored in which case it'll be shoved down Vista owners throats somehow I'm sure. If they want to make money off PC players, they'll find a way. Wait until they have to start paying for pics, wallpapers, and screensavers. Then Gold members start getting demos weeks before silver ones do lol.

[Tynstar]

Since I don't  play games on the PC all that much I don't really care.

Tondog your response is what I excepted.

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

Per usual, M$ suXX and will probably turn the internet into a mess.

Hooah for @pple, even though I'm starting to hate them too!

[Tondog]

Tynstar, I was a PC gamer for the longest time, and I still am at heart. It just makes me sad to see it fading away like this and made more console-like.

[Tynstar]

I agree it is fading but it could be good if it get people into PC gaming again.

[Tondog]

It might be, but I don't know that it will please longtime PC gamers.

[Tynstar]

It might be, but I don't know that it will please longtime PC gamers.

I agree but MS isn't trying to get them. They want new blood.

[Tondog]

I don't know that releasing ports of games over 2 years after they came out is a good way of attracting new people.

[Tan]

I don't know that releasing ports of games over 2 years after they came out is a good way of attracting new people.

You can hardly blame Microsoft for the lack of variety as far as PC games are concerned. Besides that Shadowrun will be the first to use this service anyhow.

If anything some games will have an increased user base to matchmake from. Imagine playing C&C3 with webcams to match 360's with Live cams.

[phoenix1967]

Since I don't  play games on the PC all that much I don't really care.

Tondog your response is what I excepted.

And of course, Leon also chimed in with his $.02.

[phoenix1967]

It's been a known fact that both Sony and Microsoft are fighting over cyberspace. That was one of the reasons that Microsoft created the xbox1 in the first place. They were seeing that PS2 was attacting online gameplay away from PC-gameplay in cyberspace. In order to get some of that back, Microsoft released the Xbox and Xbox live.

The battle rages on in the next-gen. Sony is still keeping their online play free (for now) while Microsoft is trying to integrate consoles with PC gamers (for a fee).

Shadowrun, imo, is a strage proposal. As a console gamer, if I'm going to buy a game, it wouldn't be Shadowrun because I'd also want a single-player game available to play through. Since, there's only online multiplayer, I would never buy it for full price, even if it was the highest rated game of all time. PC gamers may disagree. And the game may be a hit...but I've no interest in it because of it's limited offline capabilities. Again...that's just 1 console gamer's $.02.

Nintendo is smart. They are selling the most consoles. They're not engrossed in the cyberspace war (but they should get to online gaming sooner rather than later, imo). They're not engrossed in the video format war. They're not engrossed in the HD war. And in doing so they've carved out a good-sized market share along the way. They did their homework and are satisfied with their results.

The cyberspace war will continue, for sure. And even though they're charging a fee, Microsoft still has the lead. Sony's free service may serve it's fan-base, but is not serving the casual gamer, and likely won't expand its reach until the console drops in price significantly (guessing 2009 or later). Nintendo is going to be last to the party, but the smartest thing they've done is focus on family gaming and offline content. Major selling points, imo! I still enjoy offline multiplayer more than online, and it's great to play system link games in the same living room while killing your buds.

Looks like the consumer is going to get whatever system and capabilities make them happy (and they feel are worth paying for) with the next gen of consoles and PC gaming. And if the consumer is happy, everyone wins.

[Tynstar]

I didn't even notice Leon posted.

[phoenix1967]

Per usual, M$ suXX and will probably turn the internet into a mess.

Hooah for @pple, even though I'm starting to hate them too!

Leon, when you take that approach, do you realize that it makes you sound like a Sony fanboy? Can you please put your argument into a more objective, well thought out analysis?