MICROSOFT HAS ANNOUNCED that the Xbox Live network - originally for Xbox alone - will now be extended to the Windows platform and arrive with the Vista version of Xbox classic Halo 2.
PC games as you may or may not know are now branded Games for Windows over in the States - now, Windows gamers will be able to pick e-fights with console players and 'puter users alike. Microsoft has had significant success with its Xbox Live, and the Vole expects big things by expanding the franchise to Windows games too.
Peter Moore, Vole bigwig at the entertainment and devices division, reckons the benefits of expanding Xbox Live to Windows games are "twofold": "We're bringing together two communities that share a passion for playing online games, and we're enhancing the online experience for PC gamers who have long desired seamless game and voice connectivity," he said.
Existing members of Live will automatically get their hands on Games for Windows Live and will get to keep their friends list and gamertag for no extra money. Of course, Windows Live users will enjoy all the perks that Xbox Live users have had for years: in-game voice chat, "integrated achievements" and a whole bunch of Live dedicated servers.
The pay scheme will be the same as for Xbox Live - Silver memberships will be free, while Gold memberships will cost $49.95 annually. Gold members will have access to cross-platform gameplay, multiplayer achievements and multiplayer matchmaking with all their buddies.
Halo 2 for Volesta will be out on the 8th of May in the US and will be the first title to make use of the Windows Live service. µ
Xbox Live ported to PC3
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Ace Pace
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#1 Xbox Live ported to PC3
Seems trustworthy and reasonable enough
[img=left]http://www.libriumarcana.com/Uploads/Ace/acewip7.jpg[/img]Grand Dolphin Conspiracy
The twin cub, the Cyborg dolphin wolf.
Dorsk 81: this is why I support the separation of Aces eyebrow's, something that ugly should never be joined
Mayabird:You see what this place does to us? It's like how Eskimos have their 16 names for snow. We have to precisely define what shafting we're receiving.
"Do we think Israel would be nuts enough to go back into Lebanon with Olmert still in power and calling the shots? They could hook Sharon up to a heart monitor and interpret the blips and bleeps as "yes" and "no" and do better than that, both strategically and emotionally."
The twin cub, the Cyborg dolphin wolf.
Dorsk 81: this is why I support the separation of Aces eyebrow's, something that ugly should never be joined
Mayabird:You see what this place does to us? It's like how Eskimos have their 16 names for snow. We have to precisely define what shafting we're receiving.
"Do we think Israel would be nuts enough to go back into Lebanon with Olmert still in power and calling the shots? They could hook Sharon up to a heart monitor and interpret the blips and bleeps as "yes" and "no" and do better than that, both strategically and emotionally."
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B4UTRUST
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#2
I give it about a week before the console junkies are bitching about the keyboard/mouse combo owning them. Or us 'puter gamers with the nice gaming keyboards and setups so we can macro the entire game.
Saint Annihilus - Patron Saint of Dealing with Stupid Customers