Vista gets Live-wired in May

@dimaso5000 May I ask, whats so funny?

And Live Gold gets more attractive. Still wish it was $39 or less and that 360 had a decent MMO for that price.

LOLOLOLOLOLLLOLLOLOLOLOLOL

Finally, my Live acount would come to use.

C&C 3 + Live Anywhere = totel chaos

@Nerkcon, yea to bad xfire sucks.. I only use it because its clan rule. Now thxs to MS, I can stop using that crap and use something better..

Re Puck269: Believe me, when you have a keyboard & mouse, you do way lot of headshots (not in sniping mode) compared to the controller where you almost see none except shooting in a direction while strafing left/right (unless there's auto-aim).

nice job.....

On that note we agree YukoAsho. The possibilities of cross platform gaming are exciting but I'm not sure the execution is quite there yet. Maybe in a year or two. Yes, Shadowrun is what I was basing my mini-rant on as you may have guessed.

Vegeta - Oh I agree that PC users shouldn't be gimped for the 360's sake (though it seems that's what's happening with Shadowrun). I just don't like the idea of cross-platform at all as a console user. It's like having men and women competing on the same sports field, it's not fair.

i agree with yukoasho

YukoAsho, my main concern is that developers don't limit the traditional precision and control of mice just so poor console users don't feel bad for getting their rear ends handed to them. Just make the games to use each system's control scheme as best as possible and if the PC has a better and more accurate setup then so be it. I just don't want to see the PC version of a game stuck in molasses to make it "even" with the 360 version when it comes to online play.

I'm tired of this crap. Microsoft, if you're reading, tell us when you're releasing a FPS that will allow cross-platform play. And when this happens, I better never see console player on the cross-platform (assuming that they will seperate the boards) leaderboard, EVER.

Vegeta - Who the hell's going to use a bloody mouse and keyboard on a game console? Seriously, how many people have their 360 on a DESK!?

This whole 360/PC compatability experiment could turn out good only if developers don't neuter the PC gamer's controls. Like not allowing the character of a FPS to turn as fast as the mouse is capable of just because it might give PC gamers an advantage over 360ers. I don't want to see gameplay settle to the lowest common denominator (gamepads) just for the sake of "fairness". If you want to solve the problem then Microsoft should put out a keyboard and mouse for the 360 already. Then in Halo2 when some little punk get splattered about for the 5th straight time and cries "unfair" (along with the usual slurs and swears) we can just say "get the keyboard and mouse". Problem solved.

"Though, as others have said, this is basically killing online play for people playing 360 versions of PC games, such as Unreal Tournament III. Why would I want to get creamed by a mouse & keyboard ace?" Microsoft was smart enough to block mouse & keyboard use in the Xbox 360 since you can connect them via USB. I'm sure they'd be smart enough to force use of a 360 controller or something along those lines to keep it playable for us 360ers.

While its a nice idea, I have my concerns. 1. While the Live accounts get a slight boost in this deal, what will hurt in this deal is the demand for the 360 console itself. The Live service is one of the good things that the xbox has going for it over just about every other console and you are taking that incentive for the PC gamer to want to buy a 360. Would they rather spend $400 bucks to buy a 360, or would they rather spend that money upgrading their PC to play better games? 2. Mouse-keyboard. While this has already been beat to death, it does have its merits. Although a player that is very skilled at a keyboard and mouse would still be even with someone just as skilled with a joystick. The only difference is a console expert has better fine motor skills than that of the PC gamer w/ a mouse, which is controlled more with gross motor skills. Combine that with high speed action, precision become less important that tactics (unless your sniping) 3. Gamerscores - I like the idea of having combined gamerscore, at the same time I don't. I like the idea that my 360 gamerscore is indicative of all those that have a similar system and specs and play the same exact game as me to achieve the same results. At the same time, I'd love to see how I stack up against my brother who is a PC gamer and doesn't have a 360. 4. Which leads to Cheating. It doesn't matter how stable Vista later becomes. There will be someone out there that finds a way to hack it and builds an emulator that can fool the Live servers into thinking its legit. If they somehow manage to eliminate the online componant, you still have the achievement cracking that will be a lot more easier on a PC than on the 360. That will render Achievement points about worthless because someone can just crack a game to the point having unearned achievements or at least not earned the same way someone on a 360 would have to earn them, or someone on a legit PC.

I was just relooking over GameSpot's article and found some misinformation. I would encourage them to seek it out instead of having me do their work...

"The Games for Windows portion of Live isn't a separate account--it's actually an extension of the overall Live service. As such, those who already have an Xbox Live account will already have a Games for Windows - Live account at no extra cost. " Yeah, Valen_Ca, it's one account for everything. Though, as others have said, this is basically killing online play for people playing 360 versions of PC games, such as Unreal Tournament III. Why would I want to get creamed by a mouse & keyboard ace?

So the Silver Membership allows you to play online games for free eh? Something tells me that that might annoy some of the Silver 360 people. Also, since the 360 and PC services are going to be linked does that mean that you only have to pay for one Gold membership to access both services ?

XBox -> XBox 360 -> XBoxPC. Now its just Wii and PS3 :0)

mm, cant wait for the competition from PC players. i wanna see if PC gamers will truly beat 360 gamers in halo 2. it might actually make me start playing halo 2 again, i quit because of lack of competition. and PC as we know it, is the highest level of competition in video gaming. sounds tasty. and truly marvelous on microsofts part.

cool, cant wait to get it

sounds like a great ideo and will now have a chance to connect with pc users for games as well. Looking forward to it.

Sop complaining if you don't like it don't use it. I like that MS is unifying PC games, Most PC gamers will love being able to see what people are playing on their friends list, and inviting people to games. Besides its free for PC vs PC. I think MS doesn't expect anyone with an PC to pay for multiplayer but console gamers with an gold account can use it for their games. I have to say I will use it alot, however like I said look to the bright side MS adding extra features to virtually all pc games with no extra cost to you how can people find something to complain about, its amazing at what people can find to **** at.

i agree with spelldarn i dont want to play against console gamers for 1 im way better at halo on my 360 than i am on my pc

Simplest way to put this..... I dare anyone with a console controller, to take me on in a game of counter-strike, when im using a mouse. If you say but there is no way to do that, then you are missing the point !!!!!

I don't want to play pC gamers on my 360. I just thought about this: Halo + mouse control > Halo + gamepade control. lol, same goes for about every other shooter. :(

No way will I want to play against console gamers if I am at a PC. The developers will "cheat" and include auto-aiming for the console gamers. Not fair, and not fun.

jakob_187, I can see your point but again you don't need to download this to play PC games online. Most PC games and PC Developers Won't add support that forces you to use this service. They may build it so you can, but as deep as M$ pocket is it's not deep enough to force PC Developer to use this software.

I am so glad to see cross platform play.

See, this might be a problem that some aren't aware of. I understand that the silver account will be free, but do we honestly need another program getting in the way of our bandwidth and connection speed? I mean, yes, XBL is a great service and works well, but when it comes to PC gaming, it's a totally different ballpark. I think the biggest concern I have is this: I work at a PC gaming center, where we've got 32 computers running for people to rent out and play stuff like BF2 or WoW or whatever. Well, what happens when we need to run this GWL on all those computers just for someone to play a game online? I'm sorry, but it sounds like a whole lot of hassle, as well as too much of letting Microsoft onto our systems. Moreover, what if Microsoft were to instill some type of system that would notice if you are running imaging emulation software like DaemonTools or CureROM, which we use so we don't have to constantly change discs for people? It's just a bad idea for game centers, the next on top of a giant list of problems for game centers that include everything from the hassle that is EA Link and Steam to the inclusion of anti-imaging software built into the discs and everything else. Games like Supreme Commander and Company of Heroes...hell, anything from THQ lately, has been a dream to work with under the GfW label, as those have been the simplest installs EVER...and I'm hoping to see a lot more of that along the way from PC games. At the same time, what happens if people don't buy into the whole idea behind Game for Windows? I mean, honestly...I don't see Valve or EA nibbling, as they are making too much money on their own respective online setups. So, while this is a great idea, and I love the RTS example that they gave for cross-platforming (maybe a hint at what the gameplay for Halo Wars will be like????)...I just don't think it's going to be a great idea for a lot of people like they are hoping.

technically...vista will only run right on newer pc's or ones equiped with the latest and greatest in hardware. So the worries of playing against lagging pc users is disolved. Games for windows is not for xp users which the majority of users are. Those that upgrade to vista are aware of a comitment to improving their pc's to run it. This sounds like when the dc and pc were to be able to play a special version of quake against each other. The problem then was there was no room for the dc to use patches to improve play and the pc did. The times have changed and I like this idea. Sony may have home but they wont be able to let pc gamers play against console gamers. Unless they make a deal with linux in their vaio pc's to play pc versions of their ps3 games?????

I wonder what this will do to the console gaming market. I don't have Vista, but I have a decent PC and a 360. Given a choice, I'd probably buy a PC game over a console one. I can't imagine playing Halo 2 with PC people. Cross-platforming ruins the experience of sitting down on the couch with your controller and killing everyone. Hmm... I hope this doesn't ruin the great thing that Xbox Live has going for it.

This sounds like a half decent idea but im alittle worried about mixing pc and xbox gamers. In a perfect world where everyone has lots of money to upgrade there pc's this would work great but what happens if pc users who dont have great pc's start playing with xbox users... ul be playing games with lagging players which is annoying. All people posting complaining about Microsoft screwing PC gamers making them pay for what theve always had free need to read up. You will still be able to play online for free just like you always have. You have the option to pay to gain a few extra stuff like achievments online but if you dont care about that theres no need to pay.

i love this idea and i can't wair 4 it

Wow I've never seen so much crying and complaining about nothing, you are not being forced to use this service. If you don't want it don't use it and for those crying about paying to play PC games online did you read the article or just start kicking and scearming at the mere mention of a live service for PC. Needing Gold for Cross-platform online gameplay is so you can paly against 360 owners. Now you can prove you o-so supirior mouse and keyboard set up against console players. If you don't want to play against 360 owners then don't buy it, it doesn't stop you from playing against other PC owners. This is part of the free service: "PC-only multiplayer, including browsing a list of active PC games" Read before you complain... and they say console gamers are cry babies. I happen to play both PC and 360 online, so I don't see the issue, oh and again, if you don't want it don't buy it and please quit crying about it.

You peo0ple really need to start learning how to read. I've read post after post about how people are all mad at MS because they think you wqill have to pay to play online while the story says PC gamers will be able to play with other PC gamers online for FREE. You will only have to pay if you want to cross platform play (PC vs 360) or you want the multiplayer achievments. As it is now I highly doubt that any PC gamer without a 360 is an achievment whore so I doubt they will really care.

I don't want Vista yet. Too many bugs and a super fast PC needed. DX 10 standard requirements not out yet. Hopefully in a couple years.. XP SP2 rocks. Probably will buy when 2nd SP is out on Vista.

As a huge fan of PC gaming I take this as an insult. I've been playing on-line games for almost 10 years.. for free I might add. Plus, I don't want to play with the irritating "console" people. The only people who think this is a good idea are the kids who don't know any better. The day you need the "live" service to play any on-line PC game, will be the end of PC gaming. Just another reason not to upgrade to Vista.

osiris says it all, PCers DONT need to pay

Can't wait to rock 360 players.

I love the idea of it. It may not work quite how they want it to at first (it IS M$), but the idea of PC and console gamers playing different parts of the same game or even just the expansion of either community is awesome. And like anyone that actually reads it, you can still play free on the PC, its only cross-platforming that'll cost you. Which won't cost you anything if you already own gold with your xbox anyway...

This seems good for people who already have a 360 and pay for XBL, but also have Vista or plan on getting it. However, seems bad for PC-only users who have been playing for free all this time. :(

Sweetness. I've been playing mostly console games for the past couple of years now (the one exception being World of Warcraft). XBL features will work well with the speedy Vista PC I just got last month.

Excellent, now I can finally get achievements for a game I've played 50 times over.

Why is everyone complaining? Everyone wins here. - PC USERS get to play multiplayer for FREE like they always have been and also get some benefits of Live. They can get even more benefits if they choose to upgrade to gold which is OPTIONAL. - 360 USERS get to enjoy all of their Live features such as friends and achievements on Vista without any extra charge. (If you complain that you need Vista, you'll be upgrading some day so it doesn't really matter) - FOR ALL GAMERS (of the PC and 360 of course) get to have a broader community to play games and more with their friends and strangers.

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

The whole point of having different products is to have that unique item in the house. Who needs two items that does the same thing?

Graphics... not grafics, first off, second... M$ is trying to squeeze whatever they can out of the unknowing public. However, unlike console gamers, us pc people have a little bit more of a grip on vitrual reality. They are forgetting the genre they are in, there are console games and pc games... there should be a HUGE line drawn between the two, besides the vast different library of games, it reaches a completely seperate market. I wanted to play online with my 360 (which broke for no reason, thanks M$) and download demos, so i paid the price, you got to be kidding me if you think i'm going to spend 50 bucks for MULTIPLAYER ACHIEVEMENTS... please, thats some console crap you leave to the hardcore console only people. if anyone has ever played an on-line game, there is never such a lack of online play that you would need to pay to do a cross-platform online game... M$ sucks, and it's final, it took 6 years to make xp decent, and now they'll ruin the market until 2010, just to get some more money in there billion dollar pockets... if this were a car company, you wouldn't be able to count the law suits