Digital Life 2007: Xbox Live for Windows
The brevity and succinctness of this article should serve as a testament to Xbox Live for Windows’ biggest selling-point: this key component of Microsoft’s Games for Windows initiative is nearly identical in form and function to its Xbox 360 forbearer. At Digital Life today, I spoke with Group Program Manger of Xbox Live for Windows, Drew Johnston.
Johnston demonstrated on a Vista-installed PC while playing Shadowrun how familiar Xbox Live for Windows really is. Aside from the minor graphical enhancements Vista’s Aero user interface provides, the PC version looks incredibly similar to the 360 version, with sections dedicated to Messages, Friends, Players, Private Chat, and Personal Settings. After logging in with his Gamertag and password, the user can send and receive both written and voice recorded messages and view what his friends are up to, whether they be playing on their 360’s or PC’s (a small icon next to the Gamertag serves as an indicator). He can change all his personal settings, including his Gamer Zone, Gamertag, and Gamercard avatar, leave feedback for other players, and join in cross-platform matches, where available, with his buddies.
As slick a service as Live for Windows is, its usage is currently severely limited. Currently, Live for Windows functionality is built right into the only two games it supports: the PC iterations of Halo 2 and Shadowrun. And while XBL for Windows is technically capable of running in Windows XP, the two aforementioned games are Vista exclusive. So, in a sort of de facto arrangement, Live for Windows is currently Vista exclusive.
Johnston noted that will all change in due time. “A stand-alone client is definitely on our roadmap,†he confirmed.
Another five Games for Windows titles will ship this year with XBL for Windows functionality, including the PC ports of Gears of War and Viva Pinata, SEGA’S Universe at War, and THQ’s racer Juiced 2.
After the demonstration today, we truly hope Microsoft continues to break down the walls between PC and console gaming with initiatives like Games for Windows and Live for Windows.