Microsoft Brings Games on Demand to the Web With New PC Game Store

Microsoft announced the Games for Windows Marketplace, a new online PC games store that combines the convenience of the Web with the power of Games on Demand online distribution. Launching Nov. 15, the Games for Windows Marketplace will offer PC gamers a robust lineup of games they love, easier navigation and purchase, and recurring specials such as Deal of the Week.

“With Games for Windows Marketplace, we set out to create a digital store built for PC gamers end-to-end,” said Kevin Unangst, senior global director, PC and Mobile Gaming, at Microsoft. “And by integrating with our existing Xbox LIVE and Windows Live services, we’ve made it easier than ever for millions of gamers to see for themselves how easy buying PC games can be.”

Source: www.microsoft.com

Microsoft overhauls Games for Windows Marketplace

PC gamers may have been let down with the failure of Microsoft’s Games for Windows campaign, but things might be looking up again. According to Cnet, Microsoft will be offering an app store-like platform to purchase PC games online from the browser. The main purpose of this portal is to get rid of the need for a separate client for the Games for Windows Marketplace. According to Xbox group product manager Peter Orullian, consumer feedback has shown that general dissatisfaction with the client software. “It’s just extra work” to have to go through the hoops that a separate software client necessitates. He warns, though, that large game files will still require the use of the client to download.

However, this isn’t the only thing that’s changing. Microsoft will also be forgoing the requirement to use Microsoft or Zune points to purchase content. They will still be a payment option, but many casual buyers will be pleased to know that they are no longer required to purchase preset packages of points in order to only spend some of it on your purchase.

Information delivery about the games will also get an overhaul. When you buy a game, you’re also shown any and all of the optional downloadable content available for the title, and it utilizes RSS feeds from developers to display recent news and updates about the games.

It looks like Microsoft is finally starting to pull together their successful Xbox Live platform and their not as successful Games for Windows platform into a cohesive unit. With easy access to games, downloadable content and latest news, the Games for Windows Marketplace experience is probably going to feel a lot like the Xbox Live Marketplace experience when this is all over. This would be a good move for Microsoft, and other digital software distribution platforms, like Valve and Stardock, better watch their backs. If the overhaul of Games for Windows really is anything like the Xbox Live platform, this will likely be a success. The site will go live November 15.

Microsoft wants to lead PC gaming revolution

Having received much criticism over its lack of support for the PC and the Games for Windows Live service, Microsoft Games Studios' Dave Luehmann is now saying that the company should be putting more resources into the platform. Speaking in an interview with MCV, the General Manager said that it's Microsoft's responsibility to "lead the way" when it comes to PC gaming.

"There's been a fair bit of criticism aimed at Microsoft that we were spending a lot of our focus on console, and we need to be putting resources behind PC as well. Other companies should look to Microsoft for leadership, but I'm not sure they do. It is our job to lead the way on PC. And in some ways we are doing that and in other ways we are not. So we need to step up."

Microsoft plans to invest in the PC by bringing three large intellectual properties to the platform. Fable III, Age of Empires Online and Microsoft Flight will all use Games for Windows Live service, the PC equivalent of Xbox Live. However, Luehmann says the company isn't going to stop there. "I think it is the responsibility of first parties to push the business models in to new directions. We will test some ideas - some will work and some won't."

Luehmann's comments come only a week after another Microsoft employee stated that "hardly anyone" plays first-person shooters on the PC today, with console-only titles such as Halo: Reach.

100 Free Online Games From Microsoft

Microsoft offers over a 100 online games to play, free. From Ranch Rush to Bumper Stars, there is sure to be one which will interest you.

Some like Tinker will be added soon.

Visit Microsoft.

If you are a Windows Live Messenger user, you may also want to check out these freee Messenger games from Microsoft.