I hadnt been paying attention but since E3 it has become clear that Microsoft is investing some serious effort into improving the Windows platform for gamers. And I am rather excited about it.
For 25 years, PC gaming has been one of my real pleasures in life. Sadly, the retail world of PC gaming has been in a steady decline for some years. I used to look forward to going to CompUSA or Best Buy to pick up a new game for the weekend - not anymore. Most stores have abysmal displays and selection. I buy everything online now and the supply of good games has been slowing. (Turn-based games have all but disappeared.)
But maybe (hopefully) things are about to turn around.
so long CGW
The first hint of changes to come was the bizarre announcement six months ago that Halo2 was being ported to the PC but that it would ONLY run on Vista. I never heard any reasoning for why XP games will play on Vista but Halo2 would not support Windows XP so this newsoid just kind of hung out there.
Last month I heard the term "Games for Windows" for the first time on my favorite podcast, CGW. (CGW stands for Computer Game World and it is the only game magazine I subscribe to, even though their website is a CPU-crushing nightmare.) The news: CGW was going away and being replaced by the Official Games for Windows magazine.
I must admit that my first reaction was not very positive. But after listening to the CGW podcast about the topic, I was ok with it. The magazine content wasnt changing but it was being rebranded to improve distribution. I can live with that.
the games for windows initiatives
The real question was why Microsoft would want a "Games for Windows" magazine now. Microsoft Flight Simulator was one of the first PC games every but the company never seemed to care much about PC games while Xbox got lavished with attention and resources. It appears that this is about to change and the magazine was one of the first noticeable signs.
What I am hearing now is that Microsoft is going to start giving Windows games the Xbox-treatment to raise its status of Vista as a game platform. I dont know if this was planed because of someone in Xbox or whether someone concluded that you could sell more copies of Vista if gamers wanted to buy it. Either way, I think it is going to be an awesome improvement for PC lovers of all ages.
The Shacknews story provides some details on the changes to come. Overall Vista will include several features that make games more standard and easier to use on a PC. There will also be a co-branding effort in stores, with standardized displays and advertising but only for developers that agree to support a set of standard features, including Live Anywhere.
Vista is the new xbox
I have to admit that I have scoffed at Vista in the past (or more precisely, I scoffed at the idea that consumers give a hoot about any OS - they care about programs).
It isnt clear to my why Microsoft couldnt have offered the same technical and marketing features to Windows XP but they didnt. What is important is that Microsoft is asserting more leadership to support Windows as a game platform. Microsoft is the only one who could do that (even so it will be hard because PC's are an inherently open standard), such efforts are long over due, and the results will be good for all gamers.
I am suddenly very interested in seeing Vista ship so I can buy a copy. (How's that for a flip-flop.)
Microsoft Gamefest 2006: Microsoft's Games for Windows Plans
August 14, 2006
During its Gamefest event currently occurring in Seattle, Microsoft announced its intention to bring console development to the masses. At the same time, however, the company is making a big push for PC gaming, mainly driven by and in support of the new Windows Vista operating system shipping next year. Microsoft, aware that PC gaming has seen continually dwindling development support and retail sales from the core gaming segment even as casual gaming is on the rise, has a number of plans for how to reinstate Windows as a premier gaming platform on par with fixed gaming platforms. Today, Microsoft's Skip McIlvaine gave a presentation outlining the steps Microsoft will be taking as well as what will be expected out of developers to increase the accessibility and marketability of Windows gaming.
