VentureBeat has posted the bad word that that one of the people axed in Microsoft's recent firing binge was Chris Early, General Manager for Games for Windows Live. VentureBeat is speculating that this may signal the end of Games for Windows Live.
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I met with Early back then and he was a stout defender of Games for Windows. That group has taken its share of hits in the 1,400 layoffs announced so far. Like most Microsoft divisions, it will also likely take its share of the 5,000 cutbacks coming over the next 18 months.
You have to wonder. With the Xbox 360 games getting the big budgets and Games for Windows just chugging along, will Microsoft keep investing heavily in its Games for Windows branding and services? Microsoft has been heading toward a Valve Steam-like game downloading service. But it hasn’t yet implemented that. Games for Windows Live is a free counterpart to the Microsoft Xbox Live online gaming service on the console.
Digital distribution is the future. Microsoft can't delay a Steam alternative, otherwise Steam will have a complete lock on the market. I'm surprised that it has taken them this long to bring one out already.
I guess Microsoft could buy Valve if they really wanted too, but in reality they should just integrate Steam as a default into Windows (not that I expect this to happen).
I guess Microsoft could buy Valve if they really wanted too, but in reality they should just integrate Steam as a default into Windows (not that I expect this to happen).
man, i wish. Steam gets beaten pretty badly on forums like this often, but I personally love the service. I pretty much refuse to buy a PC game unless I can buy it on steam...mostly because I play games on 3 different machines, and that makes it stupid simple to keep all of my games up to date on all my boxes...
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xbox live, psn, MTGO - mrnuknuk
steam - :)NuK
I have no idea why people hate on Steam. I absolutely love it.
I just wish it was cross platform =(
The weird thing is, if you look back roughly two months(if that), everyone here absolutely adored Steam. Very few people expressed dislike, let alone hatred for the service.
For some reason, however, all that changed pretty much when '09 hit. It's the new target for net-hate, I guess.
"Games for Windows Live is a free counterpart to the Microsoft Xbox Live online gaming service on the console."
A bit off topic here. It's odd nobody's ever pointed this out(or maybe I missed previous posts.) but Xbox Live service is essentially free, if you just keep creating new account for 1 month free trial after your old one expires. Sure you can't keep your gametag, scores, achivements...etc. and it's a minor annoyance to go through sign-up process every month but still can be done if you want it to be free, until MS makes it "one time only per account" deal.
The problem with Games for Windows is that there's no point in it. Sure I can see who's on my xbox account playing games and on my zune account listening to music...for some reason...but beyond that I don't see a whole lot to do with it. Make it so that I can play my PC games against someone playing the same game on xbox and we have a winner. As it is now it just makes me stop playing the PC game. I load the game, Live pops up to tell me everyone is playing COD4 on the 360 so I shut off the computer and turn on the 360.
While Steam has become the big bad boy of the PC market, GWL has languised without vision. Early has to be accountable for that.
As far as what does MS do now... I think the company can't afford to double down on GWL and develop a relevant PC platform on thier own. They will focus on console and let Steam win.
Later, buying out Valve for Steam would be the biggest win for MS, but I don't think Gabe is looking to sell (for a realistic amount).
Ironically enough, I just used the Games for Windows Live marketplace for the first time today to buy the Fallout 3 DLC. They should have finalized and pushed this Steam-style service long ago.
I completely agree. Chris wasn't "fired" - he was caught up in the unfortunate layoff.
I also completely agree. "Fired" means he was terminated due to poor performance or non-conformance which, of course, isn't true. This was a layoff due to the economy and other forces out of his control. Can we get an edit please??
The problem with Games for Windows is that there's no point in it. Sure I can see who's on my xbox account playing games and on my zune account listening to music...for some reason...but beyond that I don't see a whole lot to do with it. Make it so that I can play my PC games against someone playing the same game on xbox and we have a winner. As it is now it just makes me stop playing the PC game. I load the game, Live pops up to tell me everyone is playing COD4 on the 360 so I shut off the computer and turn on the 360.
This is complete NONSENSE! I am GLAD this guy is gone. Why? He was terrible at convincing PC publishers that they need to add Games for Windows - Live to their games. There is NO REASON why a PC version of a game already on 360 should not support GFW Live... yet most of them don't! It boggles the mind since its free to add now. Not only do I get a consistent interface, I get achievements, (I can get 2000 points now in Fallout 3 and GoW2 folks), and I get knowledge that I will not fall prey to stupid DRM fiascos like with Spore where I could not sign in more than one account per copy of the game. GFW Live FORCES publishers to support multiple accounts (gamertags) per game. It's the kind of standardization the PC game market needs.
They need someone in charge that really BELIEVES in GFW Live and is willing to push it hard to developers. Someone like me, for instance. 10 years IT experience and a love of games are qualifications enough when I have this much passion for GFW Live!
GFW Live is AWESOME! (picture me slamming my fist on the desk live Mr. Ballmer)
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Gamertag/PSN/Zune: ElektroDragon
PAX & Video Games Live attendee. ECA Founding Member
Steam, steam, steam..... steam, steam, steam.... blah, blah, blah. You guys are brainwashed. Steam gives you NOTHING. You pay the same price as retail, and you lose your disc and manual. What do you gain? The excuse to be lazy and not buy software? A tiny bit of saved shelf space? Not worth it. With GFW Live you get achievements, consistent DRM practices, you never have to hunt down patches, and access to a slick and polished markertplace and friend management/matchmaking system.
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Gamertag/PSN/Zune: ElektroDragon
PAX & Video Games Live attendee. ECA Founding Member
You do realize that achievements really aren't that big of a deal, right?
Likewise, steam does patching FAR better than GFWL does; and it also has a superior friend list/community support/store than GFWL does. You really make no sense.
