Microsoft Unites Xbox and PC Gamers With Debut of Games for Windows — LIVE

Explosivo

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Microsoft continued to build on the success of its Xbox platform by extending it's popular Live gaming platform to Windows PCs. The service would debut on May 8, and would connect gamers on both platforms together.

"Shadowrun" will be the first PC and Xbox 360 title to allow gamers on either platform to play one another in a single environment starting in June, although the Vista version of "Halo 2" due May 8 will permit person-to-person matches across either platform.

"UNO," which has become a popular Xbox Live Arcade title, is slated for release later in the year.

In a humorous twist, Microsoft's Live naming convention has forced the company to give the new service an odd name: "Games for Windows -- Live," with the double hyphen meant to signify that the office is not a Windows Live service, but a different type of "Live" service altogether.

Gamers would be able to use their "gamertags" between either platform, and maintain a single list of achievements. The service for Windows PCs would be available in every country where Xbox Live is currently available.

"The benefits of expanding Xbox LIVE to Games for Windows titles is twofold: We're bringing together two communities that share a passion for playing online games, and we're enhancing the online experience for PC gamers who have long desired seamless game and voice connectivity," Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment chief Peter Moore said.
 
It will be interesting to actually see this in action. In games like Halo 3 I can see a major advantage being with the PC gamers as it's far easier to control on the PC. Alas, we shall see :)
 
Are we sure that Microsoft will not try and level the p;aying field in some way?
 
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