Microsoft opens up its Xbox Live multiplayer gaming network to PC users. The first game to support cross-platform play will be Shadowrun, which goes on sale in Australia in June.
March 15, 2007 (Press Release) --
Microsoft opens up its Xbox Live multiplayer gaming network to PC users. The first game to support cross-platform play will be Shadowrun, which goes on sale in Australia in June.
UNO, the classic party card game, will be the next title to support it when it is released on the PC later this year. UNO is already being sold to Xbox 360 users through Xbox Live Arcade.
But there are a few caveats, in that a yearly $79.95 Xbox Live Gold membership fee is required for cross-platform play, and the service only works with Windows Vista.
However, existing Xbox Live members will be able to access it from either platform at no additional cost, and only a single identity or "gamer tag" is required.
Nick Segger, group marketing manager for Xbox, said in a phone interview: "It [today's announcement] expands the community from six million Xbox Live users that are currently playing on Xbox 360 to over 200 million PC gamers worldwide."
He would not say whether Microsoft had deliberately limited the service to Windows Vista in order to force users into upgrading from older versions of Windows.
Segger added that bringing the Xbox Live interface to the PC also made it far easier for PC users to compete with each other online. It involved "a few simple button presses" and the user did not have to worry about complicated settings like IP addresses.
Xbox Live would be "optimised into the Vista operating system from day one", he said.
"You'll be able to see in your gadgets bar at the side of Vista what your friends are doing - if they're offline, if they're playing a game, etc. Drill down further and find out what they're playing, what achievements they've got, invite them to a game."
The announcement takes the shine off Nintendo's announcement yesterday that, also in June, owners of the Wii console would be able to play against each other online.
Furthermore, it is an attempt by Microsoft to remain in the frame despite new competition from the recently launched Wii and the upcoming Playstation 3, which goes on sale in Australia on March 23.
Segger said he did not know how many PC games would be compatible with Xbox Live by the end of the year, and clarified that none of the existing games catalogue would be updated to support the service.
Author: Asher Moses
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/
UNO, the classic party card game, will be the next title to support it when it is released on the PC later this year. UNO is already being sold to Xbox 360 users through Xbox Live Arcade.
But there are a few caveats, in that a yearly $79.95 Xbox Live Gold membership fee is required for cross-platform play, and the service only works with Windows Vista.
However, existing Xbox Live members will be able to access it from either platform at no additional cost, and only a single identity or "gamer tag" is required.
Nick Segger, group marketing manager for Xbox, said in a phone interview: "It [today's announcement] expands the community from six million Xbox Live users that are currently playing on Xbox 360 to over 200 million PC gamers worldwide."
He would not say whether Microsoft had deliberately limited the service to Windows Vista in order to force users into upgrading from older versions of Windows.
Segger added that bringing the Xbox Live interface to the PC also made it far easier for PC users to compete with each other online. It involved "a few simple button presses" and the user did not have to worry about complicated settings like IP addresses.
Xbox Live would be "optimised into the Vista operating system from day one", he said.
"You'll be able to see in your gadgets bar at the side of Vista what your friends are doing - if they're offline, if they're playing a game, etc. Drill down further and find out what they're playing, what achievements they've got, invite them to a game."
The announcement takes the shine off Nintendo's announcement yesterday that, also in June, owners of the Wii console would be able to play against each other online.
Furthermore, it is an attempt by Microsoft to remain in the frame despite new competition from the recently launched Wii and the upcoming Playstation 3, which goes on sale in Australia on March 23.
Segger said he did not know how many PC games would be compatible with Xbox Live by the end of the year, and clarified that none of the existing games catalogue would be updated to support the service.
Author: Asher Moses
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/
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