Microsoft: PC Gaming Still a Priority

With the closure of internal studios Aces and Ensemble, and the firing of Games for Windows--Live boss Chris Early, it's reasonable to question Microsoft's commitment to PC gaming.

But on Tuesday, the company attempted to assure the games industry that it still believes in PC gaming, even in light of stronger performance from Xbox 360.

"Moving ahead, Microsoft will continue to invest in Windows as a first–class gaming platform through great Windows out of box experiences, our online gaming services including Games for Windows – LIVE, MSN Games, and Messenger games, and through new games for Windows developed by Microsoft Games Studios," said a rep for the company in a statement to Edge.

Microsoft Game Studios' stable includes Turn 10 (Forza), Lionhead (Fable) and Rare (Banjo).

In recent years, Microsoft has closed multiple internal studios, many with a PC focus, including FASA Interactive (Mechwarrior, Shadowrun) and most recently, Ensemble (Age of Empires) and Aces (Flight Sim).

Microsoft said that Windows gaming will now continue under two execs: "Our Windows gaming service efforts will be led by General Manager Ron Pessner, who is joining Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. He comes from within Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division.

"Working closely with Ron will be Dave Luehmann, a long time Microsoft games veteran and general manager within Microsoft Games Studios, who will now be overseeing internal development and publishing for all Windows-based games."

A rep added that Pessner will not be directly replacing Chris Early. "His responsibilities will include Games for Windows – LIVE, as well as certain other areas within IEB."

http://www.edge-online.com/news/microsoft-pc-gaming-still-a-priority

With the firing of Games for Windows--Live boss Chris Early, it's reasonable to question Microsoft's commitment to PC gaming.

Lgy

No, it's the other way around actually.

[QUOTE="Jd1680a"]Two things need to happen for me to believe this. 1. Microsoft would need to release all of its Xbox 360 titles on the PC on the same day. 2. Develop or publish games exclusively on the PC something like Dungeon Siege games.Hellboard

I could see them doing that. I doubt the Halo 2 fiasco would teach them their lesson.

[QUOTE="Hellboard"][QUOTE="Jd1680a"]Two things need to happen for me to believe this. 1. Microsoft would need to release all of its Xbox 360 titles on the PC on the same day. 2. Develop or publish games exclusively on the PC something like Dungeon Siege games.Jade_Monkey

I could see them doing that. I doubt the Halo 2 fiasco would teach them their lesson.

[QUOTE="Jd1680a"]Two things need to happen for me to believe this. 1. Microsoft would need to release all of its Xbox 360 titles on the PC on the same day. 2. Develop or publish games exclusively on the PC something like Dungeon Siege games.Swiftstrike5

They said nothing, at least nothing new. I could care less about them changing out their execs; doesn't automatically mean things will improve. Here's how you improve GFWL:

1. Go back in time and realize that the last time PC gamers payed to play multiplayer was around 1998, when people used services like TEN and M-Player to play Duke Nukem 3D. Thinking you can dupe us into paying a monthly fee after nearly a decade of free play is just insulting. It matters not that they eventually waved the fee for the gold account. Damage done.You lost our respect.

2. Do not make GFWL look like the xbox dashboard, and realize that PC gamers do not need nor care about it how it works with xbox live. Take the color-coded buttons off the menu windows; nobody plays Fallout 3 on the PC with a gamepad.

3. Don't try to bring the xbox live experience to the PC. Instead, realize that the PC is capable of far more. Use this as an opportunity to maybe, possibly, you know....innovate?

In other words, make it like steam.

They say one thing then do another.

I call BS, Microsoft doesn't give a damn about PC gaming , not when they cannot milk licensing fees like they can from 360.

In the end I think Microsoft are being idiotic treating PC gaming the way they do. Windows and Windows related products are Microsofts primary source of income, 360 is only starting to be profitable, what is the one thing Windows does that the competition cannot replicate? Without gaming Mac and Linux OS's are valid alternatives.

[QUOTE="Jd1680a"]Two things need to happen for me to believe this. 1. Microsoft would need to release all of its Xbox 360 titles on the PC on the same day. 2. Develop or publish games exclusively on the PC something like Dungeon Siege games.Swiftstrike5

agreed its an absolute joke and a slap in the face for every legitimate pc gamer out there

[QUOTE="Hellboard"][QUOTE="Jd1680a"]Two things need to happen for me to believe this. 1. Microsoft would need to release all of its Xbox 360 titles on the PC on the same day. 2. Develop or publish games exclusively on the PC something like Dungeon Siege games.Jade_Monkey

I could see them doing that. I doubt the Halo 2 fiasco would teach them their lesson.

You see...they did all wrong with Halo 2. Halo 2 should have been released on DX9 for XP - period. This way you get PC gamers that liked the first Halo, but don't have a 360, and want Halo 2 to pick up a copy. They should have marketed Halo 2 for $29.99 on PC - they would have sold....I would have bought a copy eventually. I don't have a 360, but I have played all the Halo games (partly because of my little brother that owns them all on his 360). I didn't care too much for Halo 2, but I would have added it to my collection.

Now, Microsoft's next step would be to make it public knowledge that Halo 3 would be released on 360 and PC on the same day. However, you need DX10 to play it on PC - thus forcing people to want the next installment on PC to pick up Vista.

Vista was officially released to the public Jan. 30, 2007. Halo 3 was released on 360 Sept. 25, 2007. That's nearly an 8 month span in time between Vista going public and Halo 3. With that knowledge in mind....

Microsoft should have pushed Vista's release date to July 2007, thus allowing better drivers to be created and more time to iron out problems. Now, people have a good 2-3 months to upgrade to Vista and pick up DX10 compatible graphic cards.

For those hardcore gamers that want the best and wanted Halo 3 on PC because they lothe the 360....this would have been the best route for Microsoft to go to get the best bang out of Vista and DX10.

But Microsoft screwed up and screwed themselves. I don't want to sound like some inconsiderate prick but whoever decided to push Vista out the door and try to make Halo 2 a selling point for Vista and DX10....well, I hope they got fired for doing such a piss-poor job marketing their products. If it was Gates....he should have resigned and given up his rights to Microsoft. Just a bunch of morons working over there at times....you think they'd learn.

I'm done with my rant, thanks for reading!

[QUOTE="Jd1680a"]Two things need to happen for me to believe this. 1. Microsoft would need to release all of its Xbox 360 titles on the PC on the same day. 2. Develop or publish games exclusively on the PC something like Dungeon Siege games.Swiftstrike5

well in their defense I see what they are saying. Basically....what other OS is there that is more devoted to gamers....ever?.

The problems we have are games themselves rather than the platform itself and again, in their defense, they dont make games they game platforms for games to run. Its not their fault developers do not want the PC.

SEANMCAD

They must not want the PS3 or 360 either, your logic not mine.

I'm getting weary of people looking at the state of gaming as if it is anti PC, what we have here is an increasingly anti exclusive market; were PC/PS3/360 titles dominate. People who interpret that as being consoles > PC, when the console orientation is from the lowest common denominator targeting and not favouritism, I have to suspect of coming from some sort of bias.

First step:

WINDOWS gaming OS. It will run nothing but gaming/hardware-related softwares. 8)

I bet windows 8 will only support a xbox gamepad

I call BS,Microsoft haven't given a fart about PC gaming since Xbox got released.wackys