Games for Windows – Live

Games for Windows – Live
Developer Microsoft Corporation
Type
Launch date Games for Windows – Live:
May 29, 2007 (2007-05-29)[1]
Games on Demand:
December 15, 2009 (2009-12-15)[2]
Current version 3.5.95.0
Last updated February 20, 2014 (2014-02-20)
Platform PC
Operating system Designed for Windows XP and Windows 7; Still works on Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10
Status Discontinued

Games for Windows – Live or GFWL (trademarked as Games for Windows – LIVE[3]) is an online gaming service used by Games for Windows–branded PC titles that enables Windows PCs to connect to Microsoft's Live service. Users, each with a unique Gamertag (the Microsoft username service for gaming that began on Xbox Live) are able to play online, keep track of their friends' status, send and receive messages, gain and keep track of Achievements and associated Gamerscore, voice chat across platforms, and much more. Some games allow for cross-platform play, such as Shadowrun, putting Windows players against Xbox 360 players.

The service is open to third-party developers, but they must be able to meet certain Technical Certification Requirements (TCRs), which include (but are not limited to): game ratings, total number of Gamerscore points, content, game profiles, and Live connectivity. Games for Windows – Live games must also meet standard Games for Windows (games that do not have Live support) TCRs. The same developer support infrastructure is available as with the Xbox 360. Assistance to developers is provided through the Microsoft XNA Developer Connection.[4]

History

The first Games for Windows – Live-enabled title was Shadowrun, which launched simultaneously on Windows Vista and Xbox 360 on May 29, 2007,[1][5] and was also the first LIVE title to offer cross-platform play between Windows Vista and Xbox 360 on the Live service.

Another game that was released is Halo 2 for Windows Vista, which was launched to the public on May 31, 2007.[1] The game supports all the standard Live features (such as achievements, voice chat, messages, etc.), but does not offer cross-platform play with Xbox players.

The old banner displayed on Games for Windows – Live software

Sega, Eidos, and THQ have signed on to include Games for Windows – Live in their upcoming games. Epic Games also included this service in their game engine Unreal Engine 3.[6] Universe at War: Earth Assault from Sega and Lost Planet: Colonies Edition from Capcom include cross-platform play between Xbox 360 and Windows over Live.

On July 22, 2008, Microsoft's Chris Satchell, CTO of the company's Entertainment devices division, announced that Games For Windows – Live would be free to developers. Previously, select publishers and developers used the system and had to pay for it. Also, all Games For Windows – Live features were now free for gamers, such as matchmaking and cross-platform play. Satchell added that the move was a "way to improve Windows gaming".[7]

As well as free multiplayer, Microsoft reduced the technical requirements for those developers looking to utilize Live such as removing playlist servers, and allowing studios to use the Microsoft matchmaking servers instead. The new Marketplace was made available for Games for Windows – Live on December 5, 2008. Microsoft also released the newly designed User Interface, on November 12, 2008.[8]

The new Games for Windows – LIVE logo stripe

On January 7, 2010, it was announced at CES that the upcoming Xbox Game Room would be made available on both the Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live services.[9] However, games purchased with 240 Microsoft Points will only be playable on one of the platforms; either Xbox 360 or PC. A dual-platform license will cost 400 Microsoft Points.[10] As the Game Room will be available to Gold and Silver Xbox members, the service will be free to use on Games for Windows Live. Arcade games will feature achievements and online leaderboards.[11]

Microsoft revealed on May 21, 2010 that Fable III would be released on Windows as well as the Xbox 360, and would feature Games for Windows – Live. The downloadable version will be a Games on Demand exclusive.[12]

On August 17, 2010, Microsoft unveiled two new games at Gamescom 2010 that will use Games for Windows – LIVE, Age of Empires Online and Microsoft Flight. Age of Empires will be free-to-play through LIVE.[13] On September 24, 2010, Microsoft Game Studios' general manager Dave Luehmann said in an interview the studio's renewed focus will start with three big titles—Fable III, Age of Empires Online and Microsoft Flight—which will use Games for Windows – LIVE. Luehmann reassured PC gamers that more big titles were on the way, however the studio plans to test new ideas.

On September 13, 2011, Major Nelson confirmed what Microsoft is bringing Xbox Live to Windows 8, being called Xbox Live on Windows.[14]

On March 26, 2012, Microsoft Studios announce the arrival of Age of Empires Online on Steam.[15] Age of Empires Online was released on Steam on March 27, 2012. On April 3, 2012, Microsoft Flight was released on Steam.[16] Microsoft Studios release Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet on April 17, 2012 and Toy Soldiers on April 27, 2012 in Games for Windows – LIVE. On April 17, 2012, Microsoft said that they continued to support the Games for Windows platform, to the rumors of the discontinuation of Games for Windows – LIVE in favor of Xbox Live on Windows.[17] On April 13, 2012, Microsoft Studios release Iron Brigade, and is the first Microsoft Studios title available only on Steam.

On August 31, 2012, Gotham City Impostors comes free-to-play and drops Games for Windows – LIVE in favor of Steamworks. On October 10, 2012, the Steam version of Toy Soldiers is fully using Steamworks, although still gives the option of use GfWL.[18] On October 16, 2012, Mark of the Ninja is the first title of Microsoft Studios in make use of Steamworks, instead of GfWL. On October 25, 2012, Deadlight is the second title of Microsoft Studios in make use of Steamworks, instead of GfWL.[19] On November 28, 2012, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is the first Games for Windows – LIVE title announced for 2013.[20]

On January 31, 2013, Microsoft Studios said that they "have nothing to share on the future of Games for Windows Live".[21] On March 7, 2013, Microsoft Studios announces Age of Empires II: HD Edition + The Conquerors and that will be released exclusively on Steam.[22] On April 3, 2013, Ms. Splosion Man is released by Microsoft Studios. On August 9, 2013, Microsoft announces the removal of one of the most criticized limitations for the LIVE platform, the inability of simultaneously login in Xbox One and Games for Windows LIVE.[23]

On August 16, 2013, Microsoft announced that the Xbox.com PC Marketplace was going to be closed on August 22 alongside the Xbox 360 update that retired Microsoft Points in favour of local currency purchases. The service would otherwise continue to operate normally.[24]

In August 2013, a since-deleted support article for Age of Empires Online announced that the Games for Windows – Live service would be discontinued on July 1, 2014.[25] Microsoft issued a statement in June 2014 denying they were closing Games for Windows Live, stating "We remain committed to investing in PC gaming in the years ahead, and look forward to sharing more in the future".[26][27][28] After the initial August 2013 support article, some game publishers announced that they would be removing GFWL from their games, but in most cases this has not happened yet.[29][30][31] Microsoft closed Games for Windows LIVE on 15 August 2013: "As part of the upcoming Xbox 360 system update, Microsoft Points will be retired, and the Xbox.com PC marketplace will be closed as of August 22, 2013. We encourage you to spend your Microsoft Points balance prior to this change.". The download of the client software is still available, and the servers are still online.[32][33]

Features

User information

Gamertag

A Gamertag is the universal name for a player's username on Microsoft's Games for Windows – Live, as well as, the Xbox Live, Zune and XNA Creators Club. A Gamertag used online must be unique and can be up to 15 characters in length, including numbers, letters, and spaces.

A player's Gamertag account status can be checked using a variety of online tools, which is useful especially when looking for a new gamertag, or confirming that a Gamertag exists. Using a valid Gamertag, any player can be located and messaged from within Live. There are also several websites which allow users of Gamertags to upload photos and information about themselves.

Gamerscore

The Gamerscore (G) is an achievements system that measures the number of achievement points accumulated by a user with a LIVE profile. These Achievement points are awarded for the completion of game-specific challenges, such as beating a level or amassing a specified number of wins against other players in online matches.

All regular disc-based games must have 1,000 Gamerscore points in the base game; the title can ship with fewer than 1,000 points, but anything added later must be free. Game developers also have the option of adding up to 250 points via downloadable content every three months after the first year of release (for a total of 1,750 points).

On May 26, 2007, Halo 2 was the first Games for Windows – Live title to feature Achievements, which counted towards a player's Gamerscore.

Gamercard

The Gamercard is an information panel used to summarize a user's Live profile. The pieces of information on a Gamercard include: the user's Gamertag (in front a silver or gold bar), reputation, Gamerscore, Gamer Zone and recently played games.

TrueSkill

Main article: TrueSkill

TrueSkill[34] is a ranking and matchmaking system premiering in the Live services. Developed at Microsoft Research Cambridge (United Kingdom), the TrueSkill ranking system is now used in many titles for Games for Windows – Live. It uses a mathematical model of uncertainty to address weaknesses in existing ranking systems such as Elo. For example, a new player joining million-player leagues can be ranked correctly in fewer than 20 games. It can predict the probability of each game outcome, which enhances competitive matchmaking, making it possible to assemble skill-balanced teams from a group of players with different abilities.

When matchmaking, the system attempts to match individuals based on their estimated skill level. If two individuals are competing head-to-head and have the same estimated skill level with low estimate uncertainty, they should each have roughly a 50% chance of winning a match. In this way, the system attempts to make every match as competitive as possible.

In order to prevent abuse of the system, the majority of ranked games have relatively limited options for matchmaking. By design, players cannot easily play with their friends in ranked games. However, these countermeasures have failed due to techniques such as alternate account(s) and system flaws where each system has its own individual trueskill rating. To provide less competitive games, the system supports unranked Player Matches, which allow individuals of any skill level to be paired (often including "guests" on an account). Such matches do not contribute to the TrueSkill rating.

User interface

The user interface or "Guide" was changed from earlier versions (made to match the Xbox 360's original appearance) to a new appearance. The guide includes messaging (text and voice), friends list, recent players, private chat, and personal settings.

The current version of the in-game Live client is version 3.5.0088.0, released on May 6, 2011. It is available for Windows XP (Service Pack 2 and above), Windows Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems. Version 3.0 added extended information about progress and some bugfixes. The client also auto-updates when users are logged-on to a Live-aware game.

Marketplace

The Games for Windows Marketplace client was officially released on December 4, 2009. It initially launched with demos and trailers of games available on the Live service.[35] Full titles were later added in the form of Games on Demand.

With version 3.0 of the Games for Windows – Live service, a in-game marketplace was included; in addition to new account management tools, such as the ability to change a Gamertag for 800 Microsoft Points.[36] The in-game marketplace enables users to purchase DLC without exiting, as it installs the content directly from within the game.[37]

On July 22, 2011, Microsoft announced that they would be scrapping the newly revamped Games for Windows Marketplace website and merged the content with the Xbox website.[38] The Games for Windows client, which was another way for users to purchase games, was also reduced to simply opening up the Windows section of Xbox.com. On August 15, 2013, Microsoft announced that the marketplace would be closed on August 22 of the same year.[39][40][41]

Games on Demand

On December 15, 2009, Microsoft launched Games on Demand, a digital distribution service offering titles such as Resident Evil 5 and Battlestations: Pacific. Also available are arcade games such as a free version of Microsoft Tinker, a former exclusive to Windows Vista Ultimate, as well as World of Goo and Osmos.[2][42][43][44]

Some titles bought on Games on Demand include Server Side Authentication. This is a Games for Windows – Live 3.0 feature that automatically ties the game to your Windows Live ID and the Gamertag associated to it. These games have no activation limits and can be re-installed multiple times. The majority of the other titles on the service use a SecuROM DRM that lets the user activate the game up to five times each month on any hardware.[45]

On June 8, 2010, some games which were previously not Games for Windows titles were added for download. Microsoft claims that new titles will be added every week and there will be over 100 games by the end of 2010.[46]

On October 22, 2010, Microsoft announced a revamp of Games On Demand under the new branding Games for Windows Marketplace.[47][48] However, this was met with low expectations from reviewers, considering the history of Games for Windows Live on PC.[43][47][49] On July 22, 2011, less than a year after the revamp, Microsoft announced that it would merge the Games for Windows Marketplace into the Xbox website.[38]

Availability

As of February 10, 2015[50][51] Games for Windows – Live is available in 42 countries/territories.[52] Users in other countries can access Live by creating a Gamertag using an address from a supported country, although no technical support is available outside of the supported countries. Since Games for Windows – Live is based on the Xbox Live service, availability is exactly identical to the regional availability of Xbox Live. The Marketplace is not available for all of these regions.

Worldwide Xbox/Games for Windows Live availability map
Worldwide Games for Windows – Live availability.

Controversies

After the official announcement of Games for Windows – LIVE, many PC gamers were upset with Microsoft's move to charge PC gamers a fee of $49.99 to use the service. Many PC gamers felt this move was unfair, as playing online and many of the other services GFWL offered has, for the most part, always been free on the PC.[53] Microsoft later began offering the service free of charge, after many complaints from PC gamers were made.

After the announcement that the PC release of Dark Souls would use Games for Windows – LIVE, fans started up a petition to have the game released without the service attached. The online petition gained over 20,000 signatures in 5 days, reflecting a notable public dislike of the service among PC gamers.[54]

Many Grand Theft Auto IV users who bought their game via Steam had trouble activating CD-keys in-game via the integrated Games for Windows Live client.[55][56]

In 2010, Microsoft updated the voice codec for Xbox Live. This effectively rendered voice chat nonfunctional in cross-platform games under the service, such as Shadowrun.[57]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sinclair, Brendan (May 24, 2007). "Halo 2 Vista delayed again". GameSpot. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  2. 1 2 LeBlanc, Brandon (December 18, 2009). "Games on Demand for Games for Windows – LIVE". Windows Team Blog. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  3. ↑ "Microsoft Trademarks". Microsoft. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  4. ↑ About Games for Windows – LIVE Publishing
  5. ↑ "Xbox.com Shadowrun – Game Detail Page". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  6. ↑ Minkley, Johnny (2006-08-22). "GCDC: "Cross-platform floodgates will open in 2008" – MS". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  7. ↑ Chris Remo, Christian Nutt (July 22, 2008). "Microsoft To Add Games For Windows Marketplace, Drop Multiplayer Fees". Gamasutra. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  8. ↑ French, Michael (2008-07-22). "Games for Windows Live now free to developers". Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  9. ↑ Archived January 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ Xbox Game Room pricing, partners detailed | Joystiq
  11. ↑ Dreamcast In The Works For Microsoft’s Game Room | The Bitbag
  12. ↑ Archived May 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ Microsoft Heralds a New Age of Gaming With “Age of Empires Online”: New franchise installment joins exciting PC lineup of LIVE-enabled titles from Microsoft Game Studios
  14. ↑ Larry Hryb (2011-09-13). "Xbox LIVE and Windows 8".
  15. ↑ AOEO Trajan (2012-03-26). "Steam Launch". Age of Empires Online Announcements Blog.
  16. ↑ "Flight Arrives on Steam!". Flight News Update. 2012-04-03.
  17. ↑ John Callaham (2012-04-17). "Microsoft: Still no plans to ditch Games For Windows Live". NeoGamr.
  18. ↑ "Toy Soldiers Product Update". Steam News. 2012-10-10.
  19. ↑ "Tequila Works' tweet". Tequila Works' Twitter. 2012-10-23. @tequilaworks Does the PC version use Games For Windows Live? Thanks --@FunktionJCB
    @FunktionJCB Nope --@tequilaworks
  20. ↑ joar (2012-11-28). "Ace Combat Assault Horizonn Coming to PC in Q1 2013". gamersyndrome.
  21. ↑ John Callaham (2013-01-31). "Microsoft has "nothing to share" on Games For Windows Live's future". Neowin.
  22. ↑ Samit Sarkar (2013-03-07). "Age of Empires 2 HD coming to Steam on April 9 for $19.99". Polygon.
  23. ↑ Kirk Hamilton (2013-08-09). "Xbox One Ditches One Of Xbox Live's More Annoying Limitations". Kotaku.
  24. ↑ "PC Marketplace Closing FAQ".
  25. ↑ "Microsoft: Games for Windows Live service ending July 2014". Polygon. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  26. ↑ Maiberg, Emanuel (June 21, 2014). "Microsoft Says It’s Not Shutting Down Games for Windows Live". Video Games (Gamespot). Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Games for Windows Live Shutting Down in 2014". IGN. 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  28. ↑ "Games for Windows Live to shut down July 2014 according to deleted support update". PC Gamer. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  29. ↑ "Capcom to remove Games for Windows Live from PC titles". Destructoid. 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  30. ↑ "Batman: Arkham games drop Games for Windows Live". Destructoid. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  31. ↑ "BioShock 2 updated for Steam after Games for Windows Live closure". Eurogamer. 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  32. ↑ "Facebook page Games for Windows LIVE". Microsoft. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  33. ↑ "Steam Important Batman Arkham Announcement LIVE". Valve Steam. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
  34. ↑ "TrueSkill".
  35. ↑ | Microsoft launches Games for Windows LIVE marketplace | bit-tech.net
  36. ↑ How to Change a Gamertag with Games For Windows – LIVE – Games for Windows Live
  37. ↑ New Features of Games for Windows – LIVE 3.0
  38. 1 2 LeBlanc, Brandon (July 22, 2011). "The Games for Windows Marketplace has moved to Xbox.com!". Windows Team Blog. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  39. ↑ "Games for Windows status". Facebook. 2013-08-15.
  40. ↑ David Scammell (2013-08-15). "Microsoft to retire Games For Windows LIVE Marketplace". VideoGamer.com.
  41. ↑ Carlos Leiva (2013-08-15). "Microsoft retira Games for Windows Live" (in Spanish). Vandal.
  42. ↑ Xbox Team (December 3, 2009). "Games on Demand, Meet Games for Windows – LIVE". Gamerscore Blog. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  43. 1 2 Peckham, Matt (December 16, 2009). "Games for Windows Live Adds 'Games on Demand' Downloads". PC World. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  44. ↑ Fahey, Mike (December 3, 2009). "Games On Demand Coming To Games For Windows Live". Kotaku. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  45. ↑ GFWL GHOST (2011-05-16). "DRM Policies for Games on Demand titles". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  46. ↑ Coming Soon – Games for Windows Marketplace
  47. 1 2 "Microsoft Brings Games on Demand to the Web With New PC Game Store". Microsoft. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  48. ↑ "Games for Windows Marketplace gets competitive, relaunching Nov. 15". Joystiq. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-11-02. It's all a step in the right direction, but Microsoft is severely behind Steam, which revamped its entire marketplace and client earlier this year
  49. ↑ "Microsoft unveils all-new Games for Windows Marketplace". TechRadar. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-11-06. That announcement was greeted with a fair amount of scorn from the PC gaming world—so it remains to be seen if the US giant is already facing an uphill battle. "After years of failing to turn Games for Windows Live into a useful service to gamers, people are going to be skeptical of anything Microsoft try to do in the same space, said PC Gamer's Graham Smith.
  50. ↑ Rego, Nick (2012-10-20). "XBOX Live Launching in UAE and KSA Oct 23rd". IGN Middle East. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  51. ↑ E32010: Xbox Live Rolling Out To Nine New Countries
  52. ↑ "Countries/Regions with LIVE Service - Xbox.com". Xbox.com. Microsoft. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  53. ↑
  54. ↑ Makuch, Eddie. "Gamers rallying against Dark Souls PC using Games for Windows Live". Gamespot. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  55. ↑ Problems with GTA IV/EFLC Activation Keys on Steam
  56. ↑ GFWL Support (2012-09-05). "[Solution]Bought Grand Theft Auto IV from And the Key is Not Working to Sign-in".
  57. ↑ "Voice chat not working in Shadowrun". 2012-03-03.
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