The first launch titles that will be labled "Games for Windows" in the store are LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy from LucasGames and Company of Heroes from THQ.
So why is this so special? I mean, is it that hard to just slap a sticker saying "Games for Windows" on a new game and be done with it?
No. It is not nearly that easy, just ask developers. What does a "Games for Windows" game have that other games on Windows don't?
Microsoft Technical Guidelines
- Easier game installation.
- Improved reliability.
- Key Vista feature support (games explorer, parental controls, etc.)
- Wide-Screen gaming support
- 64-bit Windows compatibility
- Required Support with Xbox 360 Controller for Windows.
- Launchable in Windows Media Center
In short, they want a consistent branding across all games, consistent look and feel to the games installation and management and to work with Xbox 360 feature sets like the controller and wide-screen.
This is a great move for Microsoft because it re-invigorates their PC gaming market and brings a little more attention to the PC over the Xbox 360. Microsoft is making their name in the console industry but one must not forget their roots: Operating Systems.
Microsoft obviously wants to dominate both sectors and at the same time combine the two together so that gamers that own an Xbox 360 may also desire a Windows PC (especially with Vista on the horizon). On the opposite side of the spectrum, PC gamers that are thinking about stand-alone consoles may steer towards what they understand: Microsoft product lines. So Xbox 360 over all others might be their focus point.
It's all about marketing. Microsoft knows it and they've proven they understand the concepts.
Thanks to TANK for the information
