Can Microsoft Bring Xbox 360, PC Gamers Together With New Live?
Microsoft announced today that its Xbox Live service will expand on May 8 to include Windows Vista users. Coinciding with the rollout is the release of Halo 2 on Vista, more than two years since the game debuted on Xbox. In June, Microsoft will then launch Shadowrun, the first game to support interoperable online play between Xbox 360 and Vista users.
“The benefit of expanding Live to Games for Windows titles is twofold,” said Xbox and Games for Windows president Peter Moore in a statement to the NY Times. “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 currently offers two subscription levels for their Live service. A free Silver membership entitles players to a unique gamer identity, single player achievements, text and VOIP chat, and PC-only multiplayer once the new system launches. Gold members who pay a yearly $50 fee enjoy all the privileges of Silver membership with the added benefits of online play, online achievements, matchmaking, and cross-platform gameplay whether on 360, PC, or both.
The move is an attempt by Microsoft to further expand its current Live audience of 6 million users to the millions of PC owners in addition to promoting Windows Vista game development. Microsoft announced last May at E3 that it will eventually add Windows Mobile OS functionality to Live for the customization of game content.
So is this a good idea? Will the addition of PC gamers to Live cannibalize 360 sales? It could unless Microsoft staggers the release of AAA titles (first on 360, then on PC). Furthermore, outside of MMO monthly subscription fees, PC gamers generally enjoy free online multiplayer modes with first-person shooters. Who’s to say they’ll suddenly want to fork over more cash, despite Live’s added solidarity?
Indeed, they already have the biggest profit from the largest gaming market – the PC market. Now they have found a way to monetize even more from their operating system and focus on reinventing the experience.
The question is whether the publishers and developers in the future buy into this, sure it is a gateway for downloadable games, via PC and Vista. Force gamers to update to VIsta, claim it is the best system money can buy (PC that is) and re-create the gaming space for the PC with the Live Experience. Great idea for MS in my opinion and I anticipate knowing where they are taking this. The interoperability claim through proprietary devices are just the tip of the iceberg from MS.
CyKiller
Very good move by Microsoft. However, nothing in it that I did not expect when Microsoft was launching XBOX years ago. It was a move clear visible at that time as well. That eventually, Microsoft would want multiplayer gaming to take place between PCs running MS Windows and XBOX.
No doubt, a very timely decision from Microsoft.
[...] titles will allow Vista and Xbox 360-based gamers to compete together in online battles, …Can Microsoft Bring Xbox 360, PC Gamers Together With New Live? Coinciding with the rollout is the release of Halo 2 on Vista, more than two years since the game [...]