MS Launching Games on Demand on Dec 15th

[Queasy]

Microsoft has had Games on Demand running on Xbox Live for a few months now and now they are bringing it to PCs via Games for Windows Live. They're promising something that isn't a "cut-and-paste version of existing digital distribution services". Games for Windows has pretty much been sailing the failboat in the seas of Steam and other digital distribution services so we'll see.

The first games launching include:
Resident Evil 5
Red Faction: Guerilla
Battlestations: Pacific
World of Goo
Osmos

What I'm interested in finding out is if:
a) They release games the same day as the retail release (which they don't do on Xbox Live)
b) If they are going to try and compete at all with Steam's fantastic weekly deals.

 

[Malladine]

Not to state the obvious too much, but yeah unless they have games Steam doesn't, or even Impulse, I won't be even looking at it.

 

[CPA]

and don't forget D2D's decent sales.

 

[Kromis]

Queasy? In the PC forum!!!?!?!

 

[Queasy]

Queasy? In the PC forum!!!?!?!

Shhhh. Don't tell anyone!

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

More competition is ALWAYS a good thing. ALWAYS.

And hopefully this will kill that ridiculous rumor that MS is trying to kill PC gaming.

 

[Queasy]

More competition is ALWAYS a good thing. ALWAYS.

This I agree with. I just hope that MS does a better job of competing.

 

[Alex C]

How does games on demand work, is that like a rental? It'd have to be pretty cheap to compete with Steam and D2D's deals, especially for the titles that are already not too expensive.

 

[Queasy]

How does games on demand work, is that like a rental? It'd have to be pretty cheap to compete with Steam and D2D's deals, especially for the titles that are already not too expensive.

Not a rental. It is just like Steam and similar services. You purchase the game and download it to your HDD to play.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Not a rental. It is just like Steam and similar services. You purchase the game and download it to your HDD to play.

How do you know all of this? Do you have a link? Why should we believe you?

 

[Kromis]

How do you know all of this? Do you have a link? Why should we believe you?

http://kotaku.com/5418213/games-on-demand-coming-to-games-for-windows-live

 

[shingletingle]

How do you know all of this? Do you have a link? Why should we believe you?

Don't trust him! He's a liar! He's trying to cause mass panic!

 

[mindcycle]

Sorry to say, but it already has fail written all over it because of this..

they are bringing it to PCs via Games for Windows Live.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Oh, you didn't hear? Microsoft Windows can ONLY get games from Microsoft Games On Demand

 

[TheVrolok]

If they could somehow compete with Steam, it might be nice .. but that'll be tough.

 

[shortylickens]

More competition is ALWAYS a good thing. ALWAYS.

And hopefully this will kill that ridiculous rumor that MS is trying to kill PC gaming.

Releasing old games doesnt mean they are trying to revive PC gaming either. It just means they are still the same greedy sons of bitches they've always been.
I'll be impressed when they remake Freelancer to run well on XP and Windows 7 and release that online. Same for Mechwarrior 4 and expansions.
Or when I see plenty of new games on the horizon, I'll be impressed too.

 

[Raduque]

I'm going to say "no" to both A and B points.

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

If they could somehow compete with Steam, it might be nice .. but that'll be tough.

True, but let's be blunt here - this is Microsoft we're talking about. Underestimate them at your peril.

 

[nitromullet]

Yeah, MS has a way to go with GFWL...

Pretty much the only major PC titles they've had on GFWL so far have been Fallout 3 DLC and Gears of War, and they encountered issues with both of them.

Broken Steel GFWL DRM error: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fallout-3-broken-steel-dlc-pc-problems

Gears of War expired digital signature issue: http://forums.gamesforwindows.com/p/1859/13835.aspx

Granted, if there is anyone with enough money to throw at problems it would be MS.

 

[tviceman]

One word: PASS.

MS has done too little (and actually has hurt in some instances) for the PC as a gaming platform for AAA titles. And unless they're willing to go toe-to-toe with Steam and D2D's sales, which undercuts Microsofts mantra of charging for EVERYTHING, then they will not succeed and will likely just put even more emphasis (if that's possible) on their xbox platform.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Yeah, MS has a way to go with GFWL...

Pretty much the only major PC titles they've had on GFWL so far have been Fallout 3 DLC and Gears of War, and they encountered issues with both of them.

Broken Steel GFWL DRM error: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/fallout-3-broken-steel-dlc-pc-problems

Gears of War expired digital signature issue: http://forums.gamesforwindows.com/p/1859/13835.aspx

Granted, if there is anyone with enough money to throw at problems it would be MS.

Uh, that's not even close to being the only major PC titles on GFWL. What about Fallout 3 (not just the DLC)? What about Dawn of War 2? What about GTAIV? Batman AA? Quantum of Solace? Halo 2? Lost Planet? Among many others. Most of which have worked very well.

One word: PASS.

MS has done too little (and actually has hurt in some instances) for the PC as a gaming platform for AAA titles. And unless they're willing to go toe-to-toe with Steam and D2D's sales, which undercuts Microsofts mantra of charging for EVERYTHING, then they will not succeed and will likely just put even more emphasis (if that's possible) on their xbox platform.

Charging for everything? I currently have the following free MS software installed:
Live Messenger
Live Mail
Live Photo Gallery
Visual Web Developer EE
Visual C# EE
Visual Basic EE
Visual C++ EE
SQL Server EE
Security Essentials
Powerpoint Viewer
Silverlight
Synctoy
Live Sync
ASP.net MVC Framework
DirectX SDK
Virtual PC with Windows XP Mode

I'm also running the following products which I get for free through the MS Dreamspark program
SQL Server 2008 Developer
Visual Studio 2008 Professional
Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate
Windows Server 2008
Expression Studio 3
XNA Game Studio

... among others I'm forgetting about. I can't think of any companies that offer MORE free software. Sure, they don't offer their flagship products (Visual Studio Pro/Team Edition, MSDN, Windows, Office, etc) for nothing, but why the fuck should they?

 

[dfuze]

I like the competition too.

I'm hoping they try to undercut everyone else on price to make themselves popular the way they are trying with bing cashback.

 

[Queasy]

How do you know all of this? Do you have a link? Why should we believe you?

Why would I need a link when they've been running Games on Demand on the 360 in the same fashion for Xbox and Xbox 360 games for pretty much the past year?

If you want the whole press release for the Games on Demand for Windows announcement, it is here.

On December 15, Games for Windows – LIVE will evolve beyond LIVE gaming and include a portal for accessing and downloading your favorite LIVE-enabled titles…courtesy of Games on Demand. Games on Demand for Windows lets you easily purchase and download great titles from the Games for Windows – LIVE library right from your computer, and re-install your games whenever you want, wherever you want. Games for Windows – LIVE now gives you the flexibility to access and play your games where and when you want, all straight from your PC.

“With Games on Demand, we didn’t just want to create a cut-and-paste version of existing digital distribution services,” said Mike Ybarra, general manager of LIVE Engagement Services. “We challenged ourselves to deliver an integrated platform that takes full advantage of the unique capabilities offered by the LIVE service. Our goal has always been to create a seamless online gaming experience for the Windows community, and Games on Demand is a great step toward that end.”

The launch lineup will include recent hits like“Resident Evil 5” (Capcom),“Red Faction: Guerilla” (THQ), and “Battlestations: Pacific” (EIDOS), as well as new exclusive LIVE-enabled versions of popular digital games such as “World of Goo” and “Osmos,” distributed by Microsoft Game Studios. All games can be purchased either by credit card or with Microsoft Points. Games on Demand for Windows will be available in markets that currently have the Games for Windows – LIVE service. Microsoft is also offering an updated LIVE-enabled version of “Tinker,” formerly an exclusive Windows Vista Ultimate Extra, as a completely free download from the Games for Windows – LIVE client.

“Connected digital experiences are defining the continued growth of Windows as a gaming platform,” said Chuck Osieja, creative director of Games for Windows – LIVE. “Today marks Microsoft’s return to delivering Windows games built on unique LIVE experiences.”

Games for Windows – LIVE delivers a truly connected experience for PC gamers, letting you enjoy a common Gamertag, Gamerscore and unified friends list that carries across both supported PC games and the Xbox 360 console. The service also offers single and multiplayer Achievements, voice chat, text messaging and TruSkill online matchmaking. To download the Games for Windows – LIVE client visit www.gamesforwindows.com/live.

 

[nitromullet]

Uh, that's not even close to being the only major PC titles on GFWL. What about Fallout 3 (not just the DLC)? What about Dawn of War 2? What about GTAIV? Batman AA? Quantum of Solace? Halo 2? Lost Planet? Among many others. Most of which have worked very well.

You can't actually buy these games on GFWL like you would with say Steam or D2D...

http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Games/Pages/Fallout3.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Games/Pages/batmanarkhamasylum.aspx

I guess that is the point of this thread, right? Anyway, Gears, FO3 DLC, and Batman AA are the only GFWL titles I've dealt with and they've had issues with 2 out of 3. Batman doesn't have any paid DLC and the game itself uses securom IIRC so there wasn't much to screw up.

Either way, I'm sure given time that MS will make it work.

I'd also like to see them work out something with the gamertag and concurrent sessions. Right now, if I'm playing a GFWL game on my PC and my wife is watching Netflix on the 360 one of gets logged out. I could understand doing this for concurrent gaming sessions, but you can't even download a game demo on the 360 while playing a GFWL game.

 

[shortylickens]

Uh, that's not even close to being the only major PC titles on GFWL. What about Fallout 3 (not just the DLC)? What about Dawn of War 2? What about GTAIV? Batman AA? Quantum of Solace? Halo 2? Lost Planet? Among many others. Most of which have worked very well.



Charging for everything? I currently have the following free MS software installed:
Live Messenger
Live Mail
Live Photo Gallery
Visual Web Developer EE
Visual C# EE
Visual Basic EE
Visual C++ EE
SQL Server EE
Security Essentials
Powerpoint Viewer
Silverlight
Synctoy
Live Sync
ASP.net MVC Framework
DirectX SDK
Virtual PC with Windows XP Mode

I'm also running the following products which I get for free through the MS Dreamspark program
SQL Server 2008 Developer
Visual Studio 2008 Professional
Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate
Windows Server 2008
Expression Studio 3
XNA Game Studio

... among others I'm forgetting about. I can't think of any companies that offer MORE free software. Sure, they don't offer their flagship products (Visual Studio Pro/Team Edition, MSDN, Windows, Office, etc) for nothing, but why the fuck should they?

Not to mention theres about a dozen associations you can join which give you access to TONS of microsoft stuff for free or dirt cheap.
I joined the ACM a little while ago and got free Windows 7 and Streets & Trips 2009. The membership was only 20 bucks.