Microsoft revealed a couple of big changes for their Games for Windows Live service at the recent Seattle Gamefest 2008 - their own annual developer-orientated conference. First up, Games for Windows Live Gold - the subscription service that added some superficial functionality to GFW games - is now a free service, effective immediately.

Previously, access to the GFW Live service required a US$50 subscription - a fact that was much criticised by PC gamers that were accustomed to such functionality (matchmaking and achievements) being included in the regular purchase price.

Secondly and perhaps more long-term significant, Microsoft announced plans to launch Games for Windows Live Marketplace - as the name implies, a digital delivery platform for Games for Windows titles, downloadable content, game demos and trailers.

Exact details such as what happens to existing GFW Live subscribers or whether all Games for Windows titles, or just a select few will be available have not been confirmed. We'll let you know once an official press release arrives.

Does the move to make Games for Windows Live free mean anything to Xbox Live users still paying for a similar service? Will a Games for Windows Live Marketplace pose much competition for established digital distribution platforms like Valve Software's Steam? Let us know your thoughts.

Hmmm what can I say bar meh "MICROSOFT" LOL LOL LOL ROFL LOL LOL

Will a Games for Windows Live Marketplace pose much competition for established digital distribution platforms like Valve Software's Steam

Not at the moment. Besides halo what they got? Nothing.

agreed how on earth do they think they could compete with their current software collection vs Steam
that being said M$ are renouned for bouncing back ...

If they get their sights set on something they usually get it ....an example would the the Netscape/M$ war.

it will probably make their service more attractive to other developers. ie games that are on steam will probably end up on the GFW service i imagine. It wouldn't hurt them to have thier games available on both services right?

Not at the moment. Besides halo what they got? Nothing.

There's a lot more games under the Games for Windows banner than just MS published titles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Games_for_Windows_titles

But again, there's really no confirmation on the scope of this announcement so who knows what they'll be selling on the site. It might be just casual games, or just the GFW library, or it might be anything that they can reach a deal with third party pubs for.

last edited by Dan at 14:47:08 23/Jul/08

Man, this could have been so awesome. In a single swoop Microsoft could have just captured all PC games developers and put the focus strongly on PC development, but I think they really screwed this up. Making it free is a good first step though, but they need to think of a better back end system. Whatever they do, it needs to be free, or built into the cost of the game, for users, and their revenue model should be on the back end.

Definately a win for FPS'rs against the MMO subscription model or am i being to out there...

the next version of windows' solitare will connect to games for windows and download a piece of data, so then MS will be able to claim that GFW is the largest online game delivery platform in the world.

maybe they won't have to wait for the next windows, it could be a feature included in vista sp2

Would be nice to have some kind of competitor to Steam because I think the prices are a bit inflated..