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[kyle_5_16]

MICROSOFT HAS ANNOUNCED that the Xbox Live network - originally for Xbox alone - will now be extended to the Windows platform and arrive with the Vista version of Xbox classic Halo 2.
PC games as you may or may not know are now branded Games for Windows over in the States - now, Windows gamers will be able to pick e-fights with console players and 'puter users alike. Microsoft has had significant success with its Xbox Live, and the Vole expects big things by expanding the franchise to Windows games too.

Peter Moore, Vole bigwig at the entertainment and devices division, reckons the benefits of expanding Xbox Live to Windows games are "twofold": "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," he said.

Existing members of Live will automatically get their hands on Games for Windows Live and will get to keep their friends list and gamertag for no extra money. Of course, Windows Live users will enjoy all the perks that Xbox Live users have had for years: in-game voice chat, "integrated achievements" and a whole bunch of Live dedicated servers.

The pay scheme will be the same as for Xbox Live - Silver memberships will be free, while Gold memberships will cost $49.95 annually. Gold members will have access to cross-platform gameplay, multiplayer achievements and multiplayer matchmaking with all their buddies.

Halo 2 for Volesta will be out on the 8th of May in the US and will be the first title to make use of the Windows Live service. µ

http://www.theinquir...x?article=38221

[d2_s]

So this means Halo 2 is finally coming out on PC? A little late but a neat Idea...

[kyle_5_16]

i like what this means for long term though. Finally games will hopefully be made with cross platform (360 to pc) online gaming specifically in mind. Adds alotta gamers to some games, and hopefully we'll see the online lifetime that some PC games have have that kind of life then on console as well.

[TheRabidDolphin]

As cool as it is, if the people playing cross platform on a PC don't already have a Live account (and if you are buying Halo 2 for the PC chances are you don't have an xbox), $50 a year is going to be hard to sell to people used to playing online for free. Of course, pc-to-pc is still free, but that's a big damper on the cross platform-ness of it all.

[Gaizokubanou]

As cool as it is, if the people playing cross platform on a PC don't already have a Live account (and if you are buying Halo 2 for the PC chances are you don't have an xbox), $50 a year is going to be hard to sell to people used to playing online for free. Of course, pc-to-pc is still free, but that's a big damper on the cross platform-ness of it all.

Yes, I see no reason to pay $50 per year extra for old games and as far as fps goes, the competition will be very scewed unless they put in some heavy duty aim assitance for the consoles, which will make any competition even more of a joke.

Halo 2 looks so horrible by today's standard anyways. I don't care if you pump up the resolution, the poly count, shaders, etc. just don't cut it.

[d2_s]

I agree ... neat idea in principal but the price and the fact that they are doing it with such an old game doesn't make it all that attractive ... a little too late if you ask me.

Halo 2 is going to need to be redone using the Halo 3 Engine to hold up today ... i'll still grab itg anyway just because I guess

[Archetype]

That's retarded that they'd make you pay $50 to play with Xbox players. They should make the old XBL service free now that 360's is out. So PC-PC play will definitely be free?

[LeadBetter]

I'm pretty I read on the Bungie website that Halo2 is not set up for cross platform play. The only real incentive to purchase the live for halo2 pc would be for the achievments and Bungie's robust matchmaking system.