Games for Windows Live 2.0 Launches

[bapenguin]

http://image.colonyofgamers.com/news/gfwl_2.jpg

Don't worry PC Gamers, Microsoft hasn't forgot about you. Even though 360 owners get their brand new interface (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/tags.php?tag=nxe) next week, you get yours today!

That's right - Microsoft has launched Games for Windows Live 2.0, and if you are currently playing a game like Fallout 3, you probably already know this. The new interface was designed completely around PC usability. Along with the new interface comes a PC marketplace to download content.

Curious to have a look? We've got the screens and some impressions (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/837/Games_for_Windows_Live_Gets_an_Updated_New_Interfa ce.html) over at Co-Optimus.

Source - Co-Optimus (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/837/Games_for_Windows_Live_Gets_an_Updated_New_Interfa ce.html)

[KingGorilla]

Will this finally get the PC version of Braid out?

[biosc1]

Interesting...I was just battling with the old interface yesterday...I had to end up using keyboard commands because the mouse clicks were registering properly.

I have always loved Games For Windows since Halo 2 PC...so I will look forward to going home today and seeing the changes.

[LarsenNET]

Is this still only usable "in game" or does it have a client like Steam? I don't see this taking off without that.

[Abednigo]

So how does one get this? The website seems to imply it's "coming soon".

[KingGorilla]

Is this still only usable "in game" or does it have a client like Steam? I don't see this taking off without that.

Wasn't the whole lot put into the Messenger some time ago?

[LarsenNET]

So how does one get this? The website seems to imply it's "coming soon".

I assume you have to be in a "GFWL" game to see it.

[J Arcane]

Fascinating. With GFWL 2.0, Microsoft finally puts out an interface that looks like it was designed to be used on a computer, right around the same time that Valve, with L4D, puts out an interface that screams "CONSOLE!" at the top of it's lungs.

'Tis a dark day for us all.

[biosc1]

^Ha, that's true.

From what I gather, this is only useable in-game. I would love to have a desktop app from MS that kept track of what my "friends" were doing, like Steam does.

[violent]

Fascinating. With GFWL 2.0, Microsoft finally puts out an interface that looks like it was designed to be used on a computer, right around the same time that Valve, with L4D, puts out an interface that screams "CONSOLE!" at the top of it's lungs.

'Tis a dark day for us all.

Tis' a dark day in your moms basement everyday methinks. It's pretty bright over here.

[violent]

So I just tested it out and it's alright. It's what you would expect from a gamertag screen. Can't seem to locate the marketplace though.

[JayK47]

Is this still only usable "in game" or does it have a client like Steam? I don't see this taking off without that.

Yes. I would very much like this.

[Sl1pstream]

So I just tested it out and it's alright. It's what you would expect from a gamertag screen. Can't seem to locate the marketplace though.

It's been quite cold and rainy here all week. Dark too.
I wouldn't mind a desktop app.

[bapenguin]

Is this still only usable "in game" or does it have a client like Steam? I don't see this taking off without that.

There's a client. It's officially coming out tomorrow - but right now you can get it by launching a GFWL title and getting the update. At least, that's what I was told.

[LarsenNET]

There's a client. It's officially coming out tomorrow - but right now you can get it by launching a GFWL title and getting the update. At least, that's what I was told.

Cool, will we be able to download games like Steam or is that coming later?

[J Arcane]

Cool, will we be able to download games like Steam or is that coming later?
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55877

[bapenguin]

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55877

I asked the same thing, I wouldn't expect it anytime soon. In fact, I wouldn't expect much content on the marketplace for some time.

[J Arcane]

I asked the same thing, I wouldn't expect it anytime soon. In fact, I wouldn't expect much content on the marketplace for some time.
Personally, I think any attempt to encroach on Steam by MS is pretty much doomed to fail. They don't have the will to actually put the effort in, they're basically a console company now as far as games are concerned. GFW was basically a lame marketing ploy for Vista and little else.

[LarsenNET]

I"m cautiously optimistic but it looks like DRM could still be an issue according to that article.

[J Arcane]

I"m cautiously optimistic but it looks like DRM could still be an issue according to that article.
Isn't the XBLA DRM kind of a pain in the arse? Like, linked to the console instead of the account, so you don't get any of the freedom of Steam?

[biosc1]

I think it's pretty neat...Live integration with my PC is something I really like...my PC is on all the time, my 360, not so much (except yesterday :p)

Isn't the XBLA DRM kind of a pain in the arse? Like, linked to the console instead of the account, so you don't get any of the freedom of Steam?

Console AND account..so you could sign in on another computer to play. Steam is just tied to your account.

XBLA allows others to play the same game on the machine under different accounts. I believe Steam only allows it to be played under one account? Or in off-line mode, I suppose.

[LarsenNET]

Isn't the XBLA DRM kind of a pain in the arse? Like, linked to the console instead of the account, so you don't get any of the freedom of Steam?

Well I did say still. For me it really hasn't been an issue. I only use one 360 and it has never failed (knock on wood). I use a lot of PC's so it will be a much bigger deal. It has to work like Steam or it will fail.

[jacob.armitage]

i just played around with the UI in Fallout 3. i'm very glad to see GFWL come more into its own and shed that horrid look it had before.

there is certainly an up and a downside to see some competition for steam. i'm interested to see how this will play out.

edit: i would like to add, one major thing for me is that it allows as an option to let all voice communication go through my headset, which is simply a dream as i really don't care for it to come out my PC speakers as most games don't seem to support proper headset use.

[Disgustipated]

Tis' a dark day in your moms basement everyday methinks. It's pretty bright over here.

Hahahaha. Fuck. The perfect post to make an 11-hour work day seem swell. Thanks Jav.

[violent]

Hahahaha. Fuck. The perfect post to make an 11-hour work day seem swell. Thanks Jav.

I do it just for you Riley.

[LiquidRain]

Call me when every game has this royalty-free and/or it integrates with Steam. Seriously. 1 platform folks.

[BLeeP]

Call me when every game has this royalty-free and/or it integrates with Steam. Seriously. 1 platform folks.

Pretty much this. I don't want to log into a billion different things just to find my games. Of course that is overstating things, but the more competition we have, the further we get from a unified PC platform, which is, basically, what we need for digital distribution to really take off. Steam is so close, too 8-(.

[danhoo]

I've tried installing this twice now via Fallout 3 on a fresh Vista install. It's hung and eventually crashed both times.

This is probably what I get for installing Vista. Oh well, at least Fallout 3 still runs fine.

[MagGnome]

I guess I don't see the point in this. MS can trickle out this updates all they want, but it's pretty obvious they've dumped the PC gaming platform in favor of the Xbox. Does anyone actually believe otherwise?

I'll stick with Impulse and Steam, thanks.

[Khrymsyn]

I love how people talk like this is mutually exclusive with Steam.

Guess what? I have Fallout3. I got the Live Update. I'm playing my Steam Purchased Fallout 3, logging into Live, and getting to send voice and text messages with ease while playing F3, and at the same time can check my Steam Friends list. Where's the downside?


(except for the fact that for some reason the mouse "accuracy" on Live inside F3 for me has been a bit "wonky" at best)

[LiquidRain]

I love how people talk like this is mutually exclusive with Steam.

Guess what? I have Fallout3. I got the Live Update. I'm playing my Steam Purchased Fallout 3, logging into Live, and getting to send voice and text messages with ease while playing F3, and at the same time can check my Steam Friends list. Where's the downside?


(except for the fact that for some reason the mouse "accuracy" on Live inside F3 for me has been a bit "wonky" at best)
The problem is its 2 platforms. Something I can manage easily, and it's great to be able to use Steam on top of GFWL, but when you take a step back and think about it - it's kinda dumb.

[Telefrog]

Pretty much this. I don't want to log into a billion different things just to find my games. Of course that is overstating things, but the more competition we have, the further we get from a unified PC platform, which is, basically, what we need for digital distribution to really take off. Steam is so close, too 8-(.

Yes... :( Competition is a bad thing. :confused:

I wish I got paid every time someone posted about being willing to toss all their PC gaming eggs into Valve's basket. I'm sure Valve loves it.

In this case, GFWL still has quite a ways to go. For one thing, it would be nice to be able to actually access it outside of a game like Impulse or Steam. However, as rudimentary as it is, I hope MS gets their crap together and really pushes some competition into the DD space.

[biosc1]

I've tried installing this twice now via Fallout 3 on a fresh Vista install. It's hung and eventually crashed both times.

This is probably what I get for installing Vista. Oh well, at least Fallout 3 still runs fine.

Uninstall the GFW program from the Control Panel. Then, boot up Fallout 3 again, and it should re-install it fine. I had the same issue with Shadowrun. It installed fine, but got buggered up after the first update.

[MagGnome]

I love how people talk like this is mutually exclusive with Steam.

Guess what? I have Fallout3. I got the Live Update. I'm playing my Steam Purchased Fallout 3, logging into Live, and getting to send voice and text messages with ease while playing F3, and at the same time can check my Steam Friends list. Where's the downside?


(except for the fact that for some reason the mouse "accuracy" on Live inside F3 for me has been a bit "wonky" at best)

Stores aside, at this point it's like having two IM clients on your computer. I hate having to have more than on IM client installed and running just because my friends are scattered between multiple clients.

Having Steam and GFWL just feels redundant to me. I don't see what GFWL offers that Steam doesn't, and I see PLENTY that Steam offers that GFWL does not. Hence why I'd rather just have Steam.

[danhoo]

Uninstall the GFW program from the Control Panel. Then, boot up Fallout 3 again, and it should re-install it fine. I had the same issue with Shadowrun. It installed fine, but got buggered up after the first update.

Much thanks for the tip biosc1. I'll give this a try.

[danhoo]

Random follow-up (because I like talking to myself) -- I uninstalled GFWL, started Fallout 3, and got a "critical DLL missing" error. Rather than reinstall Fallout 3, searched on microsoft.com for GFWL, found an old (v1.2?) version of the redistributable binaries, installed that, launched Fallout 3 (which worked, woot!) and let it try to update GFWL again. This time it worked.

[KingGorilla]

You don't need to run GFW Live to play Fallout, I'm not. If it is giving you problems, just don't use it.

[danhoo]

Oh, I know. Just wanted to try it out, and Fallout 3 happens to be the only GFWL game I have.