LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Microsoft Corp. Wednesday said its Live online service, which has attracted 6 million Xbox 360 console gamers, will be open in May to PC gamers who use its new Windows Vista operating system.
The move comes nearly a year after Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said the company's vision was for "anywhere" gaming that would link video game consoles, cell phones and computers, and is a key step toward reaching that goal.
The PC version of Live will debut on May 8 with the launch of the Windows Vista version of "Halo 2," Microsoft's popular alien shooter game.
In June, Microsoft Game Studios will release "Shadowrun," the first game where Live will support competition between players on the Xbox 360 and PCs.
Live members will need just one account, whether they play on the Xbox 360, the PC, or both machines.
Microsoft offers two Live subscription levels. Silver membership is free and the Gold level, which includes cross-platform play and other multiplayer features, costs about $50 per year.
Microsoft's online gaming service has been a key selling point for its Xbox 360 video game console, which was released in November 2005 and competes with Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s Wii for top billing in the $30 billion global video game market.
PC version of Live will debut on May 8
Moderator: Dictators in Training
PC version of Live will debut on May 8
Harrison wrote:I can see it now. The PC gamers completely destroy those console fags thinking they're good at FPS.
QFT. I hope Heaton starts playing Halo.
leah wrote:i am forever grateful to my gym teacher for drilling that skill into me during drivers' ed
leah wrote:isn't the only difference the length? i feel like it would take too long to smoke something that long, ha.
Ginzburgh wrote:I can see it now. The PC gamers completely destroy those console fags thinking they're good at FPS.
Why waste your money on a subpar game? Upgrading to vista, annual subscription fees? That's like several hundred dollars to play Halo 2.
rofl.
I didn't say I will be playing that piece of shit. I fucking hate that game.
How do you like this spoiler, motherfucker? -Lyion
Tacks wrote:Halo on PC just furthers to show how very mediocre the game is. Halo 1 on PC was extremely bleh. Console shooters suck, period.
What did you think of Goldeneye?
leah wrote:i am forever grateful to my gym teacher for drilling that skill into me during drivers' ed
leah wrote:isn't the only difference the length? i feel like it would take too long to smoke something that long, ha.
I thought Halo 1 on xbox was amazingly fun when it came out. The port to PC did it no justice. Controlls were crappy, and the FPS was awfull for some reason. ( bad coding )
Halo 2 was also a blast. The one player was fun, but it was really all about the multiplayer. Some of you bash the Halo games, but if you didn't play at a house party with 16 other people, you never really got to experience the best part of the games.
And, playing with no shields makes the game 100 times more fun. - And faster paced to boot.
Halo 2 was also a blast. The one player was fun, but it was really all about the multiplayer. Some of you bash the Halo games, but if you didn't play at a house party with 16 other people, you never really got to experience the best part of the games.
And, playing with no shields makes the game 100 times more fun. - And faster paced to boot.
Console shooters do suck but I think it's because it's on a gamepad vs. kb and mouse. Resistance is an incredible game imo, just needs to not be on a ps3 controller.
leah wrote:i am forever grateful to my gym teacher for drilling that skill into me during drivers' ed
leah wrote:isn't the only difference the length? i feel like it would take too long to smoke something that long, ha.