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Goodbye, Games for Windows Live? Xbox Live Inside Windows 8

Microsoft's latest attempt to get developers to embrace its console service on PC.

A
A "real" desktop exists in Windows 8, but this is what the new, stylized interface looks like.

Have we just witnessed the death of Games for Windows Live?

Microsoft announced today that its next operating system, Windows 8, would come integrated with Xbox Live right out of the box.

"Bringing Xbox Live to Windows 8 is part of our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy," said Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb on his blog.

Tested's Will Smith has been attending the Windows 8 unveiling festivities and reporting live, so if you're looking for the nitty gritty details about what to expect, make sure to check out his writeups.

One of the major initiatives behind this operating system is synchronization across multiple platforms. Even though Xbox doesn't mean "PC gaming," what sense does it make for Microsoft to brand two gaming services that do basically the same thing? Especially when one has been far more successful than the other--people know what to expect from Xbox Live.

Perhaps the prominence of Xbox Live on Windows 8 will encourage more developers to integrate native Xbox Live support, as more and more companies move towards Steamworks.

I can't yet confirm this news means Games for Windows Live is over, but I've asked Microsoft.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

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patrickklepek

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Edited By patrickklepek
A
A "real" desktop exists in Windows 8, but this is what the new, stylized interface looks like.

Have we just witnessed the death of Games for Windows Live?

Microsoft announced today that its next operating system, Windows 8, would come integrated with Xbox Live right out of the box.

"Bringing Xbox Live to Windows 8 is part of our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy," said Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb on his blog.

Tested's Will Smith has been attending the Windows 8 unveiling festivities and reporting live, so if you're looking for the nitty gritty details about what to expect, make sure to check out his writeups.

One of the major initiatives behind this operating system is synchronization across multiple platforms. Even though Xbox doesn't mean "PC gaming," what sense does it make for Microsoft to brand two gaming services that do basically the same thing? Especially when one has been far more successful than the other--people know what to expect from Xbox Live.

Perhaps the prominence of Xbox Live on Windows 8 will encourage more developers to integrate native Xbox Live support, as more and more companies move towards Steamworks.

I can't yet confirm this news means Games for Windows Live is over, but I've asked Microsoft.

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BaneFireLord

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Edited By BaneFireLord

I wonder what this means for things like Steam and OnLive?

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homer4hire247

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Edited By homer4hire247

Cool I guess...

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spartan1017

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Edited By spartan1017

Or you know... Steam.

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rjayb89

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Edited By rjayb89

The Will Smith? Tested.com's Will Smith? Holy shit.

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MrKlorox

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Edited By MrKlorox

Oh rebranding. It worked out so well for EA with Origin, right?

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2HeadedNinja

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Edited By 2HeadedNinja

they can rebrand and rename all they want ... unless they start releasing xbox exclusive games on PC there is no PC gaming from microsoft ... and this better not be a payed service.

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TheChaos

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Edited By TheChaos

If it means I can play some of those good games that were XLive exclusives then okay, sure.

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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1

So is Microsoft going to do the same thing they did last time they were getting serious about PC gaming? Can't wait for Halo 3 and Gears of War 2 to come to PC...

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amorbix

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Edited By amorbix

Interesting move. I'd like to see what Microsoft plans to do with games in windows 8.

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zombie2011

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Edited By zombie2011

Hmm Sony is basically going to advertising the Xbox brand with every PC they sell.

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ryanwho

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Edited By ryanwho

Maybe they should integrate it with the Zune marketplace.

lol

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rargy

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Edited By rargy

Hryb not Hyrb.

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Seedofpower

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Edited By Seedofpower

@BaneFireLord said:

I wonder what this means for things like Steam and OnLive?

I don't think much. Maybe now games with GFWL implemented could have a multiplayer commmunity.

Heres to high hopes.

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wolf_blitzer85

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Edited By wolf_blitzer85

I really hope they try and put a price to it again.

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Boopie

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Edited By Boopie

it seems too soon for a new Windows especially one that looks so flamingly...fey

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yinstarrunner

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Edited By yinstarrunner

Trainwreck incoming.
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ChrisInCali

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Edited By ChrisInCali

Windows 8 looks so God awful, and straight up ugly to me. It's like Zune for your PC.

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Protonguy

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Edited By Protonguy

Lets see if they crash and burn with their PC gaming initiative yet again.

Long as this doesn't affect Steam I don't mind.

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Mumrik

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Edited By Mumrik

Fuck off Microsoft.

All we want from you is that you release your games on the PC too. You know, the platform that you sell a ton of OS licenses on. You can keep your many half-assed versions of Live for yourself.

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RobertOrri

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Edited By RobertOrri

I don't think I'll really miss GFWL. Worst Microsoft service/product ever.

Yes, including MS Bob.

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

I still never used Games For Windows Live.

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Huey2k2

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Edited By Huey2k2

I really hope this isn't the start of Microsoft's plan to just phase out traditional desktops all together.

I understand why tablets and phones need large easy to use interfaces, but I am definitely not interested in using a tablet interface on my desktop. I am fully aware that they plan on leaving in a traditional desktop for Windows 8, but so far the only stuff they have shown from it has been this stupid "metro" thing they are going for.

That said having Xbox Live integration into Windows is pretty pro.

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crusader8463

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Edited By crusader8463

  

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pluckylump

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Edited By pluckylump

I hope this doesn't mean I'll be kicked off my computer every time I connect to xbox live with my xbox.

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Adamsons

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Edited By Adamsons

Just grimacing right now.

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RadixNegative2

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Edited By RadixNegative2

We need a new operating system to replace Windows as the primary PC gaming platform.

It's too bad most developers won't touch Linux. I don't blame them either.

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_Nuno_

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Edited By _Nuno_

I wonder if this will require a subscription like on the XBOX or if it will be free...

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Corvak

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Edited By Corvak

Unless it means Xbox 360 games will run in windows, it's same as it's always been. GFWL well...it already IS Xbox Live. Same account names, same achievement lists, same crappy fake currency.

I won't really consider buying any PC games from Microsoft until they let me pay directly with a credit card, instead of being ripped off on their silly point system - as a canadian, it costs me more (in USD) per point than it costs someone in the US.

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ragemachine

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Edited By ragemachine

My visceral reaction to this is abject horror, while the merging of the two services makes sense since Games for Windows Live never amounted to anything, I don't enjoy the prospect of having my computer look like a windows phone. I don't even want my phone to look like a windows phone; I've always been on the iPhone side of that competition. In terms of being able to control multiple windows on screen and performance this seems like a step back, I'd expect an option from day 1 so I can disable all that clutter from ever starting up, I don't want to have to load what I perceive as a performance-eating eyesore from start-up every time just to go back to my normal desktop and controls. Personally, less is more, especially in the PC world; give me a customizable work and game-space with as little restrictions and extra "features" I'm forced into (and forced to load).

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ThePilgrums

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Edited By ThePilgrums

I hope it's better than Games For Windows Live. That interface is clumsy and terrible. If XBL for PC is less shitty, then good. I like Windows 7 quite a bit...

Oops, I mean RAUGH WINDOWS SUCKS FUCK MI¢RO$OFT I WISH I WERE DEAD!!

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617_jbug

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Edited By 617_jbug

Screenshot from Xbox Live on Windows 8

http://www.flickr.com/photos/majornelson/6145555558/in/photostream/

Also there is a rumor that Microsoft is not taking any cuts from apps (games will also be sold there) being sold in the store (it's usually 30%).

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EastboundSpider

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Edited By EastboundSpider

Good Riddance.

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Poppa_Large

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Edited By Poppa_Large

Oh god no. GFWL has always been terrible, like installing cancer on your PC. Last thing I want is having that shit integrated into the Windows OS. Looks terrible, sounds terrible, is probably terrible.

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Edited By wafflez

@rjayb89 said:

The Will Smith? Tested.com's Will Smith? Holy shit.

Giant Bomb is getting HUGE!

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leejunfan83

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Edited By leejunfan83

good stuff

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FreakAche

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Edited By FreakAche

I like achievement points. I like PC games. So sure, why not?

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GreggD

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Edited By GreggD

@Boopie said:

it seems too soon for a new Windows especially one that looks so flamingly...fey

And they say gaming is a boy's club. :|

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kollay

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Edited By kollay

My reason for liking this sounds amazingly dumb, but I've always disliked reading or even hearing "Games For Windows Live". Just wanted to ditch that whole thing all together.

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wickedsc3

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Edited By wickedsc3

So many people down on MS, yet they don't even know anything about how it is going to be implemented. Oh internet, i'll reserve my feedback for when I actually have some.

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napalm

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Edited By napalm

@ashkanhoss29 said:

We need a new operating system to replace Windows as the primary PC gaming platform.

It's too bad most developers won't touch Linux. I don't blame them either.

Would Linux be a good OS for something like that?

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ZZoMBiE13

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Edited By ZZoMBiE13

I'm a pretty avid fan of Windows. Always have been, even through it's problematic phases like ME. But the one area I never got on board with ol Microsoft was the GFWL model. It's just not a viable service in the face of something like Steam. Were it not required for a few of the games I enjoy, I'd remove it from my PC forever and never look back. If they're truly getting rid of it in favor of a closer analog to XBL, then I'm on glad to see the old GFWL gone.

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Puck

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Edited By Puck

Stick with the best brand, and XBOX Live makes more sense than anything else.

@Huey2k2: I really hope this isn't the start of Microsoft's plan to just phase out traditional desktops all together.

Do you think they are crazy? The Metro interface is for tablets, but Windows (for the PC) will still be Windows (for the PC) - just updated. There is no way in heck that they'd give up on Windows (for the PC), because that's what corporations buy and that's a market that makes them billions.

Convergence of the OS.....PC, Tablet, Phone....is a very good thing.

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AlexW00d

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Edited By AlexW00d

@Boopie said:

it seems too soon for a new Windows especially one that looks so flamingly...fey

Not at all dude, Windows has a 3 year life span, and W8 is still pre beta, so we're talking next November most likely.

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617_jbug

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Edited By 617_jbug

@wickedsc3: It looks like the new Xbox Dashboard coming out later this year but they haven't put any info out there.

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Moonshadow101

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Edited By Moonshadow101

I wish there was a level of XBLfW/GFWL/WTFBBQ integration that was really light and easy. Like, it hooks into your friend's list and adds achievements, but doesn't do anything else. No obligation to use their servers or content systems. It would have to be restricted to credible games, obviously, but I think they'd really benefit from something so simple that a game maker would be stupid to not use it.

Of course, they'd also have to get rid of that nonsense where logging into the service is something that is done in the context of the game. That's just stupid.

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Slaegar

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Edited By Slaegar

This means I can now pay a monthly fee for the service I use to buy games! Woo!.

On the bright side it might pop up notifications that my friends are on even if we aren't on the same platform.

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nmarchan

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Edited By nmarchan

Go away, Microsoft. We don't want or need your Live BS on PC. Take a hike.

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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA

"I can't yet confirm WHAT this news means.."

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TehFlan

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Edited By TehFlan

Does this mean I can play Shadow Complex on a PC? Please?