Giant Bomb Video Game News

Video Game News, Stories and Updates for the PS3, XBOX 360, PC, PSP, Wii, and DS

RSS EMAIL US A STORY

All PS3 X360 PC Wii PSP DS

GTA IV To Support "Games for Windows - LIVE"

Added by Jeff on Sept. 22, 2008 23 comments

Maybe she'll be in the PC version...

GTA IV has, of course, already been announced for release on the PC this November. But Microsoft put out a bit more about its plans for that timeframe and the future of the Games for Windows - LIVE service.

In case you haven't been keeping track, GFW Live is Microsoft's attempt to bring the unified system of Xbox Live to the PC. It's not bad, but it hasn't exactly been widely adopted, either. On top of that, it hasn't been fleshed out very well since its initial release. Aside from bringing the concept of the Xbox 360's guide to games that support it and allowing for messaging and friends lists that work across games, it's just another questionable player matching service on a platform that works better when you just give people a big server browser.

Perhaps this year's updates will help make the system seem more relevant. Back in July, Microsoft made the service free, which is a good first step (unless you're still paying the annual fee for Xbox Live, in which case it probably feels pretty unfair). The service's interface will be redesigned later this year, and a marketplace for add-on content will be added, as will an out-of-game client. That sounds like the sort of thing that'd be useful for Xbox 360 owners, potentially giving you the ability to watch your friends list and receive invites. Seriously, the mention of an out-of-game client is probably the most exciting thing about this entire story.

GFW Live will also be getting some more new releases with full support for the service later this year. Fallout 3, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, and James Bond: Quantum of Solace will all feature support for the service.

Hey, at this rate, they'll have over a full dozen games with GFW Live support by 2009.

Filed under : Grand Theft Auto IV, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Fallout 3, Quantum of Solace, PC

23 Comments

redeye1984
on Sept. 22, 2008

Well if Lola is in the PC version, I might get me a copy! But Fallout 3 FTW !

mubress
on Sept. 22, 2008

GFW live is just pointless and I don't care about it, but thanks for the update anyway :)

lantus
on Sept. 22, 2008

"Hey, at this rate, they'll have over a full dozen games with GFW Live support by 2009."

Wow that's depressing, I think this is a lost cause for Microsoft.

LordAndrew is online
on Sept. 22, 2008

Meh. At least it's getting some support.

Aether
on Sept. 22, 2008

The chick in that picture looks like she has 6 fingers. One right between the index and the middle. either that or that is a huge freaking gash in her index. So i guess 5 digits and a thumb. Still, windows live is useless. Just put in your normal standard server base multi-player and i think people will like it a lot more.

Stevokenevo
on Sept. 22, 2008

about the only experience ive had with GFW was with Gears of War for the pc and it wasnt a very good experience. I still havent managed to get to the end of that game on the pc.

AnEternalEnigma
on Sept. 22, 2008

Does this mean that GTAIV multiplayer will soon become playable on Xbox Live by Silver players?

calf_exercises
on Sept. 22, 2008

NOOOO, has anyone whitnessed Gears on PC. thanks to GFW live it crap.

heres hoping the same doesnt happen to GTA

LordAndrew is online
on Sept. 22, 2008

Keep dreaming.

AndrewB
on Sept. 22, 2008

Dear Rockstar: Please abandon the awfully supported GFW thing before it is too late and switch to Steam for digital distribution and support.

Yours, Andrew

roofy
on Sept. 22, 2008

Looks like GFW might make a push with these top tier games.
People will be forced to adopt it if they want to play these great games

spezz
on Sept. 22, 2008

Finally some movement on the GFW front. I can't wait to see the synergy they cook up with their GFW Magazine cover story and ads on GFW Radio.

Yup, Jeff and Shawn and Darren and all the other GFW staff are gonna have a lot to cover with this release.

Smersh
on Sept. 22, 2008

Microsoft needs to start freeing shit up! im sick of there twisted little schemes...

Magnum
on Sept. 22, 2008

I'm sure its for DLC purposes.

Superchris129
on Sept. 22, 2008

I played both gears and halo 2 vista, i've got no problem with games for windows. Games for pc with achievement points, i wont complain.

keyhunter
on Sept. 22, 2008

Word brother. If I can get 2000 points in Fallout 3 then I'm sold.
I got like 1600 points in GOW and about 1600 points in Viva pinata as well.
And if I can get 1000 more points from Dawn of War 2, which I was planning on buying anyways that's like an extra bonus.
Seriously, GFW live is the only thing that makes me want to play PC games. I played through Kane and Lynch on the PC for petes sake. For a measly 300 points. Agh.

trebert
on Sept. 22, 2008

so im going to have xfire steam and live(when im playing dow) Yeah very stupid, had they kept it so you would have to pay for the service or if you actually got more out of the game by paying for the service Dawn of war 2 would have failed .. very very badly. Its still entirely redundant in the face of steam.

Prime20
on Sept. 22, 2008

Well, thats nice.....Now wheres my damn downloadable content.

diplomatico
on Sept. 23, 2008

GFW obviously needs a lot of work but Microsoft can turn it around if they put as much work into it as they do their XBLA. Gears of War was probably not the greatest experience but with money lost from the entire ordeal, I'm sure that they're going to try-try again with a franchise that could potentially bring them future success if they pull it off. I don't think we should give up on it yet. Then again, I've often thought that by the time they get LIVE and cross-platform to work together good enough to become widespread, the gaming industry might take a few twists and turns to render it almost obsolete.

The_A_Drain
on Sept. 23, 2008

Gimme a server browser anyday of the week.

Popular News

most viewed
most commented

Salute: 1UP Acquired By UGO, Downsized; EGM Shuttered
The early days of 2009 are dark ones for Ziff Davis' erstwhile Game Group. Giant Bomb salutes the departed staffers.

Sony Issues Handy Chart, Giant Bomb Issues Handier Chart
Sony makes the case for the PS3's current price by comparing it to the other guys. We say "why stop there?"

Pre-Release Killzone 2 Demo Only For Pre-Orders in US
Yeah, good. Restrict access to the thing that helps you sell games to people who have already purchased it. Great idea.

LittleBigRoll
I don't care if this Internet meme has worn itself out already. I just really like that song.

Sonic the Hedgehog Finally Makes Sense
It's just not for us. I get it now.

Metal Gears of War?
Do the makers of Metal Gear Solid need to shake things up to compete with Western games?

Warning! Caution! Overload! Planned Downtime Tonight!
We're cutting over to some new servers, you might not be able to read this message later tonight.

Ninja Blade Demo: We Cut Some Guys, Watch
When your demo is more QTE than cutting fools, you've got a problem on your hands.