Pay to play online games on your PC?

Akileese · 03-05-2007, 07:39 PM

Games for Windows Getting Live "Gold" Accounts - Kotaku

Really fucking surprised this wasn't posted here. It's all rumors and speculation but it brings up an interesting point. How much longer will PC gaming be free? Basically, at the end of a new Shadow run trailer someone saw a thing saying LIVE GOLD account for Windows. Obviously this implies that they plan on adding xbox live gold support for Vista. The thing that I'm kind of wondering is if it is linked to your 360 gold account or not? Is it exclusive to MS only games?

Well, I did some sleuthing and found this in the comments
"its a universal service. what does that mean? that means that gamers will have a single Gamertag that exists across platforms. that means for those gamers who already play x-box live on x-box 360, their Persona, Gamerscore, and Friends lists will be the same when they play a live-enabled windows game. this means they can even talk across platforms and games: for instance, you could be playing halo 2 for windows vista online and not miss a game invite to play some co-op gears of war on x-box 360. live gamers who are gold level members on x-box will be gold on windows and vice versa. it's one service, bridging the gap between two platforms."

Basically, if you own a 360, you're fine. If you don't, you're completely fucked for cross platform play. Granted, it's Shadow Run, but this could set a really dangerous precedent for companies charging for online PC game. I know CS's adds just went live, but this could be a bad sign of things to come.

Discuss?

RiskyChris · 03-05-2007, 09:11 PM

Honestly, it's this kind of cohesive atmosphere that the PC needs to thrive. Alternatively, it scares the everliving SHIT out of me because it's a huge leverage Microsoft can hold over competitors Sony/Nintendo, perhaps enough to guarantee a permanent win in the console space for many, many years.

I praise Microsoft's dedication to the console arena right now -- they've done WONDERFUL things for the industry (sans microasstractions). We all know what Microsoft is capable of when they become the dominant market leader though...

=(

Phelps McManus · 03-06-2007, 06:23 AM

From the article, they specifically say that PC players need a Live account to hook up with Xbox players, which seems necessary to me. Who knows the rest of the story like if PC players can hook up with each other outside of Live?

I think it is lame to charge extra just for networking code, but server hosting and matchmaking is a premium service. I was surprised when Blizzard had free BattleNet back in the day. I definitely don't expect companies to provide that kind of service on their own dime.

Anyway, I would expect PC Live account costs to match the Xbox360 costs, or there will be hell to pay from whichever camp pays more. I believe a year's worth of Live Gold cost me $50.

Does Vista inherently prevent client hacks, or do I get to look forward to Xbox players whining about Aimbots and PC players being shunned from online play? I am not trying to say that the Xbox360 is impervious to hacking.

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03-05-2007, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
RiskyChris Safety Dance Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Lafayette Posts: 5,462 -7 Internets	Honestly, it's this kind of cohesive atmosphere that the PC needs to thrive. Alternatively, it scares the everliving SHIT out of me because it's a huge leverage Microsoft can hold over competitors Sony/Nintendo, perhaps enough to guarantee a permanent win in the console space for many, many years. I praise Microsoft's dedication to the console arena right now -- they've done WONDERFUL things for the industry (sans microasstractions). We all know what Microsoft is capable of when they become the dominant market leader though... =(

03-06-2007, 06:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Phelps McManus I'm dangerous! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 829 +2 Internets	From the article, they specifically say that PC players need a Live account to hook up with Xbox players, which seems necessary to me. Who knows the rest of the story like if PC players can hook up with each other outside of Live? I think it is lame to charge extra just for networking code, but server hosting and matchmaking is a premium service. I was surprised when Blizzard had free BattleNet back in the day. I definitely don't expect companies to provide that kind of service on their own dime. Anyway, I would expect PC Live account costs to match the Xbox360 costs, or there will be hell to pay from whichever camp pays more. I believe a year's worth of Live Gold cost me $50. Does Vista inherently prevent client hacks, or do I get to look forward to Xbox players whining about Aimbots and PC players being shunned from online play? I am not trying to say that the Xbox360 is impervious to hacking.