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Games for Windows Live multiplayer features now free
It looks like Microsoft has finally caved to demands from PC gamers who have long-enjoyed online multiplayer for free. At its Gamefest 2008 event, the company announced it is making all of the Live functionality for the Games for Windows platform available at no cost – that includes Achievements, TruSkill matchmaking, friends lists, voice and text chat, and cross-platform play with Xbox 360 on games that support it.
The move is effective immediately and will affect all current and future Games for Windows titles too. In addition, Microsoft has reduced the technical requirements for those developers looking to utilize Live and will be adding a new Marketplace to the PC version of the service later this year along with a revamped user interface.
The move is certainly great news for gamers and should make Games for Windows a more direct competitor to Valve’s Steam service. I wonder, though, if Microsoft plans to reimburse those who already paid for a Live Gold Membership.
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User Comments (5)
Post a comment| nirkon on July 23, 2008 6:31 AM | "I wonder, though, if Microsoft plans to reimburse those who already paid for a Live Gold Membership."
In my opinion, not by a long shot. Anyway this does sound good, and online PC gaming does need a boost 
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| BDC on July 23, 2008 11:12 AM | It would be nice if Microsoft would make Live free for the XBOX 360. Makes you want to go back to computer gaming..........lol.
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| isamuelson on July 23, 2008 11:27 AM | Too bad EA decided to dump the PC version of Madden.
Time for 2K Sports to bring back their NFL game and bring it to the PC.
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| kingdingdong on July 23, 2008 3:08 PM | So does this mean if you had achievements like in Halo, but stopped cause you didnt want to pay for live. Will you get them back? That would be cool. But who knows its microsoft....it could be worse, it could be apple. lol
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| Didou on July 25, 2008 2:06 AM | If I'm not mistaken it has been confirmed (still looking for the link) that members that have already paid for the service will be reimbursed.
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