Well, first of all they need to can the microsoft points system. It is useless and stupid. They also need to make sure they are open for sales internationally with 'normal' payment methods. As a Canadian I'm still upset about the whole zune marketplace thing (but that's another story in itself and a bit of a rabbit trail).

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I do think I'm going to try the free games. Though I don't think it's going to beat valve, because in terms of games, Valve > Microsoft games imo.

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I'm quite pleased microsoft are expanding their gaming service, as I liked the fact that I could talk and play against xbox 360 players and earn achievements. But the downside was the lack of live enabled games but now thier GAMES ON DEMAND thing is to include more live enable games like world of goo It pleases me more.

hopefully in the future all gfw games with be live enabled and being able to play against ps3 gamers aswell would make it even better.

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It will be very hard to top Steam, but the more competition the better. I for one will not buy from microsoft unless they have great deals like steam has.

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Haha, microsoft will bite the dust. No one messes with steam!

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Microsoft is a company with a very bad reputation, we know how their products tend to work in a non very desirable way, remember how win 98 failed in its presentation with bill gates present haha, well for those things and more Microsoft is not very popular, when they launch I will surely visit their site since they will probably have offers, after that i don't think they will be very successful, they have to deal with steam which had a terrific black Friday sell, and I'm pretty sure they will do similar event the day Microsoft launches its site and there are other competitors, i don't see a bright future for them, but hey who knows maybe they will do the right thing.

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I hope GFWL gets better for the sake of competition (though I have my doubts). But until it has all the features/benefits of Steam I don't see it getting anywhere anytime soon.

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Somehow I can't see Microsoft posting weekend specials like Steam does. Me thinks they're just too greedy to let a few pennies slip past them. And must they consistently be the Johnny-Come-Lately to every party?

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They really need to nearly completely change how games for Windows Live works..

and I really doubt they'll pose any threat to Steam at all..at least just in the beginning

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Meh...Steam works really well, I don't see myself switching anytime soon, or at all for that that matter.

If M$ can come come up with some better deals than Steam, then maybe. However I highly doubt that M$ will.

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Unreal 3 does not use Games for windows live, I kinda like using the games for windows live client, becuase I can chat to freinds who are on Xbox live and not have to pay like they do!

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You know, the more I think on this, the more I come to realize that we (as users) won't really decide where Microsoft fits in the digital distribution food chain. It will all come down to how many exclusives they can pull in, and how many games they can force a tie in with their Live service. And, like them or not, Microsoft has some deep pockets and serious clout in the PC marketplace. They've already managed to pull in some of the most anticipated titles recently, forcing a Live connection for patching and DLC stuff, which many people found horrid... Plus any Xbox exclusive titles will end up with a Live connection on the PC ports, as a default. It'll end up the same as Steam, if a title comes out that uses Live, you won't have a choice if you want to play it.

I could see them being #2 fairly quickly, if they play their marketing games efficiently. Unless there is a massive outcry and boycott of Microsoft Live games, they will very likely gain a large foothold in the marketplace. And, it would HAVE to be an outcry as well as boycott, because if the sales numbers stay low, they will just blame piracy or lack of quality content - we, as consumers, have to let the developers know WHY we don't buy a product, not just avoid buying it.

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I think MS competition will improve Steam eventually. Like the game management tab (c'mon Valve). But Steam have all I need, download my game anytime anywhere, killer deals, good support, its simple and has a big game's library.

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as long as it's not like steam where you MUST be online to play it could work out...i guess....

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I do not think they will be able to offer the same kind of service as steam. I think they should save their time and leave it up to the people already doing it!

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Really annoying that I have to give Steam my product key THEN I can't play the game unless I give this retarded crap my product key as well. No thanks, I don't want to sign into Steam and then sign into WL to play. The hell's steam even there for in the first place?

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