Games for Windows
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Games for Windows is a discontinued brand owned by Microsoft and introduced in to coincide with the release of the Windows Vista operating system. The brand itself represents a standardized technical certification games for windows live marketplace 64 bit and online service for Windows gamesbringing a measure of regulation to the PC game market in much the same way that console manufacturers regulate their platforms.
The branding program was open to both first-party and third-party publishers. Games for Windows was promoted through convention kiosks and through other forums games for windows live marketplace 64 bit early as The first GFW issue was published for November InMicrosoft announced that Xbox PC Marketplace would cease operations, which would result in the discontinuation of the Games for Windows brand.
In spite of this announcement, the company stated that content previously purchased could still be accessed via the Games for Windows — Live client software. Games certified by Microsoft feature a prominent "Games for Windows" logo border across the top of their packaging, in a manner similar to games developed for the Xbox Microsoft claimed that it had increased its sales of Games for Windows-branded games in stores that had been giving the games greater focus, and stated that it planned to increase marketing efforts for the brand.
Certain games certified under the Games for Windows brand, including Shadowrungames for windows live marketplace 64 bit UNO featured cross-platform compatibility, allowing gamers to play against each other across Xbox consoles and traditional Windows PCs. Starting with Halo 2 on May 31,certain Games for Windows titles games for windows live marketplace 64 bit access to Microsoft's Live network for online play and other features, games for windows live marketplace 64 bit voice chatinstant messaging and friends listsaccessed from an in-game menu called the "Guide".
Users can log in with their Xbox Live gamertags to gain achievements and play games and chat across platforms with games that support cross-platform compatibility. Some features, including cross-platform multiplayer gaming and multiplayer achievements, initially required a subscription to the Xbox Live Gold.
In addition, Microsoft launched a Games for Windows Live Marketplacesimilar to the Xbox Live Marketplacewhich allowed users to download or purchase content, such as game demos, add-ons, and gamer pics, with Microsoft Points ; the publisher of a title would determine if an item required to be purchased.
The Games Explorerincluded with all versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, is a special folder that showcases the games installed on a user's computer and their related information.
When a compatible game is installed, the operating system adds a shortcut of the game to the Games Explorer, and can optionally download additional information, such as game packaging and content rating information e. Games Explorer supports custom games for windows live marketplace 64 bit for games [17] and also includes shortcuts to configure various operating system components which may be pertinent to gamers, such as audio devices, display devices, firewall settings, and game controllers.
Compatibility typically depends on the age or popularity of a game, with newer games having better compatibility.
If a game is incompatible, a user can manually add a game by dragging and dropping it to the Games Explorer. Tray and Play is a technology developed by Microsoft for Windows Vista that allows users to insert a game disc into an optical disc drive and play the game while it installs itself in the background and games for windows live marketplace 64 bit off the disc with minimal or zero caching —in a manner similar to a game console.
The first and only commercial game known to use this technology is the Windows version of Halo 2. Part of the Games for Windows initiative involved ensuring that Xbox peripherals, such as the Xbox Controller and Wireless Gaming Receiver worked across Windows platforms.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. For the magazine, see Games for Windows: For the service, see Games for Windows — Live.
Games for Windows — Live. Features new to Windows Vista. Microsoft portal Video games portal. Retrieved May 3, Archived from the original on November 7, Archived from the original on June 5, Archived from the original on August 17, Archived from the original on April 7, Retrieved May 10, Playing Games Through the Games Explorer".
Retrieved December 15, Video gaming products by Microsoft. Kinect Xbox app Platinum Hits. Xbox on Windows Phone Zune games. Bill Gates Paul Allen. Where do you want to go today? Microsoft European Union Microsoft competition case Microsoft v. Shah United States v. Microsoft antitrust case Microsoft Ireland case. Retrieved from " https: Pages using deprecated image syntax.
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