MS steps towards 'anywhere' gaming, extends Xbox Live to Vista

Microsoft on Wednesday announced that its Games for Windows - Live service, which is set to launch in North America on May 8, will be available in every country and region supported by Xbox Live, a move that would bring together the most popular online console game service with the most popular games platform in the world.

Games for Windows - Live brings Xbox Live features to Windows and connects Windows gamers to over six million existing Xbox 360 console gamers.

Microsoft’s latest move that comes nearly a year after company Chairman Bill Gates said the company's vision was for 'anywhere' gaming that would link video game consoles, cell phones and computers is apparently a key step towards achieving that goal.

The launch of Games for Windows-LIVE signifies a major expansion of the Xbox LIVE service across multiple platforms, uniting gamers with a single identity, a single gamertag, a single friends list and a single list of achievements attainable on the Xbox 360 and a Windows-based PC.

The Live online service will coincide with the release of Windows Vista version of the Xbox blockbuster “Halo2,” Microsoft's popular alien shooter game, and will be open to PC gamers who use its new Windows Vista operating system.

Afterwards, "Shadowrun", which is releasing in June, will be first title to connect both Windows Vista and Xbox 360 gamers in cross-platform competition and will let up to 16 players battle online.

"UNO," the classic party card game that is super hit on Xbox LIVE Arcade, will release later in 2007 and will also support cross-platform play between Windows and Xbox 360. Lassic party card game that's a No. 1 hit on Xbox LIVE Arcade is also coming to Windows Vista and Games for Windows -- LIVE.

"Members of Xbox Live automatically receive the functionality of Games for Windows - LIVE, using the same gamertag and friends list at no additional cost", the company has said.

Live subscribers will require just one account, whether they play on the Xbox 360, the PC, or both machines.

Like Xbox Live, Windows Live also offers two levels of subscription- Silver, which is free to users, and Gold, which includes cross-platform play and other multiplayer features, and in North America costs $49.95 per year, similar to the cost of Xbox Live Gold.

Existing Xbox LIVE Gold members will automatically have access to Gold features on Games for Windows -- LIVE titles.

Silver membership features: Single gamertag, Common gamer profile, Common gamerscore, Single player achievements, Private chat via text and voice, Common friends list and online presence, PC only multiplayer including browsing a list of active PC games, while Gold membership features: All Silver membership features, Multiplayer matchmaking with friends, TrueSkill(TM) matchmaking, Multiplayer achievements, Cross-platform gameplay.

Microsoft's online gaming service has been a prominent selling point for its Xbox 360 video game console, which was launched in November 2005 and competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii in the fierce battle for dominance in the $30 billion global video game market.