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NEONKNIGHT 20-01-2007 11:07
Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Enjoying cross-platform games between Windows Vista PC and Xbox 360 is just so easy


The community you’ve come to know as Xbox Live is expanding, and your exploits as an Xbox 360 gamer are about to get richer too. With the advent of Windows Vista for PC true cross-platform gaming has become a reality. Long awaited games that include FASA Studios’ futuristic fps Shadowrun will spearhead the list of great titles that connect Xbox 360 gamers with friends using Windows Vista PC. This will all be possible via the world’s first and best unified entertainment network, very soon to become known simply as “LiveÃ¢à ‚¬Â.

Whether you’re a hardened gamer or a casual player, the advent of true cross-platform gaming via Xbox 360 and Windows Vista PC is a revelation. With great games such as Shadowrun and the family favourite card game UNO, Microsoft is further pioneering the future of digital interactive entertainment.

Playing compatible cross-platform games via Xbox 360 and Windows Vista PC is simple and easy, plus all the benefits of Xbox Live are shared between them. The arrival of Windows Vista means you’ll only ever need one “LiveÃ¢à ‚¬Â identity to benefit from everything the network has to offer. Achievements will be common to both Windows Vista PC and Xbox 360 games, as will Leaderboards and the ability to communicate across both platforms using voice chat, text and picture messaging.

Exciting news for gamers playing Halo 2 for Windows Vista PC is that Achievements are available to unlock for the first time in Halo on any gaming platform. And because the game also supports Live, Windows gamers can share their accomplishments with a community of over five million people.

The “LiveÃ¢à ‚¬Â network is rapidly expanding to include more digital devices, so you and your friends will never be far from sharing the very best in games and entertainment.
Source: http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/news-featu...ssplatform.htm

Bring it on! :D

Nikesh 20-01-2007 11:11
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Wickeddddd!! :tu:

Slyder 20-01-2007 11:29
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Only one real problem with this and thats the gfx cheats people will use while gaming on the pc. Thats gonna be a real pain in the behind for us 360 players.

Uncle Peter 20-01-2007 12:05
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Microsoft are currently firming up their certification process for third party developers so we'll see plenty of cross platform titles coming out from the end of the year :D

Ramrod 20-01-2007 12:06
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slyder (Post 34201704)
Only one real problem with this and thats the gfx cheats people will use while gaming on the pc. Thats gonna be a real pain in the behind for us 360 players.
That and the fact you use a gamepad thingy rather than a mouse/keyboard :D

NEONKNIGHT 20-01-2007 12:25
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramrod (Post 34201737)
That and the fact you use a gamepad thingy rather than a mouse/keyboard :D
Ahh! But didn't Mr Bill say recently that the Xbox360 was in fact a PC - does that mean we might get xbox360 games that will fully support the keyboard/mouse combo and also the gamepad aswell? If MS want this to work they are going to have to let gamers choose which control option they want me thinks!;)

zing_deleted 20-01-2007 12:47
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
I wouldnt need any cheats to take on most of you 360 guys in a FPS ;)

NEONKNIGHT 20-01-2007 12:55
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinglebarb (Post 34201775)
I wouldnt need any cheats to take on most of you 360 guys in a FPS ;)
We shall see... ;) :tu:

zing_deleted 20-01-2007 13:09
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Yeah man I do wait with baited breath and nice quick mouse hand ;)

NEONKNIGHT 24-01-2007 21:50
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Moore(!) news with the imminent release of Vista ;)

Quote:
Peter Moore issues Vista open letter
"January 30, 2007 will be the most significant day in gaming for the next several years," says Moore
"Mark your calendars: January 30th 2007 will be the most significant day in gaming for the next several years", an enthusiastic Peter Moore from Microsoft has said in a open letter focussing on Windows Vista.

Explaining that Vista has been built "from the ground up with gaming as a core scenario", he says that Microsoft is "driving Windows Vista as a true gaming platform" adding, "One of the most remarkable features of Windows Vista is how central gaming is to the entire experience." We think we get the message.

In the letter, Moore also talks about how Vista is making gaming on "the world's most popular gaming platform" easier, safer and more fun for all, and unsurprisingly 'bigs up' DirectX 10 - which debuts with the new operating system - the introduction of "the Xbox Live experience" to Windows and the likes of Vista Games Explorer.
"...Windows Vista makes it easier for everyone to find and play games. No more searching for icons and files scattered around your computer - Vista Games Explorer takes all your games and puts them in one place, every time you install, complete with access to community and online components for your favorite games," Moore explains.

"With Windows Vista's native support for Xbox 360 controllers and the ability to go wireless with the Wireless Receiver for Windows, you also have the ability to decide how you want to play your games."

Speaking about the Xbox Live experience coming to Windows in Vista, Moore says, "We're calling it LIVE, and it's as simple as its name. Now, gamers on both Xbox and Windows will have one identity, one friends list, and one consistent set of experiences that will travel with them across both platforms. This year will produce a powerful first wave of LIVE-enabled games, starting with Uno, Shadowrun and Halo 2. And that's just the beginning..."

He drops word too that Microsoft Casual Games is launching eight Windows Vista-optimised titles this year on the MSN Games website - Luxor 2, Bliss Island, Crystal Quest, Spinword, Jewel Quest 2, 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, Darwinia and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved.

Finally, painting a bright future for the PC as a major gaming platform, Moore states, "With a PC gaming renaissance touched off by Games for Windows and Windows Vista, and the release of more Windows Vista-optimized laptops, desktops and accessories, we'll see more powerful, more innovative, and more fun gaming experiences than ever before.

"We'll see revenues from the PC gaming market grow more than ever before, as more people find it easier to get into casual and cutting-edge games alike. It's our mission to meet this growth with a platform that's as simple and safe as it is filled with potential and new gaming experiences."

Peter Moore's letter can be read in its entirety on Gamerscore Blog.

NEONKNIGHT 02-02-2007 07:47
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
A nice bit of kit for cross-platform gaming :- http://shop.gameplay.co.uk/webstore/...07RELEASESMAIL

:tu:

Graham M 02-02-2007 07:50
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NEONKNIGHT (Post 34211538)
A nice bit of kit for cross-platform gaming :- http://shop.gameplay.co.uk/webstore/...07RELEASESMAIL

:tu:
Hmm interesting but Vista has built in support for XBox 360 controllers anyway doesnt it?

NEONKNIGHT 02-02-2007 08:39
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeph (Post 34211541)
Hmm interesting but Vista has built in support for XBox 360 controllers anyway doesnt it?
I presume if you 'plug' them in (XP allows this also I think?) whereas this bit of kit lets you use wireless controllers, headsets etc and its Microsoft certified.

NEONKNIGHT 02-02-2007 13:32
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=156373

Quote:
NIMBY?
Vista has also courted controversy among PC gaming enthusiasts due to its symbiotic relationship with the Xbox 360, which allows owners of the two platforms to challenge each other in head-to-head online confrontations via Windows Live Anywhere. In a move that may or may not further exacerbate the console wars, this is the first time such integration has been attempted. "Live Anywhere will connect you to your games, your friends, your entertainment, anytime, anywhere," promises Rich Wickham.

Indeed, Windows Live Anywhere has multiple uses. Not only are you be able to find your friends online via a constantly updated list - making communication easier and more intuitive than ever before - you're also able to access music videos and movie trailers in the same way that you would via an Xbox 360.



PC-BOX 360
The argument about whose gaming machine is superior will soon be at an end thanks to Microsoft's push to integrate Vista and Xbox 360 games. The new operating system will allow you to jump online and play games against 360 owners, and converse using voice communicating and text messaging.

One of the first games to incorporate this feature will be Shadowrun, the FPS based on the much-loved RPG franchise that failed to ignite much enthusiasm at this year's E3. Still, you and up to 15 other PC or Xbox 360 players will be able to battle for supremacy in online swords-and-sorcery battles.

Perhaps the most pertinent question in all of this is whether or not PC users will have an unfair advantage, due to the superior movement control offered by a mouse/keyboard set-up.

"The development team is working constantly to balance the experience of playing with a controller on either Xbox 360 or Windows, versus playing with mouse and keyboard," promises Microsoft's Rich Wickham. "We believe gamers will be very happy with the results, as well as with the opportunity to battle it out with their friends across platforms and mouse/keyboard versus controller." Call us cynics, but we'll believe it when we see it.

punky 02-02-2007 14:10
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
It will mean that PC users need to pay extra for a Live subscription to play their favourite Microsoft games online, no doubt.

Or maybe they will keep it free for PC-only multiplayer. I doubt it though.

NEONKNIGHT 06-02-2007 12:33
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gavin (Post 34211739)
It will mean that PC users need to pay extra for a Live subscription to play their favourite Microsoft games online, no doubt.

Or maybe they will keep it free for PC-only multiplayer. I doubt it though.
Good point. Thinking of getting rid of the xbox360/games and spending the money on up-grading the PC to Vista etc Will keep the gamertag going for now though.

Uncle Peter 06-02-2007 17:30
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
I wonder if it also means that the netcode for more PC games will go down the P2P route as opposed to being hosted on dedicated servers. The upshot being that people who have shaped accounts or have hard bandwidth caps could be in for some nasty surprises.

NEONKNIGHT 19-02-2007 23:02
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
See here for speculation about a FREE xboxlive service because of windows crossplatform gaming;- http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/34226641-post1.html

:angel:

SnoopZ 19-02-2007 23:13
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Am i the only one who thinks this cross platform gaming is a really bad idea? Atleast i think it is with first person shooters anyway.

NEONKNIGHT 20-02-2007 11:51
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnoopZ (Post 34226650)
Am i the only one who thinks this cross platform gaming is a really bad idea? Atleast i think it is with first person shooters anyway.
Microsoft have said they have redesigned the control system to take into account gamers who use Keyboard & Mouse and those that use a game pad so that were all playing on a level playing field as it were. Wait and see is the answer to this. I think cross-platform gaming will be the business myself.:tu:

zing_deleted 20-02-2007 11:54
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
so basically they are going to cripple the pc gamer. imo you are loads more accurate with mouse aiming meaning a console gamer needs some leeway so what they prob mean its easier to kill on a console than a pc shame really it would have proved a point but handicapping the pc gamer will imo make it no different.
If it isnt free I will not be trying it due to this handicapping

NEONKNIGHT 20-02-2007 12:20
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinglebarb (Post 34226933)
so basically they are going to cripple the pc gamer. imo you are loads more accurate with mouse aiming meaning a console gamer needs some leeway so what they prob mean its easier to kill on a console than a pc shame really it would have proved a point but handicapping the pc gamer will imo make it no different.
If it isnt free I will not be trying it due to this handicapping
Fair points but like you I don't know what the control system will involve, only Microsoft know this information and they havn't given any clues about it as yet. Reserve judgment until the facts are known. As for being Free, Microsoft know that PC gamers don't like to pay for anything - so they will have to come up with something, and by the few press snipets its looking likely that it will be free to some extent.:)

zing_deleted 20-02-2007 16:20
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
See you on the battlefield one day then ;)

NEONKNIGHT 20-02-2007 16:47
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinglebarb (Post 34227217)
See you on the battlefield one day then ;)
Challenge Accepted. ;) I nominate Matt D as my second, just in case I'm feeling poorly on the day in question.:D

zing_deleted 20-02-2007 16:52
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
we will need some rules of honour. it has to be an FPS we both have to agree to a maximum playing time before the challenge ie 8 hours play time then a 1 v 1 deathmatch if there is any chance of that maybe find an empty server if thats how MS works em (they be my terms lol add any you wish ) oh yeah no noob weapons ;)

NEONKNIGHT 20-02-2007 20:41
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinglebarb (Post 34227247)
we will need some rules of honour. it has to be an FPS we both have to agree to a maximum playing time before the challenge ie 8 hours play time then a 1 v 1 deathmatch if there is any chance of that maybe find an empty server if thats how MS works em (they be my terms lol add any you wish ) oh yeah no noob weapons ;)
Noob weapons!?!? - so the thermo-nuclear-laser-guided-lock-on-can't-miss-destroy-all-opponents-with-one-button-launcher is out of the question then? Drat! :(


How about pointy sticks and no name calling? :D

jerryl 20-02-2007 21:02
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
i saw on this article that some1 built an xbox 360 into a laptop, so it was like a cross between a laptop and a xbox 360, u had a keyboard and a controller

NEONKNIGHT 05-03-2007 22:53
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Interesting first impressions from Eurogamer on Shadowrun:

Quote:
But does it look like it's going to be brilliant? Well it looks like it could be a brilliant advert for cross-platform gaming over Xbox Live. Microsoft has been making a bit of a song and dance about the fact that Shadowrun is one of the first games that will allow PC gamers to take on Xbox 360 gamers over Xbox Live. Which, if you think about it, is a pretty reasonable idea. It's just it's probably going to be one of those reasonable ideas that people very quickly take for granted, without ever giving any credit to the people who came up with the idea. Because, to judge from a recent demonstration of Shadowrun, Live on Windows Vista is indistinguishable from Live on Xbox 360.

"You can voicechat, you can create a Friends list, and you can do game invites just like on the console," explains FASA's studio manager, Mitch Gitelman. "If you're already a member of Xbox Live, your stuff works on Games for Windows Live, too. You use the same gamertag, and can show off the same gamerscore and achievements on each platform. The rest of the Xbox Live features, like Marketplace are coming later." More importantly, it was impossible to tell whether people were playing with a controller or via keyboard and mouse.

"There's a number of different ways that we've balanced it," continues Gitelman. "For one thing we have an accuracy model sort of like Counter-Strike in a way: what happens is as you fire your weapon you become more and more inaccurate, so you have to use short, controlled bursts. So we played around with that, and we played around with the aim assistance on the controller. What we found when we first started was that the controller people were absolutely owning the mouse and keyboard people, without a doubt. So we had to make some adjustments - there's things like smoothing and all that sort of stuff." There's also the fact that Shadowrun isn't just about crackshot crosshair accuracy, but more on that later.
You can read the full article here:- http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=73695

SnoopZ 05-03-2007 23:07
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Here's the correct link. ;)

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=73695

NEONKNIGHT 06-03-2007 12:22
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnoopZ (Post 34243347)
Ta! Too many 'http' :D

punky 06-03-2007 12:33
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NEONKNIGHT (Post 34243325)
Interesting first impressions from Eurogamer on Shadowrun:



You can read the full article here:- http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=73695
I'm not suprised the controller users were owning the mouse users if they had "aim assistance" :)

Uncle Peter 07-03-2007 21:16
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
The "Live for Windows Vista" pricing structure has been announced at GDC:

Gold Package: $49.99 per year, $7.99 per month or $19.99 for 3 months.

If you have subscribed to Xbox Live Gold then you automatically get this subscription at no extra charge.

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8018

NEONKNIGHT 08-03-2007 12:12
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Peter (Post 34245169)
The "Live for Windows Vista" pricing structure has been announced at GDC:

Gold Package: $49.99 per year, $7.99 per month or $19.99 for 3 months.

If you have subscribed to Xbox Live Gold then you automatically get this subscription at no extra charge.

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8018
Good news for xbox360 owners : PC games are cheaper than console games generally. Not too sure that the vast majority of PC gamers will be enthralled with a subscription service though.

zing_deleted 08-03-2007 12:38
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
well I have no intention of paying anything

---------- Post added at 12:38 ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gavin (Post 34243750)
I'm not suprised the controller users were owning the mouse users if they had "aim assistance" :)
exactlyI think this is something to miss

videodj 08-03-2007 13:02
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Peter (Post 34245169)
The "Live for Windows Vista" pricing structure has been announced at GDC:

Gold Package: $49.99 per year, $7.99 per month or $19.99 for 3 months.

If you have subscribed to Xbox Live Gold then you automatically get this subscription at no extra charge.

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8018
Not to unreasonable, but as I already xbox live, it won't cost me any extra.

Tezcatlipoca 08-03-2007 20:59
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Hmm.


Not so sure how well this will take off, then.


Us Xbox Live users pay 'cos we have to...no other way of playing online with the Xbox.

But surely PC gamers are used to playing online for free (excluding MMORPGs etc)... why pay a subscription to be able to play certain Vista games online when you can load up COD2 or whatever & play online for free.

Uncle Peter 08-03-2007 21:12
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
I suppose it depends how developers embrace this system and how many make the decision to lock their content into this Xbox live style service. There's bound to be a backlash within the PC gaming community but if enough premium titles go down this path many gamers are bound to succumb even if they don't relish the idea of paying for something which was once available gratis. Publishers and developers potentially stand to benefit in the main as this provides an effective revenue generating platform in terms of offering premium downloadable content to a new audience where margins are shrinking as development of titles becomes more complex and costly.

In terms of the technology base: a very simplistic view of Xbox live is that it's a glorified lobby and matchmaking hub. Very few games are actually hosted on dedicated servers as P2P is the preferred method of player connectivity. I know this has bitten users in some countries where they have hard caps and over-use charges quite badly.

zing_deleted 08-03-2007 21:15
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
They cant do that cuz PC gamers simply wont buy the games that only can be played online through xbox live. Why should Microsoft try and take that away from pc gamers anyway? dont you xbox guys have enough friends to play with rather than try to ruin things for pc gamers??

Uncle Peter 08-03-2007 21:20
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinglebarb (Post 34246178)
They cant do that cuz PC gamers simply wont buy the games that only can be played online through xbox live. Why should Microsoft try and take that away from pc gamers anyway? dont you xbox guys have enough friends to play with rather than try to ruin things for pc gamers??
Bill wants your money and developers/publishers are looking to find new ways of generating revenue. I suppose whether this system succeeds or fails depends largely on who Microsoft can get onside.

Personally I'm with you on this one m8 and would not like to have my PC games forcibly locked into this type of online infrastructure.

NEONKNIGHT 14-03-2007 13:15
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Games for Windows Live launches May 8th

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2...-on-Vista.aspx

Quote:
Good news PC Gamers! The award winning Xbox Live experience will be extended to Games for Windows fans on May 8, 2007 with the launch of Halo 2 for Windows Vista. In addition I have a few details of how ‘Games for Windows – LIVE’ will work for existing Xbox Live Gold and Silver members. Remember…itâ €™s one unified service, so current Xbox LIVE Gold members will automatically have access to Gold features on ‘Games for Windows — LIVE’ titles.

Here is how things will look on the Games for Windows side in terms of features:

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

Gold Membership Features
All Silver membership features PLUS
Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
TrueSkill matchmaking
Multiplayer achievements
Cross-platform gameplay
---------- Post added at 13:15 ---------- Previous post was at 13:02 ----------

Press release here aswell :- http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archi...14/542900.aspx

(Cross platform play is for those gamers lucky enough to have a copy of Vista)

:angel:

zing_deleted 14-03-2007 13:47
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
so how much is silver?

keithwalton 14-03-2007 16:43
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
silver is free

zing_deleted 14-03-2007 17:55
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
That is the only price id be prepared to pay ;)

Uncle Peter 14-03-2007 19:00
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
I expect there will be an influx of people joining the party when Halo2 is released on PC. Seems that Microsoft are intent at this stage on using games and this cross platform framework to push Vista. Most enterprise clients will hold off until hardware refresh cycle and that's something that Bill can't force them to do.

NEONKNIGHT 25-04-2007 12:56
Re: Cross-platform Games
 
Xbox Lives Major Nelson has posted "Games for Windows Live (or how I got my first Halo 2 Achievement)" You can read all about it here:- http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2...dows-live.aspx

;)


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