Microsoft is crowing that the upcoming PC release of Grand Theft Auto IV will be exclusive to Games for Windows.
That means that if you want to play the PC game online, you'll have to do so through Games for Windows Live, a fact that's unlikely to prove popular with PC gamers.
It's noteworthy that the announcement is being trumpeted into the world by Microsoft rather than Rockstar. GFW Live is widely regarded as the poor cousin of Xbox Live, with many publishers preferring to offer their own lobbies and online service. Rockstar is probably not hungry to declare its PC multi-player is exclusive to the service.
Conveniently, Games for Windows subscription became free recently, meaning that the hordes of PC gamers who will now begrudgingly sign up for GFW Live won't have a price barrier to stop them joining on. That's handy, innit?
You also have to wonder if the $50m (€34m, £27m) Microsoft allegedly forked over to Rockstar for exclusive DownLoadable Content might be getting it a bit of added value.
Microsoft also name-dropped a couple of other upcoming games that will make use of GFW Live Bethesda's Fallout 3, THQ's Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II and Activision's James Bond: Quantum of Solace.
In case you're interested, here are the corporo-quotes.
First up, Rockstar's founder, Sam Houser - “We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multi-player experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players. As we work toward the release of the PC version, Games for Windows – LIVE affords us the opportunity to seamlessly translate the multiplayer console experience for PC gamers. The service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around Grand Theft Auto IV PC.”
From Kevin Unangst, senior global director of Windows gaming at Microsoft (is it just us that thinks Microsoft should get some pithier job titles?) - “Great Windows-based games like Grand Theft Auto IV, Fallout 3 and Dawn of War II are proof that Microsoft is delivering on its promise to provide the best possible PC gaming experience on Windows. We are engaged with our community and listen attentively to their needs and concerns. With their input our platform has continued to evolve, and we’re proud of the marked improvement the Games for Windows program has brought to PC gaming in its first two years.”
For more on GTA IV, see SPOnG's dedicated game page.
That means that if you want to play the PC game online, you'll have to do so through Games for Windows Live, a fact that's unlikely to prove popular with PC gamers.
It's noteworthy that the announcement is being trumpeted into the world by Microsoft rather than Rockstar. GFW Live is widely regarded as the poor cousin of Xbox Live, with many publishers preferring to offer their own lobbies and online service. Rockstar is probably not hungry to declare its PC multi-player is exclusive to the service.
Conveniently, Games for Windows subscription became free recently, meaning that the hordes of PC gamers who will now begrudgingly sign up for GFW Live won't have a price barrier to stop them joining on. That's handy, innit?
You also have to wonder if the $50m (€34m, £27m) Microsoft allegedly forked over to Rockstar for exclusive DownLoadable Content might be getting it a bit of added value.
Microsoft also name-dropped a couple of other upcoming games that will make use of GFW Live Bethesda's Fallout 3, THQ's Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II and Activision's James Bond: Quantum of Solace.
In case you're interested, here are the corporo-quotes.
First up, Rockstar's founder, Sam Houser - “We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multi-player experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players. As we work toward the release of the PC version, Games for Windows – LIVE affords us the opportunity to seamlessly translate the multiplayer console experience for PC gamers. The service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around Grand Theft Auto IV PC.”
From Kevin Unangst, senior global director of Windows gaming at Microsoft (is it just us that thinks Microsoft should get some pithier job titles?) - “Great Windows-based games like Grand Theft Auto IV, Fallout 3 and Dawn of War II are proof that Microsoft is delivering on its promise to provide the best possible PC gaming experience on Windows. We are engaged with our community and listen attentively to their needs and concerns. With their input our platform has continued to evolve, and we’re proud of the marked improvement the Games for Windows program has brought to PC gaming in its first two years.”
For more on GTA IV, see SPOnG's dedicated game page.
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