Unlike Steam, which announces its presence in a standalone client, Games for Windows sneakily installs itself with recent games such as Gears of War and Shadowrun.It makes you wonder why Microsoft ever thought it could charge for the service - in essence every service it provides is available free on the internet, and has been since PC gaming's inception. And if this is all sounding a bit familiar, it's because yes, it is a lot like Steam. It's also fairly easy for developers to build Games for Windows Live support into their games - THQ, Sega and Eidos support the feature in upcoming games and Epic supports it directly in its omnipresent Unreal Engine.Previously costing $49.Having to launch a game to see your Friends list is a royal pain in the rear, and voice conversations end as soon as you exit a game. As appropriately-named Games for Windows head honcho Kevin Unangst said, It's something that's unique, and will evolve continually to be something PC gamers will love, and designed for PC gamers. It enables online play against Xbox 360 users, and Xbox gamer tags can be transferred easily; it includes achievements for single and multiplayer games and features Trueskill matchmaking - which enables players to compete online against players of similar ability. The service allows o.Games for Windows LivePreviously costing $49. Merely accessing the service from within a game is an arduous task, and online registration seems to have been made as hard as possible. The service allows online gaming achievements, and chat with other gamers.In fact, you may even have it installed on your PC without even realizing it.There are some positive aspects of Games for Windows Live. Having said that, it's still got a China pu gaming Chairs Factory long way to go if it hopes to compete with Steam.95 a year, in quite possibly its smartest move to date, Microsoft has decided its 360-based Games for Windows Live Gold service should be free for PC users. And with Valve's highly polished Steam and Stardock's up-and-coming Impulse offering similar free services, it's hard to see why anyone would even consider signing up for Games for Windows. An update featuring an Xbox Live-style marketplace, with downloadable content such as games and levels, is touted for release later this year.95 a year, in quite possibly its smartest move to date, Microsoft has decided its 360-based Games for Windows Live Gold service should be free for PC users..But if Games for Windows Live is really going to match Steam, it will have to improve. If the service was integrated into, say, Windows Messenger, it might work a lot better.Microsoft seems to be aware of the problems, and is working to sort them out
