Say “So Long Pirates”; Here’s “Games for Windows – LIVE”

Windows gaming took center stage today in San Francisco at the annual Game Developers Conference, as Microsoft announced new features coming to the Games for Windows – LIVE online gaming platform and community.

The new features are as follows:

• Anti-piracy Solution: Zero-day piracy protection and server-side authentication help prevent game piracy before street date, and protect publishers and consumers by requiring authentication for online play

• In-game Marketplace: New Marketplace APIs let developers create unique in-game store fronts and experiences surrounding the sale of additional content, providing developers and publishers with new revenue streams, and consumers with a seamless gaming experience

• Roaming: PC gamers can now save their personal settings back to their Games for Windows – LIVE account in the cloud, providing access to their settings on any compatible and connected Windows PC

“This update and other features currently in development represent a tipping point in the evolution of Games for Windows – LIVE as a leading online PC gaming network,” said Ron Pessner, general manager of Games for Windows – LIVE. “In the coming months, we will continue to deliver on our promise to provide gamers and publishers with the industry’s best connected gaming experiences through the LIVE service.”

God bless his little cotton socks . . . Whilst I know his heart is indeed in the right place; has he even looked around at his competition lately? From Steam to Battle.net, Games for Windows LIVE sure has a mountain of an uphill struggle still to climb if they feel they can compete with those giants. Keep an eye out though, people have underestimated Microsoft before and paid the price. But on this occasion, perhaps a pinch of salt would indeed be an appropriate cautionary measure.