Games for Windows - Live Launching on May 8

Word of Microsoft's plans for Live for Windows, a service for PC that mirrors Xbox Live, leaked earlier this month. Today, Microsoft confirms those reports by announcing the launch date and pricing for what is now officially called "Games for Windows - Live."

The service will debut on May 8, 2007, with the launch of the Windows Vista version of the Halo 2. Then, launching in June, Shadowrun will for the first time connect Windows gamers with Xbox 360 players in cross-platform matches using a single service. UNO, releasing later in 2007, will also support cross-platform play between Windows and Xbox 360.

"Five years ago, we began building a service that now defines the bar for online gameplay," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "The benefits of expanding Xbox Live to Games for Windows titles is twofold: We're bringing together two communities that share a passion for playing online games, and we're enhancing the online experience for PC gamers who have long desired seamless game and voice connectivity -- it's a win for everyone."

While Games for Windows - Live brings a new level of online service to PC gamers, it also carries with it a fee for something that many PC fans are accustomed to getting for free. The Microsoft service will be identical to that of Xbox Live, with Silver accounts for free and more useful Gold memberships requiring at least $49.95 a year. Existing subscribers will Xbox Live automatically receive the functionality of Games for Windows - Live at no additional cost by using the same gamertag.