Microsoft is hoping to see more titles released simultaneously on the Xbox 360 and Vista platforms, according to Rick Wickham, director for the Windows Gaming business.
Wickham indicated that a number of PC and Xbox 360 titles will launch at the same time this year, although he added that it was essentially a decision left to individual third-party publishers.
The initiative is just one of many designed to marry the two platforms, along with games that are playable across both formats and the adoption of Xbox Live features into PC gaming.
Achievement points, a key aspect of Xbox Live play, are also set to be incorporated into PC games and Windows Vista over the coming year.
Microsoft hopes to entice a majority of game developers to release titles under the Games for Windows branding, building a portfolio of titles. Games on show at the event included Crytek's Crysis, Funcom's Age of Conan, Flagship Studio's Hellgate: London and Gas Powered Games' Supreme Commander.
Before Flagship Studios, there was Blizzard North. Originally known as Condor, the Redwood-based studio was acquired in 1997 by Blizzard Entertainment. At the time, Blizzard North was hard at work on the development of the game that would be the cornerstone of everything that came after: Diablo.
IGN : Remember Hellgate: London? The dark fantasy action role-playing game came out in 2007 for PC, a year before developer Flagship Studios went bankrupt. Since then, various free-to-play and online revivals have come and gone. Now, 17 years after the release of Hellgate: London, it’s back.
I remember some friends and I all bought Hellgate: London day one because it was made by some original Diablo devs. We had fun playing it, good memories.
From Xfire: "VR still has massive untapped potential, but finally the medium is starting to become more mainstream - here are some IPs that should make the leap."
But still very good news. Look forward to more PC games coming my 360 way..