Windows Experience Blog : Halo 2 for Windows Vista

Windows 7 Beta Brings New Functionality to Games Explorer

Brandon LeBlanc — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:12:35 GMT

In Windows Vista, we introduced the Games Explorer. This is the place where you can launch and manage your games, including built-in Windows games such as Solitaire and Chess Titans, and also PC games such as Games for Windows (and Games for Windows – LIVE) titles.

In Windows 7, we are introducing new functionality to Games Explorer that we think people will enjoy. These new features in Games Explorer can not only be appreciated by the casual gamer looking to play one of Windows 7’s many built-in games, but also the more advanced PC gamer too.

The new features I am going to talk about here are available for you to try out in the Windows 7 Beta today.

When you first fire up Games Explorer in Windows 7, you will notice that Games Explorer is divided up between Games and Game Providers. Game Providers are the companies that distribute the games you install on your PC.

For example, I installed Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved from MSN Games, which was made by Bizarre Creations (the same folks behind Project Gotham Racing for the Xbox). MSN Games would be considered a Game Provider, and can take advantage of the new built-in functionality to Games Explorer in Windows 7. The only official Game Provider available today with the Windows 7 Beta is us (Microsoft). In the future, you can expect to see more Game Providers appear.

Games Explorer will deliver updates from Game Providers, including news and information regarding their own games. Updates from Game Providers appear in the right-hand Preview Pane when a Game Provider is selected. When you select the Microsoft Games Provider, you can see updates from us (see below screenshot).

Under “Options”, you can enable automatic update notifications for games, along with automatic updates to Game Provider news and information, or simply check yourself manually by right-clicking on a specific Game Provider or game and choosing “Check online for game updates”.

Another neat feature in the Windows 7 Games Explorer is the ability for you to see when an update is available for a game you have installed. I installed Flight Simulator X and Halo 2, and Games Explorer showed that an update was available for both these games.

Instead of having to launch the game and install the update through the game itself – you can now install game updates directly within Games Explorer.

In the Preview Pane for a game that has an update available, a button will appear to download that update. In the above screenshot, you can see I can choose to click “Download Now” for the update available for Halo 2 for Windows Vista. When you click “Download Now”, you are asked to confirm the download.

The update for the game will download and then the “Download now” button turns into “Install Now”.

One more thing… Games Explorer will track statistics for the games you play. As you can see – I’ve lost one game in both Chess Titans and Internet Checkers. Statistics are tracked for the different levels for each game. In the future, expect to see many of your favorite games take advantage of this functionality.

In a follow-up post coming very shortly, I’ll discuss the new Internet Games for Windows 7. Stay tuned!

Games for Windows LIVE 1.2 Coming Soon

Brandon LeBlanc — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:03:00 GMT

This evening, Xbox Live's Major Nelson revealed some tidbits on an upcoming update to Games for Windows - LIVE for the PC.

As you know, several games have launched under Games for Windows - LIVE that allow PC Games to tap into Xbox Live. Last May, I talked about my experience with Halo 2 for Windows Vista and a few months ago I also picked up Shadowrun. While Halo 2 for Windows Vista let me score achievements and add to my gamerscore - Shadowrun goes cross-platform by letting me play with gamers who are playing Shadowrun on their Xbox 360 consoles.

Like with Dashboard Updates to the Xbox 360, Microsoft can also update the Games for Windows - LIVE components within PC games such as Halo 2 for Windows Vista and Shadowrun that add functionality and bug fixes. Major Nelson highlights several changes coming with the 1.2 release:

Support for offline Achievements (so you can add to your gamerscore when not connected to the internet).
Ability to see if your friends are "joinable" in games.
Additional UI features.

I look forward to seeing these improvements for the 1.2 release for Games for Windows - LIVE. Major Nelson says we can expect to see this update available sometime next month.

Going LIVE with Halo 2 for Windows Vista

Brandon LeBlanc — Tue, 22 May 2007 08:10:00 GMT

This weekend I was able to give Halo 2 for Windows Vista a test run. They have truly done an amazing job with bringing this game to Windows Vista. Tina Wood interviewed Jo Clowes from Hired Gun a few weeks ago on Halo 2 for Windows Vista talking about what the game offers for Windows Vista users and what is different between the console version and PC version of the game. However I want to dive a little deeper to the LIVE features that Halo 2 for Windows Vista offers.

Halo 2 for Windows Vista is Games for Windows - LIVE "enabled" meaning you can sign-in to your Xbox Live Account and earn achievement points throughout the game that improves your gamerscore (just like you would a game on the Xbox 360). Don't have an Xbox Live Account? All you need to do is go to Xbox.com and set one up with your Windows Live ID. Any achievement you unlock within Halo 2 or any other LIVE enabled game will appear under your Gamertag.

You will be able to play with other Halo 2 for Windows Vista players in awesome multiplayer action. You will not be able to play with Halo 2 players who are playing on the Xbox console however (see Tina's video on Channel 10 for explanation). Halo 2 for Windows Vista is designed for slick PC-to-PC gaming experiences. You get 23 multiplayer maps, along with a Map Editor to customize maps and will be able to download exclusive content for Halo 2 for Windows Vista as well. You can even setup a dedicated Halo 2 Server too! You will need an Xbox Live Gold account to enable multiplayer achievements, LIVE game hosting, and in-game chat.

The LIVE experience starts right when you fire up the game after installation. You sign in with your Windows Live ID and your Gamer Profile from Xbox Live is active within the game. Accessing Xbox Live and your friends on Xbox Live is done through the Guide.

Within the Guide, you will be able to view messages, view which friends are online, see game players, launch a private chat with a friend, and tweak your personal settings and profile. If your friends are on their Xbox 360's they will see you sign in just as if you were on an Xbox 360 too and will be able to chat and send you messages.

Through LIVE - you will be able to jump into Quickmatches on public servers throughout internet. If you have a Gold account, you'll be able to jump into Gold-only LIVE servers. There is peer-to-peer abilities as well.

Game Options Screenshots:

Xbox Live Screenshots (the Guide):

In-Game Screenshots:

Overall - Halo 2 for Windows Vista takes PC gaming to the next level. And this is only the beginning for Games for Windows - LIVE!

On my way to Los Angeles last week for WinHEC, I stopped by and picked up a few magazines for the trip. One of the magazines was the Games for Windows Official Magazine's June 2007 issue. Inside, they interview Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Entertainment and Devices Division Peter Moore who talks candidly with the magazine on Games for Windows - LIVE. Very cool (and interesting) article. Worth checking out if you want hints at what is to come.