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The head of Microsoft's Xbox division, Phil Spencer, has teased future plans for PC gaming on Windows based machines, which are set to be revealed in 2015, stressing the fact that he remains committed to PC gaming, despite Microsoft's heavy focus on the Xbox console.
Talking on Major Nelson's podcast, Spencer said: “We definitely haven't told our full story about gaming on Windows. I've said a couple times that as the head of Xbox inside of Microsoft, I'm also the head of gaming for Microsoft. I think about those two things in sync with one another.”
So far, Microsoft has been keeping Windows gaming and Xbox gaming completely separate. It attempted to support PC gaming a little bit last generation with the launch of Games for Windows Live but we all know how that one turned out. However, this generation we've seen a slight change, with a couple of Microsoft's Xbox One launch exclusives slowly coming to the PC and its rumored that this trend will continue with titles like Sunset Overdrive.
It sounds like Spencer might have plans to further unite PC gaming and the Xbox brand: “I definitely want gamers out there to feel like the fact that Microsoft is both the Windows company and the Xbox company is a good thing for them. We'll have more to say in 2015, I think it can be a real good thing for gamers–the fact that Microsoft has a strong gaming presence on a PC and on their television.”
In addition to this news, we do know that Microsoft is also working on the DirectX 12 API, allowing low level hardware access for PCs, which should help PC developers take better advantage of graphics cards. The new API is due to release next year as well.
It is possible that this new approach somehow intertwines with Microsoft's goals for Windows 10. The company has touted ‘one platform' for all devices, uniting the desktop, laptop and mobile experience- maybe we will see this new thought process affect the gaming side of the company as well.
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KitGuru Says: I don't doubt that Microsoft is becoming increasingly interested in PC gaming again but hopefully Phil Spencer's future plans won't involve Games for Windows Live, at least in its current state. Hopefully this also means we will see more Xbox One exclusives come to the PC- personally, I'm hoping for a Sunset Overdrive PC release. Do you guys think Microsoft should continue to bridge the gap between PC and Xbox gaming? What do you think Phil Spencer has planned?
Hope for something for PC ! Good !
Games for Windows Live was obviously a total failure. But the one thing that does frustrate me over PC gaming and console gaming is the lack of that one consistent hub.
When it comes to PC gaming, you’ll have Unity installed, Battle.net, Steam, and countless others. And on all of them you’ll have the same friends added over seperate accounts.
I get that all the publishers need to have their own digital stores to maximise profits etc. But wouldn’t it be great for the gamers to have one hub where they can launch all their games, connect with all their pals. Preferably have additions like party chat that works so seemlessly with consoles, instead of having to have mumble accounts with servers and teamspeak accounts etc.
Don’t get me wrong, I love gaming on a PC. It’s where my gaming routes really lie. I just think it’s a little messier than consoles sometimes are.
But its that variation that makes it so good, and allows games to be so cheap, the amount of competition that all the different companies bring to the table, as well as being able to choose the different communication software you use to suit you. It is a bit daunting when you first enter the world of pc gaming, but it really is that which allows it to thrive so much.
Well thats the strength and
pain of PC gaming on a single coin. The strength of being able to choose a platforms
and having options, don’t like Steam or origin well you still have countless
other choices. The pain comes from the fragmentation of the market which leads
to “same friends more than one account issues” Fragmentation by-product of any open system
eps on the PC where it affects the hardware and software side of things.
The only way this
would change is if the PC became under the control of one company or group which
to me would be missing the point. Instead of company’s bringing new
standards/os/systems leading to even great fragmentation (I’m looking at Valve
with Steam OS and AMD with mantel) Why not try and improve what we already have
(In my above examples windows/core linux without a new distro and Direct X and
OpenGL ) .
In short while I agree with you on the most part I can take abit of fragmentation pain for the flexibility Gaming on a PC provides.
Like I said, I get that all the publishers need their own stores. I just think it would be fantastic if there was one program that you could launch all your games from/connect with all your friends and do voice chat over. Wouldn’t that make life simpler for everyone? ha.
Also, this is something that I’m new to and getting frustrated with, I’ve been gaming on PC’s since the original doom when I was 10. I get how it works and why, I just think it could be made into a better experience for the gamers.
Lets see how the steam OS operates in about 2 years. It should have some high hope, mainly because its due 97% on gaming, or some ridiculously high percentage that makes it very promising. I hate things about the xbox, one thing, the controller. And how the controller can be used on PC now (if you get a PC compatible one). PC needs to make a new controller (not with touch, not with fancy nick nacks. One with a analog sensitivity, especially for that easy racing, throttle by percentage). Then about 12% of the debate about xbox and PC would go away. Xbox is definitely not a PC, so lets stop making peripherals based off the xbox for the pc. 🙂
If this doesnt mean Halo on PC im not interested
Raptr says hi……..
Raptr says hi……..
Raptr says hi……..
Raptr says hi……..
Raptr says hi……..
ONE ABREVIATION MICROSOFT FPS
Raptr, or even Steam allows you to add non steam games, and they both have voice-chat available, albeit not the best ones.
Raptr, or even Steam allows you to add non steam games, and they both have voice-chat available, albeit not the best ones.
Yeah I hear you. I hate using anything other than Steam. Joys of it though. Its more to other publishers detriment in my case as i simply end up back at Steam and avoid the others and their games. I’ve no inclination to play on consoles regardless. I do appreciate I have all the choice even if everything can be a bit disjointed.
Yeah I hear you. I hate using anything other than Steam. Joys of it though. Its more to other publishers detriment in my case as i simply end up back at Steam and avoid the others and their games. I’ve no inclination to play on consoles regardless. I do appreciate I have all the choice even if everything can be a bit disjointed.
I, personally, do not have any complaints about Steam’s voice chat. Call me crazy, but I think it is fine. It doesn’t sound as good as say Skype, but it gets the job done. That is just me though. I am not a big audio whore or anything.
…..ok then.
But the Xbox 360 controller works great. I have no complaints about it to be honest.
Halo for PC pls.
I normally launch all my games via steam anyway.
Microsoft is trying everything it can to put an end to PC gaming.
This is a smoke and mirror PR statement.
Saying nice things in public while stabbing actual PC gamers in the back.
Actions speak louder than words
Well, the Dpad on the 360 pad is awful, but yeah, otherwise the xbox pad is great, don’t see why we need a special PC controller. Plus I kind of use that pad for both my PC and my xbox as the 2nd controller. Cross compatible periphrials are a good thing. And if you don’t like using the xbox pad, there are /plenty/ of other options, given ITS A PC and you don’t have to use the 360 pad.
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Not when every game is xbox controller compatible and no other controller compatible… Try downloading 6 games that game out in the last 3 years (fps or even racing games) and they will all be compatible with xbox controllers and not anything else.. I dislike the feel of using a console controller on my $2k pc just to play some games that better require it. Keyboard on racing games do not work as well, and the controller for racing games need a bit fixed, a better throttle… some of the old logitech controllers did great for that, not sure what happened.
If they were trying to put an end to pc gaming why on earth would they release the xbox1 exclusives dead rising 3 and ryse on the pc platform? Why would they bother making DX12 and pushing new features with it? Like you said, actions speak louder than words.
If you enjoy racing games you should do what I did and get the logitech gt. It’s great for a cheap wheel and has directinputx support so is supported in every game the 360 controller is.
Oh! I didn’t know you could add non steam games? Will look into that. And I just think it’s odd Steam haven’t improved their voice chat function, it seems like a no brainer as most gamers will be running steam in the background anyway…
Oh! I didn’t know you could add non steam games? Will look into that. And I just think it’s odd Steam haven’t improved their voice chat function, it seems like a no brainer as most gamers will be running steam in the background anyway…
That’s why a lot of people buy their games on steam, even if it launches another drm client. The only time when I buy my games off of steam is when it’s DRM free.
I would like to see GFWL continue with new releases, a fresh new update and lots of new support. A whole new interface with party chat and the New Gears of War from Black Tusk.
I would like to see GFWL continue with new releases, a fresh new update and lots of new support. A whole new interface with party chat and the New Gears of War from Black Tusk.
Gears of War on PC or I’m not interested
Gears of War on PC or I’m not interested