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{{For|the magazine|Games for Windows: The Official Magazine}} {{Infobox Brand |logo=[[File:Games for Windows logo.png|250px]] |name=Games for Windows |image= |type=[[Personal computer game]] |currentowner=[[Microsoft]] |origin= |introduced=2006 |discontinued= |related=[[Microsoft Game Studios]] |markets=Worldwide |trademarkregistrations= |website=http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/index.aspx }} '''Games for Windows''' is a [[brand]] owned by [[Microsoft]] and introduced in [[2006 in video gaming|2006]] to coincide with the release of [[Windows Vista]]. The brand represents a standardized technical certification program and online service for Windows games, bringing a measure of regulation to the [[personal computer game|PC game]] market in much the same way that [[console manufacturer]]s regulate their platforms. The branding program is open to both first-party and third-party publishers. Games for Windows was promoted through [[Convention (meeting)|convention]] [[kiosk]]s and through other forums as early as 2005.<ref>[http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rail-simulator-attends-leipzig-games-convention PRESS RELEASE: ''Rail Simulator'' attends Leipzig Games Convention]</ref> The promotional push culminated in a deal with [[Ziff Davis|Ziff Davis Media]] to rename the ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' magazine to ''[[Games for Windows: The Official Magazine]]''. The first ''GFW'' issue was published for November 2006, and the magazine was defunct as of 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamegroup.ziffdavis.com/presscenter/pr20060802.html |title= Ziff Davis Media's Official "Games for Windows" Press Release |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061107221426/http://gamegroup.ziffdavis.com/presscenter/pr20060802.html |archivedate=2006-11-07}}</ref><ref>[http://www.videogamelibrarian.com/2008/04/games-for-windows-magazine-goes-online.html The Video Game Librarian: Games For Windows Magazine Goes Online-Only<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Certification== [[File:Companyofheroes pcboxboxart 160w.jpg|thumb|''[[Company of Heroes]]'' was one of the first titles to receive Games for Windows certification, which is displayed on its packaging]] Packaging for games that have been certified by Microsoft feature a prominent "Games for Windows" logo stripe across the upper front. Microsoft claimed they had increased their sales of Games for Windows-branded games in stores that had been giving the games greater focus, and said they planned on increased marketing efforts of the brand.<ref>[http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749845p1.html December 7, 2006 IGN.com conversation with Microsoft]</ref> Game software must meet certain requirements regulated by Microsoft in order to display the Games for Windows brand on its packaging. These requirements include:<ref>[http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_games.asp "Games for Windows Vista" at Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/AboutGFW/Pages/gamesforwindows.aspx |title=About Games for Windows |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2008-11-21}}</ref> * An "Easy Install" option that installs the title on a PC in the fewest possible steps and [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] clicks * Compatibility with the Windows Vista/ 7 Games Explorer (see below) * Installs and runs properly on [[x86-64|x64]] versions of [[Windows Vista]]/ [[Windows 7|7]] and is compatible with 64-bit processors (though the game itself can be [[32-bit]]) * Supports normal and [[widescreen]] [[Display resolution|resolutions]], such as 4:3 aspect ratio (800 x 600, 1024 x 768), 16:9 aspect ratio (1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080), and 16:10 aspect ratio (1280 x 800, 1440 x 900, 1680 x 1050, 1920 x 1200) * Supports parental controls and family settings features in Windows Vista/ 7 * Supports launching from [[Windows Media Center]] == Online play == {{Main|Games for Windows - Live}} Starting with ''[[Halo 2]]'' on May 31, 2007, some Games for Windows titles have access to Microsoft's [[Live Anywhere|Live]] network for online play and other features, including voice chat, messaging and friends lists, accessed from an in-game menu called the "Guide". Users can log in with their [[Xbox Live]] [[Xbox Live#Gamertag|gamertags]] to gain achievements and play games and chat across platforms (not every game supports cross-platform play.) Some features, including cross-platform multiplayer and multiplayer achievements, initially required a subscription to Live Gold. However, on July 22, 2008, Microsoft announced at Gamefest 2008 that Games for Windows Live is now free of charge. This means that all users are able to access features that would normally be available to only Gold members, such as the features listed above. In addition, Microsoft launched a [[Games for Windows β Live#Games on Demand|Games for Windows Live Marketplace]]. Like its console counterpart, [[Xbox Live Marketplace]], users are be able to download content such as game demos, add-ons, and gamer pics. Some items are free, while others need to be paid for using [[Microsoft Points]], as determined by the publisher of said items. Microsoft also plans to make the Games for Windows Live interface more PC friendly, and reduce the technical requirements for developers.<ref name="Games for Windows LIVE Gets Major Changes">[http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/687349/Games_for_Windows_LIVE_Gets_Major_Changes.html?utm_source=g4tv&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=TheFeed Games for Windows LIVE Gets Major Changes]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53807|title=Games for Windows Takes on Steam, Set to Launch PC Digital Content Distribution Platform|last=Breckon|first=Nick |date=July 22, 2008|publisher=ShackNews|pages=1|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> This is in direct competition with the leading [[digital distribution|digital distributor]] on computers, [[Steam (content delivery)|Steam]]. == Games Explorer == [[File:Games explorer2.png|thumb|right|275px| Games Explorer on [[Windows Vista]] showing information for the ''Hold 'Em'' poker game, including performance and content ratings.]] Included with all versions of [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]], this [[Special Folders|special folder]] showcases the various games installed on one's computer. When a compatible game is installed, the system adds the game's shortcut to the Games Explorer and also downloads the game's box art and content rating information (e.g. [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]], [[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]], [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]], etc.) for that game through either developers' own game definition files or from information provided by '''[[All Media Guide]]'''.<ref>[http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb173447.aspx "Legacy Game Support" at Microsoft Developer Network]</ref> Compatibility generally depends on the age or popularity of the games with newer games having better compatibility. For example, ''[[StarCraft]]'' is fully compatible despite being nearly a decade older than Windows Vista. If a game is incompatible with the Games Explorer, the user can manually add a game by dragging a game's shortcut to the Games Explorer (though there is a very large chance that box art and rating information will be missing). The Games Explorer is fully compatible with [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]] with parental controls. Parents can restrict how long a child can play and what kind of games they may play, based on ratings and/or specific titles. == Tray and Play == '''Tray and Play''' is a technology developed by Microsoft for [[Windows Vista]]. It allows users to put the game disc into an [[optical disc drive]] and start playing almost immediately, while the game installs itself in the background and streams off the disc with minimal or zero caching, just like on a [[Video game console|game console]]. The first and currently only commercial game to use this technology is the Windows version of ''[[Halo 2]]''. == See also == {{Portal box|Microsoft|Video games}} * [[List of Games for Windows titles]] * [[Games for Windows β Live]] * [[List of Games for Windows β Live titles]] * [[Windows Games on Demand]] * [[PC Gaming Alliance]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/Pages/index.aspx Official Games for Windows website] * [http://www.microsoft.com/gfwCertification/EN/US/default.aspx Games for Windows Self Certification site] * [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb173456.aspx Games for Windows Technical Requirements] * [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb173457.aspx Games for Windows Test Requirements] * [http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-GB/Live/Pages/CountrieswithLIVEService.aspx Countries with LIVE service] {{DEFAULTSORT:Games For Windows}} [[Category:Games for Windows| ]]
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