THQ Being Tempted Back to Dark Side, Considering Games for Windows Again
THQ Being Tempted Back to Dark Side, Considering Games for Windows Again
Posted 11/04/2010 at 8:15pm
| by Nathan Grayson
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One step forward, two steps back. Just when you thought Microsoft's consistently behind-the-times (or “draconian,” because we think that's a neat word) online service had lost one of its main footholds and fallen into the abyss of your bad memories, Dawn of War and Company of Heroes publisher THQ has decided to forgive and forget.
“It's been easier for development [moving to Steamworks], so far, but Microsoft is really talking to me a lot about getting back on Games for Windows Live,” THQ core games boss Danny Bilson told Shacknews. “I like both platforms and I really, really, really like Microsoft as a partner. They're fantastic partners. I want to respect them.”
“There are a lot of discussions going on about that now because it's a sensitive issue. But from a development point of view, it has been easier on Steamworks. That has nothing to do with Steam as a distribution platform, as you know. The developers really like it, but again, I have incredible respect for Microsoft and they're really fantastic partners. And so, there's a lot of ongoing discussion about that.”
On the upside, Bilson also threw his company's considerable weight behind the PC, saying that “you're going to see every single title from [the Core group at THQ] that makes sense, on PC. I mean, almost every one.”
Meanwhile, in GFWL's little slice of the gaming world – which we have to imagine is located under a rock, unburdened by silly inconveniences like recent developments or timely feedback – they're just now getting around to lauching a dedicated online marketplace. Granted, it's lacking a number of Steam's features, but hey, at least they're finally getting rid of those silly Microsoft Points. Which is all a very roundabout way of saying: Danny, we love you, so please don't make us hit you.
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sniggler
November 08, 2010 at 11:44am
Screw Valve and MS both... Gone are the days when you actually owned the game you spent $50 to play... Now we are just catering to an expensive rental market... You are 'renting' the rights to play the game, no longer does owning the physical media hold any grounds...
This nonsense of having to connect to the internet to play a single-player game is only going to encourage piracy further... Yet these companies continue shelling out their confidence and hard-earned $$$ to the likes of Securom... Really? I ask who is the bigger crook here, the guys pirating software or the companies like Securom and Ubisoft with their DRM-laden garbage?
The paying customers get screwed out of a product they paid for, the rich get richer and the pirates get more ambitious... PC gaming is truly caught in a downward spiral...
ShadowDragoonFTW
November 09, 2010 at 7:19am
You DO KNOW that once you download a Steam game, you can play it in Offline Mode any time you want, right? As long as it is a fully-functioning single player game, that is. Mass Effect 2 is a great example of one I play in Offline Mode, and it works perfectly fine. So, read up a little bit, and learn to use the tech right, before you start bitching about it.
Arclite
November 06, 2010 at 12:54am
THQ core games boss Danny Bilson told Shacknews. “I like both platforms and I really, really, really like Microsoft as a partner. They're fantastic partners. I want to respect them.<snip>...but again, I have incredible respect for Microsoft and they're really fantastic partners."
Read: Microsoft is offering us a crapload of cash to come back on their system, and I'm having a hard time saying no to that.
Slugbait
November 05, 2010 at 1:08pm
Translation: you have sex with Microsoft, but you marry Valve...
ween23
November 05, 2010 at 10:43am
Games for Windows Live sux
Every game i got from steam and retail CD with GFWL has been hell to run …
GFW update bugs like in bioshock 2
Ghok
November 05, 2010 at 9:05am
The last game I played to use Windows Live also had Securom on it, which was just insulting. It'd be nice if these services did something useful, like saving your configuration and saved game files in the cloud. Honestly, I don't have a need for another service besides Steam.
samduhman
November 05, 2010 at 7:08am
While I hate MS with a passion for what it did to PC gaming (the ultimate betrayal thing, XBOX) I have a few games that uses GFWL and I don't see why people take so much issue against it. I log-in just like steam and I play my game.
So I'm confused. Why the hate other than Steam fanboys just trolling on it? Looking for an legit reason and I'd gladly jump on the hatewagon. ;)
jlh304
November 05, 2010 at 5:08am
I sort of liked Games for Windows, but thought it needed some fixing, guess I see what it could do. I love steam for buying games off of. I could see GFWL as an add on layer/service. I like having my xbox profile and PC game info under one. I really like being able to play on the PC against xbox players (but I think they took that away because xbox gamers got owned all the time).
But to beat out steam that's a tough one. I wonder if GFWL will have some sort of add on for the win 7 phones?
kamikaji
November 04, 2010 at 9:34pm
Why doesn't Microsoft leave the gaming side of Windows to people who actually know WTF they are doing (VALVE)
OliverSudden
November 04, 2010 at 8:24pm
While I, personally, would never take such a position, because I am so very cultured :) but the gaming community at large very much sees GFWL as the pariah of the online gaming world and they will not hesitate to inundate Mr. Bilson's inbox with incentives to rethink his crazy vacillations.
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