PC Live Arcade: Dubbed 'Vega,' aims to roll out with 10-20 games in Nov.

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Aug 15th 2007 at 7:58PM }

Already mentioned at Gamefest 2007, Microsoft is planning to launch a Games For Windows variant of Xbox Live Arcade. The digital distribution service will naturally be aimed at the gamer who's more likely to be rearranging jewels on the desktop than snarling faces. A trusted source has furnished Joystiq with further details regarding the service, as well as a strange urge to refer to themselves in third person.

Internally labeled as "Vega" (possibly referring to the star and not the Street Fighter weirdo), the service is expected to launch in early November with 10-20 games. The portfolio of Live-enabled casual titles will match the taxonomy of Xbox Live Arcade and hopes to be bolstered by 2-4 new games every month following launch. Potential users will be funneled to the service from numerous Microsoft outlets, including MSN Games and the official Xbox website. Much like Live Anywhere, Vega contributes to Microsoft's goal of spreading the Live experiencing across multiple linked platforms -- and likewise aims to entice more and more people with Live subscriptions.

Developers, who will be responsible for costs associated with development, localization, rating and certification, will receive 60% of earned revenue, with Microsoft taking the remaining 40%. Game pricing will be similar to that of Xbox Live Arcade and can be set at either $5, $10, $15, $20 or $30. The 150MB size limit is also present, though developers will be allowed to exceed it when providing adequate justification.

The list of launch titles is currently unknown, a fact that will change once Microsoft's marketing machine lights up Vega come this November.

[Update: "We don't have any additional details to share at this time," said Microsoft, "but we are excited to be implementing this next phase of Games for Windows – LIVE. Please stay tuned!"]

Tags: BreakingNews, GamesForWindows, LiveAnywhere, Vega, XBLA

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

phattie @ Aug 15th 2007 8:04PM

Oh God.. there are TONS of free flash games online and if you are so inclined, emulators and FREE roms can be had. MS thinks the PC is a closed proprietary system where people pay $180 for 120gb HDDs and $100 for WiFi dongles.

rokubungi @ Aug 15th 2007 8:09PM

exactly what phattie said plus on the pay side of things there's that whole gametap thing.

Alex @ Aug 15th 2007 8:51PM

A better first post there never was!

colin @ Aug 15th 2007 9:11PM

microsoft is turning into ... apple

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 16th 2007 12:21AM

1. Emulators and free ROMs are copyright infringement.
2. Copyright infringement is piracy.
3. Pirates wore eye patches.
4. Eye patches give night vision.
5. Profit
6. Pirates wore eye patches for night vision.

Blue_Falcon @ Aug 15th 2007 8:19PM

I'll only be interested in the Live Arcade for PC if it allows me to play the XBLA games I've already paid for, and give me another way to access these games. No re-buying. No 'starting over.' (since I'd rather not start from the beginning in certain games).

But seeing how it'll launch with 20 games and knowing that XBLA has 80 games as of today, I doubt it'll be the case.

So I'll probably pass on this.

Shawn @ Aug 15th 2007 8:36PM

Between Gametap and STEAM, MS is doomed with a capital D.

Chris @ Aug 15th 2007 8:38PM

40% ouch that hurts, your better off sticking it on steam.

Staggs @ Aug 15th 2007 8:42PM

And now watch as thousands of people are sued by Microsoft for posting updated flash versions of Bejeweled on Newgrounds.

ismeokcrack @ Aug 15th 2007 8:45PM

I'm glad to see this XNA hububb is working out so well for MS. Honestly though, as many people have pointed out, when there's any number of open source, free games on a system like the PC, both legal and illegal, with a backlog of literally thousands upon thousands of games ranging from the extremely casual (and who doesn't enjoy minesweeper once in a while?) to the hardcore, this isn't a system that's desperately craving games and or content delivery system - Valve beat them to the punch on that one.

This service would probably work on the Mac though... I mean the poor bastards have what, WOW to keep them entertained? Bahahaha, I kid, I'm sure they also have their own version of minesweeper only it's hidden under 10 layers of gloss.

Iced_Eagle @ Aug 15th 2007 9:12PM

Hopefully they could release this along with a stand-alone GFW client!

Also, as mentioned, I sure as hell hope I get to keep the games I already paid for. I mean, we already gave the developers our money, why give it to them twice for the same product?

Dave Silva @ Aug 15th 2007 9:15PM

Steam, Microsoft style? No thank you.

Banana Kid @ Aug 16th 2007 12:08AM

Here's my question: will I have to buy all my games again? For instance, I already own Uno, but I want to play it on my PC, because Uno's awesome. Will I have to spend another five bucks, or will it know that I own Uno on the 360 and just let me download it on whatever?

If it turns out like Geometry Wars on the PC and makes me spend more money, no deal.

aaron @ Aug 16th 2007 12:48AM

sure seems to be a idiotic way to do this.... dont know why they just dont standardize the code between pc and 360 that way there would be no need for a "games for windows" and "xbox 360". The whole arcade should launch on day 1 (as should the video marketplace).

MS has a long term plan here imo and they sure are making alot of little crappy incremental steps to get there.

Big Al @ Aug 16th 2007 3:13AM

In my mind this is genius.

The XBLA has been a massive hit on the 360, and casual games seems like a real big growth area in gaming right now. By adding PC to the target audience, there is even more reason for developers to jump on the band wagon.

Sure you can get free flash games on a PC, but i'll happily pay a couple of quid for a game from a talented developer, and knowing i can choose between playing on PC, or 360 makes it even more attractive!

Steam, Gametap, etc are good alternatives, but they dont offer the larger userbase of the 360, so Vegas offers a much better opportunity for developers!

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 16th 2007 9:19AM

Oh when Nintendo goes with casual games it's horrible for the industry. But when Microsoft does it and in worse ways it's a good thing.

Staggs @ Aug 16th 2007 2:11PM

I think that's because MS still works hard to keep the hardcore audience pleased. Nintendo, despite what Reggie and Friends say, has all but abandoned the hardcore gamer. It hurt me more to say that than it will hurt you to read it. Trust me.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 16th 2007 5:49PM

What was that? Whisper in the wind I guess.

razer @ Aug 16th 2007 3:07PM

Why doesn't MS just release a PC card called 360PC and get it over with! Everytime I tell a friend "hey you should get a 360" they laugh and say why when I can do it all on my PC.

Unique experiences sell consoles, Sony and Nintendo have it right.. MS have it wrong and are in it for the quick buck (or desperate to get out of that huge hole). PC gamers are going to laugh their ass off at this and once their games start getting pirated and people develope cheats for all them it will die a sudden death.. MS wants to control it all and have people game the way they see it (and pay them for it), that might work on consoles but for PC's you are going to get laughed out of the room.