In an internal Q&A document Kotaku has dug up, Microsoft admits that it has forgotten the PC lately. Windows as a gaming platform has been gliding along without the support of the OS’ creator.
According to Microsoft, Fable III is the start of a brand-new day. The newest title in the Fable franchise will be launching simultaneously on Xbox 360 and PC. This is part of a renewed effort to bring more first-party content to the Windows environment.
The question in the document acknowledges Microsoft’s previous failures: “Does Fable III on Windows signal a larger reinvestment by Microsoft in PC gaming? How is this different from the previous times you've announced a reinvestment in PC gaming and not quite come through with a robust offering?”
Unfortunately, the answer is formatted from a marketing perspective, so the hope is dimmed a bit.
“In terms of revenue, Windows is far and away the largest gaming platform in the world, so it's an incredibly important part of Microsoft's business. From core games like Fable III to casual, social and Facebook titles, more gaming happens on Windows than anywhere else. Windows 7 is a world-class gaming platform, and you can bet Microsoft has a vested interest in using it as a platform for amazing first party content. Fable III on Windows as well as Xbox 360 this holiday is a great first step, and we'll have more news for you later this summer.”
Perhaps Microsoft will learn their lesson this go around? Only time will tell.
4 Comments
June 23, 2010
I'll believe it when I see it. We've heard this promise from MS countless times. If they stop with the x360 exclusives and follow through with more AAA titles for the PC I'll be very pleased. They could also go back and release Fable 2 for PC...
June 23, 2010
We've all heard this before... Certainly hope it's true this time, but I'm skeptical based on history.
June 23, 2010
Their first party exclusives actually make them more money on Xbox 360, since they don't have to pay licensing fees to themselves and Xbox 360 games typically retail for $10 more than PC titles. So they're incentivized more to prop up the Xbox 360. Also, unless they announce they're also bringing Halo: Reach, Crackdown 2, Gears of War 3 or Alan Wake to the PC, this feels like a token gesture.
June 23, 2010
They said this with Windows Vista.
Also "Games for Windows Live" is a long dead idea anyway. Any PC gamer worth his/her salt uses Steam. For everything. Which is why PC gamers get so upset everytime an analyst says PC gaming is dying, because Steam's transactions are not accounted for.