Namco Bandai is pleased to announced that Games for Windows Live users will soon be able to move their Dark Souls: Prepare to Die titles, game saves, as well as any unlocked achievements over to Steam! If you're a Dark Souls fan and want to be amongst thousands of gamers via the Steam platform, here's your chance to migrate over.
As Microsoft's Games for Windows Live service retired, many titles that utilized it have become dormant for online multiplayer. Thankfully many companies are still supporting their games and going back and retrofitting Steamworks (Steam) support into them. Capcom is the latest to do this with three of their titles.
Iron Brigade (formerly known as Trenched) won many Xbox 360 gamers' hearts with its retro sci-fi setting, unique combination of third-person shooting and tower defense, trademark Double Fine charm, and of course: 4-player online co-op. Last week, Double Fine surprised us all by announcing the impending arrival of a PC version. Now Iron Brigade is on Steam at last, complete with Games for Windows Live support for the Achievement lovers out there. Good news: the game is just as great on computer as it was on consoles.
Be honest with yourself, dear reader. Deep down, haven't you always wanted a pet elephant to ride around on? Maybe even stomp a puddle in your enemies with it, just for kicks? You can make all your loxodont dreams come true RIGHT NOW, by signing up for the Age of Empires Online beta. Just head to this website and register, and let the downloading begin. Age of Empires Online will be free to play, and includes a healthy dose of co-op quests for you to complete with your friends. Even if they choose not to ride into battle on war elephants.
There's a handful of deals this week for co-op gamers, especially if you are a fan of Tom Clancy games - which have always been a fan favorite. There's even a spiffy deal on the Games for Windows marketplace if you're looking to snag the upcoming Bulletstorm.
The MMO playing model has moved away from a lot of the pay-to-play aspect - that is to say, they’ve been largely moving away from the monthly subscription fee. Instead it looks like games like the upcoming Age of Empires Online will only cost money if you really want that premium experience. Players of a casual persuasion and the hardcore crowd will be able to play together to complete the games co-op quests in an MMO/RTS environment, all without restriction.
Microsoft have relaunched their Games for Windows Marketplace, taking the service away from a stand alone program into a browser based version of the online store. The new page not only allows you to browse the entire Games for Windows catalog to download on demand title, but the homepage showcases the latest deals and exclusives to the service. For instance, right now you can snag Borderlands for only $9.99 on the service.
The latest expansion for Dawn of War 2, which will be in Beta form early next year, has officially dropped the Games for Windows Live support in favor of Steamworks. Dawn of War II: Retribution will make use of the Steamworks community features such as matchmaking, achievements, guest passes and chat capabilities.
Left 4 Dead 2 highlights the digital deals this weekend, no doubt spurned by the recent DLC. A good deal for those of you that may have missed the original as well is a two pack of L4D and L4D2 for $33 bucks. Steam Left 4 Dead 2 - $20.09 (33% Off) Left 4 Dead 2 Four Pack - $60.29 (33% Off) Left 4 Dead + Left 4 Dead 2 - $33.49 (33% Off) Trine - $5 (75% Off) Good Old Games Descent + Descent 2 - $4.19 (50% Off) Descent 3 + Expansion - $4.19 (50% Off) Freespace + Expansion - $4.19 (50% Off) Freespace 2 - $4.19 (50% Off) Impulse THQ Ultimate Bundle - $99.99 (71% Off) [Includes multiple co-op titles] Games for Windows Resident Evil 5 - $24.99 (50% Off)
Microsoft has launched their Games for Windows On Demand service, and despite initially claiming 5 titles, it appears the service is offering 13 at launch. Of the co-op variety we have Resident Evil 5 and Kane and Lynch: Dead Men.
In the better late than never category comes news that Microsoft's Games for Windows Live service now will offer downloadable versions of LIVE Enabled titles on demand for the service. From the sound of it, as of now, only Games for Windows LIVE enabled titles will be available.
Along with the launch of Windows 7 last week, Microsoft launched another huge initiative - retail stores. Much like Apple does with their stores, Microsoft wants users to have a one stop shop for everything under the MS brand including PC and Xbox video games. In fact, you can actually bring your Xbox into one for service should you find yourself with one of those dreaded errors.
