Games for Windows Marketplace – PC Store

Microsoft, best known as a Technical software development company, is doing more to expand into other areas of software gaming development and support. Following the lead of other software manufacturers, Microsoft announced the Games for Windows Marketplace, a new online PC games store. It combines the power of Games on Demand online distribution with the convenience of the Web. It is set for launch on Nov. 15, the Games for Windows Marketplace will launch with a managed portfolio of 100 titles.

The launch list includes games such as  “Grand Theft Auto III” (Rockstar Games Inc.) and “Fable: The Lost Chapters” (Microsoft Game Studios). Other titles will come from some of the industry’s biggest developers, such as 2K Games, Capcom Entertainment Inc., and Square Enix Co. Ltd. Besides the retail games, the portfolio will bring new independent titles to the forefront hoping to grow the store with many of the best games in the industry.

Some of the titles include “Lego Universe”  from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and “CarneyVale”  by Microsoft Game Studios. These titles will hit the Games for Windows Marketplace and retail stores at the same time and date. Other games such as “Dead Rising 2” and “Lost Planet 2”, both from Capcom; and “Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition” (Square Enix) and “Max Payne” (Rockstar) are also set to be a part of the store.

Games for Windows Marketplace will also be the place to find games from Microsoft Game Studios, such as “Halo” ,“Flight Simulator,” “Zoo Tycoon,” and “Gears of War,” as well as the well-known games “Fable III,” “Microsoft Flight” and“Age of Empires Online.”

Who can access Windows MarketPlace?

Using the new marketplace is available to anyone with a Windows Live ID; this includes Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows – LIVE, or a Zune account). Users with those credentials can login and immediately start shopping in the Games for Windows Marketplace. The new store also supports Microsoft Points (as well as credit card purchasing), allowing the more than 25 million users of Xbox LIVE, Zune Marketplace and Games for Windows — LIVE to use their Microsoft Points balance seamlessly across platforms.