& Accessories We report on the hottest industry gaming news and take a look at all the latest releases hitting the shelves this month…
‘No one cares about Games for Windows Live’ – Mastertronic
But industry veteran welcomes a better service from Microsoft in the future By Matthew Jarvis
THE GAMES for Windows Live Marketplace died because it didn’t make a big enough impact on players, says Andy Payne, MD of Mastertronic. The Marketplace closed days after
Microsoft hired Jason Holtman, former chief of rival online gaming platform Steam. And it’s been rumoured that the entire Games for Windows Live network, including digital rights management (DRM) and online infrastructure, will shut down in July 2014. Payne, MD of game publisher
Mastertronic and chairman of games industry trade body UKIE, told PCR: “Games for Windows Live closed because no one cares about it. Its
“We would be interested if Games for Windows Live could return bigger and better. It would be good for content producers and
consumers.” Andy Payne, Mastertronic
closure makes no difference to us and the market. “Of course, we would be interested if
they could return bigger and better. It would be good for content producers and good for consumers.” The Microsoft Points payment system
for PC and Xbox 360 is also being retired, as Microsoft prepares to launch the Xbox One in November. However, Microsoft said in a
statement: “We believe in Windows/PC gaming and have long-term plans to grow our support. We expect there to be transitions as we build out new investments, but we remain committed to bringing first party gaming services and games to Windows for years to
Diablo III expansion leads wave of new PC games for 2014
Publishers announce raft of new titles and features at this year’s Gamescom By Dominic Sacco
A number of new PC games have been unveield at Gamescom 2013, giving PC game retailers something to look forward to next year. Several games were unveiled in
detail during the event show in Cologne, Germany, including Blizzard’s Diablo III: Reaper of Souls. This is the expansion to the PC’s fastest-selling game ever, Diablo III, which has sold more than 12 million copies since launching in May 2012. Reaper of Souls is due for boxed and digital release in 2014. EA also revealed more details of The Sims 4, the latest in its hugely
www.pcr-online.biz
popular series, and a trailer for RPG Dragon Age Inquisition – both of which arrive in 2014. Those who pre- order The Sims 4 early will receive a Limited Edition which comes with Life of the Party digital content, while a Collector’s Edition features an interactive Plumbob statue, creator’s guide book, Up All Night content and a digital soundtrack. Ubisoft unveiled Panzer General
Online – a free-to-play turn-based online strategy war game for browsers, plus the publisher confirmed that upcoming PS4 and Xbox One tactical shooter
Tom Clancy’s The Division will also arrive on PC. Sony was also active at Gamescom, with several PS4 announcements. In the PC world however, it showed off EverQuest Next in detail, a free-to-play follow-up to its classic online RPG EverQuest. Bethesda confirmed that its upcoming online MMO, Elder Scrolls Online, will feature a paid-for monthly subscription for players when it launches next year. Gamers will have to buy the game as normal before paying £8.99 per month to access it; the first 30 days will be free.
September PCR 51
come. We will share more details in the future.” There are plenty of other online gaming download platforms available including publishers’ own services (like EA’s Origin) and the ever-popular Steam. “Steam doesn’t have a monopoly,”
added Payne. “It’s the most prominent distributor for sure, but I don’t think it has a monopoly at all. Sites like Good Old Games, GamersGate and Green Man Gaming are doing really well.”
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