A leaked document from Microsoft has described how the company should answer those who are questioning if the company is losing faith in Games for Windows and PC Gaming as a whole.
According to what appears to be an internal briefing document from Microsoft, obtained by Kotaku, it is suggested that spokespeople insist that the company is still backing the PC, despite its increased focus on the Xbox.
"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," says the suggested answer.
"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."
Outspoken criticism
There has been outspoken criticism of Microsoft's seeming lack of interest in the PC – still one of the key gaming platforms despite years of rivalry from consoles – with PC Gamer editor Tim Edwards recently calling the company's attitude at recent gaming show E3 'shameful'
"PC games were everywhere at E3: there was barely anything that wasn't playable on PC; the PC had the best format exclusives at the show: games like Civilization 5, The Old Republic, and The Witcher 2," wrote Edwards on PCGamer.com, which like TechRadar is part of Future Publishing.
"And the PC had the best looking games at the show. Nothing will close to Crysis 2 running on a high-end system this year.
"Yet Microsoft just didn't seem to care. That to me, as a journalist and gamer, seems shameful."
The answer that Microsoft have given over several briefings given to TechRadar over the past year have been remarkably similar in content to the suggested answer in the briefing document.
But, with PC gamers beginning to lose faith in what should be a dominant figure in the platform, the company may find that it is action, rather than words, that actually hands back a little faith.
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
porridgebear
June 22nd 2010
3. who's that company that writes that game platform thing called DirectX that all PC games use? something starting with M I'm sure. curious.
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grizzlybizzle
June 22nd 2010
2. Psyfur, that's rubbish. Sure it costs you that much if you're obsessed with getting the maximum amount of juice out of your setup, but I am playing most new games on high settings with a 3-year-old 8800 Ultra card and an even older, but perfectly fast, dual core CPU.
I probably spend an average of £200 a year upgrading my PC, which is probably more overall than I spend on consoles, but is worth it for the hike in quality and cheaper games. And don't forget my PC is also a web browser, music recording rig, photo editor, etc etc.
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psyfur
June 22nd 2010
1. I love pc gaming but it's the cost of entry year on year that stifles the industry. A £1000 rig will last you what, 1.5 years for playing pc games at high settings. Perhaps it would more sensible to invest in BP for a better return on your money
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