Microsoft to reboot its PC gaming platform

Microsoft is getting ready to launch another major revamp in its Games For Windows program for PC gaming.

Peter Orullian, who previously worked on digital distribution planning for Xbox Live, is heading up the overhaul. He told us that Microsoft has worked to reduce the number of steps to purchase in response to user feedback, and confirmed that the store will accept both Live points and, for the first time, credit and debit card transactions. Users will be able to sign-in to the service using any Live ID, including their Xbox Live account.

The store is set to compete with Steam and, according to Orullian, websites like Amazon, and will launch with 100 games. Initial features will include developer pages, which will include RSS feeds for the studio’s and gather all of that company’s output in one location. DLC will be displayed within individual game pages, as part of Microsoft’s intention to streamline the user experience.

Microsoft will support all third part developers by helping them to target consumers through a rating system, pre-order incentives and other promotions. No information regarding DRM or the pricing structure for games has been revealed.

“With Games for Windows Marketplace, we set out to create a digital store built for PC gamers end-to-end,” says Microsoft senior global director of PC and mobile gaming, Kevin Unangst. “And by integrating with our existing Xbox LIVE and Windows Live services, we’ve made it easier than ever for millions of gamers to see for themselves how easy buying PC games can be.”

[Source]