Last week, I registered for a XBox gamer tag. Largely I did it because my brother had just gotten a 360 and I wanted to check out what games he was playing, but it turns out that grabbing my name early was probably good, since Windows is about to be integrated into the whole system.
Microsoft Corp. Wednesday said its Live online service, which has attracted 6 million Xbox 360 console gamers, will be open in May to PC gamers who use its new Windows Vista operating system.
The move comes nearly a year after Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said the company's vision was for "anywhere" gaming that would link video game consoles, cell phones and computers, and is a key step toward reaching that goal.
The PC version of Live will debut on May 8 with the launch of the Windows Vista version of "Halo 2," Microsoft's popular alien shooter game.
In June, Microsoft Game Studios will release "Shadowrun," the first game where Live will support competition between players on the Xbox 360 and PCs.
Live members will need just one account, whether they play on the Xbox 360, the PC, or both machines.
Microsoft offers two Live subscription levels. Silver membership is free and the Gold level, which includes cross-platform play and other multiplayer features, costs about $50 per year.
Microsoft's online gaming service has been a key selling point for its Xbox 360 video game console, which was released in November 2005 and competes with Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s Wii for top billing in the $30 billion global video game market.
I've got no interest in registering for gold service, since I'm not into playing games online against friends, although I'll probably give it a shot once Wii's Gamespy service comes out.
This gives me another reason to upgrade to Vista, which means my reasons now number two. First, you need Vista to use DirectX10. Second, the Live service. Once there exists a third reason, I might consider an upgrade.