Games for Windows requirements

[Goofonian]

I was just reading an article on Games for Windows over at joystiq and something really jumped out at me.

For a game to get the GfW branding, it must meet microsoft's requirements very similar to the requirements placed on xbox 360 games. Now this seems fair enough, but I noticed that one of these requirements was support of the xbox 360 controller. This strikes me as a little odd because compared to a keyboard and mouse, a controller can be enormously limiting and this requirement would be disastrous for many games. RTS games NEED a mouse and keyboard, and I would hate to think how cramped a game like WoW would feel without all the keyboard shortcuts.

What are everyones thoughts on this?

My hope is that microsoft will come to their senses and remove this particular requirement, the rest of the stuff (like parental controls and WinSAT) seems really good.

edit - I just noticed that it sounds like I'm saying keyboard and mouse won't be an option. Of course it will be, but my problem is that developers will have to waste time coming up with new control schemes and may end up simplifying the games to suit the 360 controller. Personally I don't think a few extra casual PC gamers is worth hamstringing the industry....

 

[Joe]

Well, it depends on how stringent the requirement is. What does "support" mean? If it means I need to be able to select a group of RTS units and make them attack, hold or patrol, I don't see that being exceptionally involved. That's basic mouse stuff.

 

[Blaxton]

I think its a really cool idea. I definately see the potential problems though. I think a nice idea would be to create classifications to decide what kind of support is required. We have game-types already that describe the type of game is played, and I think using those we can understand what games will, and will not, usually work well with a controller. The RTS, as already stated by other people, has a bad history when it comes to console-type controllers. Action games, however, have a tendency to do well on both pc and console platforms.

I don't know what kinds of support they would requite, perhaps in some cases the controller would be a glorified mouse. I just hope that I continue to have the option to use my keyboard and mouse. I really don't like console FPS games, but I love PC FPS games. Take away my mouse and keyboard and the genre will probably become dead to me altogether. I really doubt that would happen though.

 

[heavyfeul]

The requirement to support the 360 controller is an effort by MS to create a uniform controller scheme for games in Windows. Plus, ensure they take over the the PC control pad market. Right now the market is flooded with all different types of controllers and a mountain of configuration software. Having just one controller to program for will be a blessing for developers and actually same them some headaches. Furthermore, I do not think this will have any effect on the use of keyboard and mouse in games. That will still be the default control scheme for all games. What will happen though is that the MS 360 controller will be easily configurable in new games. So, for instance, if you wanted to use the controller to control vehicles in the latest Battlefield iteration, it will be easily accomplished through the game's interface, instead of some 3rd party software. I think this move is great. PC gaming could use some uniformity in some areas and this is one of those areas.

 

[Virgil]

Support of the controller doesn't necessarily mean that you could use the controller exclusively, but it does make me curious as to how it would work. For shooters, driving games, action titles, and the like, then the requirement seems reasonable. The requirement seems to be a bit stranger when it comes to strategy or simulation games. If I see an RTS or strategy game with the GFW moniker, I may pick it up out of curiosity.

Like LordCancer and heavyfuel said though, PC gaming could seriously use some standardization in the joystick/gamepad department, and I'm really happy that MS is taking the initiative here. Anecdotally, it took me over three hours to get a game installed, patched, and properly configured on my PC a few weeks ago, and I'm in the 'heavy gamer' category - a console game takes only the difficult step of getting it in the tray right side up. If the PC gaming experience could be even remotely as friendly as a console experience, it would be a long-awaited miracle.

 

[Goofonian]

If the PC gaming experience could be even remotely as friendly as a console experience, it would be a long-awaited miracle.

I think this is something we can all very much agree on. The concept behind GfW is a sound one, but I still think MS is potentially crossing the line with its controller requirement.

Generally when I play a PC game, I do so because it works best as a PC game. If I want to play something with a controller I will do it on a console, where I can sit comfortably on my couch and the screen is bigger.

Where this can all go wrong, as I mentioned in my first post, is if microsoft start to require that all games can be played 100% with the pad. Can you imagine the next flight simulator game if its been altered so that all the controls fit on the face buttons of the pad?!!?!

I guess it remains to be seen how this one will play out.

 

[heavyfeul]

it seem Microsofts Flight Simulator X bares the games for windows logo, can anyone confirm whether it support the xbox 360 controller or not and how well it works?

these stupid faqs im looking at merely say make sure its plugged in before starting, and i read a review with no mention of the controller support. i saw the logo on the box at the store and i checked the box from online shops it does have the game for windows moniker.

ive never played flight simulator before so i don't know how the interface works but i see no reason why the game couldn't be played with an xbox 360 controller, there are plenty of buttons on the 360 controller should be able to more then cover the basics.

I do not think support for the 360 controller is very good on the Microsoft end right now. AFAIK they haven't even released any configuration software in XP. Maybe in Vista, though. The only thing they have provided so far is Windows drivers. I don't think we will see good integration for a while. You can use the 360 controller for just about any game, but you will likely need some third party software to get the configuration you want (e.g. dead zones, sensitivity, trigger config.). I would hold off and post on a FS website to get a better idea. Right now support for the 360 controller in general is pretty sketchy at best.

 

[uk_john]

XBox 360 controller? Fiddling while Rome burns.......PC games sales down for second year. 2006 less PC games released than any previous year since PC gaming began. Peter Molyneux says a PC only game can no longer make a profit, Mark Rein blames lack of quality video cards in home PC's for Doom 3 selling half of what Doom did, says he believes that Half Life 2 only sold half of what the original Half Life sold. We have PC gamers moving to console and PC gamers moving back to older games (retro gaming) at higher and higher numbers due to the ever increasing demands of modern PC games (in 2007 we will need to have a PC that runs Vista, by the end of the year a DX10 card, and on and on). We have Sid Meier, Warren Spector and the Escapist concerned for the future of PC gaming or gaming overall, but PC gaming is the closest to oblivion (yes, I know the irony). Lastly, we have PC gaming put to the back of retail stores garnering smaller and smaller shelf space and in many general stores no PC games carried at all any more!

And the debate is about the XBox controller... Or how good Crysis is going to be.

It's very sad.....

 

[Ian Dorsch]

Speaking of RTS games, Comany of Heroes is GFW certified. Anyone own both that game and a 360 controller? I'm curious now.

Remember that only the wired controller works with a PC unless you get your hands on one of those newfangled wireless dongle thingies. The usb charger cable for the wireless is only for charging, not control.

 

[Bongo Bill]

What seems strange to me about PC gaming being in decline is that PC gaming is, and has always been, the best-suited to lead the charge in expanding the industry. Everyone has a PC these days, and while not everyone's PC can run Doomblivion 3: The Graphicking, it's gonna be capable of good-looking stuff. That means, theoretically, you don't need new hardware to play a PC game. Think back to Myst or You Don't Know Jack. Those games sold like hotcakes. What's stopping the industry from making similarly accessible yet meaty games today (Popcap and the like notwithstanding)?

Whatever it is, I hope that this brand serves as a way to correct this, rather than providing another avenue for moving still more ridiculously-graphics-intensive, intimidatingly-complex niche games and console ports.

 

[uk_john]

What seems strange to me about PC gaming being in decline is that PC gaming is, and has always been, the best-suited to lead the charge in expanding the industry. Everyone has a PC these days, and while not everyone's PC can run Doomblivion 3: The Graphicking, it's gonna be capable of good-looking stuff. That means, theoretically, you don't need new hardware to play a PC game. Think back to Myst or You Don't Know Jack. Those games sold like hotcakes. What's stopping the industry from making similarly accessible yet meaty games today (Popcap and the like notwithstanding)?

Whatever it is, I hope that this brand serves as a way to correct this, rather than providing another avenue for moving still more ridiculously-graphics-intensive, intimidatingly-complex niche games and console ports.

Just one example of how stupid the PC gaming industry is: Most kids don't get a console until they are 7 - 10, on average. Many home will have a PC in them. How comes we don't get fun educational software any more, like we did 10 years ago? Given there a 100 times the number of home PCs and you cannot use a console for spelling games, etc with no keyboard, why the heck isn't this a thriving market instead of an ignored one? This shows how wrong the development/distribution model is!

 

[Virgil]

Well, it looks like the official site [http://www.gamesforwindows.com/aboutGFW/gamesForWindows.aspx] answers the question for us.

The Games for Windows brand on games means four key things:

1) Quality. Games for Windows branded titles undergo extensive testing, and not just by the publisher. Microsoft also invests in quality checking each title to ensure they meet performance and reliability standards.

2) Compatibility. Games for Windows branded titles work on Windows XP and Windows Vista based PCs, including both 32 and 64 bit editions. Games for Windows titles that support controllers are also compatible with the Microsoft XBOX 360 controller for Windows, including the XBOX 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. They even support widescreen resolutions and more.

3) Safety features. You can be confident that any title carrying the Games for Windows brand will support the new parental controls and family settings features in Windows Vista.

4) Easy to Play. Games for Windows branded titles are easy to install, find and remove, especially in Windows Vista. Every Games for Windows title appears in the new Windows Vista Games Explorer (no more hunting around the start menu for that game you just installed). And Games for Windows branded titles all offer some form of ?easy install?, putting you in the game more quickly.

The important part seems to be that games that support a controller will always support the 360 controller. It actually doesn't say that the games must support one though, so I would guess that RTSs and other similar titles probably won't.