Xbox LIVE will be built into Windows 8

[Maniacal]

http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-reveals-xbox-live-will-be-built-into-windows-8/

Microsoft has revealed that its Xbox LIVE service will be built into PCs in the future.

Mike Delman, Microsoft’s vice president of global marketing in the interactive entertainment business unit, revealed the company’s plans in an interview this week. Speaking to The Seattle Times, Delman confirmed that Windows 8 will include Xbox LIVE integration:

Live has been successful on the Windows Phone. Live will be built into the PC. It will be the service where you get your entertainment. We were talking about it — you will not just see consoles and handhelds at this show next year, this show’s going to morph into other devices.

Delman also answered questions on how the service and content will be part of Windows 8:

There will be a lot of similarities in design and service philosophy. Whether it’s us or Apple or anybody else, people want to be able to navigate through multiple devices in a certain ecosystem very seamlessly so we’re committed to that.

Asked whether Xbox LIVE would be a cloud media service that works across Windows PCs as well as phones and Xbox, Delman confirmed that Xbox LIVE will be the “pervasive media service” across devices. He also revealed that the company’s Xbox LIVE and SkyDrive storage asssets will be unified and that the change will be good for Microsoft and “good for consumers.”

WinRumors revealed earlier this week that Microsoft is currently experimenting with Silverlight applications on Xbox and Windows 8. The company will reveal its true three screens and a cloud strategy at its BUILD developer conference in September. Xbox is clearly a very important part of the overall strategy and a strong consumer brand.

DAMMIT! Every "LIVE" application and software that microsoft has made that I have used I've hated. Bloated resource uses, rather "bubbly" icons and GUI (I prefer a clean, sharp look and I've happily used Trillian for MSN for several years because MSN messenger is so awful).

Maybe it could be really useful but I'm extremely doubtful. Despite its massive resources and thousands of employees, Microsoft continually keeps making bad software, Games for Windows LIVE is AWFUL and one of the worst things to be bundled along with games since Starforce imo. As it is I refuse to buy several games because of GFWL due to the sheer number of complains about how much of a hassle it is.

 

[GenMarshall]

Microsoft, can I has option to remove it like IE?

If this keeps up, I might have to return back to consoles in the future.

 

[PeteAtoms]

Quick side question regarding windows 8, from wikipedia:

It has been confirmed by Microsoft that PCs with mice and keyboards can also use Windows 8.

That statement seems really out of place in the article, and am I to assume that windows 8 is being designed for touch screens in mind? In a couple of other articles I've looked up, it seems that way.

I can't tell if X-box LIVE on windows will be a bigger problem, or if Windows8 itself will be an issue.

 

[Maniacal]

I don't think that is going to be an issue. They often make several different distributions of Windows.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

They can include it, doesn't mean we'll have to use it...

 

[The_J]

If i can't block it / get rid of it, then i'll just use Linux...:/.

 

[Maniacal]

If i can't block it / get rid of it, then i'll just use Linux...:/.

You probably won't have to use it. Just like Internet Explorer or Windows LIVE anything.

 

[PeteAtoms]

If i can't block it / get rid of it, then i'll just use Linux...:/.

The only reason I don't use Ubuntu (exclusively) is because my cheap webcam doesn't work on it, and for Steam.

To top it off, I expect I'll still be using XP when win8 rolls around I'll be skipping over 2 OS's.

 

[Maniacal]

Windows 7 is definitely better than XP. I'm just lazy and haven't upgraded to it yet myself.

 

[Skwink]

Quick side question regarding windows 8, from wikipedia:



That statement seems really out of place in the article, and am I to assume that windows 8 is being designed for touch screens in mind? In a couple of other articles I've looked up, it seems that way.

I can't tell if X-box LIVE on windows will be a bigger problem, or if Windows8 itself will be an issue.

That quote from the article is sad. They shouldn't have to confirm that a keyboard and mouse will work with windows 8. Keyboards and mice are essential to the computer.

Are they gonna make you pay to use Windows X-Box LIVE too?

 

[PeteAtoms]

Are they gonna make you pay to use Windows X-Box LIVE too?

Oooh, that's a good question. It's already lame they charge a monthly fee on the xbox, but there will be hell on earth if MS decides to apply that to their PC market.

 

[Maniacal]

They probably added the thing about keyboards because of people making a fuss about Windows 8 for tablets.

As for if they will charge, who knows. Probably only for gold features. I don't see that being very popular though.

 

[Skwink]

Well even if I had a PC, I'd stick to Steam.