Widescreen Gaming Forum

MS Flight Simulator X is vert -, so I think we can be sure that good WS support is not a requirement for the "games for Windows" label.

As far as I know, widescreen support is part of what a game needs before it gets the "Games for Windows" label. At least this ensures some form of widescreen; a standard is better than nothing.

Games for Windows trailer on gamespot

irect download link (only for members, free membership)
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/middleearthonline/download_ini.html?sid=6158123&id=6158123&mode=gameplay

or on right side of the screen one of the videos
http://uk.gamespot.com/games.html?type=games&platform=5&letter=T&dlx_type=all&sortdir=desc&tag=browse;T

Czech gaming website games.tiscali.cz informed, that in order for game to achieve "Games For Windows" mark, it needs to have

-easier installation
-64bit compatibility
-widescreen option
-xBox360 gamepad compatibility
-Windows Vista functions compatibility (Games Explorer, Parental Controls etc)

I will try to find out more about it.

List of current and announced "Games for Windows":

Company of Heroes, LEGO Star Wars II, Hellgate: London, Rail Simulator, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs, Alan Wake, Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania, Flight Simulator X, Shadowrun, Halo 2.

update: Original Microsoft's new from X06 in Barcelona:

[i]Microsoft also provided attendees with an update on Games for Windows and announced several exciting new Games for Windows titles, including “Bioshockâ€Â

I didnt know there were any requirements for it, but its great that they need to support WS and a 360 gamepad. Both of which i have!

Personnally, i think its a good way to compete with consoles, they all have X-box/PS2/360/Gamcube labbeled over the top of their boxes, while PC games dont have any unifying label.

Some related information on Games for Windows:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4391

no word about widescreen in this report

MS Flight Simulator X is vert -, so I think we can be sure that good WS support is not a requirement for the "games for Windows" label.

Vert- can be ignored as a negative for flight sims fortunately, especially those with TrackIR support, since you can change the FOV at will, among other things. With FSX and Lock On, there's also 6DOF with the TrackIR so vert- seems more a concession to the fact it's easier in some form to spend more time on things like solid TrackIR support.

That said, for anything but flight simulators, anything less than native Hor+ widescreen support is disappointing. And I got a good chuckle out of seeing that Games for Windows on my copy of Company of Heroes. Nice that it supports Hor+ out of the box as well, although it's a shame that widescreen support isn't a stipulation for certification :(

Just another thing that microsoft has which could be really useful, but isn't functional yet.

So it is official:

Games for Windows mark can go only to such a game, that supports widescreen monitors.

official site http://www.windowsgaming.com/aboutGFW/gamesForWindows.aspx

IGN
http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749845p1.html

Games for Windows games need to include:

# Games Explorer support
# Parental controls
# Compatibility with the Xbox 360 controller (where applicable)
# Widescreen support
# 64-bit processor support
# Multi-core and multi-threading support
# Media Center support (Premium and Ultimate Vista packages ship with Media Center)

..just read that IGN article..

Hmmmz.. well, the first time i heard abt this "Games for Windows" label.. its to show its Windows Vista compatible... :oops: :roll:

Cheers 8)

Well then almost every EA Games aren't Games for Windows :lol: