Commentary: Microsoft has said that Windows Vista will herald in a new age of gaming on the PC. The company says it plans to resurrect the flailing platform. Is the PC even really flailing, and how much help does it need? More importantly, can Vist
As much as I'm sick of hearing about or writing about Vista (after years of coverage leading up to its way-delayed launch), it has been on my mind lately. Between meeting with Microsoft at CES and writing about Vista and game compatibility, not to mention the article I'm working on now (about Vista game performance), I'm starting to look forward to the day when it's just the default "Windows" we care about, and not a hot new replacement for what we all have.
Microsoft has made it clear that it views the PC as a major gaming platform, and a core user scenario for Vista. We have been reminded many times—in the press, in interviews, on Microsoft blogs—that the company plans to turn Windows into a gaming platform easily the equal of the Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo's latest. It all starts with the release of Vista and the Games for Windows program, right? It's no secret that PC gaming has faltered as consoles have become more popular. But can Vista save PC gaming? Does it need saving? Is Microsoft the one to do it? The answer to all of these is yes, but that doesn't mean that Vista will save PC gaming, or that Microsoft will do a good job in the attempt. Continued...
