This is one of those overdue moves that will be misunderstood by many (hence the deliberately misleading headline above). But it boils down to this. Today, Microsoft offers an online service for Xbox 360 gamers called Xbox LIVE. It also offers an online service for Windows Phone-based gamers called Xbox LIVE. And it offers an online service for Windows-based gamers called, yep, you guessed it ... Games for Windows LIVE. Wait, what?
So these "three" things are obviously just the same thing, with the Windows version having a different name for some reason. So Microsoft is simply rebranding the Windows service, and its associated online store, so that it matches what's available on Xbox 360 and Windows Phone. And this isn't surprising because we knew already that Microsoft was consolidating its entertainment offerings around the Xbox brand, and bringing those products and services to Windows.
Anyway. If you visit the Games for Windows web site, you'll see the following graphic:
Don't get too excited by that more info button, as there's not much there yet. Just the following note:
"Games for Windows Marketplace is coming to Xbox.com! Games for Windows Marketplace will fully transition over to Xbox.com. Now you can get all of your gaming needs in one place. It's convenient, it's concentrated, and it’s a whole lot of great games."
I'd add that it's overdue, too. This makes plenty of sense.
