Windows Live Feature

[holmese]

Have read the Microsoft fact sheet that they put out about Flight, and have watched various Youtube videos of it, and I while it doesn't appear to be what I would want in it's present stage, I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and at least try it before I pass judgement. That said, however, there is one thing that worries me.....
The Windows for Games Live feature. - I know nothing about it. It looks as if you have to download some sort of software that interacts with your computer to allow you to use Flight, and then Flight runs while you are in the Windows for Games Live. Am never to keen to download this sort of stuff in case it 'stuffs up' other programs on my computer. Or acts as some sort of spyware. Perhaps I am getting a bit Paranoid here !! -
Anyway , my question is :-
Has anyone here any experience with the Windows for Games Live feature ? If so what is your reaction to it, and does it go in and alter things on your computer ? for the worst ? Affect your web browser ? Can it only be used while in Windows Explorer ? or can you use other web browsers ? Would you have to start it every time you wanted to use flight , and then use Flight through it, meaning if your internet connection is slow, the experience will be slow ? or will it be a one off just for downloading flight and expansion packs and then you don't have to use it while running Flight? Would be grateful if anyone can fill me in on what it really is, as I have never used it, and am hesitant to do so.
Thanks
Ted :-)

[ReggieF5421]

Flight will work in standalone mode with a computer disconnected from the internet according to everything I've seen from Microsoft.

I have used one other game which is like Flight - transitioned from a technical and complicated stand alone game with a multi-player interface to a simplier Windows Live game. In general, I only used Windows Live to play online. A much better on-line experience than any version of FS Multiplayer.

But (1) it was difficult to get away from the shoot-em-up kids - it could be done but took some work to figure out how, and (2) I could not find enough old farts with slow reaction times to play with, making it a not very enjoyable experience for me.

It did 'nothing' to my computer, other than a graphics heavy game normal FPS type issues.

However, we really don't know exactly how and what Flight will be. But, I'm not worried about the Windows Live on-line multiplayer aspect.

If anything, the dumbed down version of Flight will make it easier for my young grandchildren to learn the basics of flying and help them transition to the steep learning curve of FS2004/FSX.

[jomni]

Bad news... You need to download a game client. It's pretty much like Steam (www.steampowered.com).
http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-us/live/pages/livemarketplace.aspx
I think this enables multiplayer and allows you to purchase and download additional content.

[Jugador]

Has anyone here any experience with the Windows for Games Live feature ? If so what is your reaction to it, and does it go in and alter things on your computer ? for the worst ? Affect your web browser ? Can it only be used while in Windows Explorer ? or can you use other web browsers ? Would you have to start it every time you wanted to use flight , and then use Flight through it, meaning if your internet connection is slow, the experience will be slow ? or will it be a one off just for downloading flight and expansion packs and then you don't have to use it while running Flight? Would be grateful if anyone can fill me in on what it really is, as I have never used it, and am hesitant to do so.
Thanks
Ted :-)

I'm a bit of a gear-head, and I have Dirt 2 and 3 installed on my PC and they both require GFWL (Games for Windows Live). Dirt 2 wasn't too bad, I could play offline and didn't have to connect and authorize my game and all that good stuff. Dirt 3 was a little more of a hassle, and I never have got it to work right mainly because of GFWL. GFWL won't alter anything important on your PC or mess with your browser or anything like that. But, just hope an "always on" internet connection won't be required like some newer games are requiring now, because GFWL will "insist" you download updates to the game before it will start, and some updates can be 100's of mb's in size and will take hours on a slow connection. Unfortunately, it looks like GFWL, Steam and Origin are here to stay. :(

[loki]

Unfortunately, it looks like GFWL, Steam and Origin are here to stay.

I'm quite glad Steam is here to stay. There are almost 1500 games available on it (what store has that selection on the shelves?) and most have very reasonable DRM requirements. Other than downloading the games, Steam just needs to be able to connect to the server once in a while, but not constantly. Steam itself does not require an always-on internet connection, and it's the game developers and/or publishers that put this requirement in place. Origin seems to be going the right way, but it's still early to know for sure.

Microsoft appears to be missing the boat with the online Live and Marketplace features. They could have built a moderated Marketplace much like Apple has with their iOS App Store that is open to both commercial and freeware products, while still profiting from it. This would have exposed every Flight user to all of the available add-ons and increased the visibility of the developers beyond the dedicated fans. On top of this, they could build a better online experience with ideas from VATSIM and third parties (tracking careers, integrated VA support etc.). However, Microsoft seem to have got so caught up in completely and totally controlling everything, that they are alienating both users and developers.

[Jugador]

I'm quite glad Steam is here to stay.


That's cool if you like it. I guess I'm just from the old school that likes to take physical possession, and not ask for permission to use something I paid for. Heck, I don't even like calling MS and asking for an extra activation for FSX if I use my allotment of three. I'll say one thing for Steam, tho, you can get some dang good deals on games.

[loki]

and not ask for permission to use something I paid for. Heck, I don't even like calling MS and asking for an extra activation for FSX if I use my allotment of three.

This is why I like Steam. Most of the games don't require the type of activation Microsoft uses and can be installed multiple times, and on multiple machines. Heck, I have some games that can be installed on both my Mac and PCs. It would be great if there weren't any pirates, and thus no need for the DRM, but that is never going to happen. I'm all for developers protecting their IP, and I think Steam is the most reasonable balance between them and the users.

[Jugador]

I reinstalled my race game rFactor a few weeks ago probably for the 4th or 5th time since I bought it and thought how nice it is that I don't have to go online and sign in to some website and activate and authorize or plead for more activation keys. And, if I get tired of the game, I can sell it on Ebay (it's still fetching $25 used) and recoup some of my investment.

Btw, if you have a DVD copy of rFactor, hang on to it. I've seen new copies sell for $100. Also, if you have a DVD copy of Nascar 2003 Season, hang on to that. New copies are fetching close to $300 Nascar 2003 (http://www.ebay.com/ctg/NASCAR-Racing-2003-Season-PC-2003-/6478400?_dmpt=Video_Games_Games&_pcategid=139973&_pcatid=2&_refkw=nascar+2003&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A5841&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#).

That's another problem I have with Steam and digital download...no chance of recouping any of your investment.

[fxsttcb]

if you have a DVD copy of Nascar 2003 Season, hang on to that. New copies are fetching close to $300 Nascar 2003 (http://www.ebay.com/ctg/NASCAR-Racing-2003-Season-PC-2003-/6478400?_dmpt=Video_Games_Games&_pcategid=139973&_pcatid=2&_refkw=nascar+2003&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A5841&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#).Maybe you ought to buy all of these then! $98 new, $79 used! http://www.amazon.com/NASCAR-Racing-2003-Season-Pc/dp/B000077WA5/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1326920141&sr=1-1 I'll take a cut for a finders fee! :p ...Don

[Jugador]

Maybe you ought to buy all of these then! $98 new, $79 used! http://www.amazon.com/NASCAR-Racing-2003-Season-Pc/dp/B000077WA5/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1326920141&sr=1-1 I'll take a cut for a finders fee! :p ...Don

Wow, that's weird...one guy is asking about the same for a new one, as the guys selling used. Then you've got one guy asking about the same ($250) for a used one as the guy selling new. I'll definitely remember to check out Amazon the next time I think about buying something on Ebay.

[alaskancrab]

I love Steam myself but I'm not a big fan of their client pinging the servers twice a second. A little too excessive, who actually plays games in half second intervals?

[Jugador]

Yeah, I'd probably like it better if I had high speed internet. I live out in the boonies with satellite internet and a 250mb daily usage cap. So, downloading a 2 or 3 gigabyte game ain't gonna happen. I saw the new Deus Ex game on sale (download) for like $7 bucks a couple of weeks ago. With deals like that, I think even I could conform...:D