Windows 8 to restrict desktop customisation?
One of the very few choices we have left in this world is the ability to put a picture of family, friends or favourite frags on our desktop backgrounds, but even that facsimile of free will is being withdrawn. According to an interview over at our sister site TechRadar, customisation of Windows 8′s new Metro interface will be limited to decisions about the solid colour background.
Will Windows Store take on Steam?
Have you tried Windows 8 yet? According to Microsoft, over half a million people downloaded the developer build of the new operating system within 24 hours of it being released to the public at the start of the BUILD conference in Seattle this week.
You can get your copy of Windows 8 to try out here, although you should be warned that it’s not stable enough to use as an everyday OS just yet.
Xbox Live is coming to Windows 8
Gamespot report that Xbox Live will be incorporated into the next edition of Windows. Xbox Live’s director of programming Larry Hryb confirmed the announcement, saying “bringing Xbox LIVE to Windows 8 is part of our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy.” Hmmm.
Will Windows 8 be good for PC gaming?
Microsoft gave the world it’s first glimpse of Windows 8 last night, with on stage presentations of the new look operating system at both the D9 conference in California and Computex in Taiwan. First impressions are that it’s a big, bold and dramatic break from the past, with the biggest overhaul of the Windows desktop interface since it was introduced in 1995.
Designed for “touch first” screens and devices, the new UI closely resembles the one you’ll find on Windows Phone 7 and Zune music players. There’s no Start button, no window borders and no taskbar. Program launchers and live gadgets appear as a tiles in an irregular gridded layout, which can be manipulated using gestures to swipe across the screen, and the same gesture is used to move between running applications.
PC Gamer US Podcast #274: Hello Tyler. Goodbye Anthony.
This week, Head Intern [sic] Anthony assembles a team consisting of Lucas, Chris and PCG’s newest editor, Tyler Wilde (formerly of GamesRadar) to stop the Reapers and save the Galaxy. But first, they must discuss the topics of the week that was. Stories include Modern Warfare 3, League of Legends’ new Tribunal system, Age of Conan going free-to-play, the announcement of Ghost Recon Online, Windows 8 and Duke Nukem Forever finally going gold. We also do a round of Truthiness and Falsity, answer your questions and say our goodbyes to Anthony.
Windows 8 launch next year will start “a real new push into PC gaming” say Microsoft
In a speech in Tokyo, covered by Develop, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has announced that Windows 8 will be launched for PCs, tablets and smartphones next year, and has been designed with gaming in mind. According to a Techradar source, “Windows 8 will represent a real new push into PC gaming. Gaming will be a key component for the whole OS.”
Microsoft appear to have abandoned PC gaming in recent years. Even Sony had a stronger PC line-up than the software giant at last year’s E3. Things have shifted recently, however, with the announcement of a PC version of Fable 3, a revamped Games for Windows Marketplace, and recent work on the upcoming Age of Empires Online. If Microsoft are serious about returning to PC gaming, E3 2011 could represent quite a turnaround from last year’s conference. We’ll know for sure in LA in just a few weeks time.
Leaked Windows 8 app store shots show games focus
Just when you thought Microsoft had all but forgotten that PCs were anything more than a tool for designing Xbox games, some design sketches for Windows 8 are leaked and they’re full of pictures of the PC with love hearts on. More importantly, a casual gaming store.
