Microsoft recently mentioned that the ill-fated download store, Games for Windows, would eventually be moved over to Xbox.com. Today, Microsoft has announced that the movie is officially complete. Users will now be redirected to xbox.com when visiting Games for Windows Marketplace.
Microsoft made this announcement via a blog post on the Windows Team Blog:
As of this week, the Games for Windows Marketplace has a new home on Xbox.com. When you now visit GamesForWindows.com you will be taken to Xbox.com. Now you can purchase and get details on your favorite Games for Windows and Xbox 360 games all in one place! Your Games For Windows and Xbox LIVE profiles are the same which allows people to take advantage of their LIVE profile in LIVE-enabled games they play on their Windows PC.
One can argue that pressure from other services have led Microsoft into merging the services together to make something unified and easy to use. Microsoft has been losing focus in selling and promoting PC games, compared to its Xbox line. Originally, the Games for Windows Live PC application was poor and contained very little of what gamers expected. Microsoft revamped the PC client and the online store in October 2010 and offered a larger selection of games.
This is not the first time we have heard about a service being merged with the Xbox brand. During an interview at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Microsoft revealed that it’s Xbox Live service will be integrated into Windows 8 as an entertainment service.
Microsoft is also working on a new Games Hub for Windows Phone that will provide users a cleaner and lighter design that emphasizes on the user’s game collection an a better integration with Xbox LIVE.
