Microsoft has been working on a PC operating system replacement for Windows XP for the past five years, causing some to wonder if it was even possible to complete such a daunting and difficult task. But today, the reality has come true with the official launch of Microsoft’s Vista. While the first debut of Vista actually occurred in November for the business community, today is the official worldwide launch for the general computing audience.
For gamers, this means the addition of DirectX 10 to the package, which promises better performance and graphics. The first Vista games to be released will be Crysis, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, and Flight Simulator X. In addition, Vista will allow the use of Xbox 360 controllers on PC Vista games and connectivity to Xbox Live.
Microsoft will enact new standards for its "Games for Windows" listings, and game developers who want to be passed for this qualification must show that its titles are easy to install, compatible with Vista, allow the use of the Xbox 360 controller, and other parameters associated with multitasking and screen resolutions. Vista will be available for a cost of $100-$400, depending on which configuration is chosen.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, said in a statement to the Associated Press, "Developers need a richer platform if we’re going to get speech, voice, natural language, and more rich 3D-type graphics into the user interface. The operating system will need to evolve with them."
The new Vista OS will improve upon the user interface–which will be in 3D–a more powerful search engine, improved security, improved networking, and an overall increase in performance. Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft said, "When people think about their PC, they think about Windows even more than whom the manufacturer is. That determines how it looks, how you navigate, what the applications are that are available."
The ability to use Xbox 360 controllers on Vista PC games is an attempt by Microsoft to bridge the gap between two traditionally separated game communities — PC gamers and console gamers. The end result of will likely help Microsoft to reach a broader gaming audience and possibly increase game sales to both of these communities.
