[NEONKNIGHT]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=156373

NIMBY?
Vista has also courted controversy among PC gaming enthusiasts due to its symbiotic relationship with the Xbox 360, which allows owners of the two platforms to challenge each other in head-to-head online confrontations via Windows Live Anywhere. In a move that may or may not further exacerbate the console wars, this is the first time such integration has been attempted. "Live Anywhere will connect you to your games, your friends, your entertainment, anytime, anywhere," promises Rich Wickham.

Indeed, Windows Live Anywhere has multiple uses. Not only are you be able to find your friends online via a constantly updated list - making communication easier and more intuitive than ever before - you're also able to access music videos and movie trailers in the same way that you would via an Xbox 360.



PC-BOX 360
The argument about whose gaming machine is superior will soon be at an end thanks to Microsoft's push to integrate Vista and Xbox 360 games. The new operating system will allow you to jump online and play games against 360 owners, and converse using voice communicating and text messaging.

One of the first games to incorporate this feature will be Shadowrun, the FPS based on the much-loved RPG franchise that failed to ignite much enthusiasm at this year's E3. Still, you and up to 15 other PC or Xbox 360 players will be able to battle for supremacy in online swords-and-sorcery battles.

Perhaps the most pertinent question in all of this is whether or not PC users will have an unfair advantage, due to the superior movement control offered by a mouse/keyboard set-up.

"The development team is working constantly to balance the experience of playing with a controller on either Xbox 360 or Windows, versus playing with mouse and keyboard," promises Microsoft's Rich Wickham. "We believe gamers will be very happy with the results, as well as with the opportunity to battle it out with their friends across platforms and mouse/keyboard versus controller." Call us cynics, but we'll believe it when we see it.