Topic: Shadowrun MP = Pay for Cross-play (X360 vs. PC), Free for PC'ers vs. PC'ers

[MysterD]

Shadownrun MP for PC gamers vs. PC gamers will be Free, but it will pay-for-play for PC vs. X360 matches

When we spoke with PR Manager Michael Wolf about Games for Windows Live, he was sparse in details regarding a Games for Windows Live Gold account. "All I can say now is that we're working to make a Gold membership worthwhile even if you're only connecting to Live from Windows Vista," he said.

It seems Microsoft has revealed one of those incentives in the form of cross-platform multiplayer. Text shown at the end of the latest Shadowrun trailer notes that "cross platform play requires Xbox LIVE Gold ... or Games for Windows -- LIVE Gold account (on Windows)."

We're betting that PC vs. PC multiplayer will still be free, as it has been historically. However, we're hoping that Microsoft has some more ingenious plans for GFW Live Gold. Paying a monthly premium just to settle the keyboard vs. gamepad debate does not sit well. How about a GDC announcement to soothe our nerves?

[scottws]

Um yeah I would never consider paying for such a thing.  It's one thing to pay to play online at all (as on the Xbox 360), it's completely another to pay to play cross platform.

Why would you even want to do that?

[idolminds]

Looks like cross platform play will be nothing more than a novelty then.

[gpw11]

The only way I could see anyone justifying it would be if they wanted to pay to ensure that there will still be full servers in 6 months.  Apart from that, I have no idea why you would want to.

[Quemaqua]

Stupid.

[idolminds]

No split screen play for 360, either. And as far as I know, there is no singleplayer.

[scottws]

Wow it just gets better and better.

[Ghandi]

This just doesn't make any sense to me. Whats the advantage of doing this? gpw's theory is the only one that makes sense, and yet it still makes the concept retarded.