The gaming content will be available once Windows 8 releases

The recently revealed “Xbox Games on Windows” appears to be rather confusing. “Xbox” in general has previously been exclusively reserved for Microsoft’s console gaming. The launch of Windows 8 next month will include related, but totally separate products on the PC, given the name “Xbox Games on Windows”.

Regardless of the name, users won’t simply be able to just insert an Xbox disc into their Pc and play it. On the contrary, Xbox Games on Windows branding won’t be used for retail copies of games at all, but only for downloadable games on the Windows 8 Store. But not all Xbox games will be available for download from the Xbox Store, as only a select few will be included in the service. Even if you own a downloadable game on your Xbox 360, you might not be able to access it on the PC version.

None of the existing Xbox Live features such as Achievements, friends lists, Avatars, leaderboards and in-game rewards will be available. However, it has been rumored that Microsoft are looking to include a sort of PlayStation-style “Cross Buying” to be part of the eventual plan.

On the whole, the “Xbox Games on Windows” service appears to be trying to stray away from the idea of Games for Windows Live. Instead, it seems like a direct effort to let certain developers work with Microsoft to easily and cleanly include popular Xbox Live features into PC games. With the confusing branding and limited selection of games, it’s unlikely that Windows 8 gaming will take off.
Do you think that “Xbox Games on Windows” will take off and become the new type of gaming to participate in? Will you buy into yet another one of Microsoft’s attempts to cash in on the Xbox’s commercial success?