Games for Windows a "legitimate progression", says id Software

Veteran developer id Software believes that Microsoft's Games for Windows campaign will play an important role in protecting PC developers against piracy and ensuring a better experience for the end user.

"Some people say it's a little too Big-Brotherish, but it's a legitimate progression of making the PC feel more - not like a console, but like a closed system," id's lead designer Tim Willits told GamesIndustry.biz in an exclusive interview published today.

"For us, if there's a way to link a Live account into your security for your game in a nice closed system, it would help reduce the piracy, which kills us, and is killing the industry. At least Microsoft is doing something, and I think that they're in a position to do it."

Developers will also benefit from a console-style certification scheme, strong integration with Windows Vista and ESRB ratings, Willits said.

Some gamers have complained that Games for Windows asks rather more than it offers, given that it requires Windows Vista and a yearly subscription to link in with Xbox Live services and play multiplayer games online - although PC gamers are used to playing online for free in many cases.

But Willits believes that it's necessary. "I believe it will help us in the future," he told GI.biz. "The whole system's young and Microsoft's made some mistakes, but they're fixing it."

"As we move forward, if it can help prevent piracy, if it can help people connect together, if it can help things be more uniform, so when end users buy any PC game they know how to connect, they know how to search for games - I do think it will help the games industry, and it's just the way things are going to need to move."

For more from Willits and id CEO Todd Hollenshead, read today's id Software interview.