http://www.metrowny.com/news-entertainment/archives/589-Windows_8_will_allow_for_Xbox_360_games_to_be_played_on_PCs.html

Teknylate.com and Insideris.com have reported that with the next versions of Microsoft’s PC operating system, Windows 8, will include the function to allow users to play Xbox 360 games on their PC’s.  Interesting, Games for Windows Marketplace, the previous PC game portal from Microsoft, was integrated into Xbox.com.  With rumors of the next Xbox system looming, how does this reflect Microsoft’s plan for gaming going forward?

Microsoft has not made an official statement about the feature yet.  From the two sources, the Xbox Live Dashboard or marketplace will be accessible through the PC.  Users should be able to download and play any content from the Xbox Live marketplace as well as read game discs with their PC to play them.

The service will still cost a subscription fee.  Whether existing Xbox Live members will need to pay extra to use the PC extension isn’t known.  Technical details are very scarce at this time.

So, let’s speculate on what this move could mean for the next Xbox (Xbox 720 if you wish).  My first suspicion is that backwards compatibility of 360 games in the next system may be a factor.  Microsoft may be considering dropping backwards compatibility of Xbox 360 games in the new system for the sake of technological restructuring.  Microsoft did start off the Xbox 360’s life with no backwards compatibility and no promise in the future.  Fast forward and you see Microsoft not only allowed original Xbox discs to be played in the system, but started hosting the best of the library as downloadable titles.

Perhaps, the next Xbox will forego BC for the early time-frame, so Microsoft is covering its back through this PC initiative.   Sony proved that you can even remove BC mid-way into your consoles life-span without killing your business.  Microsoft may be ready to take a bigger risk this time because of the competition’s success. 

Considering that Microsoft is primarily a PC oriented company, it would be no surprise if they are trying to merge their platform with their other PC products.  I’ve said before that one of the big video game companies may design their next system more like a gaming PC, rather than a dedicated gaming machine.  Microsoft is clearly trying to make Xbox an entertainment platform for music, movies, television, and gaming. 

Building Xbox game playing into their new OS (which is meant to be used on PC, tablet, and mobile) may be Microsoft’s way of getting around their lack of portable gaming presence.  Instead of participating in the handheld war between Nintendo DS and Sony PSP (3DS and soon-to-be Vita), Microsoft will target devices people already own. I’ve also stated before how LAN play is extremely desirable to Xbox fans, and PC fans are no different.  Now, you don’t need an Xbox Laptop, you just need Windows 8 on your current laptop; a much better option to the all consumers and Microsoft.   

What purpose will the next Xbox serve then?  It will play the games that most devices can’t play yet.  It will be the box under your TV.  The average consumer doesn’t upgrade their PC parts too often and the next Xbox is sure to have specs matching, if not exceeding high-end PCs of today (and I’m talking like today-today, not 3-months-from-now-today).  Most people don’t even know they can hook their PC up to a standard HDTV.  Surely, we’ll see Xbox 720 games become playable on PC someday, but not until those specs are standard.  Then again, your next PC could be the next Xbox.

Teknylate.com: Play Xbox360 games on PC - Windows 8 Insideris.com: More Xbox 360 Games on Windows 8 details

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That's... ...very interesting. I can't say that there are many games I want to play on the 360, but this woudl really make it interesting since it sounds like a developer can just make a game on the 360 and it will be playable on the PCs without extra work. That also means even shittier "multiplatform" games, and here I thought games couldn't possibly get any shittier.

Smart idea, but pretty complicated for devs, I'd think as every 360 game would have to have code that would no longer be maximized for a single configuration but open enough for the nearly infinite variables that exist in PC gaming.

However, I do like how MS is showing the Win8 will be almost he same thing across all product lines, PC, mobile, tablet, etc.

This is a great idea. It will essentially make all Win 8 PCs into Xbox platforms. Everyone who buys a Windows 8 computer will be able to buy Xbox games and play them without having to worry about compatibility issues. Sure they won't be as graphically spectacular as games made specifically for PC, but most people don't care about graphics and Xbox games look good enough anyway.

The only downside I can see is that some lazy developers will stop doing ports and just make Xbox games and figure PC gamers will just use the Windows 8 Xbox mode to play. Not that big of deal, but I'm sure PC elitist will throw a fit over it instead of enjoying all the games they couldn't play without buying an Xbox.

It's going to be tough for Sony to compete with the Xbox brand if even their own Vaio computers run Xbox games.

This probably means that the next Xbox will be even more PC like and will probably run on a special version of Win8.

I don't think that's it. It sounds like they jsut maximize it on the 360 and the PC can just play that due to emulatoin or whatever. I mean, even a 6 year odl PC can play 360 games at this point so most PCs in themid low range would still be able to benefit from it without any extra developer work. If the developer felt like actually making a  lower scalability, or higher for that matter, then that's up to them.

I quite doubt this rumor, for obvious reasons.

I personally hope it's not true, however if a new Xbox is coming out then I would think this holds a bit more water. Then again, let's face it, the Xbox division of Microsoft is just laughably worthless compared to windows/office and maybe this is their "hey go buy PCs again guys, and don't forget Windows 88 and Office!" type of deal.

Interesting.
Some moron on N4G posts some bullshit and it doesn't take long until another moron is found on another website that copies the same bullshit. Oh well, a keyboard is all it takes nowadays to be considered a "journalist"..

I've already connected my Dualshock 3 to my pc, so it would be interesting if I could play 360 games that I missed.
(not that I would pay for any of it)

Merging PC and XBox in a single platform is a smart idea. If true, I hope they provide the option play 360 games like halo, gears and fable using the keyboard and the mouse since I prefer this control skin.

I don't really see the point in this. It must be an emulation type deal. Developers making 720 games won't be happy if they suddenly have to develop for all kinds of screen sizes and resolution, different controllers, and different graphics cards. The game will still be optimized for one spec.

The pc needed to emulate this will need to be more powerful then the 720, and will probably be more expensive for the first few years.

And if you have a way more powerful pc you'll still be stuck with low res artwork, hud and ui.

Nor do I see the benefit for MS, they want you to have an xbox / media center in the living room. Not go back to the pc to play games.

Edit: Oh 360 games! bad reading comprehension :/ Hmm ok, should run on most pc's then but I still don't see the benefit. No bc on 720 then?

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