Windows Vista offers a dramatically improved gaming experience that continues the long trend of gaming innovation happening on Windows. Windows Vista includes enhancements that make it easier to access, play, and manage your computer games as well as experiencing next generation gaming graphics.
The enhancements include the Windows Vista Games Explorer, Parental Controls, DirectX® 10 graphics technology, and compatibility with Xbox 360 game controllers and accessories.
Anyone who plays games on their PC loves the nearly limitless choices for games compatible with Windows. But finding and launching those games hasn't been that easy. Some games install into the Start Menu. Other games put icons on the desktop. With Windows Vista, finding and playing the games you want is easier than ever before.
Easily find and access all your games
Games are a first class citizen in Windows Vista. The Games Explorer, right off the Start Menu in Windows Vista, provides a central launching pad for all games currently installed on your PC. Icons for each game provide easy access to the games and also display detailed information about the game, such as the game publisher and developer; when you last played; which version of the game you own; box cover art and the release date, genre, and rating for each game. Right-click on a game's icon for easy access to a menu of play tasks (which can be customized by the game developer for each game) and any online options, such as linking to the game's website.
You can also easily access any game related settings for your software or hardware directly from within the Games Explorer, using the Games Explorer toolbar, including accessing the player community for each game; get help, support, and important publisher updates; or easily add or remove games.
Of course, we haven’t forgotten about the games that included “in the box” with Windows. Windows Vista includes updated 3D versions of several classic games, including “Solitaire” and “Minesweeper.” In addition, Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate will introduce several brand-new games, such as “Mahjong Titans” and “Chess Titans.”
Family Safety and Parental controls
Windows Vista allows parents to set appropriate boundaries around what the gaming experience will be for their children. With Windows Vista Parental Controls, parents are in control of their children's gaming activities. You can create personal settings for each child, restricting their access to games according to:
• Game title
• Game rating, such as the ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) rating system in the US, or the PEGI (Pan European Games Information system in Europe)
• Category, and/or
• Type of content, regardless of the game's rating
For example, you may choose to allow “Cartoon Violence” while blocking “Intense Violence.” You can also decide which days and/or times you want to allow your children to play. You can even block specific games.
Parental Controls help ensure a safe and appropriate entertainment experience for everyone in your family.
Unmatched Library of Gaming Choices
One of the best things about Windows is the massive library of gaming choices. Windows Vista automatically detects when you install many of the most popular games of the last few years, and will automatically put the game icon in the Games Explorer, as well as download the title, rating, and box art. Windows Vista will automatically download this additional information for approximately 1500 pre-Windows Vista games, and the list is expanding. If you happen to install a game that Windows Vista doesn't automatically recognize, you can easily drag the game shortcut into the Games Explorer.
Next-Generation Gaming Graphics and Gaming Hardware
One of the most exciting developments in Windows Vista is the groundbreaking graphics technology. Windows Vista makes the gaming experience better in two ways; first, an improved graphics driver model delivers more stable and reliable gameplay. Second, many of the newest Windows games will take full advantage of the next-generation graphics technology in Windows Vista called DirectX® 10. DirectX® 10 will provide an incredibly detailed experience for gamers of every type. DirectX® 10 in Windows Vista delivers advanced graphics technology never before seen that will enable game creators to increase the game's level of realism, enhancing details and complexity in gaming worlds, apply effects like dynamic lighting and weather, and much more. While Windows Vista is fully compatible with games and hardware that use older versions of DirectX®, the new DirectX® 10 features are available with a DirectX® 10 compatible graphics card and games designed to take advantage of this new technology.
Windows Vista also includes native support for the XBOX 360 controller for Windows, giving you more gaming control choices than ever before. Simply plug in the XBOX 360 controller to your Windows Vista PC's USB connector, and you're ready to go. And Microsoft is also introducing new gaming accessories for Windows Vista, such as the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows. This lets you take your quality, wireless gaming experiences available for the XBOX 360 and experience them on Windows Vista, including the XBOX 360 wireless controller, wireless headset, and wireless racing wheel.
With more user- and family-friendly features, a huge catalog of games, new titles optimized specifically for Windows Vista, and more powerful graphics technology than ever before, Windows Vista will make gaming on the PC easier and more fun for everyone. To learn more, check out WindowsVista.com.