Saturday, August 17, 2013

Microsoft closing up shop on Games for Windows Live, Zune Marketplace

Microsoft closing up shop on Games for Windows Live, Zune Marketplace

Microsoft closing up shop on Games for Windows Live, Zune Marketplace

We already know that Microsoft Points will be gone Aug. 22, but today we're finding out that a few other services will be joining its journey to oblivion.

Say Auf Wiedersehen to the Games for Windows Live Marketplace folks - you won't be able to purchase games from the market come Aug. 22 - though the client software will still be available.

Microsoft provided a support note stating, "Although the purchase functionality will be discontinued, the Games for Windows Live service will continu e to operate as usual."

This move comes right after Valve icon Jason Holtman joined the Redmond team, making it seem like Games for Windows Live might get a reboot, but apparently not.

It now looks like the former Valve member has bigger plans laid out for PC and killing the service is the first step in starting fresh.

Play a tiny violin for Zune too

The Zune Marketplace is also marching to the tune of a funeral dirge and will also be phased out on the day of death, or Aug. 22.

Microsoft is shifting its musical focus onto Xbox only, stating, "Zune Marketplace will no longer support rental and purchase. Xbox Music and Xbox Video are now Microsoft's music and video stores."

Customers with a Zune will still be able to stream unlimited music with an Xbox Music Pass, while videos can still be watched through Xbox Video on the Xbox 360 and will be available on the Xbox One, Windows Phone 8 devices and web browsers later this year.


     






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//PART 2