Games for Windows -- LIVE Beta
You may have heard that we’re about to start beta testing Games for Windows – LIVE. It’s true. A beta test for North America is coming soon. And now I’m here to answer some of your questions.
First of all, you can sign up here:
CLICK ME!!
What is this beta test? Well, in a nutshell, it’s an application called “Bug Bash” that lets users compete with other players to click on bugs to bash them. Pretty simple, really. The cool part is that you will be able to pull up the Games for Windows – LIVE guide and be connected to LIVE while you are running the application. You can send text messages, voice chat with your friends across Windows and Xbox 360, send friend requests, and participate in all the social goodness that you know and love about Xbox LIVE. But this is a beta test, and there’s work involved. If you’re accepted into the test, you’ll be asked to load up the application and run through a series of activities (bashing bugs, pinging your friends, etc) at times you sign up for. The good news is that you’ll have an opportunity to enter drawings for prizes. And who doesn’t love prizes?
Something to remember: this is a beta test of the SERVICE, not any particular GAME. The Bug Bash application will never be a shipping game, it’s merely something to do so that you can connect to LIVE and utilize the LIVE service. That’s it. It will never be a retail product. And it’s pretty simplistic. The focus is on the service, not the game.
When will the beta test start? There are a lot of moving parts, so we can’t give you a specific time. Needless to say, if you sign up to participate, you’ll get an Email letting you know when it’s available.
Is the beta test North America only? Yes. While we want to get as many people trying this as we can, we’re spending more time focusing on testing the service, and rolling it out across the world is a lot more difficult than just clicking a few buttons on the back-end. Games for Windows – Live WILL come out around the world, but this beta test is limited to North American users.
I signed up! Am I guaranteed to get in to the beta? No – we’re looking to test a service, and as such we’re looking for participants that meet certain criteria we want to test. We want to make sure that when this service launches on Windows, it’s the best it can be. That’s why we’re doing the test in the first place.
I’m sure there are more questions, but realistically there's not much more we can say at this point. In the meantime, go sign up!
Source
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Games for Windows - Live beta announcement and invitation!
Are you interested in being part of a select group that is invited to help beta test a new service that lets PC game players connect with their friends on the Xbox through the LIVE gaming network? If you are, please read on.
The registration period for this upcoming beta testing opportunity will only be available for a limited time. To be considered you will need to complete the Games for Windows - Live Beta application survey. Please only submit the survey once. Multiple entries will not improve your chances at being chosen.
To fill out the survey: (GO
HERE FIRST)
1. Click here to access the survey (available from link only) If you experience issues accessing the survey and you are using IE, please close your browser windows and clear out your cookie cache then try accessing the survey again.
2. You will be prompted to login with your Windows Live ID if you haven’t already done so. If you have registered previously on Connect, you will skip to step 5 if you login with the same Windows Live you used to register previously.
3. If you have not previously completed the Connect registration form, you will be presented with the Terms of Use agreement, then you will navigate to the Connect registration page. You must agree to the Terms of Use agreement prior to registration.
4. Once you have completed the Connect registration page, you will navigate to the survey page.
5. You must complete all of the questions and submit the survey to be considered.
Those who are selected will be contacted with more details in the coming weeks. All eligible beta participants will be entered in a drawing(s) for prizes.
If you know of someone else who may be interested in participating please direct them to
https://connect.microsoft.com/site/s...spx?SiteID=363
If you have any questions please contact
gbetasup@microsoft.com.
Thanks!
Microsoft Game Studios Beta Team
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FYI -- I tried signing up with Firefox and got an error. I opened IE and was able to sign up with no problems. I recommend using IE if you are interested in signing up.
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