Windows Live to boost 360 in Japan, says MS

Microsoft is hoping that Games for Windows - Live will have a positive knock-on effect for Xbox 360 in the Japanese market.

Reported by The Washington Post, the company is additionally hoping to boost the PC games market in the country.

"I believe the PC gaming market in Japan has been under-developed. We hope to revitalise that market in Japan, and that will in turn create momentum for Xbox 360", Takashi Sensui, general manager, Xbox division at Microsoft Japan, explained.

Games for Windows - Live launches in Japan on May 25 (May 8 in the US, May 18 in Europe). One of its key features is the introduction of cross-platform gaming between Xbox 360 and PC, but with this feature only available through paid-for subscription Microsoft is going have an uphill struggle persuading PC gamers of its worth.

Shadowrun is the first game out the door to support cross-platform and releases in June, with UNO following later in the year. But when are we going to see the real killer app that makes cross-platform irresistible?

via cvg