I know some of you have emailed and expressed interest in Microsoft’s Games for Windows.  Well, here’s a little something concerning the matter…

Microsoft and Leading Game Publishers Unveil First Wave of Games for Windows Titles

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy and Company of Heroes blast off on the Windows scene with the new Games for Windows packaging, branding and game features available only on the Windows platform.

Microsoft is excited to announce the recent release of the first game titles carrying the new Games for Windows branding bar and packaging, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy from LucasArts and the Windows exclusive, Company of Heroes from THQ.  Coinciding with the retail availability of both titles, gamers will easily be able to identify the Windows version with new branding and a familiar DVD-style package.

Microsoft’s commitment to Games for Windows will also deliver a new retail experience as additional Games for Windows titles appear on store shelves.  Consumers will begin to see the Games for Windows branding in over 7500 retail stores across the U.S. beginning in September as well as the new Official Games for Windows magazine published by Ziff Davis LucasArts and THQ, the first among leading game publishers, are using the Games for Windows branding bar after meeting a set of technical guidelines which will ensure consumers have a consistent, reliable gaming experience on Windows XP and Windows Vista. The guidelines include easier game installation, improved reliability, and support for key Windows Vista features such as the Games Explorer and Parental Controls.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (LucasArts) is the sequel to the best-selling LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game, combining the fun and endless customization ability of the LEGO play pattern with the epic story, characters and action from the revolutionary Star Wars.

Company of Heroes (THQ) is a World War II RTS from Relic Entertainment, the creators of game-of-the-year winners Homeworld and Dawn of War, that brings the cinematic intensity and dynamic battlefields of World War II to life through a truly visceral gaming experience.

These and other new game titles carrying the Games for Windows branding will support wide-screen gaming, can be launched from within Windows Media Center, will be compatible with 64 bit consumer versions of Windows and support the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows (for games which enable gamepads).