Microsoft: Expect much more XBL content

Thursday 7th August 2008 - 15:00

Microsoft Exec promises to invest heavily in European online content, GTA IV confirmed for PC and Infinite Undiscovery Xbox 360 screens

Microsoft Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Live, David Gosen (of ex-Nintendo fame) has gone on record to underline the company's commitment to delivering a content-rich online experience for European Xbox Live players.

"We're going to focus on Live in Europe and we need to make sure that the content we offer is really strong," said Gosen in a key-note address at the Gamerfest conference in London.

"We've got a good amount of content on the video Marketplace for UK, France and Germany but we're going to be working very closely with local studios in the European markets to bring more and more content to Live. We've already announced a deal with German studio Constantine to release films for that market - and we'll be doing more and more of those types of deals for that kind of content. And I think you will also see more activity from an Xbox Live Arcade perspective - plus, as I've said, premium downloadable content," he added.

We're not sure what he entirely means by premium downloadable content - apart from the obvious issue of us gamers having to pay for it. Perhaps he was referring to digital distribution - the method of gamers purchasing games without the need for any physical product - in a similar style to legal MP3 downloads. Gosen certainly seems to think the business is heading that way. "There's no question digital will overtake physical. It happened in music and will happen to our industry."

Meanwhile, news that many PC gamers must be holding out for has finally been announced. GTA IV is coming to the PC - and it's coming on November 21. "We are very excited to be releasing the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "The whole team is dedicated to bringing an amazing gaming experience to the PC. The game looks and plays beautifully on PC and we can't wait for people to play it." With rumours of an expanded multilayer mode exclusive to the PC version, we can't wait to try it either!