Windows XP Game Advisor Discussed

Thanks to GameSpy for their 'Biz Buzz' summary discussing the recent launch of Microsoft's web-based Windows XP Game Advisor. The Game Advisor site, "created in conjunction with Futuremark, the makers of the 3DMark 3D game benchmark utility, takes the user's answers to questions regarding age range and preferred game genre, then returns a list of recent games (along with gameplay information) that might interest the user." As for the motivation behind this service, a Microsoft spokesperson "...noted that it's not a profit center for Microsoft - it doesn't charge publishers to list their games in the Advisor database... [and] equates it to the company's DirectX API bundle, which doesn't get revenue from users nor publishers, but if, by regularly improving and enhancing and promoting it, another computer with Windows is sold, Microsoft then earns some revenue, albeit indirectly."

Comments

Requires XP

[Slider451]

Can't run it from my Windows 2000 Pro desktop. Also requires IE 5.5 or later.

Based on the site, I'd say it's good for casual (non-technical) gamers and parents looking for compatible games for their kids.

Can't see a serious gamer getting anything of value from it. Better to go to Gamespy or Gamespot.

Re:Requires XP

[bigman2003]

Hmm...I wonder if that is what they meant when they called it the Windows XP Game Advisor. That you needed XP.

I used it, and it was actually pretty cool. The best part was the 'will it run on my PC' feature.

A separate utility is downloaded (Futuremark) which 'analyzes' your computer. Then, when you click on the 'will it run on my pc' link next to a game, it will tell you what 'percentage' your computer is in comparison to the requirements. My computer was in the 500+% range for all of them.