The best-selling Xbox 360 title of 2006 is coming to both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Microsoft announced at E3 Media & Business Summit (E3) in Santa Monica the expansion of the Games for Windows initiative. In this context, the Redmond company will make available Gears of War on not only Windows Vista but also Windows XP. Another so far exclusive Xbox game, Viva Piñata, will also be transitioned to the two Windows platforms. Both Gears of War and Viva Piñata in such scenarios represent a shift from Microsoft's strategy with Halo 2 for example to deliver Windows Vista exclusive games.

"Windows gaming is set to see one of its best years ever," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "With an incredible range of phenomenal titles, amazing hardware and the rapid adoption of Windows Vista, Windows gamers will remember holiday 2007 as a landmark year for PC gaming."

"Microsoft Game Studios is set to bring the critically acclaimed Gears of War and Viva Piñata to the Windows platform, both of which will support Games for Windows - LIVE. Gears of War will emerge on Windows XP-based and Windows Vista-based PCs this holiday with five new campaign chapters, a new multiplayer mode and a new game editor that will unleash the creativity of Gears of War players - only available for Windows," Microsoft revealed in a press release.

Although it will be delivered on Windows XP, Gears of War will also be optimized for DirectX 10 technology and the unique graphics architecture of Windows Vista. According to statistics from Market Share by Net Applications, Windows XP accounts for a share of 81.94% of the operating system market with Windows Vista already up to 4.52%, after almost six months of availability. For Microsoft, this translates into a potential 200 million gaming community worldwide on the Windows platform, out of which 10 million is using Windows Vista.