Lately Microsoft seems to have been making all kinds of right moves when it comes to their software. Windows 7 is taking on the shine of a winner and programs that even a couple of years ago they would have charged for are being made available for free. Then we get this tidbit from Brad Wardell on the world of gaming and Microsoft’s Games for Windows Live certification program

“I started out as a big Games for Windows Live advocate. I intended for Elemental to be on Games for Windows Live, but then as we got closer, the Xbox group took it over more and more. And they have things where, oh, if you want to use Games for Windows Live to update your game, you have to go through [their] certification. And if you do it more than X number of times, you have to pay money. It’s like, “My friends, you can’t do that on the PC.” … If Games for Windows Live maintains that strategy and they take over, I’m done. I’m not making PC games. I would be done.”

Source: Shacknews – Stardock Interview Part 2: Brad Wardell on PC Gaming

Come on Microsoft do you really need money that bad that you are making game developers hand over another pound of flesh just to be able to add the “Games for Windows Live” tag .. well that just sucks. Big. Time.