The thing we feared most is upon us. After years of paying the consequences for using Windows XP, just when we were finally getting along with Bill Gates' company, a new operating system comes along! As they promised last autumn, Microsoft launched Windows Vista around the world, at prices ranging from 150 to 380 Euros for the different editions you can choose from (Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business or Enterprise). If you're seriously considering switching to the new system, you can find more or less useful information about Windows Vista on Microsoft's website.

Shortly put, Vista pretends to be the only way to enjoy the graphical wonders introduced by DirectX 10, which of course can best be seen in Crytek's upcoming exotic shooter, Crysis. Additionally, the new Windows brings features such as the Vista Games Explorer and, perhaps most important of all, the integration with the Xbox 360's online system, allowing future cross-platform multiplayer games between the two platforms, among other things. Even if they won't make exclusive use of the DirectX 10 technology, more and more PC games will be released under the "Games for Windows" brand from now on - such as Supreme Commander and Age of Conan.

Bill Gates was present at the special UK launch event held by Microsoft at the British Library yesterday, where he reminded people that it's been 12 years since the crucial release of Windows 95, and another 12 years (almost) since Microsoft released the first version of Window. Also on stage was managing director of Microsoft UK, Gordon Frazer, who began by saying that "If there's a single word that sums up today, it's 'Wow'".

We'll see about that in due time, but for now, let's pretend this to be the launch of a new platform, and thus see what games were lined-up for its debut. Well, there was Battlestations: Midway and... that's about it. Supposedly, there were also 8 casual games available at launch, 2 of which were released by MumboJumbo (remember the guys that bought Ritual?). These are "Luxor 2" - the sequel to the #1 casual game of 2005, and "7 Wonders of the Ancient World". Fascinating, isn't it?

"The 'Wow' starts now"?! No, no, I'm pretty sure the WoW started a couple of years ago.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)