At E3, video games shift their aim to casual players (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - This year's downscaled E3 video game expo drew about 4,500 gamemakers, analysts, retailers and journalists to L.A. last week - less than a tenth of E3's size two years ago - even as the industry grew from $10.5 billion in 2005 to $18 billion in 2007.

The Web's best free stuff (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - Free: It's the magic word for an ever-expanding wealth of downloadable software and online services. Free doesn't necessarily mean good, however, and hunting for freebies can mean sifting through a lot of junk.

Free As a Bird: The PC World Games For Windows Live Interview, Part One

Did you catch the news yesterday that Microsoft's Games For Windows Live online service, which used to cost $50 a year for multiplayer privileges, is now completely free? We caught up with Microsoft Senior Global Director of Games For...

Microsoft refunding gamers, Games for Windows Live goes free

Microsoft made a series of announcements this week that the company hopes will reinvigorate the PC gaming market, including the announcement of DirectX 11 and the advent of free Windows Live gaming. Ars spoke with Microsoft's Kevin Unangst about the company's present and future plans, including DX11, Games for Windows Live, and the PCGA.Read More...

Microsoft looks to ease Yahoo, Windows concerns (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp reports quarterly results this week, looking to ease the concerns of investors about slower growth at its Windows business and prove that its pursuit of Yahoo Inc is not a distraction.

Welcome to Microsoft Games For Windows Live, Now For Free

You know that absence-of-any-news-whatsoever sound (kind of like a tree falling in the woods) that's dogged Microsoft's $50 Games for Windows Live online multiplayer service for PCs? The service much-ballyhooed by Microsoft back in May 2007 with the PC...