We all knew that Live for Windows was coming, we just didn’t know when and more importantly, how much it would cost. PC Gamers have long feared that the arrival of Live would signal the beginning of all things chargeable. Today Microsoft have issued an official press release which lays those concerns to rest, all the details after the jump.

We’ll save the marketing blurb for later and get straight to the nitty gritty, first and foremost, what will Live for Windows give to gamers? Here is the official breakdown:

Silver Membership Features (Free)

• Single gamertag
• Common gamer profile
• Common gamerscore
• Single player achievements
• Private chat via text and voice
• Common friends list and online presence
• PC only multiplayer including browsing a list of active PC games

Gold Membership Features ($49.95 per year)

• All Silver membership features
• Multiplayer matchmaking with friends
• TrueSkill™ matchmaking
• Multiplayer achievements
• Cross-platform gameplay

So what does all the above mean? Well, it means that all Windows Vista gamers will be able to acquire Live Silver for free and crucially, online gaming with other PC users will continue to be completely free. Add to that your personal Gamertag, Gamerscore, Profile and Friends List and Vista users have themselves a pretty sweet deal.

If Live for Windows Silver is such a pretty package, why would anybody pay to be a Gold member? Well, it turns out that the key feature for Windows Live Gold is cross-platform gaming. If you wish to play online with both PC and Xbox users, then a Gold account is the only way to do so.

What does this mean for current Xbox Live subscribers? Fortunately for us, we get the best of everything. Your current Live account will be fully functional on Windows Vista. If you happen to be an Xbox Live Gold member you will automatically be a Windows Live Gold member.

Now we have the features cleared up, let’s move on to dates. What do we have to look forward to and when will we get it? Games for Windows LIVE will make its debut on Windows Vista this coming May 8th. If ever there was a character to help launch a product, the Master Chief was it and the release of Halo 2 will therefore coincide with the launch of Windows Live. It will be the first Games for Windows title to utilise the features of Live. Following Halo 2, we’ll see cross-platform gaming introduced with Shadowrun in June and then UNO later in the year. Here are the official game details from Microsoft:

“Halo 2” for Windows Vista (Microsoft® Game Studios).
Release date: May 8, 2007.
The highly anticipated title brings Master Chief to Windows Vista and is the first title to incorporate the new Games for Windows — LIVE service. Windows Vista gamers will be able to challenge each other in PC-to-PC multiplayer matches and earn achievements for the first time in the “Halo” franchise, as well as communicate via voice or text with other Xbox LIVE or Games for Windows — LIVE members. The visually enhanced classic includes an all-new Map Editor, which will allow for new content and greater game customization. “Halo 2” will be playable with mouse and keyboard or the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows.

“Shadowrun” (Microsoft Game Studios).
Release date: June 2007.
The intense first-person shooter will let gamers rewrite the rules of engagement as they vie for supremacy in an experience that rewards cleverness, cunning and split-second improvisation through a unique combination of modern weapons, ancient magic and advanced technology. The first title to connect both Windows Vista and Xbox 360 gamers in cross-platform competition will let up to 16 players battle online. Cross-platform play will require Gold level membership. More information can be found at http://www.shadowrun.com.

“UNO®” (Carbonated Games/Mattel Inc.).
Release date: 2007.
The classic party card game that’s a No. 1 hit on Xbox LIVE Arcade is also coming to Windows Vista and Games for Windows — LIVE. Gamers will be able to compete against three other players on the Xbox 360 or Windows Vista platforms to match colors and symbols and be the first to play every single card in this award-winning game. For gameplay today, “UNO®” is currently available on MSN® Games, Messenger Games and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Though the line-up of games is slim to say the least, Live for Windows is a feature we look forward to seeing in action. As a current subscriber to Xbox Live Gold, being able to use the same fantastic service for free on my Windows Vista PC will surely be a welcome experience.

If you’d like to read more about Live for Windows, be sure to check out the official press release over at Gamerscoreblog.com