[Burned Phoenix]

Microsoft is going to release the "Windows Vista Ultimate Extras" games Tinker and Texas Hold 'Em for free, via Games for Windows Live.

Tinker and Hold 'Em are coming to Games for Windows!
Need a break? If you like classic platform puzzles, or just want to play a quick hand of cards, we have a couple of great new games coming soon to Games for Windows!

Tinker [screenshot]
Even robots get lost, sometimes! Help this one get home by solving puzzles that untangle a surreal and misleading world...but be careful! Tinker only has a limited amount of energy, so you'll have to use it wisely or he'll be lost forever! A classic mental challenge for the entire family, Tinker features an original score, compelling visuals, and 60 levels of classic puzzling fun!

Hold 'Em [screenshot]
Pit yourself against the computer for a high-stakes experience that won't empty your pocket! Play with up to five computer opponents, and customize the look of the card deck and playing table. Have fun and bet what you want — the computer can't make you pay up!

Here's the best part...both of these games will be absolutely FREE!!

Games for Windows

Via Paul Thurrott

We already have Tinker and Hold 'Em games for Windows Vista Pro and Home Premium users, thanks to Razorblade.

[PurplePeopleEater]

hurray! I love free gamez

[Secured Tim]

Good decision! "Vista Ultimate Extras" was a joke!

[poolsharkzz]

This will turn alot of Vista Ultimate buyers "ugly mad" if they allow these games to run on XP...

Isn't that what they paid for - something more "Ultimate" than the other versions? Didn't Microsoft do the same thing with XP as well?

What did they get: A few new sound schemes, a few new themes, Dreamscene, a few new language packs, and a couple of new games and a crappy version of Bitlocker.

All of this and more was ported back to other versions of Vista and XP - I think these folks got ripped off badly!

Watch and wait, in a few years this will happen again to the folks that just bought Windows 7 Ultimate.

Update: Microsoft already beat them to the chase:

No Ultimate Extras for Windows 7

The "Ultimate Versions" were nothing but a sham anyways!

Tinker - 'till the world blows up!

poolsharkzz


 tinker_thumb.jpg (5.15K)
Number of downloads: 1

This post has been edited by poolsharkzz: 11 November 2009 - 11:13 PM

[The Flashing Fish]

poolsharkzz, on 11 November 2009 - 05:51 PM, said:

Didn't Microsoft do the same thing with XP as well?

Not really, unless you're talking about the extra features XP Pro and XP MCE had over XP Home. But these were all packaged and advertised with the OS. The Extras, IMO, weren't packaged with the OS, and were nothing more than false hope and broken promises. Vista Ultimate was a pretty big disappointment. This is part of the reason why MS stopped doing Vista Ultimate Extras and they won't be offering Extras for Windows 7 Ultimate.

Quote

All of this and more was ported back to other versions of Vista and XP - I think these folks got ripped off badly!

They weren't back ported officially. They should be mad at those who cracked the Extras to work on non-Ultimate versions of Windows.

[MistaBishi]

This is why I don't pay for Windows

[SharmanNet]

^ Not a good excuse to pirate Windows.

[poolsharkzz]

The Flashing Fish, on 11 November 2009 - 10:11 PM, said:

poolsharkzz, on 11 November 2009 - 05:51 PM, said:

Didn't Microsoft do the same thing with XP as well?

Not really, unless you're talking about the extra features XP Pro and XP MCE had over XP Home. But these were all packaged and advertised with the OS. The Extras, IMO, weren't packaged with the OS, and were nothing more than false hope and broken promises. Vista Ultimate was a pretty big disappointment. This is part of the reason why MS stopped doing Vista Ultimate Extras and they won't be offering Extras for Windows 7 Ultimate.

Quote

All of this and more was ported back to other versions of Vista and XP - I think these folks got ripped off badly!

They weren't back ported officially. They should be mad at those who cracked the Extras to work on non-Ultimate versions of Windows.

That's why they should have only have 3 versions -

Home
Professional
Enterprise

Keep it simple - maybe with the next version?

SharmanNet, on 12 November 2009 - 01:43 PM, said:

^ Not a good excuse to pirate Windows.

I agree - what happens if they catch you and send a "bomb" disguised as an update and then your system goes dark and then 15 minutes later there is alot of pounding at the front door with a deep voice yelling: "open up - we have a search warrant" -

What then?

Pay the $125.00 and stay home next weekend and install a legit copy of Windows on your system and then bust open a good bottle of wine and watch a dirty video with your girl!

FYI - Microsoft and others offer folks nice-sized rewards to turn in windows pirates:

Microsoft announces rewards for those that help catch cyber criminals

Microsoft Teams With Worldwide Law Enforcement To Stop Internet Worm And Virus Distributors With US$5 Million Reward Fund Initiative

BSA Extends $1 Million Reward To Catch Software Pirates

As part of its antipiracy crusade, the Business Software Alliance is extending its whistle-blower campaign through the end of the year. The BSA is extending its $1 million reward program for people reporting software piracy.

If you weren't a WinMatrix Bro - LOL

poolsharkzz


 cheers.gif (22.77K)
Number of downloads: 0

This post has been edited by poolsharkzz: 12 November 2009 - 10:26 PM

[ayoshi]

Quote

Pay the $125.00 and stay home next weekend and install a legit copy of Windows on your system and then bust open a good bottle of wine and watch a dirty video with your girl!

I like the idea

[ThoriumKnight]

I get server versions of windows for free (legally!!), being a student

go here: http://www.dreamspark.com

there is some other stuff there too like visual studio etc

[CIEPadmin9985]

ThoriumKnight, on 27 November 2009 - 10:19 AM, said:

I get server versions of windows for free (legally!!), being a student

go here: http://www.dreamspark.com

there is some other stuff there too like visual studio etc

tried to go on that website, pressed sign in AND IT KNEW MY GOD DAMNED NAME!

[pataoengineer]

The ultimate extra doesn't offer sufficient privilege for the users
as it could.



Deciding to buy ultimate to get only extra games? OMG!

[Rich246]

Quote

Coming December 15th, TINKER!

He's little, he's metal, and he's lost.

Being a small robot isn’t always easy. Being a small robot marooned in a surreal world of clockwork, inventive mechanisms and challenging puzzles, even less so. In Tinker, a free puzzle game that pushes the boundaries of robot deduction, you’ll guide your robot through switches, contraptions to reach the exit. He’ll only do what you command. He’ll only go where you tell him to. It’s up to you to get him home!

Featuring captivating visuals, an original music score, and 60 levels that range from the facile to the extremely challenging. Tinker is an isometric two-dimensional puzzle available for free. Tinker features a tutorial level to get you started. What are you waiting for? Start Tinkering.

yay!!