Games for Windows
 | |
| Owner | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Introduced | November 8, 2006 |
| Discontinued | August 25, 2013 |
| Related brands | Microsoft Studios |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Registered as a trademark in | Worldwide |
| Website | www.gamesforwindows.com (archived) |
Games for Windows is a former brand owned by Microsoft and introduced in 2006 to coincide with the release of the Windows Vista operating system. The brand itself represents a standardized technical certification program and online service for Windows games, bringing a measure of regulation to the PC game market in much the same way that console manufacturers regulate their platforms. The branding program was open to both first-party and third-party publishers.