Shadowrun

Almost a year after Bill Gates promised "anywhere" gaming that would link videogame consoles, cell phones and personal computers, Microsoft is beginning to fulfill that commitment.

Microsoft's Live online service, which has attracted 6 million Xbox 360 console gamers, will be open in May to PC gamers who use its new Windows Vista operating system, according to Reuters.

The PC version of Live will debut on May 8 with the launch of the Windows Vista version of Halo 2, Microsoft's popular alien shooter game. And, in June, Microsoft Game Studios will release Shadowrun, the first game for which Live will support competition between players on the Xbox 360 and PCs.

Microsoft's online gaming service has been a key selling point for its Xbox 360 videogame console, which was released in November 2005 and competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii for top billing in the $30 billion global videogame market.