Microsoft today launches Games for Windows Live, their first attempt at cross platform online gaming between PC’s and Xbox 360.

The Redmond-based giant is banking on the success of their Xbox Live subscription gaming service translating into success on the PC, although convincing PC gamers to cough up the $80 cash for a 12 month Games for Windows Live Gold membership won’t be easy. Especially given the fact there’s only one game right now — Shadowrun — that supports cross platform play and PC gamers can get most of their online gaming fix for free already. As it stands the Games for Windows Live Gold service will likely appeal most to existing Xbox 360 Live subscribers who happen to also own a PC, the reason being their existing Gold membership will also work on the PC. Games for Windows Live is also restricted to Vista equipped machines making the initial prospective market for Microsoft a rather small one.

Still, the concept of cross platform gaming itself is a great one and we hope Microsoft pulls this one off.