It seems as though we have been writing about Windows Vista in the future tense forever. Nobody will deny that Microsoft has taken an unusually long time to build its latest OS and that some features had to be cut along the way. Whatever you make of the new OS as a whole, it's a very important step for gamers, ideologically. This is the operating system where Microsoft has put "Games" right there at the top level of the Start menu. This is the one with the Games Explorer to make it easy to find, launch, and update your games. Parental controls are built right in. DirectX 10 is Vista exclusive, and while there are no real DX10 games right now, they're going to be a big deal by this time next year. Perhaps most importantly, Microsoft should begin their "Games for Windows" branding and marketing in earnest now that Vista is out the door. Read on at ETech