After neglecting the PC gaming industry in favor of their Xbox console, Microsoft says they want to kiss and make up, and pay attention to the PC gamers again. This coming from the company that snatched Halo away from PC gaming, I won’t exactly hold my breath.

Then again, Vista is on its way, so Microsoft want to maximize revenues when it comes out by kissing the feet of PC gamers, who they know are always the early adopters of new software and technology.

“We have neglected the PC business, but it’s time to remember that it’s a strong platform with the potential to reach hundreds of millions of gamers,” said Peter Moore, gaming chief at Microsoft.

Microsoft’s marketing campaign for the PC was depending on shipment of its new Windows Vista operating system in the fall. The consumer version of Vista has now been pushed back to January, and that could hurt Microsoft’s plans to lift demand for PC games in the fall.