In new comments we're putting straight into the 'we'll believe it when we see it' basket, Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer has indicated that the Windows platform holder is working toward a "renewed focus on Windows and PC gaming", the effects of which will supposedly start to be revealed later this year.

During a presentation attended by Polygon at the 2014 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, when asked about Microsoft's thoughts about Valve Software's movements away Windows with SteamOS, Spencer renewed the age old pledge:

"A renewed focus on Windows and PC gaming inside Microsoft is definitely happening," he continued. "You will see more focus from us — not to go compete with what Valve has done, but because we also understand as the platform holder it's important for us to invest in the platform in a real way. We're fundamentally committed to that."

Spencer said we'll hear more about the company's Windows PC gaming plans this summer, as "more talks and different technology" are shown.

Speaking with Polygon afterward Spencer somewhat ambiguously elaborated on Microsoft's vague plans for the apparently not-cancelled Games for Windows Live platform:

"You will get a clear answer from us very soon," Spencer said about the future of Games for Windows Live. "We have a longer term plan for multiplayer gaming and marketplace on Windows. We understand what we have today in market ... isn't great. We do understand there's some continuity of getting from where we are to where we want to be [and] that shutting the lights off [on Games for Windows Live] isn't exactly the right thing to do.

"We've got to make sure we've got a thoughtful plan that supports the people that currently have games on Games for Windows Live. It's a conversation we're having."

Spencer warned there "might be some transition bumps, getting from here to there," as Microsoft redefines its PC gaming efforts.

"But we're going to invest significantly more in that space, not less," he said. "It's just whether what we have today is the core of what we have [in the future] and it's probably not.

"We've got to have this message out in a thoughtful way [within the next few] months and not anything more than that. It's in the real near term. This is something that we're working on now... because we want to be clear on it."

Despite being the creator of the operating system the vast majority of PC games are played on, Microsoft has maintained a distant presence from PC gaming since its focus shifted to the Xbox platform, no longer even publishing its first party titles on Windows.

Over the years, the software behemoth has signalled a renewed focus on Windows gaming, which has only materialised in initiatives like the ill-fated Games for Windows Live service, while little fuss was made publicly about its more useful products like the DirectX 11 API. Perhaps the can start to turn things around with the upcoming DirectX 12.