Games for Windows Live not shutting down

Despite long-running rumours about the imminent shutdown of the Games for Windows Live service, as well as numerous developers abandoning the platform and replacing it with Valve's Steamworks for older titles, Microsoft insists that GFWL isn't going anywhere.

In a statement to Game Informer, Microsoft states that while the Games for Windows Marketplace has indeed shut down and been disassociated from the Xbox.com website, the Games for Windows Live login servers and client will continue to function.

"We are continuing to support the Games for Windows Live service. As previously announced, as part of the retirement of Microsoft Points the Xbox.com PC marketplace was closed. Although customers are unable to purchase new games from the marketplace or receive title updates, they can continue to enjoy previously purchased content by downloading them through the Games for Windows Live client as usual. We remain committed to investing in PC gaming in the years ahead, and look forward to sharing more in the future", the statement reads.

The Games for Windows Live service has been much derided by players for being too cumbersome and tying saved games to your online profile, among other things. Many developers, including Rocksteady and 2K Games, have dropped GFWL from high-profile games such as Batman: Arkham Asylum and Bioshock 2 and replaced it with Steam, after documents surfaced saying Microsoft would shut down the service in July.