Multiplayer was always free. It was only certain features that were not.
GFWL Gold exclusive features were: Matchmaking (the sort that automatically puts you in a game). Creating a game server or dedicated server. Cross-platform multiplayer (for the games that featured it). And a couple of other things.
So will GFWL be folded into XBox Live with all the user information retained? Or will GFWL continue to be supported as a separate service or completely discontinued?
Microsoft has yet to discuss the future of Games for Windows Live, though I'd expect any titles that launch post Windows 8 will be Xbox Live-integrated and eschew GFWL.
Games for Windows was a big bag of fail. It pains me to say this cause I really wanted it to succeed but it never got the backing it needed from MS.
Hopefully, that convergence mean MS won't make the same error with XBox live on Windows 8, because Steam is starting to be hard to live without if you're a serious PC gamer.
How is steam hard to live without as a serious PC Gamer? Only thing I ever use it for is to get games from it when they are on sale or possibly download a demo, all other games I order boxed online as that's often at least 10€ cheaper and I get a box and disc.
They are already completely integrated. If you are logged into an account on one device you cannot sign into that same account on another. They are simply renaming Games For Windows Live, cashing in one the Xbox Live marketing, and making everyone pay now.
GFW (L) is atrocious and pointless. it doesn't add anything and only detracts from the gaming experience. i still remember grappling with my PC trying to play batman AA due to the abortion called GFWL
Except it doesn't make the game the least bit heavier to run, if your computer couldn't handle it with GFWL it wouldn't without. Ill agree that it's pretty bad though, but that's because the in-game interface is so bad, that's really my only problem with GFWL.
Bought a 4 pack of Section 8 to play at a recent LAN party. Wished I hadn't done that. The only way to do multiplayer on a private "LAN" server is to matchmake through GFWL.
Microsoft really screwed up with GFW/GFWL, with better vision and execution they could have made something like Steam that created value for end users, and profit for Microsoft.
Instead we have GFWL with an offensively bad UI, bad value proposition for consumers which just pisses everyone off.
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Red Storm - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
... and it failed pretty hard. Charging for multiplayer? Good luck with that.A5 - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
GFWL never had a charge for multiplayer, and I doubt that XBL for PC will either. Microsoft can't be that stupid.lianw - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
Multiplayer was always free. It was only certain features that were not.GFWL Gold exclusive features were:
Matchmaking (the sort that automatically puts you in a game).
Creating a game server or dedicated server.
Cross-platform multiplayer (for the games that featured it).
And a couple of other things.
ltcommanderdata - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
So will GFWL be folded into XBox Live with all the user information retained? Or will GFWL continue to be supported as a separate service or completely discontinued?Craig Getting - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
Microsoft has yet to discuss the future of Games for Windows Live, though I'd expect any titles that launch post Windows 8 will be Xbox Live-integrated and eschew GFWL.Wolfpup - Thursday, September 15, 2011 - link
This sounds like they're just renaming it.And I STILL can't even log in to Games for Windows Live on my system, for some reason.
I couldn't on my last install either, for like 8 months, then it magically started working, but still doesn't on my newer one.
Leonick - Friday, September 16, 2011 - link
Seeing how the share account and all info already I doubt that'll change...PsychoPif - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
Games for Windows was a big bag of fail. It pains me to say this cause I really wanted it to succeed but it never got the backing it needed from MS.Hopefully, that convergence mean MS won't make the same error with XBox live on Windows 8, because Steam is starting to be hard to live without if you're a serious PC gamer.
Leonick - Friday, September 16, 2011 - link
How is steam hard to live without as a serious PC Gamer?Only thing I ever use it for is to get games from it when they are on sale or possibly download a demo, all other games I order boxed online as that's often at least 10€ cheaper and I get a box and disc.
fancarolina - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
They are already completely integrated. If you are logged into an account on one device you cannot sign into that same account on another. They are simply renaming Games For Windows Live, cashing in one the Xbox Live marketing, and making everyone pay now.tommo123 - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
it might as well kick it's users in the nuts!GFW (L) is atrocious and pointless. it doesn't add anything and only detracts from the gaming experience. i still remember grappling with my PC trying to play batman AA due to the abortion called GFWL
Leonick - Friday, September 16, 2011 - link
Except it doesn't make the game the least bit heavier to run, if your computer couldn't handle it with GFWL it wouldn't without.Ill agree that it's pretty bad though, but that's because the in-game interface is so bad, that's really my only problem with GFWL.
Golgatha - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
Bought a 4 pack of Section 8 to play at a recent LAN party. Wished I hadn't done that. The only way to do multiplayer on a private "LAN" server is to matchmake through GFWL.gramboh - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
Microsoft really screwed up with GFW/GFWL, with better vision and execution they could have made something like Steam that created value for end users, and profit for Microsoft.Instead we have GFWL with an offensively bad UI, bad value proposition for consumers which just pisses everyone off.