Right, so I was browsing a different site's forums when this came up: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=268880 It's basically Gearbox saying that Valve and Microsoft need to "make nice" with each other because their versions of the same game aren't compatible. Meaning, if you buy from Steam, your first buddy buys from retail, and your other buddy buys from GFWL, NONE OF YOU can play together. At least... that's what Gearbox is saying. Does this hold true at all? Personally, I can't really find out, as pretty much everything multiplayer I own is from the same source as my friends. Other people in the forum had already said this wasn't true, as they were able to play games such as Bad Company 2 "Cross DRM" without any problems.

So, here's basically why I'm here: Everywhere I've seen, the box claims Games for Windows. I'm not quite sure what the differences between GFW and GFWL are, to be perfectly honest. (If anybody could explain, that's be great.) But I've also seen that it could/will be using VAC for cheat-protection, which would require Steam (plus others have said it would use Steam regardless). And I've seen firsthand what happens when two DRM try to work on one game, and it didn't work so hot. So... Anyone think there could be some sort of problem here? Could the community be split up? Or is GFW really just a label, and Steam will be doing "all of the work" when it comes to registering, matchmaking, patching? ...Or is Gearbox just completely off their nut on this one?

And, a bit of a side question if it applies: If Brink is essentially a Steamworks game, why does it also boast GFW?

All Games For Windows means is that the game is designed to run under the Windows OS's (for instance, Age of Mythology is a GFW game). GFWL is a Windows game that's distro'd via Microsoft's online distribution system.

GFWL is an online service, GFW is a certification and the only similarities are the name and connection to Microsoft. Basically a GFW title means it meets certain requirements, like supporting certain resolutions, working on modern Windows OSs, and I believe gamepad support. I don't have the details on hand but just because a game is rated as "GFW" doesn't mean it has GFWL support.

I believe Brink's multiplayer is handled by Steam but don't take my word for that - I'm pretty new to Steam and at least once before flubbed something up about the difference between Steam and Steamworks. However if this is the case there shouldn't be any "cross DRM" concerns for Brink.

Afaik, the only game which's multiplayer is entirely based on Steam is Modern Warfare 2 (under the name of IWNet). And if BRINK supports dedicated servers (which it does?), Steam would only collect and distribute the server-lists.
Games For Windows Live is mainly important for the XBox, I believe, as it is near to not used on the PC.
And Games For Windows does only mean the game meets certain standards set by Windows (e.g. XBox 360 Gamepad support).

If BRINK requires a Steam-registration in any scenario, there will be no isues.
If it does not (like Bad Company 2 does not), there could be issues, I guess, but most likely won't be (like with BC2 there aren't).

Dedicated servers are supported for the PC.


GFWL is PC exclusive so it's entirely used on the PC

Live itself is primarily for the XBox and XBox 360 (more the latter at this point I'd imagine).

There are a fair number of games that support GFWL although I don't believe there are many that require it.

Oooh... Coolio. Certainly a load off my mind. Much obliged, guys!

Oh well, GFWL and Live are initially the same (I didn't know how the XBox version was called), but the first is a poor PC-copy of the latter.


Batman Arkham Asylum is a game which supports and requires GFWL.

MW2 is not 'based on steam'. Steam is the collection of Valve's Steam shop, matchmaking, DRM and gamelibrary service. MW2 does uses VAC, Valve Anti Cheat, Valve's anti cheat. It fails because VAC is build for dedicated servers with active admins... Tehre plenty of games that have Steam and nonsteam versions that play together. BC2, MnB Warband, CoD4.

GFWL is MS's version of STEAM. If you purchsae the game on STEAm you will run STEAM and GFWL. Pain the patut but as I love STEAM I can deal with it. BTW Splash why of why did you choose GFWL?

Not sure what incompatibility he is talking about. I have never experienced this as I have played with friends on GFWL when I ahve a Steam purchase, weird. Must be something behind the scenes that we are not being told about.