There can be any number of reasons why this has been the case - one of the most likely being that Microsoft charges publishers money to keep GFWL functionality for each game going, while Valve handles matchmaking for free. And given the bandwagon against GFWL (with blatant double standards often being applied vis-à-vis Valve), it's likely that this proved an ideal opportunity to both save money and gain kudos among the bandwagon crowd out there for abandoning GFWL.

Also, I know there have been issues with GFWL on Windows 8, although I think these are fixed now (I don't have Win8, so I could be wrong). The shift to Steam may in part be a support reaction to this (publishers would otherwise be forced to state on digital storefronts that these games do not support Windows 8).

(For the record, I'm not really much of a fan of GFWL at all, and especially not of MS, so it pains me to have to defend it, but all the strangeness surrounding the community's rants is like Justin Bieber fans deriding Miley Cyrus' music as being kiddie-pop - it compels me to try and set the record straight, although I know there's really no getting through to the fanatics out there).

A support page that was up for several minutes and then pulled vs. several publishers who have issued firm and continuing statements contradicting that page. What evidence is more credible?

GFWL was also used for initial DRM authentication for some games.

The client has been updated for Windows 8 and later but many games still bundle older versions; installing the latest Games for Windows Marketplace Client resolves this.

Steam owner here! I checked it out, and found that Bulletstorm owners are totally screwed.
Upon launching the game, you must log in to GFWL (every time) and authenticate the game (the first time) before accessing the main menu.
Offline profiles DO NOT WORK for Bulletstorm. You must be logged in with your online GFWL profile if you want to access the main menu, let alone play the game. Trying to log in with an offline profile simply doesn't work.

I would be interested in links to the specific comments. Up until recently I was trying to keep a pretty close eye on any information I could find, but never came across anything contradictory. At most, Capcom saying SF4:AE should keep working normally for "The foreseeable future" in their announcement for removing GFWL, but that could mean a lot of things, like the timetable shifting, or that not all components will be shutoff like a light switch.

Well, there is this announcement from Namco.

Thanks.

Another "foreseeable future." Interesting word overlap.

Seems like Microsoft have broken their silence.

I find Microsoft's words very vague. Regardless, the fact that their recent releases on Steam are not using GFWL speaks volumes in my opinion. Also too many games have migrated to Steamworks, including indies and low-budget published by MS.

9 days to know for sure.

Just like they broke... no I'm above such cheap jokes. Honest.

Here's there oddly unspecific statement:
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/06/19/games-for-windows-live-exodus-continues.aspx They are continuing to support GfWL. Ok, for how long? That last sentence is great because it's so incredibly vague it could mean anything. Don't you just love marketing speak?

Coming from Microsoft? I LOVE IT! Xbone's reveal and subsequent PR disasters have been one of the most entertaining things from last year.

Hehe, that's very true!

Nice to know that there is a good chance GFWL is not shutting down just yet. Was thinking of doing a video on Halo 2 Vista and the launch of the Games For Windows Live for YouTube in the near future and would like to capture footage of the GFWL experience.

i wonder if they changed their mind after the recent x1 disaster they had and sudden change over to games only at e3 and dropping kinect to appease gamers ?

While I'm very disappointed by games that decided to use GFWL in the first place, and I'd never buy one knowingly and intentionally, I do own at least 4 games that I know of which are plagued by GFWL of which there is no indication that they'll have GFWL removed from them:

Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes From Liberty City
Section 8
Mortal Kombat Kollection

Of those, Mortal Kombat was a post-purchase freebie added to a bundle I bought a while back and so I never felt ripped off by that, Section 8 was a game that I got 2 copies of over time as a part of bundles I purchased out of interest for other games in the bundle that were worth the bundle price, so Section 8 wasn't too much of a concern for me either way. But I bought Grand Theft Auto collection last November and neglected to do my proper homework on the DRM that I almost always do for games before considering purchasing them. I think it was the excitment of seeing the entire GTA franchise offered as a collection for less than $7 that led to an emotional based purchase devoid of my normal dilligence. :) I've been a little bitter as of late about the prospect of GTA4 becoming unplayable, and just recently bought a Logitech G27 racing wheel which works in the game to enhance the pleasure of playing it as well. I figured I only had 9 days left until the game went belly up so I planned on playing the snot out of it this week.

I'm quite happy to hear that GFWL wont be shutting down right away though and that I should be able to enjoy these games for some longer period of time and can hopefully at least get enough enjoyment out of them to not let the bitter DRM experience be too great of percentage of my overall experience with the games. Hopefully at least the GTA games will eventually be converted to Steamworks entirely and GFWL dropped as well though too, or even better - have all of the 57 types of DRM included in the game dropped and see it go DRM-free and come to GOG.com and use the GOG Galaxy service instead of all that other crap. :)

Anyhow, thanks for posting the URL to the news article about GFWL staying alive for now as it kind of made my day knowing that I at least have a chance to enjoy playing GTA4 and its expansion packs without having to rush it like a race horse, and I can get my enjoyment out of the new racing wheel in the game. I'm really looking forward to that!

I think I might go ahead and plan a retro Mortal Kombat multiplayer weekend with a friend now too, since that game will presumably work also.

Take care!

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-says-it-s-not-shutting-down-games-for-windows-live/1100-6420654/

This should finally put those rumours to bed (although if I know the PC gaming community, they'll still keep circulating them and dismiss such news stories as some kind of propaganda)