With Fallout 3 GfWL was always optional (only for achievements and DLC).
You could play the game without ever using GfWL, not even an offline account was needed and neither does the game require any online activation so the game is not affected. I never registered the key that came with my box or played while using GfWL.
For DLC, just copy the files from the GfWL folder to fallout 3\data and enable them like normal mods.
There is no need for worries and no need for a patch.
I'm new to PC gaming (after a 10 year absence) and to GAF. I see that the hate for GFWL if strong here. Why? I only have one game in my library that uses it and I have not played that game yet (Batman: Arkham City).
GFWL games that require sign-in / user profile access for saving:
- Permanently unplayable
Absolutely true. I was just addressing the fears of not being able to play bought games anymore, and not the issue of buying them.Well, real talk: All of these games have probably been cracked. From an actual long-term preservation standpoint, everything will always be playable barring MMOs. But the real problem is that a store can't in good conscience sell something that cannot boot for any user sans-crack, and a store can't in good conscience apply a crack to the games they sell against the wishes of the publisher, so the real question is on July 2, 2014, which of these games will still be available for purchase somewhere?
Microsoft will probably issue one last patch before the system goes down in order to close down that authentication.
Gabe is right in not trusting the Windows platform anymore. What if they ditch DirectX or something else on this level?
It's that Ex Valve guy, isn't it?
Well, real talk: All of these games have probably been cracked. From an actual long-term preservation standpoint, everything will always be playable barring MMOs. But the real problem is that a store can't in good conscience sell something that cannot boot for any user sans-crack, and a store can't in good conscience apply a crack to the games they sell against the wishes of the publisher, so the real question is on July 2, 2014, which of these games will still be available for purchase somewhere?
Why are people happy about this? It means A LOT of games will become completely unplayable.
I saw him first!I like you
Does Relic still own the Dawn of War IP? I think if they do, the will probably patch it out.
I don't know, Steam already has games on sale that are pre-modded with user created contents (like System Shock 2, and Deus Ex I think) to enhance them and make them playable on newer systems. Some even have modded .exes if I'm not mistaken.
But isn't this all of them?
They didn't even patch their GfWL client when ToS were changed, so now when you try to log in with the client (and haven't accepted new ToS yet) you just get a generic error with no explanation at all. You have to manually visit the xbox.com site and accept new terms from there.
Just saying.
... but that has nothing to do with Valve. You get the distinction, right?
-MS cannot EVER be given the benifit of the doubt reminder #1954636974
Bethesda had better patch Fallout 3. They made their bed and I shouldn't be punished for it.
You can already strip out GFWL for GTA IV, although it does disable multiplayer (not that this will be a problem come July 1st). It's a damn shame that so many games are going to be incomplete or unplayable though.
Well, failing that I can at least see them staying in business and not actively burning bridges to old software. Which is the thing really, Microsoft's HUGE and it's not out of the question they could keep this going indefinitely... but they don't want to, and while I'm not sure I can wholly blame them it still indicates they can't be trusted for keeping access to your stuff despite being a company with basically zero chance of collapsing in the near future.It's never been confirmed that Gabe actually stated that. However, with their current track record I have no doubt Valve would do it.
That probably depends on the contracts to be on Steam and how the Steam wrapper works. It's starting to sound like an urban legend admittedly, but it does seem possible to have a clause from the start that if Steam were to ever go down for good they will issue patches to kill their own DRM in games (which could also explain why some STILL throw their shit DRM on anyway, someone is that anal about how easy it is to get their games even if they'll probably be ancient history by the time this matters), similar to how every Vita and apparently PS4 game sold HAS to be on PSN too.It's a frequently heard myth, but I really doubt Valve could do it with anything outside of their own titles.
this is what will happen in the digital future, good luck with that
... but that has nothing to do with Valve. You get the distinction, right? Obviously tons of publishers use cracks or user mods for their older games. That's fine. Publishers can apply cracks here. But some won't--Codemasters is basically much reduced from what they were, LucasArts is toast, THQ is toast. Bulletstorm is doubly cursed by a publisher that doesn't care about it and a developer that doesn't care about it. At some point, there literally won't be a person at the publisher capable of applying the patch, even if testing were not required.
Apparently not, although it's almost certainly a majority.
That probably depends on the contracts to be on Steam and how the Steam wrapper works. It's starting to sound like an urban legend admittedly, but it does seem possible to have a clause from the start that if Steam were to ever go down for good they will issue patches to kill their own DRM in games (which could also explain why some STILL throw their shit DRM on anyway, someone is that anal about how easy it is to get their games even if they'll probably be ancient history by the time this matters), similar to how every Vita and apparently PS4 game sold HAS to be on PSN too.
It is possible, I just don't think it is likely. Plus the EULA says they don't have to.
I just worry that gamers put way too much faith in what was an off-hand comment from Newell. We are still very much at the mercy of Steam with their digital PC collections.
I'm so glad I bought Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2 for my friend and I so we could play co-op now. Or not. Doubt we'll get through both games by then since we both have back logs.
That was a waste of money.
im stickin to my horses see how them newfangled cars break down sometimes
good luck with that "engine" future
I'm so glad I bought Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2 for my friend and I so we could play co-op now. Or not. Doubt we'll get through both games by then since we both have back logs.
That was a waste of money.
Wait what?
They're completely shutting down GfWL? Not just the store?
YES!
Although, I have a few GfWL games, and I'm sharing other users worries.
What about Bioshock 1, Bulletstorm and all the other games? I think that not many will switch to Steamworks.
Which is a good thing.
I'd like the head on a pike in front of the city gates, it's a reminder.
It shows:
-the bullet we dodged with xbox one
-MS cannot EVER be given the benifit of the doubt reminder #1954636974
-closed platforms are bad and you always want to have contingency options when you buy anything DD
-multiplayer games have to be allowed to be ran by the community, matchmaking is bad for everyone in the long run
-DD games or account based games without contingencies are nothing more than ticking timebombs or rentals and you don't own your games
True, frankly the fact it's currently a very stable service and Valve seems to be very healthy and not beholden to shareholders makes me optimistic more than some comment that's a pain to verify.It is possible, I just don't think it is likely. Plus the EULA says they don't have to.
I just worry that gamers put way too much faith in what was an off-hand comment from Newell. We are still very much at the mercy of Steam with their digital PC collections.
It's why unfortunately monopolies of some sort on digital services may not be a bad idea, so long as those in a monopoly position are great about ownership anyway. So many services can and have crumbled without giving anyone recourse, a unique position relative to physical goods where it basically doesn't matter where you bought them and who made them, just whether they're available to buy or not. Though on that note it's still a problem for DD with developers/publishers going out of business even if they don't run a storefront, nevermind that we can get something similar to that physical space by being able to just buy codes from whoever and put them into the service it's for, thus making something like Steam more like a reliable backend than THE only store around.In related news, Mucrosoft set to launch GFWL2, a windows 8 exclusive service which promises long term support....
Seriously though we all saw this coming. Same as the other services. When people ask "what is wrong with uplay?" This.
I feel like something will be introduced by Microsoft to replace Games For Windows.
No way will smaller companies like Ubisoft have their own online service for games but Microsoft doesn't.
It's only a matter of time, only question is,
have they learned from their mistakes to make a better platform?
If we will still be able to launch our GfWL games, you can always set up an Hamachi server for co-op play.
It should work right? At least for those games with local co-op, I think.
Isn't it confirmed that Bioshock 2 and the Batman games are being patched officially?