Microsoft Says It's Not Shutting Down Games for Windows Live

Many developers have been ditching Microsoft’s Games for Windows Live service in favor of Valve’s Steamworks since last year, when Microsoft confirmed it will retire its PC Marketplace. DiRT 3, Batman: Arkham Origins, and even Ms. ‘Splosion Man developer Twisted Pixel, a Microsoft owned studio, are all using Steamworks now to manage achievements, multiplayer and other features.

But contrary to rumors, Microsoft insists that it is not shutting down Games For Windows Live on July 1, 2014.

“We are continuing to support the Games for Windows Live service,” Microsoft said in a statement to Game Informer. “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.”

Xbox boss Phil Spencer said earlier this month that he thinks Microsoft needs to “up” its gaming presence on Windows, but stressed that Microsoft doesn't plan to compete directly with Steam. Microsoft also didn’t mention Windows and PC gaming during its E3 2014 press conference. “It's a retail show, it's a console show, so it didn't really feel like the right place for us to talk about Windows,” Spencer explained. “But Windows and gaming on Windows is critical to Microsoft's success."