Games for Windows – Live
Games for Windows – Live or GFWL (trademarked as Games for Windows – LIVE) was an online gaming service used by Games for Windows–branded PC titles that enables Windows PCs to connect to Microsoft's Live service. Users, each with a unique Gamertag (the Microsoft username service for gaming that began on Xbox Live), are able to play online, keep track of their friends' status, send and receive messages, gain and keep track of Achievements and associated Gamerscore, voice chat across platforms (removed in 2010), and more. Some games allow for cross-platform play, such as Shadowrun, putting Windows players against Xbox 360 players.
| Developer | Microsoft |
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| Current version | 3.5.95.0 |
| Last updated | February 20, 2014 |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Operating system(s) | Designed for Windows XP, Vista and 7; still works on Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 |
| Status | Discontinued (digital distribution store only; services are still running for purchased and retail content) |
| Website | www |
The service was open to third-party developers, but they had to meet certain Technical Certification Requirements (TCRs), which included (but were not limited to): game ratings, total number of Gamerscore points, content, game profiles, and Live connectivity. Games for Windows – Live games also had to meet standard Games for Windows (games that do not have Live support) TCRs. The same developer support infrastructure as the Xbox 360 was also available. Assistance to developers was provided through the Microsoft XNA Developer Connection. The successor to Games for Windows is now Microsoft Store for PC which allows players on the computer to use the Xbox network functions and play various Xbox games without having a console.