Difference between revisions of "Games for Windows - LIVE"
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===Games for Windows Marketplace releases=== | ===Games for Windows Marketplace releases=== | ||
{{ii}} These games only had Games for Windows - LIVE when purchased from the Games for Windows Marketplace. | {{ii}} These games only had Games for Windows - LIVE when purchased from the Games for Windows Marketplace. | ||
− | {{ii}} These versions | + | {{ii}} These versions were removed for purchase on August 25, 2013 following the Marketplace's closure,<ref name="Marketplace-Closing"/> and eventually removed for download in 2015. |
'''Server-Side Activation (SSA) titles''' | '''Server-Side Activation (SSA) titles''' |
Revision as of 07:26, 19 August 2022
Developers | |
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Microsoft | |
Release dates | |
Windows | May 29, 2007 |
Key points
- Requires installation of the latest version to function on Windows 8 and later.
- The Marketplace was closed on August 25, 2013 for new purchases; existing purchases are supposed to still available to download,[1] although the service has been non-functional since 2018.[2][3][4][5]
- DRM varies; see the DRM section for details, or the list of games using GFWL. Some games have had it removed from certain versions, see the list of games formerly using GFWL. For a list of Steam games that use Games for Windows - LIVE, see The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam.
- Not to be confused with the simpler Games for Windows (no LIVE) certification[6]
- Uses the same Microsoft account and gamertag across other Xbox services.
- Only available in Xbox Live Countries and Regions; players outside these areas must use a local profile. Local profile support is listed beside the game when known. Most Steam games are region-locked; Latin America users cannot view or purchase these games.
Download
- Remove any existing versions of the GFWL Marketplace and LIVE Redistributable.
- Download and install the Games for Windows - LIVE software.
- Note that the included GFWL Marketplace is non-functional in 2022 and can be ignored after the installation.[7]
- Launch a GFWL title and sign in using the in-game overlay and login prompt that appears. Please note that the first sign-in for a game tend to take quite some time and the process might seem to be stuck for 5-10 minutes before completion.[8]
Games for Windows - LIVE
Creating a local profile
- Local profiles don't need internet access.
- Multiplayer, achievements, DLC downloading and in-game patching are unavailable (many games can be patched manually; refer to the individual game pages for details).
- Local profiles can't be used for games that are multiplayer-only or always-online (e.g. Age of Empires Online).
Create local profile[9] |
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Backing up saves
Back up XLive folder[citation needed] |
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Moving saves between gamertags
- If you rename your gamertag or switch to a different one your existing saves won't be shown in-game.[10]
Move saves to new gamertag |
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Backing up installers
- Installation files are normally deleted after installation is complete; you can back them up to avoid having to download them again.
- Games reinstalled from backups will not show up as installed in the Marketplace client but will otherwise work normally.
- You may also want to keep a copy of your game keys, accessible from the Marketplace client by going to the item and then choosing View Game Keys.
Backing up installers for games purchased through the Marketplace[citation needed] |
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Backing up patch update installers[citation needed] |
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DRM
There are two types of GFWL activation, Server-Side Activation (SSA) and Legacy (Per-Title 5x5). Both can also utilize Zero Day Piracy Protection (ZDPP) to prevent access to games before the release date. ZDPP protected titles are marked as such.
Server-Side Activation (SSA)
- Server-Side Activation (SSA) include a unique product key with the game. The key is permanently bound to the Microsoft account, similar to Steam. These games have no activation limits.
- If an SSA product key is bound to an account that is not in a supported region the key will be lost (and, consequently, access to the game).
- SSA implementations are flexible and it is up to game developers how much of the product should be restricted behind the activation.[Note 1]
Legacy (Per-Title 5x5)
- Simple product key check; requires internet access for online profile but does not attach the key to the Microsoft account.
- Activation limit between 10-20 (usually 15) for online profiles. Then, the game must be purchased again.
Zero Day Piracy Protection (ZDPP)
Zero Day Piracy Protection (ZDPP) is an additional DRM check used to prevent access to the game in retail copies before the release date. It relies on an online service to decrypt AES-128-encrypted critical game files stored on the retail disc, and when the user tries to launch the game the Zero Day Piracy Protection Tool is launched instead. This tool connects and transmits the ID of the protected game to Microsoft's online ZDP service hosted at https://zdp.gamesforwindows.com/Zdp/Zdp.svc/. The online service looks up the release date for the requested game ID and validates if the date have passed. If so the service will respond with the decryption codes for the protected files which the local tool will use to decrypt the encrypted files, allowing the game to be played.
Module Authentication (MA)
Module Authentication (MA) is an protection measure meant to prevent debugging and/or cheats by verifying protected executable files.[Note 2]
Issues unresolved
- If you still have any issues with GFWL, use XLiveLess
Issues fixed
Crashes, errors, impossible to log-in
Reinstall updated client[citation needed] |
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Corrupted file error during ZDPP check
- ""Games for Windows – LIVE has encountered a corrupted file"
Run Zdp.exe[15] |
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Games not saving under Windows 8/8.1/10
Uninstall & reinstall client with Windows 7 compatibility and as Admin[16] |
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Sign-in problems
In-game interface does not open
Reinstall client[citation needed] |
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Make sure you logged in the desktop client at least once[citation needed] |
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Install the Sign-in Assistant[citation needed] |
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Notes
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Ensure Sign-in Assistant service is running[citation needed] |
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Code: 8015403A error
Try to log in website[citation needed] |
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Code: 80048821 error
If two-factor authentication is enabled, create a new app password[17] |
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Try "Sign in with a different gamertag" in the Windows Live ID dropdown menu[citation needed] |
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Password contains special characters
Change incompatible password[citation needed] |
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Cannot connect in-game
Your Microsoft account might be able to log into other Microsoft services but not GfWL.
Attempt workarounds[citation needed] |
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DNS lookup failed to locate the LIVE servers
- "Can't connect to LIVE. A DNS lookup failed to locate the LIVE servers."
- These instructions are written with Windows 10 in mind but are probably largely the same for Win 7/8/8.1
Flush all DNS entries in cache & change default DNS servers to OpenDNS servers[20] |
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Flush the DNS entries from your DNS cache
Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS servers
|
List of games using Games for Windows - LIVE
Server-Side Activation (SSA) titles
- This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.
Legacy (Per-Title 5x5) titles
- This section is automated; refer to the individual game pages to add or update entries.
No results
Games for Windows Marketplace releases
- These games only had Games for Windows - LIVE when purchased from the Games for Windows Marketplace.
- These versions were removed for purchase on August 25, 2013 following the Marketplace's closure,[1] and eventually removed for download in 2015.
Server-Side Activation (SSA) titles
Game | Developer | Publisher | First release | Local profile | ZDPP |
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Dark Void | Airtight Games | Capcom | January 19, 2010 | ||
Game Room | Krome Studios | Microsoft Game Studios | March 24, 2010 | ||
Mahjong Wisdom | Creat Studios | TikGames | March 7, 2007 | ||
Tinker | Fuel Industries | Microsoft | September 23, 2008 | ||
Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey | Ludia | Microsoft Game Studios | September 22, 2009 |
Legacy (Per-Title 5x5) titles
Game | Developer | Publisher | First release | Local profile | ZDPP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Osmos | Hemisphere Games | August 17, 2009 | |||
World of Goo | 2D Boy | October 13, 2008 |
List of games formerly using Games for Windows - LIVE
- These games have had Games for Windows - LIVE removed from certain versions in favour of Steam or other services.
Name | Notes |
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Ace Combat: Assault Horizon - Enhanced Edition | Steam version migrated to Steamworks. Retail product keys activate on Steam.[21] |
Batman: Arkham Asylum | GFWL and SecuROM removed from Steam version. All product keys activate on Steam. Non-GOTY keys are upgraded to GOTY version.[22] |
Batman: Arkham City | GFWL and SecuROM removed from Steam version. All product keys activate on Steam. Non-GOTY keys are upgraded to GOTY version.[22] |
BioShock 2 | Steam version migrated to Steamworks. All product keys activate on Steam.[23] |
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger | Re-released without GFWL. The original version cannot be upgraded. |
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition | Steam version migrated to Steamworks on February 16, 2015. All product keys activate on Steam.[24] |
Dead Rising 2 | Steam version migrated to Steamworks on March 17, 2015.[25] Retail product keys activate on Steam.[26] |
Dead Rising 2: Off the Record | Steam version migrated to Steamworks on March 17, 2015.[25] Retail product keys activate on Steam.[26] |
DiRT 3 | Steam version owners received DiRT 3 Complete Edition which does not use GFWL. Retail product keys activate on Steam.[27] |
Fallout 3 | GFWL removed from Steam version.[28] |
Gotham City Impostors | Free to Play version does not use GFWL. |
Grand Theft Auto IV / Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City | Steam versions merged and changed in March 2020 to remove GFWL and replace its functionality with that of Rockstar Games Launcher.[29] |
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet | Steam version migrated to Steamworks. GFWL removed.[30] |
Iron Brigade | GFWL was removed in the Steam Matchmaking update.[31] |
Ms. Splosion Man | Steam version migrated to Steamworks on June 20, 2014.[32] Other versions are not affected. GFWL can be accessed if still desired[33] |
Red Faction: Guerrilla | Steam version migrated to Steamworks.[34] |
Resident Evil 5 | Steam version migrated to Steamworks. Retail product keys activate on Steam.[35] |
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition | Steam version migrated to Steamworks.[36] GFWL saves can be optionally imported. All product keys activate on Steam. |
Toy Soldiers | Steam version gives choice of GFWL or Steamworks (saves and achievements are separate for each). GFWL completely optional.[37] |
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II | GFWL has been removed.[38] All achievements that require matchmaking are discontinued. |
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising | GFWL has been removed.[39] All achievements that require matchmaking are discontinued. |
Notes
- ↑ Four typical configurations are mentioned as examples in a presentation by Microsoft:[12]
- While offline: Singleplayer is accessible. While connected to LIVE: Multiplayer, achievements, DLCs are accessible.
- While offline: Nothing is accessible. Having connected once to LIVE: Singleplayer is accessible. While connected to LIVE: Multiplayer, achievements, DLCs are accessible.
- While offline: Nothing is accessible: While connected to LIVE: Singleplayer, Multiplayer, achievements, DLCs are accessible.
- While offline: Demo with only the first few levels are accessible. While connected to LIVE: Singleplayer, Multiplayer, achievements, DLCs are accessible.
- ↑ Not a lot of information is available on this module, but this presentation mentions it in context of anti-cheat measures.[13] Additionally, it is also mentioned in the EULA for the original version of Bulletstorm.[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wayback Machine: PC Marketplace closing | PC Marketplace - Xbox.com
- ↑ NeoGAF - Games for Windows Live purchases no longer downloadable from client [Edit: Fixed] - last accessed on 2018-02-26
- ↑ Microsoft Community - GFWL keeps saying there was an error retrieving your purchase history. please sign out and try again later. - last accessed on 2018-02-26
- ↑ Steam Community - There was an error retrieving your purchase history - last accessed on 2018-02-26
- ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/xbox/forum/all/i-will-continue-insisting-for-the-games-for/ae8a7b21-9243-4672-9c2b-8c8509c79b04?page=1
- ↑ For Publishers | Games for Windows
- ↑ Verified by User:Aemony on 2022-08-15
- ↑ Verified by User:Aemony on 2022-08-15
- This is something that have been the case the last few years — the first sign-in to a game on a system takes forever before it finishes, though subsequent sign-ins for that game takes the expected couple of seconds.
- ↑ Verified by User:SojerManLan on 2021-09-20
- Tested with a retail installation of Fable III. Once the GFWL overlay pop-up appeared, I was able to follow the instructions and create a local profile.
- ↑ PSA: If you change your Windows Live gamer tag name, all of your GFWL save games will disappear.
- ↑ Verified by User:SojerManLan on 2022-08-17
- This is the case for Fable III, at the very least. Opening the file and changing the gamertag within the game's save/following the above instructions both (separately or at the same time, doesn't matter) result in the game assuming the save is corrupt and forces to create a new save.
- ↑ Defense Against the Dark Arts of Game Piracy and Cheating - Gamefest 2010 presentation by Arka Ray on protecting PC games from piracy and cheating. - last accessed on 2022-03-20
- ↑ Verified by User:Aemony on 2022-03-20
- ↑ https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/eacom/en-us/eula/eula-bulletstorm-ea-pcf-combined-07-12-10-2-2.pdf
- ↑ Fix: Dark Souls Prepare to Die Games for Windows Live Zero Day Protection not unlocking | Screened by Slimm
- ↑ How to fix Games for Windows Live on Windows 8 Pro x64 (And Windows 10 too!)
- ↑ Games For Windows live marketplace Code: 80048821 - Microsoft Community
- ↑ Microsoft No Longer Accepts Long Passwords, Shortens Them For You | The Next Web
- ↑ security - Is it true that Microsoft doesn't allow more than 16 characters in their Hotmail password? - Web Applications Stack Exchange
- ↑ DNS lookup failed? I have no idea what this is or how to fix it. What do I do?
- ↑ Ace Combat Assault Horizon enhanced Edition title Update - Game for Windows Live functionalities replaced by Steamworks funtionalities. - Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: ACE COMBAT™ ASSAULT HORIZON Enhanced Edition
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Important Batman Arkham Announcement - Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Batman: Arkham City GOTY
- ↑ News - BioShock 2 Updated
- ↑ HOW TO: Replace Games for Windows Live functionality with Steamworks functionality in Dark Souls™ Prepare To Die Edition for PC :: Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition General Discussions
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Dead Rising 2 and Off the Record now on Steam, on sale - Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Dead Rising 2
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Steamworks Migration / Troubleshooting FAQ (Updated!) :: Dead Rising 2 General Discussions
- ↑ DiRT 3 Complete Edition - Now Available With 100% Less GFWL
- ↑ Fallout 3: Game of the Year - Update 1.7.0.4
- ↑ Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City updates to remove Games for Windows Live - Rockstar Games Customer Support - last accessed on 2020-03-25
- "As a result of this update the following services will no longer be available in Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition - Games for Windows Live, Multiplayer mode, Leaderboards"
- ↑ Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet Goes GFWL-Free with New Indie Bundle
- ↑ Update: GFWL Gone, progress wiped :: Iron Brigade General Discussions
- ↑ Steamworks update! - Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Ms. Splosion Man
- ↑ https://steamcommunity.com/app/105420/discussions/0/522729358512938354/#c45350244936638030
- ↑ Red Faction Guerrilla Steam Edition LIVE - Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Red Faction: Guerrilla Steam Edition
- ↑ "Gold Edition" Content Now Available! - Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Resident Evil 5 / Biohazard 5
- ↑ Just Updated with Steamworks - Super Street Fighter® IV Arcade Edition, 75% off!
- ↑ News - Toy Soldiers Product Update
- ↑ Dawn of War II Patch Notes and Updates :: Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II General Discussions
- ↑ Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising Patch Notes/Updates :: Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II - Chaos Rising™ General Discussions