Microsoft: Games for Windows Live won’t go away after July 1

Microsoft will not disable its Games for Windows Live service after July 1 this year. The American company announced this to GameInformer on Monday. There have been rumors for some time that Microsoft would pull the plug on the service.

Earlier, there were unofficial reports that the service would continue, but now Microsoft has confirmed it. Rumors that the entire platform would disappear started after Microsoft disabled the ability to buy games through the platform last year. Microsoft now says that users will still be able to use the Games for Windows Live client, which includes access to games purchased through the platform and the multiplayer of a number of games. Buying new games really remains permanently disabled.

Games for Windows Live offers game developers various options such as support for multiplayer, DRM and achievements. Several game developers have since stopped building in support for the service. The rumors also ensured that Bioshock 2, Dirt 3 and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, among others, have been ported to Steamworks by the developers.