Games for Windows LIVE 3.0 released

Microsoft has just released version 3.0 of its Games for Windows LIVE client, essentially the PC equivalent of Xbox LIVE. You can grab the new edition via the Microsoft Download Center, linked at the bottom of this article.

According to the 'What's New' section of the client, here's what you can expect of upcoming titles following this update (this was detailed in other words back in March):

• In-game Marketplace lets developers create custom in-game marketplace experiences so that you can enjoy access to new content without ever leaving the game.
• Games for Windows -- LIVE game publishers can choose to link new games to your account (Gamertag). Titles that use this feature allows users to install and play the game wherever you want on any PC you choose, for an unlimited number of installs. Your game is linked to your LIVE account so you can install and play wherever you want.
• Launch-day activation for supported new games. Supporting developers in protecting their games prior to launch means keeping and attracting the best titles to PC for your gaming pleasure.

The second note there we're not particularly fond of -- before GfWL (and some other forms of anti-piracy protection), we could always install games as many times we liked on as many PCs as we wanted; seems like one of those instances in which digital rights management (DRM)-vendors are trying to make it sound like the stuff "enables choice", when it takes away more than it gives, if it gives anything. In this case there is the advantage of roaming, though -- your saves, achievements, etc. go with you wherever you log in. So there's that.

According to an old interview with the GPM for the Live Engagement Team on Windows Drew Johnston, this as well as the launch-day activation will be optional to publishers. Like with the newly released Street Fighter IV, the ones who wish to use LIVE but also have an offline-based DRM implementation can do so with a third-party tool (SecuROM, in this case).

As most of us are, Johnston says they've been "very concerned" about limited installs and things of that nature, something gamers have encountered multiple times with titles like Dawn of War II, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Fallout 3, due to GfWL's DRM. We've contacted Microsoft for comment on whether or not this update eliminates that issue.

Meanwhile, the team has been thinking about version 4.0 for some time now -- if you'd like to give them feedback on what you want for next time, head to the forums.