"Games for Windows" branding on old optical disk games

[Vario]

Looking at picking up some older games from eBay / Amazon as they can be much cheaper than steam and sometimes I like to have the physical copy, but some of these come with "Games for Windows" branding on the box. With Games for Windows Live ending, will these games still be useable for single player or are the saves and cd key activation cloud based?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

They should still activate but the store/DLC/etc. is all unavailable. Some games, like DIRT3, are supposed to be getting a non-GFWL release. Mind listing the games?

 

[Vario]

They should still activate but the store/DLC/etc. is all unavailable. Some games, like DIRT3, are supposed to be getting a non-GFWL release. Mind listing the games?

S.T.A.L.K.E.R and various expansions
Fallout New Vegas

Can't remember the other ones I looked at last night

 

[FordGT90Concept]

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl on Steam does not use GFWL.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky on Steam does not use GFWL.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat on Steam does not use GFWL.
Fallout: New Vegas on Steam does not use GFWL.

I recommend waiting for a sale (one should be coming in the next few months). I don't have the price I paid on FNV but I got all three STALKER games for $11.19 on 7/18/12.


Edit: GFWL saves are not cloud-based. The only thing that is cloud-based is the account itself which still works. The saves are connected to your cloud account. Since you only listed single player games, it should be possible to play them all offline. If necessary, GFWL allows you to create an offline profile so it should be possible to use the games without an online profile at all (I wouldn't recommend that though).

 

[Mussels]

you can often work around the GFWL, but its more or less the same thing as pirating the game. fallout 3 wont work on windows 8 without installing GFWL, or a tool that disables the need for it.

 

[INSTG8R]

Well I recently reinstalled GTA IV and EFLC and had to do a little bit of hoop jumping to get my EFLC activated again but it did catch eventually.Thanks Mussels I should get my Fallout 3 and DiRTs back in now that you reminded me. I had to format a few weeks back so I have basically nothing installed and don't want to get caught out in DiRT 3 for sure as I bought all the DLC thru GFWL and wouldn't want to lose them they are my favourite bits.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

If you already own the DLC, it should still be available. You can't buy anymore DLC though because the store is shut down.

 

[Vario]

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl on Steam does not use GFWL.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky on Steam does not use GFWL.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat on Steam does not use GFWL.
Fallout: New Vegas on Steam does not use GFWL.

I recommend waiting for a sale (one should be coming in the next few months). I don't have the price I paid on FNV but I got all three STALKER games for $11.19 on 7/18/12.


Edit: GFWL saves are not cloud-based. The only thing that is cloud-based is the account itself which still works. The saves are connected to your cloud account. Since you only listed single player games, it should be possible to play them all offline. If necessary, GFWL allows you to create an offline profile so it should be possible to use the games without an online profile at all (I wouldn't recommend that though).

Cool, I was looking at buying used ebay dvd/cardboard box versions because I have waited for a sale for a few months without anything and I try to spread my games among drm distribution clients (steam, origin, etc) in case one of them dies, to diversify the risk a bit. I don't mind having to swap disks for install, its not that big a deal lol. I just image it if its too monotonous. I guess in a month we will probably have a big steam summer sale, maybe I'll wait till then.

Its also nice being able to install on the multiple computers I own instead of having to deal with steam's single computer policy.

 

[INSTG8R]

If you already own the DLC, it should still be available. You can't buy anymore DLC though because the store is shut down.

Yeah they actually gave me some money back(In British Pounds, because I created a UK account way back when) Useless to me to use but HEY MS GIVES ME £££!!!111

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Its also nice being able to install on the multiple computers I own instead of having to deal with steam's single computer policy.

Steam is tied to the account, not the computer. You can play the game on whatever account you are currently logged in to. The only caveat is that you can only be logged into one computer at a time.

 

[INSTG8R]

Well Fair warned I can't activate DiRT 3 it tries to close the game and go to MS site which is a dead end...

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Make sure to download and install the latest Games for Windows Live client from Microsoft:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/pc/DownloadClient

 

[INSTG8R]

Make sure to download and install the latest Games for Windows Live client from Microsoft:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/pc/DownloadClient

I have so I can get all the DLC I have for DiRT3. I also had to do it to get my EFLC going.


EDIT: I just tried it again and is worked properly this time. Crisis averted. Now if only I knew why my Fallout3 on Steam is asking for a CD-Key I don't have...

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Right click on the game in the Steam library and select "View CD Key." It should have all the keys you need.

 

[INSTG8R]

Right click on the game in the Steam library and select "View CD Key." It should have all the keys you need.

Of course that is the first place I checked There is no option in my Fallout 3

 

[Vario]

Steam is tied to the account, not the computer. You can play the game on whatever account you are currently logged in to. The only caveat is that you can only be logged into one computer at a time.

whenever i've tried it on other computers I have had to sign into my email and then enter a confirmation code from that email. Now I just run two steam accounts and split games from tv+ controller to kb+mouse categories.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Of course that is the first place I checked There is no option in my Fallout 3

Then you need to talk to Valve about that.

whenever i've tried it on other computers I have had to sign into my email and then enter a confirmation code from that email. Now I just run two steam accounts and split games from tv+ controller to kb+mouse categories.

That's a security feature. If the system is not recognized, it wants email authentication. If someone gets a hold of your Steam credentials but not your email credentials, you can cut them off before they start buying games with your stored credit card info. As far as I know, there is no limit on how many devices you can authorize.

 

[INSTG8R]

whenever i've tried it on other computers I have had to sign into my email and then enter a confirmation code from that email. Now I just run two steam accounts and split games from tv+ controller to kb+mouse categories.

That's for YOUR protection so if someone else tries to log into your account.

 

[Vario]

That's for YOUR protection so if someone else tries to log into your account.

Im not complaining, I am stating a fact. Thats why I have two accounts. I am justifying why I like to buy physical copies of the games.