<p>Microsoft subtly revealed that Game for Windows Live will shut down in 2014, which could affect the multiplayer, downloadable content, and saves of many titles. Some games, such as Age of Empires Online, depend on the service to function, while others games are less intertwined. While the shutdown is over a year away, it's good to highlight what the change means and some ways to alleviate the problems.</p><p>Publisher responsibility</p><p>There are currently over 70 games that use Games for Windows Live (GFWL), with 15 of them published by Microsoft Studios. Among their popular titles include Fable III, Gears of War, and Halo 2. All these games have some type of cooperative or multiplayer aspect, which seems important to preserve after the end of GFWL. Microsoft is expected to roll out patches to either retain GFWL's functions, and possibly roll them into a new service (perhaps integrating it directly into Xbox Live or the larger Microsoft account).</p><p>One thing to keep in mind is that Microsoft doesn't necessarily have to oversee the preservation of third party games that require GFWL. Capcom has 10 games that use the service, many of which have online and cross-platform capability. Sega and Codemasters also have at least 5 titles that use GFWL for multiplayer and match making. It's the responsibility of these publishers to amend their dependence on GFWL and patch their games. Questions remain as to when they will do this, and if the updates will simulate everything GFWL offered.Multiplayer</p><p><a href="http://features.en.softonic.com/what-happens-when-games-for-windows-live-dies">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/60025/games-for-windows-live-marketplace-lives-on-for-a-few-more-days">Games for Windows Live Marketplace Lives On For a Few More Days</a> (Side Mission)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dsdSnpJ102q9RKM8lJnd6ML_tvIdM&ned=us">3 additional articles.</a></p>