<p>The end is almost in sight for the blighted Games for Window Live service, and there was much rejoicing. The Windows Live Marketplace shut down last year, and a now-deleted official post for Age of Empires Online stated that GfWL would be dead by July, and further implied the game would no longer be playable after that date. Microsoft has refused to comment on the matter, however, and that's putting a lot of developers in a pickle.</p><p>Without an explanation from Microsoft, many studios are concerned that their titles will be effectively unplayable come July, and thus have begun the process of removing GfWL and adding Steamworks instead. Unfortunately, an even greater number of publishers have absolutely no plans to remove GfWL from some of their games, leaving them without online support and in some cases, potentially broken.</p><p>BioShock 2, Fallout 3, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Batman Arkham Asylum and Arkham City GOTYs switched over a while ago, though this has led to lost progress if you're in the middle of a game. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon also implemented a patch removing GfWL just two days ago, allowing players to retain their saves.</p><p>Others, like Red Faction: Guerilla, DiRT 3, the F1 series and Super Street Fighter IV are planning on removing GfWL and either switching to Steamworks or implementing their own online service.</p><p><a href="http://www.pcgamesn.com/air-what-will-happen-when-games-windows-live-shuts-down">Keep reading...</a></p>