now, it's uncommon for PC gaming to experience glitches, crashes, bugs and then the long processes of patching it altogether. But it's a big warning flag that points out the direct problem which is Games for Windows Live. Even now well over 4 months after the game's release, Microsoft's tech support just recommends for you to "Alt+tab" and pretend to ignore it.
Still the year of 2007's rumble between Epic Games and Microsoft Game Studio has been a messy and public fight between the two. Traditionally, Epic gives everything away for free since Jazz Jack Rabbit days, but Mircrosoft demands there to be some sort of reward features for GFW Live Gold users. Some of the default restrictions are No Save, No Achievement points, No anti aliasing and no online multiplayer. What's really ridiculous is warning screens will pop up saying as if they are protecting your save file by joining GFW Live. Now it's quite simple to bypass a lot of these, but another warning flag will just be right up in your face declaring "You will have 'True Skill match making' if you pay for Gold account." With ever step, a new window pester you and panhandles more money away from you.
It's a shame because even a great deal of this content is free even on the 360, although multiplayer is charged but that makes sense since there isn't any other alternatives on a closed platform console. Still the 360 version was designed for more user friendly experience, and that's the intention for GFW Live but within each step it just adds new problem. 360 players are not facing the same problems as the PC gamer, instead they can easily buy a console with Gears of War and have a smooth ride.
Like I said earlier it's really telling that Microsoft Tech support just advices you to ignor the janky warning. If you click on it or close it, that will cease your game immediately. Hence why you need to alt+tab it.
Like I said, a PC gamer is a different creature then a Console gamer, we can handle this issue. But Games for Windows Live just reminds me of Total Entertainment Network, Kali or the other pay services of 1996 that were around during Quake and Diablo offered free online play. The LEAST GFW Live can offer us is offer us Geometry Wars.... Oh wait, that's on Steam for 4 bucks.
Steam will save PC gaming