Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Will Likely Use Games For Windows Live Instead of Steamworks

August 12, 2010 5:30 PM

[Update: 08.13.2010] THQ has finally confirmed to Shacknews that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine will use Steamworks, not Games for Windows Live as previously suspected. Full details here.

[Original Story] Although they won't publicly admit to it at this time, it appears that Relic Entertainment has decided to stick with Games for Windows Live for the PC version of its upcoming shooter, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.

During a preview event for the game at the Relic offices in Vancouver, the PC version flashed the Games for Windows Live "Home Screen" notification. Previously, Relic had used Games for Windows Live for its Dawn of War II series while other THQ titles have been adopting Valve's Steamworks platform.

During an upcoming interview with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine producer Andy Lang, I asked about the Games for Windows Live pop-up, but he could not confirm Space Marine would use Microsoft's platform.

"I noticed there was a Games for Windows Live prompt when the demo started, does Space Marine use Games for Windows Live?" I asked Lang. "We're not talking about that right now," he laughed. "It did appear, yes. But we're not really talking about it."

"Is it already decided but you're not talking about it or is it still up in the air?" I pushed. Which prompted Lang to confirm the decision has been made, but the company is not talking about it. The full interview with producer Andy Lang will be available tomorrow.

It seems likely that Games for Windows Live will be the platform of choice, something that Relic fans should be used to by now.

According to THQ, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine will now hit the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 in THQ's 2012 fiscal year, which only begins on April 2, 2011. It was originally scheduled to hit in early 2011.

Xav de Matos

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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Degenerate

 reply
August 12, 2010 5:32 PM

Steamworks would be nice but I dont have any issue with them using GFWL. It never really bothered me at all in DoW2.
- Dr_Cube
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 5:39 PM
  
  Yeah. Would prefer Steamworks but GFWL isn't a dealbreaker. If they are going to use GFWL for the PC version then I would like cross platform play support.
- spaceyme
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 5:39 PM
  
  me neither, but queue the "pre-order cancelled" morons
- Johnnsen
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 5:41 PM
  
  I find the friends system and all a nightmare with GFWL.
  - Dr_Cube
    
     reply
    August 12, 2010 5:46 PM
    
    It's nice to be able to chit chat with my console friends but yeah, from a usability standpoint it's nowhere near as easy and smooth as Steam.
- JackAxe
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 5:46 PM
  
  I had no real issues with GFWL until after I moved to a different PC. Because I chose to play offline -- if that really is the case... -- my transfered saved games don't work on my current PC and I've tried all the so called fixes.
- valcan_s
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 5:58 PM
  
  Same, actually I was extremely impressed with GFWL aka their Games On Demand client it is wait for it... I know its gona sound weird... its a freeking super light weight client and ver impressive. Ya and its MS who made it.
  
  Most people are like "damn that piece shit GFWL is shit man they are crap blah blah blah" I don't get it. I wanted to get Age of empire 3 http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-us/games/pages/AgeofEmpires3.aspx in a digital format and they had it. Basically my first experience, I think their whole digital down load system is fantastic, too bad they did not have a library of D2D, impulse, gamersgate and Steam, I would not bother with any other DD client system.
  
  Ultimately I just care about the games but I just want to note MS is very good regardless of what some think.
- melkore
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 6:05 PM
  
  I've had a hell of a time with GFWL not letting me log in for no apparent reason and the only work around was to not auto-sign in. Where as Steam is almost always working like a charm for me.
  
  I would prefer Steamworks and Steamcloud but I'll still buy it if it has GFWL on it.
- Unleashed
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 6:46 PM
  
  how about terrible and slow matchmaking, and a slow interface that isnt very effecient in terms of design?
  - spaceyme
    
     reply
    August 12, 2010 7:15 PM
    
    how about looking at the PC's SF4 and Dirt 2 to and see how nice the interface is worked in, and how well the matchmaking works before you make that comment.
  - ReckHavoc
    
     reply
    August 12, 2010 9:04 PM
    
    I agree. Their matchmaking system is horrible, they seem to constantly stick you with someone on the other side of the world.
- kungfusquirrel
  
   reply
  August 12, 2010 7:17 PM
  
  DOW2 did just fine supporting both, I thought. I'd hope even if they use GFWL on this one they'd keep the Steamworks support.
  
  Of course, I may also just render that moot and get the 360 version.