How does Games for Windows — LIVE’s DRM compare to Steam’s?
The biggest differentiator between Games for Windows — LIVE and Steam is access control. Steam controls access to games you download from Steam by requiring an online verification to play those games. If your Steam account is stolen or banned, access to your entire collection of games downloaded from Steam could be lost. On the other hand, Games for Windows — LIVE does not control access to you collection through online verification. You can install your games anywhere and play your games offline without online verification. You can also launch games directly without running the Games for Windows — LIVE client. The only time you have to connect to Games for Windows — LIVE is when you want to receive LIVE services. Then Games for Windows – LIVE does verify that your account is authorized to play the game on Games for Windows — LIVE. Games for Windows – LIVE offers publishers several tools to help secure their games. Microsoft also supports many security features the publishers commonly
