Microsoft’s Games For Windows Live platform powers some of the most popular PC titles out there, acting as a multiplayer matchmaking tool and single-player copy protection service, all at the same time. But despite its enviable abilities at linking up gamers and creating online matches, it’s far from a favorite amongst gamers, who think of it as an outdated, buggy piece of software.

It’s a criticism that definitely makes sense, given the numerous forum posts and complaints about the frequent crashes, disconnections, and buggy games that occur under Games for Windows Live. But now, gamers looking forwards to Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition will have to put up with Games for Windows Live – that is, if they want to play Dark Souls on their PCs.

The PC port of Dark Souls will be using Games for Windows Live for its multiplayer gameplay – a move that’s understandable due to the complex nature of the game itself. While the inclusion hasn’t been at all popular amongst fans of the game – there’s an anti-Microsoft petition going strong right now – we feel it’s worth taking the hit in order to play such a good game on the PC for once.

Whether or not Namco Bandai opts to use Games for Windows Live in the release version of the game is unknown, but right now it looks like a strong possibility. We can only hope that the game comes out without Games for Windows Live as a requirement, or that patches, updates, and quick work on the platform makes it a little more stable and user-friendly in the meantime.