Dark Souls fans looking forward to the impending PC release have been on what seems like a never-ending roller coaster ride.

First the game is announced – a definite high point. Then From Software announces that the game will require Games for Windows LIVE, and you could hear the simultaneous groans of millions of disappointed gamers. But wait – From said the game would also be coming to Steam, and gamers again rejoiced!

But we warned you. I warned you…

It’s all about reading between the lines. Just because Dark Souls was coming to Steam didn’t mean that it was going to be GFWL free, and I had this creeping suspicion that was going to be the case.

You know those times when you hate being right? Yes, this is one of those times…

The info page for Dark Souls isn’t live on the Steam website yet[updated: it's up now], but if you open up your Steam client you can find it. And there, at the bottom of the page at the end of the System Requirements, is the one line of text we all feared:

Additional: Online play requires software installation of and log-in to Games For Windows – LIVE

Ouch!

Seeing as how the online component practically makes Dark Souls, it’s not like you can just play without it. I mean you can, but why would you want to?

I played the hell out of Dark Souls on my PS3, and I was looking forward to the PC version if for no other reason than to play in a wee bit higher resolution. But I won’t buy the game over again if it means being subject to GFWL. Maybe that sounds a bit whiny, but there are people out there who could tell you horror stories about their experiences with GFWL, and I have a few of my own.

I guess this means I’ll be sticking to my good old PS3 for the added content when it comes out, but much like my playthrough of Kingdoms of Amalur, while I’ll no doubt enjoy the experience, I’ll be wishing I was playing on my PC (just to clarify, my PC was down when Amalur came out, it’s not that it required GFWL).

Source: [Steam]