May 6, 2011 11:13 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has made available for download Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5, which is up for grabs free of charge as of earlier this week. Of course, the new Windows Software Setup 3.5 is provided in relation to the Games for Windows Marketplace, and in this sense is replacing Games for Windows LIVE.

Here is the Redmond company’s description of Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5: “Games for Windows Software Setup 3.5 upgrades users to the newest version.”

The old version in this context is Games for Windows LIVE. And although, at this point in time, Games for Windows LIVE can still be downloaded and installed, it will update itself to the latest iteration offered for the Games for Windows Marketplace.

“Games for Windows Marketplace delivers great games at great prices and gives you access to Games for Windows - LIVE, a free online gaming service that lets you connect and play with your friends and millions of Xbox LIVE members,” reads the official description of the product.

Essentially, Games for Windows Marketplace Software Setup 3.5 is the replacement for the old Games for Windows LIVE client.

Games for Windows Marketplace was announced back in October 2010, and also went live for the first time last year, in mid-November.

In this regard, it’s important to note that Games for Windows Marketplace is not only an online game shop, but also a Cloud service designed to foster and support the gaming community and a distribution channel.

At the same time, Microsoft leverages Games for Windows Marketplace in order to serve game updates and patches to games, in addition to letting them find titles, buy and download them.

Most importantly, the company has worked to connect gamers, and not only to let them communicate and share, but also play against each other.

Games for Windows Marketplace Software Setup 3.5 is available for download here.