Despite carrying the Games For Windows logo on its box art, Batman: Arkham City will not be a Games For Windows Live title.

"We've just received notice from Warner's that Batman is Games for Windows but NOT a Games for Windows 'Live' title!" twittered digital download retailer Green Man Gaming.

The lack of Games For Windows Live support means that gamers will not have to log into Microsoft's service to play, but it has also sparked debate about how the game will deal with achievements and leaderboards, which were handled by the Games For Windows Live service in the last game in the series, Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Rumour has it that Batman: Arkham City will now use the Steamworks service, but what are its benefits over GFWL?

"Better save system. Possibility of cloud support. The ability to trade and gift games. Better chance of discounts and pre-order bonuses. Region only restricted by publisher and not by DRM," says one regular poster on the official Steam forums.

Batman: Arkham City is scheduled for an October 21, 2011 release on PC, X360 and PS3.