Following the furore surrounding the apparent choice of Games for Windows Live as the authentication system for the upcoming PC version of Dark Souls -- including a 20,000 strong petition aimed at making them reconsider -- representatives of publisher Namco Bandai have made comments indicating that the use of Microsoft's oft-maligned service for the game was not set in stone.

According to Edge Namco marketing head Carlson Choi said "There have been a lot of questions about the digital partner, but we’re still in April and the game isn’t out until August 24," and "There is still a lot of time for marketing beats. More information will come - maybe at E3.”.

Further, Namco Producer Daisuke Uchiyama explained that GFWL was the default go-to option because of the firm's working relationship with Microsoft on the Xbox 360 version of the game, but gave strong indication that they are considering changing in order to appease fans

"[Live] is the established server that we used for the Xbox 360 version - that's the main reason we picked it," he said. "But the partnership decision is still ongoing. We might have another announcement soon regarding the platform we'll be using."

Whatever the result with Dark Souls, it's going to be difficult for Microsoft to redeem the GFWL service as a competitive option for third party publishers.