How about pirating it altogether since DRM free is so easily obtainable nowadays with GOG is around? I'm pretty sure there are bunch of copies in some torrent websites readily available to download :)

I've got Win Vista, no Xbox and no interest in converting the game to a Steam version. The error message I get is that the network connection the game refers to is unavailable. Therefore all I am looking for is a way to get the game to run without looking for that network connection. For that I am hoping that someone will refer me to a patch or tell me which command lines to change in which file of the game to get it done.

I see that someone sent me a private chat, perhaps with a solution, but unfortunately my gog chat function has never worked and gog support is unable to tell me how to fix it, so any answers will need to be provided here. I suspect the chat thing might also be related to having Win Vista with IE9 (fully updated). My tools are probably too outdated for this modern world we're living in. However, unless some knowledgeable one will need to confirm that for me before I can find some rest about these matters.
Tallin, that page refers to Xbox. I don't have an Xbox. How does this work?
Thanks, but I have no interest in pirating anything.

You HAVE TO redeem Batman Arkham Asylum game key, in steam. By doing so, you get a FREE copy of Batman Arkham Asylum GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION (complete version with all bonus content), even if your code was from vanilla Asylum and NOT GOTY! As others noted:

1) It is DRM-FREE
2) You loose your saves
3) But you have achievements on steam
4) And you have game cards and booster packs on steam

I remember though i read somewhere that Microsoft ultimately decided to NOT shut down GFWL service, at least for the time being and/or at least permanently. I would appreciate someone shedding some more light into this one...

The page is just a link to the latest GFWL client. It mentions that Microsoft Points will be discontinued and the GFW Marketplace will be closed (and that has happened), and that is the connection to Xbox. The download button downloads the PC client.

You don't though. It still works in GWFL with an offline profile.

I just bought the retail version of Bulletstorm. That's the next one on my list to try through GFWL with an offline profile.

I don't get an option to start in offline mode. I have now installed as per Tallin's advice, but still no joy. Should I un- and reinstall the game completely?

Do you get the overlay come up that asks you to log on or create a new gamer profile? The offline profile option is hidden in the create new profile screen.

Actually, my GFWL client worked with no issues on both 8.1 and 10, so maybe it's some other issue.

Nope, all I get is an "There may be a problem with your Internet connection or the LIVE service" message. I know I'm doing something wrong, but what?

I've now even updated Silverlight to its latest version, and still nothing.

As far as I remember, GfWL is NOT down. It's just that if you possess a Windows 8 system or above, the client will have troubles with the system as the client that comes with the games wasn't designed for Win8 and above systems in mind. That's how I got my Street Fighter IV copy running; get an updated GfWL.

Your firewall may be blocking it.

Also, did you remove the old version of GFWL before installing the new one?

Uninstalling the old version helped me to get the new one going. After one heck of a process I finally had a valid account for GFWL (what does that even mean about where I've been playing this all the time?). And so I tried running the game again - no luck. Now thinking myself at the end of my tether, I decided to uninstall both AA and AC, but guess what? We are sorry - we can't find the files referred to and can therefore not uninstall the game from your PC. 25Gb of wasted space on my hard drive. And a $100 on games. At least I got a lot of play out of it while it still worked. Sadly, there seems no way in which I'll get any more unless it becomes a part of the gog catalogue in future. If I can rebuy them here for $5 each eventually.

Thanks to everyone who tried to assist.

Sorry we couldn't get it going for you. My next suggestion would have been to try to run the GFWL provider in the Games menu of Windows Vista.

Interestingly, having just installed Bulletstorm, this actually requires you to have a proper live account for first play (i.e. not a local only one).

I'm still open to suggestions, just somewhat despondent regarding this matter at present. If you could kindly explain how to do that thing, I'll give it a try tomorrow, d.v.

It wouldn't be pirating if you own the game. And yes, this is what EVERYBODY should do when DRM gives games THEY OWN a fit.