For instance, I got Batman and the box said Windows Live. So when I tried to install, I had to set up Windows Live which I do not want to do.
Windows Live is for keeping track of a gamers achievements and stats, much like XFire, just a little more tuned for the game itself. It also has the ability to take a games Key Code and validate it. If you log on, and you have friends on your list, then you can ask them about getting help with problems you are having in the game, or just for general help. It's not just for playing online. I know someone is going to say it, yes there are better options out there that do almost the same thing, yes there is software that dose almost the same thing, yes there are many other things that can be used to almost the same thing. I am not saying that it is the best option, I am stating the facts, this is what it dose.
Metro 2033 just says "Games for Windows", and it requires Steam as does COD2. Currently I am installing Metro 2033 and even though I have the DVD, it is downloading over 7 GB for an "update."
Steam is a wonderful thing. I like it cause you can get games and associate them with your user name, and no matter what happens to your system or any disks, you can always reinstall it from either Steam or a backup you make. The back ups can be stored on an external HDD or burned to CD/DVD. It also has achievements, groups, buddies, so on and so forth. I believe the reason games are moving to the requires Steam or Games for Windows Live Market, is because that is an easier way to distribute patches and updates for software. That means less work on the companies part, and you don't have to worry about, do I have the latest patches and updates. You just automatically do.
I set my Steam to never check for updates, I update them once in a while only. It's very inconvenient to start a game and have to wait before the game finally starts after it applies all available downloads.
I am bias on this point. I run my system 24/7, with my 8 messengers, Facebook, My Space, faction forum and Steam running from boot. With that I never have to visibly install updates, to any of my games. They are downloaded and installed when they are released. Most of the time I don't know it is happening until I get a pop up by my clock telling me Steam is done downloading updates. LoL That just reminded me I forgot to start it when I rebooted yesterday, ROTFLOL