Recently I have noticed that only a few PC games have achievements that link to Xbox live, and I was wondering why this is. Games for Windows is a recent addition that seems to do little, but I don't see why they don't take that further and itegrate live with every game

The only PC game that I bought recently was Spore, which had it's own in game achievements in it. What is the point in that. It is only 1 game, and does not make me persue the achievements on it with any vigour. I understand that Steam, and I assume other services, provide acheivements, but I don't see why there is not an intergrated system for all PC games

Because PC environment isn't as controlled as xbox live. People woudl cheat, make hacks and achievement points would be worthless.

But then why do Steam offer their own achievement service, rather than a PC wide service?

Microsoft doesn't control the PC. They can't make a rule that all PC games have to have achievments since a game maker could just ignore it. They could make it a rule for Games for Windows, but then there would just be less games that use that label.

Because PC game development isn't as standardized as console development.

For gods sake please no.

The live service is one of the biggest shits on pc market.

It's rediculus I have to register live account to play GTA IV multiplayer or to buy Fallout 3 DLC.

Live only work for Games for Windows title. It's up to publisher / dev if they want to be part of Games for Windows.

Because LIVE is a piece of shit service (that's putting it mildly) and I try to avoid as many games that have it as possible, sadly some times there's just not getting around it but meh. Also, you can hack LIVE easily if it became so ubiquitous.