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Guilty Gear Strive: Critical Windows Update Required by October 2025

Last Updated: October 30, 2025

Guilty Gear Strive characters facing off in a dynamic battle.

Arc System Works has issued a crucial technical advisory for the entire *GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-* community on PC. To avoid significant network connection errors and a potential lockout from online play, all players on Steam and the Windows PC version must ensure their operating system is fully updated before October 1, 2025.

This proactive announcement gives the PC fighting game community (FGC) ample time to prepare for a necessary backend change that will impact one of the most popular fighting games on the market.

The Deadline: What's Happening and Why?

In an official notice, Arc System Works detailed that a "specification change from an external service" scheduled for October 1, 2025, necessitates this new OS requirement. Players running older, non-updated versions of Windows after this date will likely encounter network errors that prevent them from connecting to the game's servers.

While the developer did not name the specific external service, these changes are common in the live-service gaming landscape. They typically involve updates to critical components like security protocols, server authentication APIs, or network libraries that games depend on for online functionality. By deprecating support for outdated OS versions, these services enhance security, stability, and performance for the entire ecosystem.

For a game like *GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-*, lauded for its revolutionary rollback netcode and best-in-class online experience, maintaining a secure and modern connection pipeline is essential for fair and stable competition.

Who Is Affected (And Who Isn't)?

This requirement is strictly for the PC audience. If you play *GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-* on the following platforms, you need to pay attention:

  • PC (Steam)
  • PC (Windows Store / PC Game Pass)

Players on console platforms are not affected by this specific change and do not need to take any action. This includes:

  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S

The Stakes: Which Modes Are At Risk?

The inability to connect online would be a massive blow to any competitive player. Arc System Works has confirmed that failure to update will disrupt core online functionality. The primary modes at risk include:

  • Ranked Tower: The main competitive ladder for players to test their skills.
  • Open Park: The casual lobby for finding matches and interacting with other players.
  • Player Matches: Custom rooms for playing with friends and rivals.

While the developer’s list was not exhaustive, players should assume that any game mode or feature requiring a connection to the *Strive* servers—including cross-play, online lobbies, and leaderboards—will be inaccessible without an updated version of Windows.

The Simple Fix: How to Prepare Your PC and Avoid Issues

The solution is straightforward and aligns with standard PC security and maintenance practices: keep your Windows operating system updated.

For the vast majority of players, Windows Automatic Updates will have already handled this. However, if you have disabled automatic updates or simply want to be certain your gaming rig is compliant, you can manually check:

  1. Open the Settings app on your PC (you can press `Win + I`).
  2. Navigate to Update & Security (on Windows 10) or Windows Update (on Windows 11).
  3. Click the "Check for updates" button.
  4. Install any available updates. It is recommended to install all "Quality" and "Security" updates provided.

By issuing this warning well in advance, Arc System Works is demonstrating a strong commitment to a stable, unified online environment for the *Strive* community. This simple check ensures that no part of the PC player base is left behind, allowing the heavenly duel to continue seamlessly well into 2025 and beyond. Don't wait until the last minute—check your updates today and keep the combos coming.