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Gabe Newell from Valve was quite right to fear about the future when he starting talking up Linux, and now it looks like Microsoft will be trying to push their own store even more.
Microsoft are moving to combine Windows 10 and Xbox One into one platform, and with that the Windows Store will become a bigger thing for them. This is something Gabe Newell of Valve feared, and it looks like it really is starting to become true. While there's nothing wrong with having universal games that work on W10 and XBone, making sure developers have to stick to their store is a problem.
The problem here, is that Microsoft are using their money and their exclusivity deals to keep certain games only on the Windows Store which locks out Steam in the process. There may not be too many doing it yet, but you can be sure over time Microsoft will sign more of these Windows 10 exclusive deals like they have with Quantum Break. Ars actually put it quite well in their article here:
Steam isn't exactly a picture of freedom, but it is available on the three major operating systems. It's free to sign up for and use with no monthly fee needed. Developers can have their game on Steam as well as any other store. You get to buy once and play on any platform where the game is supported, and so on. Steam in these cases is the lesser of two evils.
Is history about to repeat itself with Games For Windows Live version 2? I doubt it, since the Windows Store is tied in with Windows 10 and with their universal apps it might actually be a success, which again, is trouble for Valve.
I can't imagine Windows Store games selling very well at all, but I'm sure Microsoft will find a way to make it look like it is.
As for me, I'm happy with Ubuntu on my desktop and SteamOS on my Steam Machine for my couch gaming. I personally dual boot with Windows 10, but I won't ever touch the Windows Store. Why would I want to lock myself in like that? I hope others feel the same.
How do you feel about all this? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Microsoft are moving to combine Windows 10 and Xbox One into one platform, and with that the Windows Store will become a bigger thing for them. This is something Gabe Newell of Valve feared, and it looks like it really is starting to become true. While there's nothing wrong with having universal games that work on W10 and XBone, making sure developers have to stick to their store is a problem.
The problem here, is that Microsoft are using their money and their exclusivity deals to keep certain games only on the Windows Store which locks out Steam in the process. There may not be too many doing it yet, but you can be sure over time Microsoft will sign more of these Windows 10 exclusive deals like they have with Quantum Break. Ars actually put it quite well in their article here:
QuoteUnfortunately for Spencer, not only has the PC as gaming platform seen little improvement from Microsoft—bar DirectX 12—but the company's one-platform-fits-all approach simply isn't going to fly on PC. The PC community has its own rules and expectations. Forcing console-like restrictions on a group that values freedom was never going to end well. And now, with those people backed into a corner with Quantum Break—one of this year's most highly anticipated games—the backlash is only going to get bigger.
Steam isn't exactly a picture of freedom, but it is available on the three major operating systems. It's free to sign up for and use with no monthly fee needed. Developers can have their game on Steam as well as any other store. You get to buy once and play on any platform where the game is supported, and so on. Steam in these cases is the lesser of two evils.
Is history about to repeat itself with Games For Windows Live version 2? I doubt it, since the Windows Store is tied in with Windows 10 and with their universal apps it might actually be a success, which again, is trouble for Valve.
I can't imagine Windows Store games selling very well at all, but I'm sure Microsoft will find a way to make it look like it is.
As for me, I'm happy with Ubuntu on my desktop and SteamOS on my Steam Machine for my couch gaming. I personally dual boot with Windows 10, but I won't ever touch the Windows Store. Why would I want to lock myself in like that? I hope others feel the same.
How do you feel about all this? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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@Mountain Man: They can't say such thing - it would be an anti-trust violation.
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Quoting: tony1abLet's just judge them by the facts:I've seen Xbox game keys sold in some online stores, and while I don't have an Xbox and don't know all the details, I'd guess that means that other retailers can sell Microsoft games
Fact. Steam allows game developers to put the game on steam, then sell on other stores.
Microsoft its making exclusive games for their store.
QuoteFact. Valve never going to make a game exclusive for its platform. (steam machines)Valve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows store
Microsoft its making exclusive games for xbox one.
QuoteFact. Valve lets people vote which games are to be played in their system (greenlight). Microsoft have to approve your game.Can't argue here, but judging by the amount of crappy mobile games on the Windows store, it's probably not hard to get your game onto the store.
QuoteConclusion:A monopoly is probably every company's wet dream, be it Microsoft, Valve or any other. Some things, like always online games, already exist, and yes, it is because of some big companies, but not necessarily Microsoft.
Microsoft are making movements who are proper of monopoly.
If you help a monopoly to consolidate, then you will be forced to obey their rules: Pay a fee to play online. Pay a fee monthly. Stay permanently connected to the internet to play even solo games. At the moment is consolidated, they will put rules and you only will be able to obey them.
Well, simply do not help monopolys.
What I'm trying to say is that while Microsoft seems like the greater evil here, that does not mean Valve and other companies are completely innocent and only want good for you. Every big company cares about profit and if a company is nice to the consumer, it's only because that may be profitable.
I apologize, if I'm defending Microsoft, but it just seems that people talk crap about Microsoft, just because they're Microsoft.
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QuoteValve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows storeIf you're referring to the Source 2 engine, to my knowledge, Valve is not saying that games made using that engine cannot be sold outside of Steam; Valve is simply saying that, the Source 2 engine games must be sold in either Steam alone or Steam in addition to any other store.
Last edited by s8as8a on 2 March 2016 at 6:30 am UTC
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Quoting: s8as8aQuoteValve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows storeIf you're referring to the Source 2 engine, to my knowledge, Valve is not saying that games made using that engine cannot be sold outside of Steam; Valve is simply saying that, the Source 2 engine games must be sold in either Steam alone or Steam in addition to any other store.
Oh no, I just mean that PC versions of Valve games (Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Left 4 Dead, Dota 2, Portal) are only playable on Steam, even if you buy a physical copy.
Edit: Same goes for EA and Ubisoft. EA games require Origin and Ubisoft games require Uplay
Last edited by PZiggy on 2 March 2016 at 7:48 am UTC
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Quoting: PZiggyQuoting: s8as8aQuoteValve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows storeIf you're referring to the Source 2 engine, to my knowledge, Valve is not saying that games made using that engine cannot be sold outside of Steam; Valve is simply saying that, the Source 2 engine games must be sold in either Steam alone or Steam in addition to any other store.
Oh no, I just mean that PC versions of Valve games (Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Left 4 Dead, Dota 2, Portal) are only playable on Steam, even if you buy a physical copy.
That's because all the games you have listed are all develoved by Valve. But the monopoly practices are to make exclusives to an store for games done by third companies. If Valve makes the game, Valve chooses in which stores must be sold.
In the case of Quantum Break, this game is made by a third company, but Ms has made a deal for that company to only sell the game in their store.
Valve will never say to a third company: "sell the game in steam, and not in another. I will pay you money to be steam exclusive". Valve will never say "this game is only playable in steam os",both things could in fact, be good moves if they want to set their own monopoly. But they won't do.
Last edited by tony1ab on 2 March 2016 at 7:57 am UTC
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Armand Raynal Mar 2, 2016
Quoting: BeamboomSteam is not free software. Here's the evilness !QuoteSteam in these cases is the lesser of two evils
I don't see Steam as evil at all? It's a digital distribution platform - so what? It's even a platform for free software. And like it's said in the article: No exclusivity periods, it's free for the users, it's cross platform, it's proven to be a reliable service, they support Linux.
Where's the evilness?
Why the heck are you using GNU/Linux ?
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Quoting: tony1abQuoting: PZiggyQuoting: s8as8aQuoteValve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows storeIf you're referring to the Source 2 engine, to my knowledge, Valve is not saying that games made using that engine cannot be sold outside of Steam; Valve is simply saying that, the Source 2 engine games must be sold in either Steam alone or Steam in addition to any other store.
Oh no, I just mean that PC versions of Valve games (Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Left 4 Dead, Dota 2, Portal) are only playable on Steam, even if you buy a physical copy.
That's because all the games you have listed are all develoved by Valve. But the monopoly practices are to make exclusives to an store for games done by third companies. If Valve makes the game, Valve chooses in which stores must be sold.
In the case of Quantum Break, this game is made by a third company, but Ms has made a deal for that company to only sell the game in their store.
Valve will never say to a third company: "sell the game in steam, and not in another. I will pay you money to be steam exclusive". Valve will never say "this game is only playable in steam os",both things could in fact, be good moves if they want to set their own monopoly. But they won't do.
Quantum Break is published by Microsoft. If they start telling others to release their games only on the Windows store, then I think we'll have a major problem. For now it's only Microsoft games that are app store exclusive, not games from other publishers though, for example Rise of the Tomb Raider is available on both Steam and Windows store.
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Homepcgamer Mar 2, 2016
Quoting: PZiggyWrong: you can play the valve games in windows, mac and Linux, even in consoles, and they said thatQuoteFact. Valve never going to make a game exclusive for its platform. (steam machines)Valve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows store
Microsoft its making exclusive games for xbox one.
they are not going to make any SteamOS exclusive. A Microsoft Win10 exclusive will be Windows 10 ONLY. Its all about diferent PC OS.
Imagine that Microsoft make the next HALO, Gears of War, and every Microsoft exclusive Xbox AAA a huge success in their win10 store, developers changing slow or fast to their (directX) store and players (those that do not own a Xbox, or Linux&Mac users) changing massively to Win10 to play Xbox exclusive titles. Who then will look to other systems? how much people will change Windows for Mac or Linux? how much players will return or remain in Windows? How long will other developers/editors remain developing for Linux&Mac if the market quote tend to Win10 Store?
You have to look the big picture to see the big problem it is.
QuoteA monopoly is probably every company's wet dream, be it Microsoft, Valve or any other. Some things, like always online games, already exist, and yes, it is because of some big companies, but not necessarily Microsoft.Valve arent a innocent sister of course, but they had the opportunity to make a real monopoly but they didn't. If Microsoft have this opportunity they will make it. No doubt.
What I'm trying to say is that while Microsoft seems like the greater evil here, that does not mean Valve and other companies are completely innocent and only want good for you. Every big company cares about profit and if a company is nice to the consumer, it's only because that may be profitable.
I apologize, if I'm defending Microsoft, but it just seems that people talk crap about Microsoft, just because they're Microsoft.
If we(linux users) are where we are now, is because Valve is pushing the game for Linux. It's a fact. If Microsoft have a gaming exclusive success we all will loose. It's my point of view
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Quoting: Armand RaynalQuoting: BeamboomSteam is not free software. Here's the evilness !QuoteSteam in these cases is the lesser of two evils
I don't see Steam as evil at all? It's a digital distribution platform - so what? It's even a platform for free software. And like it's said in the article: No exclusivity periods, it's free for the users, it's cross platform, it's proven to be a reliable service, they support Linux.
Where's the evilness?
Why the heck are you using GNU/Linux ?
One could like and use linux while also like and use some privative software.
Not all privative companies are evil. You will have to judge them wihouth prejudices and only by their facts.
If a company make a lot of moves to make linux grow by increasing the available games to it, and also make good games discounts putting games at 1.49 dollars (I purchased half life 2 episode 2 for this price in the last sales), then is not evil to me.
Sorry, but in the real world, one could use free software and not share all the principles of the free software. There are middle terms between the extremes....oh my god, If Richard Stallmans hear me is going to kill me.
Last edited by tony1ab on 2 March 2016 at 8:11 am UTC
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Quoting: HomepcgamerQuoting: PZiggyWrong: you can play the valve games in windows, mac and Linux, even in consoles, and they said thatQuoteFact. Valve never going to make a game exclusive for its platform. (steam machines)Valve is making games exclusive to their "platform", which is Steam, the same way Microsoft is making games exclusive to their Xbox/Windows store
Microsoft its making exclusive games for xbox one.
they are not going to make any SteamOS exclusive. A Microsoft Win10 exclusive will be Windows 10 ONLY. Its all about diferent PC OS.
I think you misunderstood me. I think that for Valve, the OS doesn't matter at all, their platform is Steam, not SteamOS. They don't make any money from consumers using a specific OS, so they don't care, as long as the OS doesn't hinder them. That's why they started encouraging Linux when Microsoft started pushing their apps on Win 8. On the other hand, Microsoft sells Windows and the app store exclusives are just a way to push their OS, they already did something similar with Halo 2 and Windows Vista.
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