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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Homepcgamer Mar 2, 2016
Quoting: PZiggyI understand you now, but I thing your point of view is wrong. Valve's platform is the PC. If the PC locks down to Microsoft's windows 10 market there is a possibility that Steam will be blown up at some point. So Valve cares about the OS, be sure. If they didnt care they never develop Steam for Linux or SteamOS(less than 1% of the gaming market share)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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QuoteI don't understand why ANYONE would want to move from something less restrictive like Steam or GOG, to something that is absurdly locked down like this.
Don't underestimate the stupidity of people, think about Mac users for instance.
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Quoting: tony1abQuoting: 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.
Exactly. I don't share the GPL or get out approach that many do.
I use whatever I feel like using and what gives me the best experience. Ubuntu for everything but gaming gives me the best experience (I really dislike Windows 10 UI and sluggishness), but Windows does still have more games.
"Why the heck are you using GNU/Linux" really annoys me, everyone has a different reason for using it. Try to be tolerant of others eh.
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Now, I'm no fan of Microsoft, but may Gabe be forcing their hand a bit here? He is taking his toys and sharing with all the neighbours, of course Microsoft will want their own toys. Vendor lock-in is literally their corporate strategy and has been for twenty years! Did anyone expect their own games to be sold through Steam? Did anyone expect them to silently sit by and allow Linux to catch up? It's freaking Microsoft!
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Quoting: NyamiouRemember Windows XP viruses, Vista, Windows 8, Windows 10 privacy policy, no matter how much they screw up, they always seems to win in the end.Who says they're winning? They're certainly in the lead still, but they're losing market share on pretty much all fronts. A behemoth like Windows won't just fall overnight.
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Quoting: mulletdeathQuoting: BeamboomQuoteSteam 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?
It's proprietary software with some DRM, that's probably the evil to which he's referring. That's perfectly relevant for us Linux users.
Not if you're a Linux gamer it's not. The games are closed source, sauced in commercial mechanics from all angles. To be a gamer and complain about the friggin distribution channel who distribute closed sourced software to not be open sourced, I'm sorry but that's just plain irrational.
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cRaZy-bisCuiT Mar 2, 2016
Quoting: CimerydNow, I'm no fan of Microsoft, but may Gabe be forcing their hand a bit here? He is taking his toys and sharing with all the neighbours, of course Microsoft will want their own toys. Vendor lock-in is literally their corporate strategy and has been for twenty years! Did anyone expect their own games to be sold through Steam? Did anyone expect them to silently sit by and allow Linux to catch up? It's freaking Microsoft!It's nothing we shouldn't have expected! Of course $MS will try to distribute their games forcefull on their eco system only. Yes - $MS does contract third party companies for $MS story only - but apart from that Counter Strike, Dota and Half Life - some of the most played games worldwide - are Steam exclusive. May it run on windows, linux and mac or not: It's still exclusive on their platform. So what's your problem guys? More competition is always a nice thing to have! :) [0]
[0] I do use Arch Linux almost only. Don't think I do like $MS. That's not the point of my post.
Last edited by cRaZy-bisCuiT on 2 March 2016 at 11:05 am UTC
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Quoting: GuestHL3 timed exclusive to SteamOS would destroy Microsofts plans.If they're one day talking about the evils of walled gardens and building walls the next, they lose much of the goodwill and trust they've built up in recent years. These things are important, for gamers and game developers alike.
Pull your finger out Gabe !!
Last edited by tuubi on 2 March 2016 at 11:24 am UTC
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Quoting: GuestJust a little light humour, tuubi. :POK. There are a lot of people who think Valve should do exclusives though. Like it's more important to win than to fight fair.
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Quoting: GuestHL3 timed exclusive to SteamOS would destroy Microsofts plans.
That would be stupid. You don't want to alienate a majority of your users.
On the other hand, releasing HL3 for Linux/SteamOS first, with an announcement "Will follow on Windows very soon" (or maybe even give an exact time, not sure how much would be most beneficial; two weeks? one month?) would probably make quite a splash..
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