The rumour mill is spinning rather quickly lately, with rumours about Microsoft apparently looking at buying Valve, EA and others.
Polygon cites a "reliable source" for this information:
Some of the names being thrown around as possible acquisitions by Microsoft are, frankly, astounding, even unthinkable. But the fact that they are doing the rounds is instructive. The most recent one we heard (from a reliable source close to Microsoft) was, in fact, Electronic Arts. We also heard a whisper about Valve and about Korean outfit PUBG Corp., which Microsoft last year signed to a timed exclusive for its hit survival shooter, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.
Considering Valve has a majority grip on the PC gaming market, constant growth and quite likely more money than they know what to do with, it would obviously be a target for Microsoft. However, to me, those are also all reasons why it just wouldn't happen. On top of that, Valve is privately owned and I doubt Gabe Newell will suddenly give it all over to Microsoft.
Let's not forget how Valve has also been paying people to improve Linux gaming. Valve has people working on SDL, Mesa, SteamOS (multiple updates this year already), Virtual Reality and plenty more towards making Linux a more attractive gaming platform. There's also this recent interview with Timothee Besset from our friends at BoilingSteam which gives a little glimpse into the work Valve is doing behind the scenes for Linux gaming too. It also seems from that, the Linux port of Street Fighter V is not actually dead. It seems they have a habit of announcing things too early!
Obviously if Microsoft somehow convinced Gabe and co to sell up, Linux gaming would change significantly, but I'm telling you now—it just won't happen.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: stretch611MS buying Valve? Not likely. It would be too expensive and not really fit their needs. Gabe probably would sell at a certain price, but only if it far exceeds the real value and I doubt MS will drop that much cash for essentially a game platform when they already have their own software store.If MS bought Bethesda I'd be so sad. I'm still waiting for my Linux port of Skyrim.
As for buying it to deter Linux gaming... even less likely. Linux has what, roughly 1-2% share on steam? Microsoft has only a 90% desktop share, and roughly a 40-50% server share... Linux may be a thorn in their side, but not because of gaming. Truth be told, they probably don't even notice linux gamers. If they wanted to come after us, it would most likely be in the server space.
The article mentioned that it wanted exclusive releases on XBOX. I son't see how Valve fits into this. Valve is mostly rent-seeking on its steam platform. It does have games and IP that it develops... but how often does it actually release software? DOTA gets updated, but I don't see a lot of work done on things on their titles. Looking in steam(searching on Developer:Valve), the last release other than minor DLC, was an update to Half-Life 2... nearly 3 years ago.
If Microsoft wants exclusive titles, that means buying up a big AAA publisher, like EA, UBI, or Bethesda. In which case I don't see how linux gaming is changed at all... its not like we get much from those places anyway. Possibly a moderate sized publisher like Take Two... but even then, its not like console gamers are clamoring for Civilization. It would have to be a good fit.
A few indie game companies may be bought... after all they bought bungie and mojang... but how many indies have titles that would be a good draw for exclusive marketing? If they buy PUBG, how does this harm linux, its not like they are planning on porting it to linux anyway.
TL: DR; The story is an opinion piece... with opinions of industry analysts. They are all rumors and it is possible that it will happen. It may, it may not. I doubt it will happen to valve, and even if Microsoft goobles up a software house or two, I think it is likely not to have any effect at all on linux gaming.
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TheRiddick Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: ElectricPrismYou can't build a house in 1 day by spending extra money.
I dunno I think in China you could build a house in 1 day, they have been building stuff overnight or in 1 day for a long time because their labour force is that fast to mobilise! In the US/western World, not so much, we are slow and weighted down with bureaucracy!
Quoting: ElectricPrismYou can't solve world hunger with money.
Unprecedented construction of vertical gardens would probably go a long way however!
Quoting: ElectricPrismYou can't fix the driver and tool-chain game development problems on Linux with money
More full time workers on these projects would probably go a long way again.
Anyway, just saying, money can solve allot more problems then people think. If your a powerful corporation that is, the issue is you must consider if the losses are worth it for the money spent!
Quoting: ScooptaIf MS bought Bethesda I'd be so sad. I'm still waiting for my Linux port of Skyrim.
Bethesda are even more anti Linux then Microsoft!
Last edited by TheRiddick on 31 January 2018 at 1:11 am UTC
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Quoting: ScooptaIf MS bought Bethesda I'd be so sad. I'm still waiting for my Linux port of Skyrim.
Honestly, the chances of getting Linux ports of Bethesda games would probably be higher if they were owned by Microsoft. Zenimax/Bethesda hates Linux.
Remember when id software used to not only port their games, but open-source their engines as well?
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Cyba.Cowboy Jan 31, 2018
Microsoft can have EA... People can defend them all they want, but EA have some of the worst business practices in the entire industry. Not to mention the fact that when it comes to customer service, I can't think of too many companies (in any industry) which can compete with EA for poor standards - in their defence, EA aren't the worst, but they're certainly high on the list.
Valve Software though? I agree it won't happen, but in the unlikely event that it did, I'd be closing my Steam account the very next day - Microsoft has always been sketchy at best, but at least under Bill Gates, I sort-of trusted the company (yep, I'm anti-Microsoft, but a pretty big admirer of Bill Gates!)... It's been a long time since I've had any trust for Microsoft though, and if they were still updating them, I wouldn't even trust them with the dozen or so Handheld PCs I have in the garage!
Fortunately, we have GOG.com and whilst they lost much of their "Linux steam" (pun intended) once they had launched the initial 100 Linux games they promised, they still seem to be semi-dedicated to Linux... Linux releases have slowed to a trickle, but every once in a while they surprise us with something particularly awesome.
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 31 January 2018 at 2:02 am UTC
Valve Software though? I agree it won't happen, but in the unlikely event that it did, I'd be closing my Steam account the very next day - Microsoft has always been sketchy at best, but at least under Bill Gates, I sort-of trusted the company (yep, I'm anti-Microsoft, but a pretty big admirer of Bill Gates!)... It's been a long time since I've had any trust for Microsoft though, and if they were still updating them, I wouldn't even trust them with the dozen or so Handheld PCs I have in the garage!
Fortunately, we have GOG.com and whilst they lost much of their "Linux steam" (pun intended) once they had launched the initial 100 Linux games they promised, they still seem to be semi-dedicated to Linux... Linux releases have slowed to a trickle, but every once in a while they surprise us with something particularly awesome.
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 31 January 2018 at 2:02 am UTC
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TheRiddick Jan 31, 2018
REALLY want to see GOG Galaxy happen, or at least the ability to download Linux versions through it (last time I checked it says wrong OS or something).
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Quoting: GustyGhostAnd not just that, but outside of the gaming industry the concept is completely preposterous. Just imagine: "Daewoo signs exclusive contract with Lionsgate Films for timed exclusive movie releases only to compatible™ Daewoo DVD players."
I wouldn't say so. Unfortunately this sick idea can be found in various markets. Consider the fact that Disney pulled their films from Netflix (or planned to pull? I'm not using either, I've seen something about it). Same goes for Netflix themselves, they make films that are exclusively available through their store only. That's not a healthy situation at all.
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Quoting: tmtvlMicrosoft have proven themselves to be rather decent towards Linux as of late.
Not towards Vulkan though, which reflects the sick lock-in mindset of their gaming branch.
Quoting: tmtvlThey also haven't blocked Minecraft from opposing platforms, so I don't think there's much to worry about no matter who they decide to buy out.
The only reason Minecraft wasn't borked is the fact that it already worked for Linux, so they didn't want to make their reputation even worse than it is now by axing it.
Last edited by Shmerl on 31 January 2018 at 2:12 am UTC
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I don't think we should worry about legacy publishers. Most of them never groked Linux, so we can as well ignore them and let MS eat them for lunch. However MS hurting Mesa development through buying Valve is not a good thing at all.
Last edited by Shmerl on 31 January 2018 at 2:26 am UTC
Last edited by Shmerl on 31 January 2018 at 2:26 am UTC
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Cyba.Cowboy Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: GustyGhostOne thing is for sure, it would be hilarious watching all of you guys who are so deeply embedded in Steam freak out over a Microsoft acquisition. A little lesson in all your eggs in one basket if you know what I mean.
This is one of the "key" reasons why GOG.com is my first choice for games these days - because they're DRM-free and thus, I am not "locked" to one proprietary company... I only really buy from Steam if they're the only place that have a particular game for Linux and even though, I go out of my way to make sure it's never going to be sold on GOG.com first.
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GustyGhost Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: ScooptaYeah they haven't killed of MC yet but that would take a rewrite. After all the game is Java. You'd have to try not to let it running everywhere. But wouldn't you know they happen to have a rewrite called bedrock edition which they're pushing over the java edition and there are rumors that the original java edition will be dropped. The bedrock edition is mobile, Xbox, and windows 10 only BTW.
IIRC they had already authored a Windows 10 edition in C++ or something to that effect. Embrace Extend Extinguish. I converted all of the builds and worlds from my time with Minecraft over to Minetest already because I can no longer count on MC to be available on Linux in the future.
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyThis is one of the "key" reasons why GOG.com is my first choice for games these days - because they're DRM-free and thus, I am not "locked" to one proprietary company... I only really buy from Steam if they're the only place that have a particular game for Linux and even though, I go out of my way to make sure it's never going to be sold on GOG.com first.
Yes unfortunately if you're looking for AAA titles or popular multiplayer titles for Linux, Steam is currently the only game in town. Too many big studios are afraid of DRM-free. I only keep Steam around today for the few titles that my (unenlightened) friends want me to play with them.
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Quoting: GustyGhostYes unfortunately if you're looking for AAA titles or popular multiplayer titles for Linux, Steam is currently the only game in town. Too many big studios are afraid of DRM-free. I only keep Steam around today for the few titles that my (unenlightened) friends want me to play with them.
I don't mind skipping them if they are "afraid". They should respect their users and not insult them with DRM. IMHO this situation today is more about lock-in problem than DRM itself. As you point out, multiplayer games tend to be locked into Steam because of their match making and etc.
Last edited by Shmerl on 31 January 2018 at 3:38 am UTC
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Cyba.Cowboy Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: GustyGhostYes unfortunately if you're looking for AAA titles or popular multiplayer titles for Linux, Steam is currently the only game in town. Too many big studios are afraid of DRM-free. I only keep Steam around today for the few titles that my (unenlightened) friends want me to play with them.
I don't mind skipping them if they are "afraid". They should respect their users and not insult them with DRM. IMHO this situation today is more about lock-in problem than DRM itself. As you point out, multiplayer games tend to be locked into Steam because of their match making and etc.
It's like when Apple and others started offering DRM-free music... The "experts" were saying it was the end of the music industry - but we now know it made virtually no difference to piracy levels and some sources even claim the (piracy) numbers went down slightly.
The moral of the story is, if you are too "scared" to sell your games DRM-free on sites like GOG.com, there's plenty of other developers out there that are more than willing to take my money whilst offering DRM-free games...
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 31 January 2018 at 4:28 am UTC
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BlackBloodRum Jan 31, 2018
Okay, so hasn't quite happened yet but probably will, due to Microsoft rumours tend to become true..
But I'm curious how badly will this affect Linux Market-share overall? How many people would stop using Linux once Microsoft removes Steam from it?
I was using Linux pre-steam so I would continue to do so post-steam and still not switch to Windows (I could never use Windows - It's confusing and highly annoying) but there are a lot of people that only started using Linux because of Steam.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens!
But I'm curious how badly will this affect Linux Market-share overall? How many people would stop using Linux once Microsoft removes Steam from it?
I was using Linux pre-steam so I would continue to do so post-steam and still not switch to Windows (I could never use Windows - It's confusing and highly annoying) but there are a lot of people that only started using Linux because of Steam.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens!
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Wouldn't affect me too much, i'd just stop buying commercial games altogether. That said, i can't see Valve as a company that would be sold. They have worked on steam for over 10 years now, and it seems their platform is still growing. It would also be a surprising change of directions from them, since they put a lot of eggs into developing for their alternative OS.
re. BlackBloodRun: i am confident that the majority of linux users and developers are quite indifferent to gaming and steam.
re. BlackBloodRun: i am confident that the majority of linux users and developers are quite indifferent to gaming and steam.
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Cyba.Cowboy Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: BlackBloodRumHow many people would stop using Linux once Microsoft removes Steam from it?
I don't think there's too many people that use Linux-based operating systems because of gaming... With the exception of Steam Machines and SteamOS users, people will just switch to other stores - GOG.com being the most obvious example, but there are a couple of others out there and some developers will sell to customers directly (i.e. via their own websites).
In other words, I'm pretty sure few - if any - people would stop using Linux-based operating systems, in the unlikely event Microsoft were to buy Valve Software...
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 31 January 2018 at 8:06 am UTC
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lucifertdark Jan 31, 2018
First Microsoft started working with Canonical to get parts of Ubuntu running inside Windows, now they're looking to buy Valve? Windows is obviously on borrowed time & they know it, what better way to secure their future than by taking over a competing OS & incorporating it into Windows?
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Cyba.Cowboy Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: lucifertdarkFirst Microsoft started working with Canonical to get parts of Ubuntu running inside Windows, now they're looking to buy Valve?
*Facepalm*
It is a rumour, and one that many of us think holds very little truth... At the time of writing, Microsoft are NOT buying Valve Software.
Quoting: lucifertdarkWindows is obviously on borrowed time & they know it, what better way to secure their future than by taking over a competing OS & incorporating it into Windows?
Are you talking about SteamOS, or Ubuntu?
If you're referring to SteamOS, then it accounts for probably 1% of Valve Software's business - gaming is the primary business of Valve Software, and will likely be for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, if you're referring to the Ubuntu thing, it's basically just the (Ubuntu-based) development tools being able to run under a Windows-based operating system (in "layman's terms" ), not the operating system itself (in the sense of how you use Ubuntu on your own computer)... There's a really BIG difference and the current "Ubuntu running under Windows-based operating systems" is in no way the first step to "incorporating it into Windows".
Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 31 January 2018 at 8:17 am UTC
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stretch611 Jan 31, 2018
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyQuoting: lucifertdarkFirst Microsoft started working with Canonical to get parts of Ubuntu running inside Windows, now they're looking to buy Valve?
*Facepalm*
It is a rumour, and one that many of us think holds very little truth... At the time of writing, Microsoft are NOT buying Valve Software.
Exactly, Not to mention that the most likely target that is rumored is EA. The rumor is also centered around the need for exclusive titles... Not something that Valve is likely to deliver on as Valve seems to develop steam now much more than actual games.
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Quoting: TrinexxI can dream can't I? TES is my favorite franchise.Quoting: ScooptaIf MS bought Bethesda I'd be so sad. I'm still waiting for my Linux port of Skyrim.
Honestly, the chances of getting Linux ports of Bethesda games would probably be higher if they were owned by Microsoft. Zenimax/Bethesda hates Linux.
Remember when id software used to not only port their games, but open-source their engines as well?
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Quoting: GustyGhostYeah they already had the Windows 10 edition but that's since been replaced with the bedrock edition which supports cross platform multiplayer and such.Quoting: ScooptaYeah they haven't killed of MC yet but that would take a rewrite. After all the game is Java. You'd have to try not to let it running everywhere. But wouldn't you know they happen to have a rewrite called bedrock edition which they're pushing over the java edition and there are rumors that the original java edition will be dropped. The bedrock edition is mobile, Xbox, and windows 10 only BTW.
IIRC they had already authored a Windows 10 edition in C++ or something to that effect. Embrace Extend Extinguish. I converted all of the builds and worlds from my time with Minecraft over to Minetest already because I can no longer count on MC to be available on Linux in the future.
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyThis is one of the "key" reasons why GOG.com is my first choice for games these days - because they're DRM-free and thus, I am not "locked" to one proprietary company... I only really buy from Steam if they're the only place that have a particular game for Linux and even though, I go out of my way to make sure it's never going to be sold on GOG.com first.
Yes unfortunately if you're looking for AAA titles or popular multiplayer titles for Linux, Steam is currently the only game in town. Too many big studios are afraid of DRM-free. I only keep Steam around today for the few titles that my (unenlightened) friends want me to play with them.
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