Is Windows 8 a catastrophe? Valve seems to think so – Feature
Microsoft is ready to release the latest version of their popular operation system (OS), Windows 8 in October 2012. The main new feature that the Company is touting is that the new Windows will support Touch based tablet devices. This also means that the
layout is completely revamped to look like that of Windows Mobile and will feature a new Metro UI Home Screen.
Many PC elitists are opposed to the new UI and believe that it would not work on PCs without a touch screen. The want Microsoft to add a feature to disable the Home screen but so far Microsoft has not commented on the possibility of a substitute UI. The
Metro UI might not have such a negative effect as the original desktop and window based browsing features are still present.
Apart from disgruntle Windows 7 fans that are opposed to the changes that the new OS will bring, it appears that Game publishers are also not looking forward to the new OS. The Managing Director of Valve Software, Gabe Newell, is disappointed with Microsoft’s
upcoming offering and calls it a total catastrophe.
“I think that Windows 8 is kind of a catastrophe for everybody in the PC space. I think that we’re going to lose some of the top-tier PC [original equipment manufacturers]. They’ll exit the market. I think margins are going to be destroyed for a bunch of
people. If that’s true, it’s going to be a good idea to have alternatives to hedge against that eventuality,” stated Gabe during a Q&A session at the Connect Games Conference.
The reason behind this is Valve’s digital distribution platform, Steam. Even though Steam is available for Mac and has some Linux support, Windows is where the majority of Steam’s install base lies. It seems that Gabe believes that Microsoft has made many
changes to the OS which will have a negative impact on Valve’s service.
Gabe states that the reason why he is unsatisfied is because Microsoft is taking the Apple route and is locking down its Operating System. This means that third parties will not be able to release their software for Windows 8 themselves but would have to
go through a certification process much similar to that found on the Xbox 360 for Xbox Live Arcade Games.
What Gabe didn’t mention is that the new Windows will also feature an App Store called “Windows Live Marketplace” where all the third party developers can sell their software directly to customers but the drawback is that Microsoft would take 30 percent
of the proceeds. This is a bit hypocritical of Valve’s founder as his real problem with Windows 8 just might be the App store.
The addition of the App store will mean that Steam will have a new competitor in Windows itself as Steam apparently also takes 30 percent from the proceeds of the games that are sold on the platform. This means that indie developers will opt to release their
game on the Windows Marketplace which will have access to a wider audience rather than bring their project to Steam as both will cost them the same.
Valve appears to have recognised the threat and has stated that it is now looking towards Linux as the future home of Steam. Is Windows 8 another Vista in the making? Try it for yourself when the OS launches in October.
DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of bettor.com.
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