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| 'Valve: Linux more viable than Windows 8 for gaming' |
| By Thom Holwerda on 2012-10-29 23:34:02 |
| I'm not 100% sure this is actually word-for-word, but alas. "In a presentation at Ubuntu Developer Summit currently going on in Denmark, Drew Bliss from Valve said that Linux is more viable than Windows 8 for gaming. Windows 8 ships with its own app store and it is moving away from an open platform model." I feel like a broken record by now but here we go again: keep an eye on Valve, even if you're not into games. This is the company pushing NVIDIA and AMD to improve their Linux support, with enough clout and name to actually get stuff done. Valve doesn't mess around. |
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| RE[4]: Depends on your definition of "viable" |
| By WereCatf on 2012-10-30 11:26:22 |
|
> There is even a very hard requirement. Windows 8 RT is ONLY running Metro. It is correct that Windows 8 RT ships win32 but ONLY Microsoft can use that API and they do in IE10 and Office for RT but NOBODY else can use win32 on RT. You do realize that Windows RT only runs on ARM? As such it is entirely irrelevant in this context, Valve is not targeting ARM. I know RT does not support user-installable desktop apps, but I already said that in my comment. > This are the whole ARM, Tablet, Phone product-lines. They and the appstore and API limitations did not exist on Windows 7 but they exist NOW on Windows 8. No, they don't. They exist on Windows RT, not Windows 8. Apples to apples and oranges to oranges, mate. |
 - Score: 2 |
| RE[3]: Depends on your definition of "viable" |
| By bouhko on 2012-10-30 11:57:07 |
|
> You're misunderstanding everything I said. I am merely saying Windows 8 is not any worse or better for gaming than Windows 7 is and claiming otherwise is silly. The next Windows - version, whatever it will be, possibly will be worse, but then the complaints should be about the future direction. I think that's exactly Valve's agenda. They are afraid Windows 9 will be metro only and only allow windows store and they are trying to put pressure on Microsoft. The best way to put pressure on Microsoft is to prove them they can build a gaming platform on a competing operating system. Even if Valve doesn't Valve to abandon Windows, it also make sense from a business perspective to not depend on a single vendor (Microsoft) for a critical requirement of your product (the OS on which it runs). |
| - Score: 5 |
| Comment by v_bobok |
| By v_bobok on 2012-10-30 14:06:09 |
| Boom! Pwn'd it! |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[4]: Depends on your definition of "viable" |
| By mistersoft on 2012-10-30 14:09:17 |
| I think that's about spot on. Even if down the line at around windows 9 time, the situation is Steam running on a 'less Metro-only' Windows 9 the majority of the time, alongside a really good smooth running Linux variant with some better graphics and audio drivers ; let alone the slightly less likely but not impossible situation of a Valve sponsored/produced 'Valve-OS' running atop a bespoke 'Steam PC'/console - that might be Valve's dream triumvirate outcome for Steam -- which would still be Windows in the top spot numbers wise, and could evolve from there. Who knows. |
| - Score: 1 |
| RE[3]: It's a Valve's game |
| By lucas_maximus on 2012-10-30 14:20:34 |
|
Sorry Thom, 1) But saying Win 8 isn't a viable gaming platform is talking garbage. 2) Linux is well known for breaking stuff and piss poor 3d (wait until they move to Wayland, Nvidia won't work with that). Steam has a good community, and most of them use Windows and probably have no desire to change their OS or how they buy games. Installing your own programs on Windows x86/x64 systems is not going away at all ... there is just too many little niche uses for Windows for that to happen. |
| - Score: 1 |
| RE[5]: Depends on your definition of "viable" |
| By mistersoft on 2012-10-30 14:27:08 |
|
You're absolutely right technically! Although it's maybe a little disingenuous to be so strongly dismissive (in this context) of the Windows RT side of the Windows 8 coin though. Only because a lot of people's thought process regarding Windows gaming won't immediately differentiate between Windows 8 x86 and Windows(8) RT - and that combined with Microsoft's push for Metro and the fact that x86/desktop applications will therefore have no place in the Metro App Store means effectively that WinRT tablets and notebooks is thereby a market (a market in terms of Mindshare I mean really, not technically obviously!) which Valve/Steam might have expected to be a part of but in reality isn't and won't be. It probably feels like being pushed-out of Window's future a little bit (whether that's intentional or not!) |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[4]: It's a Valve's game |
| By mistersoft on 2012-10-30 14:33:47 |
|
> Nvidia won't work with that ...I'm not gonna copy you and say that's garbage in return.. BUT I don't believe it's hard and fast true either! : http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php... (and there's other noises about saying similar things) |
| - Score: 2 |
| RE[5]: It's a Valve's game |
| By lucas_maximus on 2012-10-30 15:24:25 |
| May being the operative word. |
| - Score: 3 |
| fyi |
| By Bounty on 2012-10-30 15:29:13 |
|
http://www.valvesoftware.com/lin... {edit: "We're looking for Linux gamers to install and test our new Steam for Linux client. We are primarily interested in experienced Linux users."} Edited 2012-10-30 15:30 UTC |
| - Score: 3 |
| RE[4]: It's a Valve's game |
| By Thom_Holwerda on 2012-10-30 15:40:54 |
|
> 1) But saying Win 8 isn't a viable gaming platform is talking garbage. It isn't when you take long-term into account, something many people refuse to do here. Long-term, Windows is going Metro-only. That effectively kills any serious gaming on Windows - and Microsoft is okay with that, because they've got an Xbox to sell you. > 2) Linux is well known for breaking stuff and piss poor 3d (wait until they move to Wayland, Nvidia won't work with that). Which is exactly why Valve is working with AMD, NVIDIA, and others. The breakage is not something that's unstoppable or insurmountable - just look at Android. Valve could easily work together with the parties involved to come to a - for Valve - stable platform for developers to target. If Google can, then Valve can. Especially with the help of major other game companies with which they're already working anyway through Steam. Remember, a Metro-only no-serious-gaming Windows is disastrous for especially NVIDIA. Nobody needs a powerful graphics chip for Metro and Cut The Rope. You are stuck in the present, unable to look beyond the horizon. Windows' viability as a gaming platform will end in the very near future when Microsoft pulls the plug on the desktop. They've made it very clear they intend to do so, and luckily for us, Valve has the brains to start addressing that situation NOW, instead of when it's too late. Edited 2012-10-30 15:41 UTC |
| - Score: 4 |
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