Valve and Linux... my, my, things are getting interesting! - by lost_soul
lost_soul on 26/7/2012 at 23:51
(
http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/122/1225545p1.html)
This situation is really getting interesting and picking up some steam. *ducks from an incoming apple*
My position: a consumer who doesn't want to be tied to Windows or Steam for games.
I think Valve is worried about getting "Netscaped" by Microsoft. Part of me wants to tell Valve "you took control over the mainstream PC game market, now Microsoft will take that control from you with their integrated store." "hahaha"
(the way Internet Explorer was default and took over from Netscape)
However, I would be in a WORSE situation if mainstream games became shackled to a Microsoft store. I'm sure MS would happily support Mac OS and Wine. :)
And also on the plus side, even if I don't use Steam, this will mean graphics drivers will get better for Linux
I look forward to seeing how this all turns out.
Also, for the record, some folks say "there is no advantage in Linux for gamers". This is not entirely true. My Debian system uses about 100 MB of ram at the desktop, while my Win7 64 system uses (over a GB!) at the desktop.
If I were a gamer with a crap box with <2 GB of memory and games were avainable, I would tell my friend to pass that Debian CD.
Al_B on 27/7/2012 at 00:08
I personally don't like the supposition that's been taken from both that article and the one I saw earlier on the (
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18996377) BBC website that he's talking about the Microsoft store with no clarification from Valve. Quite possibly he is, but if so it sounds very much like someone with a vested interest in their own income stream (steam) is simply making a required fuss about a possible threat from another market.
This is pure hypothesis on my part but I don't think Valve are about to jump into Linux - however creating as much fuss about doing so gives them a bit more bargaining power for their real move. That could be making sure they're as much a presence in the game area of the Windows 8 store as Microsoft and it could be done in a way that benefits both companies.
lost_soul on 27/7/2012 at 00:18
(
http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/linux/)
You've seen this, right? As someone myself who did NOT FOR A SECOND think Steam would come for Linux, this is starting to look pretty legit.
Phatose on 27/7/2012 at 00:19
Well, I'm sure Microsoft is as happy as a clam about this. Trying to push Linux as a gaming platform further fragments the already badly fragmented computer gaming base. Hard enough having to support 3 versions of windows. Now, it's 3 versions of windows, plus mac, plus 50,000 shades of Linux.
Devs will say "Fuck this, I'm going to the consoles", develop their game for the XBox instead, and Microsoft laughs their way to the bank.
Al_B on 27/7/2012 at 00:30
Quote Posted by lost_soul
You've seen this, right? As someone myself who did NOT FOR A SECOND think Steam would come for Linux, this is starting to look pretty legit.
No, I didn't see that - thanks for the link. I don't doubt they're working to have the client and "Linux friendly" games working on that platform - I suspect they did a huge amount of the grunt work getting them to work on Macs. As a business strategy, I just don't see them cutting off their Windows revenue source just yet as I'm sure it's their biggest source of income and other options (e.g. the "Valve Console") have very real cost implications.
However - I can see it makes sense for them to make it look like they're planning to move into these areas to make their position stronger when negotiating on changes with Windows 8. That might be very cynical, but that's how I see the situation at the moment.
lost_soul on 27/7/2012 at 00:45
Yeah I'm sure they won't abandon Windows. That would be just dumb.
Renzatic on 27/7/2012 at 00:49
Didn't Gabe Newell say he hated the PS3, then ended up releasing a bunch of games for it? I like 'ole Gabe and all, he's done some cool stuff, but you gotta take everything he says with a grain of salt.
Jason Moyer on 27/7/2012 at 02:41
With how widely used Steam is, I think it would be hilarious if they intentionally made it incompatible with Windows 8.
lost_soul on 27/7/2012 at 04:05
... or if they did something insane like made Half-life 3 exclusive to Linux or Mac for the first month after release. If I were Valve, I would do something like that just for the lols.
june gloom on 27/7/2012 at 05:15
Good thing you're not Valve then huh? :rolleyes:
