***Steam Reports 100% Sales Growth for 7th Consecutive Year***

[Indy500]

would be heaven i'd imagine a native linux version of a game would offer far better performance to a windows equivilant

The vast majority of games use DirectX, a Microsoft proprietary API (which is the reason Windows is a popular OS for gamers as well as general use). Linux has to use OpenGL calls to substitute for DX functions, which doesn't always work well.

Now people seem happy for Steam to monopolise PC game sales. I don't know if those figures for box retail include web stores, in which case the PC games market in retail not as unhealthy as some make it out to be.

 

[Final8y]

The vast majority of games use DirectX, a Microsoft proprietary API (which is the reason Windows is a popular OS for gamers as well as general use). Linux has to use OpenGL calls to substitute for DX functions, which doesn't always work well.

Now people seem happy for Steam to monopolise PC game sales. I don't know if those figures for box retail include web stores, in which case the PC games market in retail not as unhealthy as some make it out to be.

Actually im not happy if steam truly did monopolise PC game sales, there must always be alternatives available.

And there is a difference to forced monopoly and monopoly though choice of users, like google.

 

[Indy500]

Actually im not happy if steam truly did monopolise PC game sales, there must always be alternatives available.

I was referring to general forum sentiment.

And there is a difference to forced monopoly and monopoly though choice of users, like google.

Most people don't really think about the negatives of such choices though (but then they rarely do with most things in life). Instant gratification etc. You get called a luddite for using cash payments these days...

 

[Final8y]

I was referring to general forum sentiment.



Most people don't really think about the negatives of such choices though (but then they rarely do with most things in life). Instant gratification etc. You get called a luddite for using cash payments these days...

LOL i always use cash.

 

[Judgeneo]

The vast majority of games use DirectX, a Microsoft proprietary API (which is the reason Windows is a popular OS for gamers as well as general use). Linux has to use OpenGL calls to substitute for DX functions, which doesn't always work well.

Now people seem happy for Steam to monopolise PC game sales. I don't know if those figures for box retail include web stores, in which case the PC games market in retail not as unhealthy as some make it out to be.

I'm happy for steam to monopolise the handling and delivery of games, services like getgamesgo can still provide the needed marketplace competition.

 

[Indy500]

LOL i always use cash.

You can't do that with online purchases though.

Back on topic, I'm struggling to find a new PC game title that doesn't use one of the following:

Ubisoft always-on DRM
Steam/Steamworks
Origin

Not much of a choice there is it? I was following Fallout New Vegas, but then the prospect of having to make a Steam account, download the game data (on top of patches) and hand a great deal of control over to Valve...forget it. NV isn't even an online game, what do I possibly gain from it, other than Cloud which is what I have a spare hard drive for (backing up game saves).

Not like Obsidian Entertainment would be getting any money from my purchase anyway. Josh Sawyer resorted to releasing a personal mod to fix some issues in the game because despite being the project manager\lead, Bethesda still retain full control over patch releases\DLC.

Console titles haven't interested me since the PS2 era. I guess I'll just take my (admittedly insignificant) purchasing power elsewhere.

 

[Glaucus]

Completely different situations. It doesn't matter where the OS's think they are heading if they just ignore the strongest of what they're trying to leave behind. Mobile OS's are numerous and the 'app' services have only recently come in to play and it was simply what was there rising to the top. They weren't trying to displace anything in a position of strength like Steam and any attempt to do so would be seen for exactly what it is, Microsoft trying to create a monopoly. They certainly aren't going to include support for Mac or Linux and there are lots of people here who use those if the steam survey is anything to go by there is a decent portion of people using them so they wouldn't stand a chance at killing off the service.

Computers are going through a massive change and this forum is a minority. Wy would companies listen to a massive minority, especially when new OS has both options and you will see more and more changing over. Before you know it the vast majority are using the new system and as such that is what developers, devlop for.

 

[Final8y]

Computers are going through a massive change and this forum is a minority. Wy would companies listen to a massive minority, especially when new OS has both options and you will see more and more changing over. Before you know it the vast majority are using the new system and as such that is what developers, devlop for.

When it comes to games specifically its this minority that dictates what gaming distribution/services will be the most popular on the PC.

 

[Glaucus]

When it comes to games specifically its this minority that dictates what gaming distribution and services will be the most popular on the PC.

And going to use which OS to dictate it on. As OS aren't going to be made for minority and the reason Linux has never been well done for games, is it doesn't have the market penetration. I think people will be massively surprised how much "pcs" will change over the next 5 or so up years. The need for a big box in the corner of the room, is pretty much over and it's all tied together, with Internet, cloud computing, mobile computing and new ways of doing things. Namely the ditching of the classic desktop and moving in to bigger and better ways. Far simpler and far more restricted for the general public. Everything just works, no setup. Just look at how much w7 automatically sets up compared to xp.

And how many gamers are like you and would refuse to use such system in the future, when they become the norm and accepted.

It's very much like the I won't use mp3s I'll always by CDs. A few do, but most chucked that opinion out the window long ago.

 

[Final8y]

And going to use which OS to dictate it on. as they aren't going to be made for minority and the reason Linux has never been well done for games, is it doesn't have the market penetration.And how many gamers are like you and would refuse to use such system in the future, when they become the norm and accepted.

It's very much like the I won't use mp3s I'll always by CDs. A few do. But most chucked that opinion out the window long ago.

Unless windows 8 does not allow other distribution clients on the OS then Microsoft cant dictate anything no matter the size of the hardware.

Your analogy of CDs and MP3 is nothing like what we are talking about.

 

[Glaucus]

Unless windows 8 does not allow other distribution clients on the OS then Microsoft cant dictate anything.

Your analogy of CDs and MP3 is nothing like what we are talking about.

I'm not talking about windows8 entirely, windows8 is a stepping stone and the metro side of it is very much dictated to with an app store. Remember I'm not talking about over night but a "slow progression"


So you would give up PC game playing if you had to buy it through an official app store? Or in more lieklyhood you would accept it. Just like every other change in technology.
I assume you are never going to own a tablet or smart phone then.
And people have voted with cash and don't mind the system at all.

 

[Final8y]

I'm not talking about windows8 entirely, windows8 is a stepping stone and the metro side of it is very much dictated to with an app store. Remember I'm not talking about over night but a "slow progression"


So you would give up PC game playing if you had to buy it through an official app store? Or in more lieklyhood you would accept it. Just like every other change in technology.
I assume you are never going to own a tablet or smart phone then.
And people have voted with cash and don't mind the system at all.

I would likely not accept it and your forgetting that Microsoft has to play to different rules when they are the hugely dominant platform that most of the world depends on, they will not be allowed to monopolies software distribution.

Developers makes apps and games for window's OS and not for Microsoft.

Apple does not have to popup Browser choice on its OS, like Microsoft because its not the dominant platform.
If a particular tablet became the dominant platform then the rules will shift over as well.

 

[Glaucus]

I would likely not accept it and your forgetting that Microsoft has to play to different rules when they are the hugely dominant platform that most of the word depends on, they will not be allowed to monopolies software distribution.

Developers makes apps and games for window's OS an not for Microsoft.

It's exactly what they are doing, I'm not forgetting anything. This is happening or should I say happened., well actually a bit of both as currently we still have classic desktop as well.

Windows metro is similar to apple iOS. App store with apps that have to pass certain standards to be allowed to advertise.

 

[Final8y]

It's exactly what they are doing, I'm not forgetting anything. This is happening or should I say happened., well actually a bit of both as currently we still have classic desktop as well.

Windows metro is similar to apple iOS. App store with apps that have to pass certain standards to be allowed to advertise.

They are not considered necessities in there current form so the rules do not apply.

 

[Strife212]

Microsoft app store is going to be appalling on PC. Calling it now. Will be filled to the brim with useless widgets and desktop apps.

 

[hideki]

The price reductions are hard to resist during the steam sales.
Outside the sales though, not so much

 

[Glaucus]

They are not considered necessities in there current form so the rules do not apply.

On tablets it will be the only way. Where's this rule end, when it's a unified OS accross all platforms and what defines a computer. Which is very likely with windows9.

 

[Final8y]

On tablets it will be the only way. Where's this rule end, when it's a unified OS accross all platforms and what defines a computer. Which is very likely with windows9.

When the time comes that's when the rules will apply.
Same like what happened to BT and LLU.

 

[Glaucus]

When the time comes that's when the rules will apply.
Same like what happened to BT and LLU.

I think by that time, ms won't have such a big lead. Just think how many tablets have been sold. It must be making a small dent in the OS charts and they've only really been out a year.
It's an interesting time, with big changes coming.

 

[Final8y]

I think by that time, ms won't have such a big lead. Just think how many tablets have been sold. It must be making a small dent in the OS charts and they've only really been out a year.
It's an interesting time, with big changes coming.

I wont be gaming on tablets so i don't care.