Gabe Newell getting Steam to Linux because "Windows 8 is a catastrophe"

Mr. Analog · July 26, 2012, 08:27:52 AM

I wondered why Valve was pushing toward getting Steam Linux ready but now in a surprise move Gabe has actually come out and put it in black and white for us:

"The big problem that is holding back Linux is games. People don't realize how critical games are in driving consumer purchasing behavior. We want to make it as easy as possible for the 2,500 games on Steam to run on Linux as well. It's a hedging strategy. I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space. I think we'll lose some of the top-tier PC/OEMs, who will exit the market. I think margins will be destroyed for a bunch of people. If that's true, then it will be good to have alternatives to hedge against that eventuality." (Emphasis mine.)

Story here: https://allthingsd.com/20120725/valves-gabe-newell-on-the-future-of-games-wearable-computers-windows-8-and-more/

Personally speaking I think it makes sense to be supported on as many platforms as possible, I think we're getting to the point where OS should be irrelevant to content. I think this also highlights something that both Apple and Microsoft should be aware of, namely the software ecosystem is far more important than the operating system. I should be able to install whatever I want, even if it "harms" me, for me a computer is a means and not an end I guess.

Thorin · July 26, 2012, 09:33:37 AM

I wonder what inside knowledge he has that makes him think top-tier OEMs will actually exit the PC market. I guess the margins being destroyed might be due to Microsoft increasing licensing costs?

Anyway, what really stood out in my mind after reading that article was his discussion of touch input and the discussion of the $70,000 wearable computer system that overlays information on objects that they've built... That sounds like some cool tech!

Lazybones · July 26, 2012, 09:53:43 AM

I think the fear from OEMs comes from a few places:

- MS entering the tablet hardware market with Surface
- MS apparently holding back some OEMs from producing early Windows 8 RT / Pro tablets
- Hardware upgrades have often been tied to OS releases, and if few update to 8 it will be a very slow few years

However I am not sure I would make the leap that Gabe does that it is already a disaster... they can always fix it mid cycle with a service pack or R2 release.

Mr. Analog · July 26, 2012, 10:04:49 AM

Well, Microsoft put down tight restrictions on who could build what for their upcoming Windows RT OS launch which broadsided some OEMs and forced others into uneasy partnerships.

Microsoft wants to be Apple now, but decided it was a good idea to punish their existing OEMs and charge more for their surface devices when they launch.

So where stuff like Android works on anything that's roughly compatible (not without problems obv) Windows RT is going to be limited to a select number of products initially and, if that goes well, will creep into more diverse devices.

My Spidey-Sense says this has "fail" written all over it, I fully expect to see Steve Ballmer with a Napoleon hat soon, I mean really, you want to come into the tablet/ARM-based device market late to the game and set a bunch of crazy rules that doesn't make it cheap or readily available? That's Sparta.

Tom · July 26, 2012, 10:32:30 AM

I think the Windows Store scares the @%&# out of a lot of Windows Devs. It's really only a matter of time till MS mandates it for the desktop. Apple is moving in that direction as well.

Mr. Analog · July 26, 2012, 10:37:31 AM

Quote from: Tom on July 26, 2012, 10:32:30 AM
I think the Windows Store scares the @%&# out of a lot of Windows Devs. It's really only a matter of time till MS mandates it for the desktop. Apple is moving in that direction as well.

Well that would be other reason why Steam might be looking for a new home

Not that I see the Windows App store as a threat, Microsoft's success rate with app stores isn't exactly stellar (Games for Windows Live anyone?)

Tom · July 26, 2012, 10:41:51 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 26, 2012, 10:37:31 AM
Quote from: Tom on July 26, 2012, 10:32:30 AM
I think the Windows Store scares the @%&# out of a lot of Windows Devs. It's really only a matter of time till MS mandates it for the desktop. Apple is moving in that direction as well.

Well that would be other reason why Steam might be looking for a new home

Not that I see the Windows App store as a threat, Microsoft's success rate with app stores isn't exactly stellar (Games for Windows Live anyone?)

Unless they mandate it. And only allow signed binaries from the store on Windows 8+. (I have my doubts that i'll happen in Windows 8's lifetime mind you). Microsoft almost got away with requiring a locked EFI bios for the desktop as well. It took an internet (and potential regulatory) @%&# storm to get them to change their stance. Now they just require it for Windows RT devices. Not something I find /tooo/ onerous, but not something I particularly like either (apple does it, a lot of android makers still do it... though android OEMs are moving away from it). I have nexus devices for a reason

(nexus s and nexus 7 ftw, especially the nexus 7. HAWT).

Lazybones · July 27, 2012, 09:18:21 AM

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/23/gartner_windows_8_review/

Hmm Gartner also saies it looks bad

Mr. Analog · July 27, 2012, 10:19:56 AM

This is why I'm so frustrated with Microsoft's strategy I guess, it sucks on the desktop (by all accounts) so it likely won't gain a footing there and they've rather hamfistedly locked out OEMs from making cheap devices for it so there are going to be availability / prices issues right off from the start.

Like the whole point of entering a market you aren't dominant in is to either do things better or cheaper, and right now it looks like neither AND they're risking their desktop OS market at the same time.

There's an old robot saying that applies here: "Does not compute!"

Thorin · July 27, 2012, 03:13:41 PM

Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 27, 2012, 10:19:56 AM
There's an old robot saying that applies here: "Does not compute!"

also... "WHAT?!"

Tom · July 27, 2012, 06:05:54 PM

I can only imagine that thy really don't care about with does 8 on the desktop. Probably figure most people won't migrate so soon after windows 7 so they have a little time to work on getting the desktop experience ready for windows 9+. Just my hunch. The other alternative is they all went insane.

Thorin · July 27, 2012, 06:51:04 PM

Oh I'm sure mr. Developers Developers Developers is totally sane and not living in a bubble...

Melbosa · July 28, 2012, 03:21:15 PM

That has been M$ since Windows ME... every second release of their desktop is a "testing" of the waters to see what they can and can't do, and then follow with another release a year or so later with a "fixed" experience. I expect Windows 8 will bridge some ground in areas and break ties in others... which will be resolved in time by Windows 9. Vista and 7 were the same way.

I've been playing with the Release Preview at work and I say the App Store is actually as slick as the Apple or Google versions. Combine this with software distribution points in large organizations and finally we'll get our clients to know how to install our SCCM packages rather than having the helpdesk walk them through it all the time.

The RDP is nice as well, but I must say I don't like the colour scheme of Office 2013. Its too.... pastelly (yeah I know not a word) for me.