Valve declares WIndows 8 "a catastrophe for PC", talks about migrating games to Linux

[Orcinus]

http://www.slashgear.com/gabe-newell...ophe-25240280/

http://www.zdnet.com/valve-windows-8...cs-7000001634/

Apparently already started working on migrating some games to Linux.

Primary issue is the apparently mandatory (at least in some W8 versions) inclusion of a Windows Store 'monopoly', for sales via which M$ will rip off 30% of the purchase price.

I think that could fall foul of EU competition laws, though fortunately I am I am not a lawyer,

[Hellfire257]

When I first saw a screenshot of Win8, my first thought was "WTF!?"

[Tonci87]

mine too. I'm sure that win8 would be a good OS for mobile devices but I can't imagine working with it. Win7 introfduced some very nive features that made it more productive (imho the best OS to date) and now comes this...
I guess M$ just see this as a way to make more cash by placing their store app and similiar stzff right on your new Desktop.

[Rak]

Windows 8 is not so different from 7. If anything, Windows 8 runs a lot better than Windows 7. Yes the new start screen is weird for non-tablet PC's, but you spent most of your time in desktop anyway. How many times do you guys use the start menu during the day?

Gabe's problem with Windows is that it's taking a more controlling approach to how PC applications are distributed with the "Windows Store". They even "closed" the ARM version of Windows 8 so that you can only install apps from Windows store. It's a threat for Valve's Steam business, and they do not like it.

[Celery]

Gabe's problem with Windows is that it's taking a more controlling approach to how PC applications are distributed with the "Windows Store". They even "closed" the ARM version of Windows 8 so that you can only install apps from Windows store. It's a threat for Valve's Steam business, and they do not like it.

It's a threat to users, too, mind.

[Tonci87]

wait,does that mean that I wont be able to install any programm I want? Like steam

[DanielV]

wait,does that mean that I wont be able to install any programm I want? Like steam

Yes you can when using Win 8 Pro, Win RT (if i remembered it correctly) will run only on ARM architecture.

As i see it Win RT is like a free base OS for tablets and Win 8 Pro is what you'll be able to buy and upgrade your current XP,Vista,7.

[batto]

wait,does that mean that I wont be able to install any programm I want? Like steam

Probably only on ARM version (currently probably phones, tablets, ...). MS will not allow 3rd party applications on W8 ARM to use Win32 API (functions that all Windows applications use), only new RT API or whatever it's called which lacks some functions like memory mapping, ... things that Firefox developers say are necessary to create fast JavaScript compiler besides other uses (like ArmA ;-)). Of course IE and other programs from MS will have full access to Win32 API. For more info google: firefox windows 8 arm.

Another thing is that these devices will have new UEFI secure boot which will not allow unsigned OS too boot. The question is who will sign OS and hence who will hold private keys? In case of "Windows 8 certified" ARM devices, MS will require ARM device manufacturers to not allow users to disable this secure boot and of course MS will hold those keys. More info here: http://mjg59.dreamwidth.org. You may say that it's not standard to install custom OS tablets and phones. But there are already some ARM notebooks and there'll be more in future. And as usual, you'll not be able to buy it without Windows.

I hope other companies (*cough* BIS *cough) will follow Valve soon.

[Tonci87]

Ok that's it, I'll skip win8 I guess I'll get a key via my university but I won't install it. To me it seems as if MS tries to turn PC's into "consoles"
I won't support this.

[DMarkwick]

*shrug* I usually skip two or three Windows versions anyway.