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Microsoft: On PC, we should have been building something like Steam
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
Because Ballmer. Same with smart phones, mp3 players, tablets, etc. every fucking thing.
Thank you.
What do I want from Microsoft?
Low profile, 'game mode.'
Store/Library aggregation. Put hooks in the system so that it can catalog your game collection across storefronts and media. This doesn't mean, 'bloatware with ads.' I want to look at a games catalog, click once, and automatically get launched into the proper service or directly into the game.
Pai Pai Master
Banned
Yeah, 9 years is way too little time to have started a serious competitor to Steam.
Tallshortman
Member
MS purposely turned themselves from one of the premier PC publishers to barely even mentioning PC gaming. They just don't want to admit they wanted to cannibalize their own install base of PC gamers with the xbox.
I a m fully aware that the GFWL is universally hated and PC gamers cannot be happier it will be gone. i am not going to dispute that and i agree with it .
However Despite all that i am curious how they will go about it .
I already know people would rather have all those games come to steam me included but we both know that is not going to happen .
IF they can make a service that works and isn't another GFWL disaster then i do not see why they do not deserve another chance .
It is up to them to either make it break it .
The choice is theirs.
However Despite all that i am curious how they will go about it .
I already know people would rather have all those games come to steam me included but we both know that is not going to happen .
IF they can make a service that works and isn't another GFWL disaster then i do not see why they do not deserve another chance .
It is up to them to either make it break it .
The choice is theirs.
legacyzero
Banned
You might as well just join them now, Microsoft. Dont even attempt to create another GFWL, because it'll simply die a worse death than the original. You should probably just release your games on Steam.
FrozenCell
Member
they called it xbox
Imperfected
Member
Don't worry. They'll probably try to use strong-arm tactics to kill Steam, chasing it off to SteamOS, causing Windows to hemorrhage users and in the process manage to kill off the one successful business enterprise they have left.
Ran out of feet to shoot? Not a problem! They've still got balls to aim at.
fizzelopeguss
Banned
they tried smothering a thriving pc games market for their precious directxbox, nearly a decade later their console brand is being abandoned in droves and their old customers are actively hostile.
SolidSnakeUS
Member
Too fucking late MS. Also, we don't need another exclusive fucking Steam-like service (such as Origin). Seriously, just put your games on Steam and allow for better on-sale prices than Activision. Then you'll be fine. But I'm sure MS will find a way to make it harder for people to play their games on the PC (even though GFWL is gone, don't be surprised to see something take its place).
It's MS, so no,
Angelus Errare
Banned
Yea it was called GFWL later GFW later Games on Marketplace
AND EVERY SINGLE VERSION SUCKED FUCKING ASS.
AND EVERY SINGLE VERSION SUCKED FUCKING ASS.
They already tried and failed. Next stage is attempted buyout. Or maybe not with Ballmer gone.
Anticitizen One
Banned
"Let's sit on our ass and wait for other people to innovate and if they succeed then see if we can then copy them" - Microsoft
I H8 Memes
Member
I wonder if they would even try again. It isnt like they can be trusted with how many products, including GFWL, that they have just flat out abandoned. I'm not sure why anyone would do business with them with the Xbox. MS will drop all support for a product in a heartbeat.
Of course MS is idiotic for not seeing the profit potential in a Steam-like service. They sent PC gaming to die because unlike on 360, they can't charge developers a license fee and they can't absolutely control the hardware. So Valve ate their lunch and now gets a cut of a huge portion of PC game purchases.
But you know what? I'm so glad things worked out that way, because Steam is a million times better than anything MS could have made. Think about Steam sales, Mac and Linux crossplay, Market, Workshop, Steamworks, the Steam mobile app. Would we have any of that with a Steam-alike from MS? Hell, GFWL never even got GAME PATCHING right, even up to the day they put it out of its misery.
But you know what? I'm so glad things worked out that way, because Steam is a million times better than anything MS could have made. Think about Steam sales, Mac and Linux crossplay, Market, Workshop, Steamworks, the Steam mobile app. Would we have any of that with a Steam-alike from MS? Hell, GFWL never even got GAME PATCHING right, even up to the day they put it out of its misery.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I don't think we would have wanted your vision for a Steam-like service.
Nobody liked what you were doing with GFWL.
Nobody liked what you were doing with GFWL.
Remember when Microsoft tried to charge for online multiplayer on GFWL and how horrifically that bombed? It wasn't that long ago.
Just keep providing the OS and stay focused on consoles. We're doing just fine without any of your meddling.
Completely agreed. Steam isn't perfect, but it is the current gold standard. I think the right company is at the forefront and it's working out for all involved. The best thing is that you're not forced into using it. If you want to roll your own distro service like Mojang or EA or pick a different one then you have that option. There is no monopoly.
Just keep providing the OS and stay focused on consoles. We're doing just fine without any of your meddling.
Completely agreed. Steam isn't perfect, but it is the current gold standard. I think the right company is at the forefront and it's working out for all involved. The best thing is that you're not forced into using it. If you want to roll your own distro service like Mojang or EA or pick a different one then you have that option. There is no monopoly.
How long till Microsoft money hats publishers like bethesda to make their PC games only available through the windows 8 store?
I honestly wonder if microsoft tries to use their weight in the console industry to push / bully developers into making or releasing PC games only through their eco-sytem on windows 8 that is tied to Xbox live.
I honestly wonder if microsoft tries to use their weight in the console industry to push / bully developers into making or releasing PC games only through their eco-sytem on windows 8 that is tied to Xbox live.
Mass Effect
Member
They should have, but it's probably best for everyone that they didn't.
They couldn't rip themselves off with GWFL and borrowing from XBL.
TheUsual
Gold Member
I think Microsoft would have to throw down some heavy cash to get exclusives. Who knows what data the publishers are seeing with Steam, but neglecting that user base would/should be insane on PC.
It would be insane, but how deep are microsoft's pockets?
TheUsual
Gold Member
If they throw money around, I would hope it would be only for timed-exclusivity. (That's the least worst case scenario I can think of).
Poetic.Injustice
Member
Never? Steam have too much market share for that to ever happen.
It would be bad for everyone is microsoft stepped back into the PC business and tried forcing everyone to use their download service/drm over valve etc, especially if they throw money + marketing at it.
EA has already done it.
Poetic.Injustice
Member
Well, Bethesda would have to set up their own equivalent for that to happen. Microsoft would continually have to pay Bethesda for lost sales from Steam.
Is that a bad thing? Isn't imitation the best form of flaterry? Perosnally I'd love live to be more steam like.
TheUsual
Gold Member
This is true and the reason I think EA has gotten away with it is because they do have great IPs (Battlefield, Mass Effect) on PC that will pull people to them.
Despite what people say about Origin, it is a slick interface.
Goodacre0081
Member
sorry MS, it's simply not in your blood.
With Sim city, the Sims and Battlefield EA own some of the most popular PC IP's. It's the only reason they can get away with it.
I already boycott games only available on Origin and Uplay. I even just got a copy of win7, instead of win8, a week ago after my HD with vista failed. There is no way I will purchase win8 just to be forced to buy overpriced software through their overly domineering distribution 'service'.
EA has Titanfall, Battlefield, and the Sims. They've got enough PC-centric IP to get away with it.
The only IPs that Microsoft could bring to the table would be Halo (possibly too late?) and Forza. I could see those making some headway on the store.