GabeN: Linux a-go-go Because Windows 8 is a ‘Catastrophe’

[PinothyJ]

“The big problem that is holding back Linux is games. People don’t realise how critical games are in driving consumer purchasing behaviour,” Newell said, according to AllThingsD. “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.”

More here…

[Nekosan]

Meh, I can't see mainstream consumers ever switching to Linux, computer literacy isn't at a high enough level.

[v4moose]

as soon as some big name computer manufacturers switch to Linux as a preinstalled system it'll happen.

All ready a number of games run better on linux than windows, embrace the change IMO

[Auld]

Linux automated installs are pretty good these days and OEM machines with drivers already installed would seal the deal for some people.

Is there something wrong with Windows 8's back-end or is Gabe speaking entirely from the stand point that Microsoft are closing down the environment with the XBOX Live integration and Windows Store.

[diamondd]

Linux automated installs are pretty good these days and OEM machines with drivers already installed would seal the deal for some people.

Is there something wrong with Windows 8's back-end or is Gabe speaking entirely from the stand point that Microsoft are closing down the environment with the XBOX Live integration and Windows Store.

yeah, honestly Ubuntu 12.04 is completely idiot proof. I haven't had a single issue with the Software Centre or auto-updates when previously they'd routinely **** me over. Honestly it was easier to get going than Windows, people just like their comfort zone.

[steve_rogers42]

[quote" v4moose"]as soon as some big name computer manufacturers switch to Linux as a preinstalled system it'll happen. [/quote]

uh...

Guess you weren't around when Dell and Asus and a few other manufacturers shipped that new fandangled device called a 'netbook' with linux distro's preinstalled....

I think once Steam becomes workable on linux despite what kernal/linux version your running, and linux develops its portability then the big OEM's will pick it up. Win8 on the other hand, its a cosmic leap for handheld computing, for desktop computing its really nothing overly special. I see business sticking with Win7 for a few more years to come, but adopting the hell out of win8 on tablets etc.

makes me wonder what is making gabeN think win8's a toilet job...

[v4moose]

i actually had these in the forefront of my mind. Though they aren't as applicable to steam usage unless your playing indie games or something. I was thinking if DELL/HP/other manufacturers gave it as an option in prebuilt desktop PCs.

[exe3]

makes me wonder what is making gabeN think win8's a toilet job...

I thought his comments were more about Windows 8 becoming a closed platform rather than the usual criticisms of Metro being a POS for desktops.

All ready a number of games run better on linux than windows, embrace the change IMO

Such as? I've heard the claim but everytime i've tried looking for benchmarks they've lagged behind but the excuse had always been either Windows emulation bringing down performance or that the drivers weren't up to scratch yet/generally unoptimized.

[Cas Bitton]

Win8 will go rather well with Steam's big picture mode. Looking forward to giving that a whirl when it launches

[v4moose]

Such as?

This one comes to mind. True not a 'AAA' game in the strictest sense, but still a good example IMO. I'll post others if I can think of/remember what they were.

EDIT: and a couple of open GL based Games.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/11 ... udge-match

[PinothyJ]

i actually had these in the forefront of my mind. Though they aren't as applicable to steam usage unless your playing indie games or something. I was thinking if DELL/HP/other manufacturers gave it as an option in prebuilt desktop PCs.

HP only do Linux for workstations and servers. Dell have a useful site but any links to current products come up with their version of a 404. Asus have not touched linux (properly) on anything but a server for a while now. All of the other companies I know of are much worse than those already mentioned.


No one is willing to make the first step…

[PalZer0]

Yeah the XBL integration, Windows Store and Metro only push seem to be conspiring against Steam.

This is probably because MS sees Steam as a threat to their gaming division's bottom line.

[Makena]

Yeah the XBL integration, Windows Store and Metro only push seem to be conspiring against Steam.

This is probably because MS sees Steam as a threat to their gaming division's bottom line.

[citation needed]

Metro only push? What exactly do you mean by this? They even sell non-metro apps in the windows store.

You're aware that apps don't need to have anything metro at all to run fine on windows 8 right?

[PirateEggs]

The only reason I haven't changed to Linux (Ubuntu), as my primary choice for OS is gaming, granted I'm not a hardcore gamer, not even the slightest, but I have a lot of games that I would hate to lose access to, being as I have bought them and all.

There needs to be a 'big name' step up and say they're going to support Linux, that's how 'gaming' went to Mac, a few people said they'd support and others pulled their tales from between their legs and started supporting it. The thing that must happen now is Linux support for games. OpenGL is pretty good, and it would probably be a lot better if more people supported and used it.

Gah, I'm still half asleep, I want games on Linux and for Windows (and M$) to die a slow and painful death.

[Cas Bitton]

Steam for mac has been treating me pretty well over the past year. As that continues to grow all it's shown me is: The OS is pretty irrelevant . People want their games anyway they can, on any platform. The more devs that start releasing games for Linux, past or current the better life is going to be .

For those developers who do want to assist in building an epic steam catalog for linux, kudos!

No reason why they have to wait for steam at all. Sell your games via the ubuntu Software Centre right now