Posted November 02, 2015
This is an OLD THREAD. Please see the last page for more up to date discussion on this topic.
Original Message Follows:
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Anyone else feel Steam and GOG aren't so much of a threat to each other compared to Windows 10 being the biggest threat to both of them?
So I've gotten a few games from the Windows 10 store just to try out the Xbox app and surprisingly... I enjoyed it. I went in expecting GFWL 2.0 but they definitely put more effort into it this time around in my view. It's essentially the Xbox experience almost in full on the PC instead of the half attempt that GFWL was. If you own an Xbox One there is a good reason to stick to Windows 10 store, but even if you don't the Xbox ecosystem is nice if you enjoy achievements or crossplay or crossbuy (again if you own an Xbox or may own one at some point or even a Windows Phone).
DRM isn't to bad as far as Windows 10 apps/games either in my opinion, it could be a lot worse. Games are tied to account and there is a 10 device limit, but you can easily remove a device from your MS account to add a new one. So unless you have a lot of Windows 10 devices or plan to jump around to different accounts it's not so bad. At least so far no third party DRM has found itself into Windows store apps unlike Steam which was my main issue with it.
But from a development stand point I expect strong console and some PC devs will favor the Windows 10 store over Steam or GOG down the road just because it so much faster and easier to port from Xbox to Windows 10 now or Windows 10 to Xbox. They can literally have working PC version is days if not hours from the Xbox version with all the xbox bells and whistles. That in itself is worrying, and I can see why Steam is trying to push Linux with Steam machines. I'm not sure they will make any sort of significant difference though once Windows 10 market share gets bigger. Everyone (no matter if they are hardcore, casual or don't game at all) will have direct access to the Store built in, in difference to Steam which they have to go search for a download.
Feels like MS is playing the long game and it may just pay off for them...
What are do you guys think? I like GOG just as much as the next guy, but there is no denying that Windows 10 could be a big upset to Steam and GOG down the road. The biggest thing MS has to overcome right now is lack of good games in the Store (which will slowly happen as a lot of devs have already announced Windows 10 versions with Xbox support) and get rid of the belief among gamers that this is GFWL 2.0. That might be hard to do, but its clear MS exclusives are likely not showing up here or Steam anymore, but will instead be tied to the store like Fable Legends and Gear of War Ultimate Edition.
PS: Sorry for the long post... just something I was thinking about and wondering what you guys felt.
Original Message Follows:
---
Anyone else feel Steam and GOG aren't so much of a threat to each other compared to Windows 10 being the biggest threat to both of them?
So I've gotten a few games from the Windows 10 store just to try out the Xbox app and surprisingly... I enjoyed it. I went in expecting GFWL 2.0 but they definitely put more effort into it this time around in my view. It's essentially the Xbox experience almost in full on the PC instead of the half attempt that GFWL was. If you own an Xbox One there is a good reason to stick to Windows 10 store, but even if you don't the Xbox ecosystem is nice if you enjoy achievements or crossplay or crossbuy (again if you own an Xbox or may own one at some point or even a Windows Phone).
DRM isn't to bad as far as Windows 10 apps/games either in my opinion, it could be a lot worse. Games are tied to account and there is a 10 device limit, but you can easily remove a device from your MS account to add a new one. So unless you have a lot of Windows 10 devices or plan to jump around to different accounts it's not so bad. At least so far no third party DRM has found itself into Windows store apps unlike Steam which was my main issue with it.
But from a development stand point I expect strong console and some PC devs will favor the Windows 10 store over Steam or GOG down the road just because it so much faster and easier to port from Xbox to Windows 10 now or Windows 10 to Xbox. They can literally have working PC version is days if not hours from the Xbox version with all the xbox bells and whistles. That in itself is worrying, and I can see why Steam is trying to push Linux with Steam machines. I'm not sure they will make any sort of significant difference though once Windows 10 market share gets bigger. Everyone (no matter if they are hardcore, casual or don't game at all) will have direct access to the Store built in, in difference to Steam which they have to go search for a download.
Feels like MS is playing the long game and it may just pay off for them...
What are do you guys think? I like GOG just as much as the next guy, but there is no denying that Windows 10 could be a big upset to Steam and GOG down the road. The biggest thing MS has to overcome right now is lack of good games in the Store (which will slowly happen as a lot of devs have already announced Windows 10 versions with Xbox support) and get rid of the belief among gamers that this is GFWL 2.0. That might be hard to do, but its clear MS exclusives are likely not showing up here or Steam anymore, but will instead be tied to the store like Fable Legends and Gear of War Ultimate Edition.
PS: Sorry for the long post... just something I was thinking about and wondering what you guys felt.
Post edited July 04, 2018 by user deleted
