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by __alexs 5071 days ago
The VentureBeat interview [1] makes it look like gaben is referring to the changes in app ecosystem (eg. integrated Windows Store with 30% margins) rather than a specific technical problem. Although I suspect a major games studio coming to Linux might also enjoy the ability to poke around the source for the few graphics drivers which are open.

1. http://venturebeat.com/2012/07/25/valves-gabe-newell-talks/
3 comments
cageface 5071 days ago
Seems likely. I think Apple only got away with the shift to the Mac App store because the market for third-party Mac software is minuscule compared to that of Windows and includes a lot of smaller devs for whom relinquishing control of sales and distribution is as much a blessing as a liability.

On Windows big players like Valve are going to be less willing to play sharecropper.

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scott_w 5071 days ago
I believe that OS X doesn't prevent you installing your own "App Store", so you can get Steam on OS X.
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freehunter 5071 days ago
Windows 8 doesn't prevent you from installing Steam, either. I'm running it right now on the Release Preview.

Windows RT does, but that's like comparing OSX to the iPad.

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Dylan16807 5071 days ago
That's because Steam isn't a Windows 8 program. If you want to use Metro you have to go through the App Store.
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freehunter 5071 days ago
Steam is a Windows 8 program. It's not a WinRT program. Steam works perfectly in Windows 8.

The point I was making is that Steam doesn't work on Microsoft ARM tablets powered by Windows RT, but that shouldn't be a big surprise considering no desktop software works on ARM computers without being recompiled for that platform. It's no different than OSX vs iOS.

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Dylan16807 5071 days ago
You're ignoring WinRT on x86. This is where people are upset about Microsoft's sudden monopolizing. I don't consider it a true 'Windows 8' app if it's tucked away in the legacy desktop.
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marcusf 5071 days ago
I would imagine all major gaming engine companies already have source code deals with the graphics card vendors, and vice versa. It's the kinda thing where everybody wants compatibility with each other and it wouldn't make sense not to share it.
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89a 5071 days ago
Does the Steam store not have margins?
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