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Blizzard Exec Heaps More Hate on Windows 8

By Brian P Rubin | 27 July 2012 | 7 Comments   

windows 8 catastrophe

Remember yesterday’s “news” that Valve’s Gabe Newell pooped all over Windows 8, calling it a “CATSTROPHE”? Well, it seems as though Blizzard’s executive vice president of game design, Rob Pardo, concurred with the Gabe’s assessment, echoing his sentiments via Twitter.

OBSERVE:

 

A post on CVG about the Windows 8 backlash speculates that a lot of the criticism is centered on Microsoft looking to hold more control over applications and purchases made via the OS, akin, it seems, to the way Apple keeps control over same through its own line of products. The post offers a quote from Newell’s initial slam that elaborates on the point:

“There’s a strong temptation to close the platform because they look at what they can accomplish when they limit the competitors’ access to the platform, and they say, ‘That’s really exciting.’”

But aside from this kind of supposition on the part of industry watchers, it’s not totally clear just how catastrophic the new operating system will actually be for Valve, Blizzard, and the rest of the folks involved in making content for the PC.

Via CVG

7 Comments

  1. Posted by johnxfire on 28 July 12 at 4:33am

    To be honest, I think they’re both overreacting. Based on what I heard, it’s more like Microsoft is adding their own marketplace for apps and such, and will have it work in tandem with Xbox Live and Windows RT.

    To be honest, I think it’ll be damaging no one else but Microsoft and Games for Windows Live games. I don’t think it’ll be affecting Steam in anyway.

  2. Posted by Joseph on 28 July 12 at 3:38pm

    They just need to suck it up. Sound like a bunch of butt hurt developers.

    Windows 8 will just be like any other Windows OS where developers can create programs for it. Valve and Blizzard won’t loose any customers etc. If the customers are loyal they’ll stick to what they know is good.

    Microsofts Store is just apps.

  3. Posted by boomroasted on 29 July 12 at 12:20am

    I agree with you 100% john about their
    speculation. Unless blizzard is working on content/software that they know for a fact that will be directly affected. Companies who haven’t followed apples lead with that aspect eventually will anyway for their own marketing and revenue purposes. Blizzard just needs to get over it the same way us gamers/users have to when they make changes we don’t like.

  4. Posted by McPizza on 29 July 12 at 6:51pm

    It seems that Blizzard is taking offense that the platform they are using might be attempting to monetize exclusivity. Even if this turns out to be true, this has been Blizzard’s model for years.

  5. Posted by crags32 on 30 July 12 at 12:10pm

    Everyone already knows this is the incarnation of windows we have to skip because it won’t work. wait for Windows 9 when they fix everything they are going break with 8. History repeats itself when it comes to M$ OSs.

  6. Posted by James on 05 August 12 at 2:43pm

    Maybe people here should actually read what Microsoft intends to do by closing down their upcoming flagship OS and how it actually is going to affect big game developers. It will. These guys aren’t just speaking nonsense, Microsoft is making a power grab that is very different from past operating systems.

  7. Posted by Steam Box kommt ohne Windows-Betriebssystem - Seite 6 on 02 January 13 at 3:24am

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