Support NeoGAF

[12Dannu123]

Except for the Windows license, for which nobody even pays a dime at this point, PC gaming is Valve's platform

Owning the platform provides lots of benefits in terms of defining the user experience of that platform. The Xbox Ally a PC uses Xbox Mode out of the box and the whole experience is controlled by MS.

 

[DryvBy]

Epic, GOG, and Steam are just storefronts. Buying a game on a separate storefront incurs no extra cost. Valve is a default store rather than a walled garden like a console.

Nobody has a problem with console makers making their own games exclusive though most would prefer they weren't. The annoyance builds when console makers buy exclusivity for games made by other developers.

Consoles aren't the only ones that do this. PC games get exclusive releases on different storefronts too.

 

[LyricalShrike]

Consoles aren't the only ones that do this. PC games get exclusive releases on different storefronts too.

Do you need to buy separate PCs for steam, gog, and LoL?

 

[DryvBy]

Do you need to buy separate PCs for steam, gog, and LoL?

Goalpost moved? The argument was about exclusives being locked down. When did we move it?

 

[LyricalShrike]

Goalpost moved? The argument was about exclusives being locked down. When did we move it?

The discussion was about console gatekeeping. PC is one platform with multiple storefronts. Exclusivity to one storefront incurs no additional cost to players since it's still PC. Some of the biggest games in the world like league or Roblox aren't on any store.

 

[Griffon]

Xbox should've been disbanded a looonnng time ago. They used the infinite money from daddy Ms when in a fair market they would've disappeared a while ago and someone else would've had their chance at it.

Theyre an unnatural disruption of the ecosystem. A company that keeps failing should not stay in business.

 

[DryvBy]

The discussion was about console gatekeeping. PC is one platform with multiple storefronts. Exclusivity to one storefront incurs no additional cost to players since it's still PC. Some of the biggest games in the world like league or Roblox aren't on any store.

Its a stupid argument lol. Maybe these companies don't even want to support PC similar to how some games don't want to come to console. What about Steam or Epic gatekeeping? Why can't PC just have one store that I can have my entire library on? You don't care about exclusives. You just want everything on PC, which is fine, but be honest about it. Don't act like you're some kind of shining warrior for consumers.

 

[LyricalShrike]

Its a stupid argument lol. Maybe these companies don't even want to support PC similar to how some games don't want to come to console. What about Steam or Epic gatekeeping? Why can't PC just have one store that I can have my entire library on? You don't care about exclusives. You just want everything on PC, which is fine, but be honest about it. Don't act like you're some kind of shining warrior for consumers.

My initial position was that comparing console exclusivity to storefront exclusivity was silly so I am glad that you agree. I think you're still confused how PC works. PC is an open platform. There is no central library since nothing about PC is set in stone right down to the OS. Steam has a de-facto monopoly as its the largest storefront but you can buy most games elsewhere if you choose. GOG and Steam's launchers allow the addition of games from other platforms to facilitate a single library view (GOG Galaxy does a better job of automating libraries, Steam does a better job of handling input and streaming).

I obviously would prefer to have every game on PC. Are you contesting that having your entire library on a single platform that persists across upgrades, access to community mods, and no ongoing maintenance subscriptions is a good thing? I don't have any issues with exclusives made by console makers being exclusive either. Nor do I have any issue with a company which wants to specialize in PC or Console games. Gatekeeping in this context referred to times during the last gen when Sony would buy exclusivity for games it didn't make to prop up its platform. The issue is moot now since nearly every major and minor release comes to PC in some form these days and the market is too large to ignore. Epic's nonsense has been great for players since its attempt to compete has resulted in piles of free games for players and some genuine bargains on occasion. I like that I can buy AAA games along with classics without DRM on GOG.

 

[Metnut]

It's a smart move by Microsoft and allows them to transition their dwindling but still substantial platform users over to PC while still giving them full backwards compatibility.

 

[Kacho]

A living room PC with a front end that's by all appearances a console, is fully functional with a controller, has none of the Linux compatibility issues, and you can pick and choose which store fronts to use?

I mean, sorta compelling. But it will come down to the execution. They need to show us the features, integration, and how easy it is to use.

Stick to the Xbox storefront if you want a hassle-free curated "console" experience. It will no doubt be a hell of a lot better than hooking up a traditional PC to the TV.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

Xbox should've been disbanded a looonnng time ago. They used the infinite money from daddy Ms when in a fair market they would've disappeared a while ago and someone else would've had their chance at it.

Theyre an unnatural disruption of the ecosystem. A company that keeps failing should not stay in business.

I think they could have made a profit with the 360 if the RROD hadn't happened.

 

[Syphon Filter]

valve/steam already ruined pc gaming with not owning games.