anyone who thinks microsoft doesn't just want things their way is delusional... and their way is the microsoft store, taking as much money from developers as possible while ensuring they remain locked down to their system
also, anyone claiming we don't have to worry because "it's optional" and "everything still werks!" is as dumb as brick or has no idea how software development works. microsoft can't just invalidate all current tools because not only would that be stupid and cause an outrage, it would also incentive people moving away to linux. and besides, no company would ever do something like that. it simply doesn't make sense.
the new windows 8 apis are currently optional, while the old ones are deprecated. ms will continue to reimplement windows functionality, some due to necessity, and it will only work with the new apis. eventually, you will be forced to use them. whether that's windows 9 or 10, it doesn't matter. you can't escape the windows store. there is no incentive for microsoft not to dump billions in it either, because once you're forced to use the new interfaces, you can't escape the ms tax.
furthermore, microsoft is focusing on pc gaming, and for 2 good reasons: first, they pretty much beat sony already. they have the preferred system for 3rd party games and they can outspend sony. they're not a threat, and nintendo has shown to be unable to compete for the same audience. second, console gaming is shrinking while pc gaming is booming, thanks mostly to dd and steam, which is ms next target, after having basically stomped sony.
as bad as this can sound for people who were mostly pc gamers during the 90s or have no linux knowledge, supporting linux distribution(s) is the best alternative in the long run.
