bp9801 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Microsoft seems rather excited about its upcoming Windows 10 release and what it means for consumers on all platforms, but it is also admitting a past mistake. The company was once a go-to for PC gamers, with Microsoft-created games and hardware among some of the popular products of the day. However, once the Xbox arrived everything at Microsoft shifted to that, and PC gamers, quite frankly, got the shaft. During GDC 2015, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, stated the company lost its way with the PC gaming crowd and sees Windows 10 as a way to get back in their good graces (and possibly DirectX 12, too). One part of that is Microsoft's snazzy new HoloLens will be out during Windows 10's lifespan and Spencer sees it as a "full Windows 10 device." Playing games in augmented reality sounds like a solid way to get back our support, but that's not all Microsoft intends to do. The company will also bring Xbox Live to Windows 10, with developers getting a toolkit to implement Xbox Live into their Windows 10 games. Spencer said Xbox no longer refers to just the console, but "gaming with Microsoft" as a whole. Games should be able to work across the devices, regardless if its a PC, tablet, smartphone (maybe), or Xbox One, with gamers being able to see their friends list and play against each other. It is an ambitious plan, and hopefully the reality is far better than the company's last attempt, Games for Windows Live. GFWL tried to do the friends list aspect and the occasionaly play together across PC and Xbox 360, but it was horribly bloated, buggy, and downright frustrating. Combine those with the fact that GFWL was initially a paid service to access the best features, and we have the issue of PC gamers suddenly being charged to do what they've done for free for years. Hopefully Microsoft acknowledging it has lost its way with PC gamers and Spencer's comments about integrating Xbox Live into Windows 10 proves successful. None of us want a repeat of Games for Windows Live, and luckily it seems there is hope on the horizon. Microsoft's Larry Hryb a.k.a. Major Nelson recently said Xbox Live on Windows 10 will be free. It really was the only course available to Microsoft, and it is fantastic to see that's the case. After all, upgrading to Windows 10 within a year after it arrives will be free, so why not have Xbox Live follow suit? Console owners aren't overly happy about it, as to be expected, but at least PC gamers won't have to pay for features other services (Steam, Origin) provide for free. It is a step in the right direction for Microsoft and PC gaming as a whole, and hopefully one that pans out in the long term. Source: Business Insider and PC World Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcath2o Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Let us hope... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo312 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 i'm looking forward to windows 10 myself. And matter of fact i have been looking at some of the console only games and have been trying to decide between xbox and ps4. If xbox is implemented well into windows 10 i might just have to go that route if i decide to get a console. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 If only by "integrate" they mean we'd get xbox exclusives on the PC haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gebraset Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Meh. I'm beginning to get more interested in Linux honestly, especially as SteamOS picks up speed. In the end, I'd rather deal with an OS that is free-of-charge, easy to use, has a large support community, and still provides me with everything that I need, than to continue to purchase Windows. But, my viewpoint may change in the coming years of course, depending on the development of both, lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbaxm2 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 Microsoft is delusional if they think they are going to win back the pc crowd. The consolization of many games is in part why a lot of them ended up being bad games. This is a big reason a lot of studios are pushing the "pc only" titles now and Microsoft is just trying to play catch up and gets it's hands in the mix before it's to late. With the release of several new much stronger, more capable game engines being released, console fans are getting close to realizing just how bad they got boned by purchasing "next gen" consoles that were essentially already outdated hardware. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccokeman Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 Outside of racing games there's nothing I like on consoles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 (edited) Meh. I'm beginning to get more interested in Linux honestly, especially as SteamOS picks up speed. In the end, I'd rather deal with an OS that is free-of-charge, easy to use, has a large support community, and still provides me with everything that I need, than to continue to purchase Windows. But, my viewpoint may change in the coming years of course, depending on the development of both, lol. I'd gladly run Linux as my daily if it could play ANY game or program windows can no matter how old or new. I love the idea of it but I don't want to settle for something free of cost but free of many of the programs/games I have come to or will come to enjoy. Edited March 8, 2015 by IVIYTH0S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhenKittensATK Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 I'm still wary of the Xbox platform (PC/Console). They still have issues on the console that need to be fixed. I hope they don't lock cross-platform purchased games only through Microsoft Digital Store. That's the only way you can even share games with friends online and you have to GIVE THEM YOUR LOGIN to even share your digital games. Streaming from XB1 to PC is nice, but as Waco said in another thread, native PC support of Xbox exclusives would be better. Linux is still a long way from mainstream gaming support, so I'll be a while before I switch my gaming rig to Linux. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gebraset Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 Meh. I'm beginning to get more interested in Linux honestly, especially as SteamOS picks up speed. In the end, I'd rather deal with an OS that is free-of-charge, easy to use, has a large support community, and still provides me with everything that I need, than to continue to purchase Windows. But, my viewpoint may change in the coming years of course, depending on the development of both, lol. I'd gladly run Linux as my daily if it could play ANY game or program windows can no matter how old or new. I love the idea of it but I don't want to settle for something free of cost but free of many of the programs/games I have come to or will come to enjoy. I feel that. The issue boils down to software support, and with Windows having such a large user base for so long, software and games tend to be geared towards it. With the rise of SteamOS though, I'm hoping to at least see a new wave of video game offerings available for Linux operating systems (through the Steam client, of course). In regards to software, I really don't use anything that is of utmost importance besides Office and Steam, so everything is really just preference. I have had some formatting errors with PowerPoint files when utilizing LibreOffice/OpenOffice in the past, hence my reliance on Office still, but I plan to be done with my first degree before I build a new machine in the coming years and attempt to go full Linux. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 I feel that. The issue boils down to software support, and with Windows having such a large user base for so long, software and games tend to be geared towards it. With the rise of SteamOS though, I'm hoping to at least see a new wave of video game offerings available for Linux operating systems (through the Steam client, of course). In regards to software, I really don't use anything that is of utmost importance besides Office and Steam, so everything is really just preference. I have had some formatting errors with PowerPoint files when utilizing LibreOffice/OpenOffice in the past, hence my reliance on Office still, but I plan to be done with my first degree before I build a new machine in the coming years and attempt to go full Linux. +1 I tried going LibreOffice for as long as I could until I was in class and saw what the powerpoint actually should look like and what mine looked like haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivangela Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 Microsoft is delusional if they think they are going to win back the pc crowd. The consolization of many games is in part why a lot of them ended up being bad games. This is a big reason a lot of studios are pushing the "pc only" titles now and Microsoft is just trying to play catch up and gets it's hands in the mix before it's to late. With the release of several new much stronger, more capable game engines being released, console fans are getting close to realizing just how bad they got boned by purchasing "next gen" consoles that were essentially already outdated hardware. I loved the AOE series back in the day. It was fun as hell and completely addicting. If they put out titles like that, equally addictive or immersive, I'd buy 'em Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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