Microsoft wants to monopolise games development on PC (in a piss poor fashion) – and we must fight it (by doing the same thing we've done before; not buying games from Microsoft)

#1

With its new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) initiative, Microsoft has built a closed platform-within-a-platform into Windows 10, as the first apparent step towards locking down the consumer PC ecosystem and monopolising app distribution and commerce.

In my view, this is the most aggressive move Microsoft has ever made. While the company has been convicted of violating antitrust law in the past, its wrongful actions were limited to fights with specific competitors and contracts with certain PC manufacturers.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/04/microsoft-monopolise-pc-games-development-epic-games-gears-of-war

#2

Hyperbole.

Until they ban and block all other types of apps and prevent distribution outside if their markets, this is just their way of making universal apps between Windows and Xbox.

#3

Indeed. It is likely prohibitively expensive to convince developers to not release their games on Steam, and they would not be allowed to block other applications.

#4

Please correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this something to do with the way you have to develop your games for their UWP i.e. not as an application with an .exe?

Which means if you want to release on their W10 store and on Steam/GoG/Origin then you have to create your game in two different ways?

#5

I haven’t looked into the details, but I can’t imagine there is a large difference from a development point of view. The build process is different and UWP apps lack support for some features.

#6

http://www.pcgamer.com/if-microsofts-uwp-is-as-bad-as-tim-sweeney-says-its-already-doomed/

#7

Think this post on GAF boils down the issue.