Microsoft promises stronger focus on PC gaming
Microsoft Studios Partner Creative Director Ken Lobb reveals in an interview that the software house has renewed its commitment to PC gaming, and it seems to be promising. Last August, Microsoft snagged away Jason Holtman, the former head of Steam business development at Valve, to make Windows "a great platform for gaming".
Lobb called the PC gaming community more vibrant than it's even been before, but when asked for specifics he revealed very little.
In fact, the PC exclusive title he talks with perhaps a "support game" on Xbox Live Arcade doesn't seem to be what the PC gaming community wants at all.
But when pressed for specifics, Lobb was much more evasive—and actually a little puzzling. Rock, Paper, Shotgun asked if Microsoft's renewed PC focus would spell the end of Xbox exclusives. Lobb replied that developers ought to make "the best thing for each platform" and perhaps release "support games" for "side platforms." He then clarified that the PC was by no means a "side platform" and that we could "potentially" see a big PC exclusive with an Xbox Live Arcade support title.
Finally, Lobb vaguely hinted at a major upcoming PC release, saying that, although he couldn't announce anything, Microsoft is "very dedicated to that space.
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wow , thats a nice summary!
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Promises of M$ are as empty as ones of politicians.
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Quick reminder on how BS MS statements are. This is the millionth time we have heard this with no follow up: MS does not care at all about PC gaming.
Thanks to Angelus Errare of NeoGAF for the source compilation.
Aww, too bad, I was going to joke by asking if you were on Linux by any chance! Oh well!
What annoys me about Microsoft is how they keep new versions of DirectX for the latest operating systems, when I'm quite sure they could easily allow the latest versions of DirectX on older versions of Windows. And, speaking of DirectX, I also wish they would update it more often, or at least make it more eifficient than it currently is. Those are the main things holding back PC gaming, or at least not helping it much!
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Developers still learning and implementing DX11. Developers are humans too, they need time to learn new DX and its new features. And they have to keep deadlines...
Did you heard of Mantle? I think you would love Mantle, since it addresses most of those issues you just mentioned.
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Quick reminder on how BS MS statements are. This is the millionth time we have heard this with no follow up: MS does not care at all about PC gaming.
2005 - We care about PC gaming, Longhorn (Vista) to usher in modern PC gaming with "Tray and Play"
Vista launches with none of the stuff MS promised, Vista itself sucks the ass of a thousand camels.
2006 - MS: Don't Count PC Games Out
MS announces GFWL and how utterly amazing it will be, suckers everywhere rejoice in the eventual ass reaming they don't know is coming yet.
2007 - MS continues PC push
MS launches GFWL...and it has a $50 a year fee, and they announce a whole slew of games to include Shadowrun with cross platform play and Gears of War 1! What are you paying for you ask? Jank ass software that crashes and has the most unintuitive updating system known to man. Load a game, game says you need update. Signs you out, downloads update, you jump back in...oh GFWL client has a update too! signs you out, downloads up date and you log back in...
MS will shortly thereafter disband Ensemble because MS feels that they're (MS) moving in a different direction! But don't worry we tots <3 you PC gamers.
2008 - MS: PC gaming is A-okay
Yea we've looked at some money pie charts and can see that PC gaming brings in billions in revenue. Here is our open letter to how awesome PC gaming is and our promise to support it! We finally put some new titles up on GFWL! Oh and we got rid of the $50 a year fee for GFWL, see we're serious about PC gaming! If that's not a sign of commitment, I don't know what is!
2008 - MS: PC gaming is not dead!
Look at this event we're throwing for PC gaming, you think we'd throw this if we didn't truly care about it?! Look at these games that will be on GFWL. We <3 PC gaming. You want fixes for GFWL issues? We'll look into that.
2008 - MS bolsters PC gaming with all new Games for Windows Live!
Hey gaiz remember those GFWL client issues you were having...well we didn't fix those per say but....here is the same **** in a slightly newer skin! PROGRESS
2009 - MS: PC gaming still a priority for us!
Okay gaiz look, this time we're serious about our upcoming push in PC gaming. It's so vital to us at MS that we give the PC our love and support!
2010 - MS: "We're doubling down on PC gaming
By doubling down we mean we're keeping this ****tastic GFWL client around because! We might even throw an update at it to fix the problem of game saves being randomly deleted or rendered worthless...maybe.
2010 - MS Launches Games for Windows Marketplace
Hey gaiz, we're making GFWL even better because it's now called Games for Windows Marketplace. Everything is brand new and easy to use, anonymous journalists have even said it's better than Steam. We had 3 interns and a janitor work on this, so you know we're committed!
2010 - MS: Windows 8 is going to relaunch gaming!
Hey gaiz, MS again. With Windows 8 we're totally going to put our full weight behind PC gaming just like we promised back in 2006! Pls be excite.
2012 - MS: We won't ditch GFWL!
We're committed to PC gaming and we absolutely think GFWL is the best play to get PC games and play with others. Our client is awesome....ly bloated and deletes **** randomly, but that's really one of the charms of PC gaming that we captured! It's a balanced experience! Hope you rike!
2013 - MS to discontinue GFWL
Hey gaiz new manager here, so like a bunch of your games might stop working come 2014...but that's okay! We expect there to be transitions as we build out new investments, but we remain committed to bringing first party gaming services and games to Windows for years to come. We will share more details in the future!
2013 - MS promises core first party games coming to PC
We're so committed we swear!
Sorry, but all MS is doing is blowing smoke up the ass of gullible people. So yea go ahead and get your hopes up and get excited. In a year or two when none of what they say comes to fruition...I'll pretend to act shocked.
Thanks to Angelus Errare of NeoGAF for the source compilation.