Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action (
More info?)
>OK, just WTF is the problem with id software and Windows 2003 server?
>Neither Doom3 nor the expansion pack will install on Win2k3 server without
>copying the CD contents to the hard disk and modifying the installer files.
>I have as yet not found a replacement MSI for the expansion.
The problem is sorta of with id, but more general. It is also
partially contributed to by the way Microsoft promotes their products.
Windows 2003 is a SERVER operating system. It is promoted as such. It
is priced as such. It is not intended by Microsoft to be run as a
workstation OS.
Additionally, Windows 2003 behaves different than XP. IIS is
different, the TCP/IP stack is different (XP SP2 does not allow raw
sockets anymore, limits connections, etc.), additional services are
installed, and there are other differences.
As a result of these differences, there is a chance of incompatibility
during installation or playing of a game. This means that the
developers would have to test on this platform. And don't forget there
are multiple versions of Windows 2003, and each should be tested.
What it boils down to is MONEY. id knows that the huge majority of
their playing base uses a desktop OS (like XP). So they certify it
under that OS. They know that Windows 2003 is not shipped with the
generic Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc., PC system. They know that most
people will not pay the large price for a server OS. So, there is no
significant return on investment to test and certify their application
under Windows 2003.
So now id, and other developers, have a dilemma. They can either dio
an OS check and refuse to install on unsupported OSes, or follow basic
MSI guidelines (which I assume they do in order to get Microsoft's
seal of approval) and HOPE it will install on unsupported OSes. And
then HOPE that the applications work. And then have to deal with calls
from a minority of users who run into problems with these unsupported
OSes.
Thus, they are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I somehow
doubt the average user is willing to pay an extra $5 a copy so that
id, or whomever, will certify their game under an OS they will never,
ever use. So, they decided to not install under W2K3, which I think is
probably the best decision.
Expecting developers to support every OS is unrealistic. This, I am
sure, is on reason why so many developers are becoming console-based.
With a console, you have only one OS, one type of hardware, one set of
standards, etc. Development, testing, and support costs are therefore
much lower.
So, if you are a computer gamer, use a gaming OS. At the moment, this
is Windows XP Professional (supports SMP, which will become more
important in the future). Short term, Home version is fine, but I just
cannot think of a reason to buy it. Student prices for Professional
are reasonable, and I recommend splurging and getting it.
Please replace the "NoSpam" with "MCI" in my email address in order to
reply.
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Joe Granto Joe.Granto@NoSpam.Com
Senior Engineer Intel Engineering,MCI
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