Blizzard Exec Backs Valve's Critical Windows 8 Outlook

Rob Pardo, the executive vice president of game design at Blizzard's Diablo 3 studio, recently quoted on his personal Twitter account a comment made by Valve Software's co-founder and managing director, Gabe Newell, who said that Windows 8 is "a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space." Pardo agrees, adding that the touchy, revamped OS is "not awesome for Blizzard either."

Newell's claims against Windows 8 was reportedly centered on criticisms that Microsoft will want to have more control over various applications and purchases made through the platform. As it stands now, Xbox Live and Windows Store, both of which threaten Steam's stronghold in the PC gaming sector, will be native platforms within Windows 8. However Microsoft hasn't officially disclosed the actual details on its new marketplace scheme.

"There's a strong temptation to close the platform because they look at what they can accomplish when they limit the competitors' access to the platform, and they say, 'That's really exciting,'" Newell said.

He also predicted that top-tier OEMs will exit the market thanks to the new OS. "They’ll exit the market. I think margins are going to be destroyed for a bunch of people," he said. "If that’s true, it’s going to be a good idea to have alternatives to hedge against that eventuality. But when you start thinking about a platform, you have to address it. You have to address mobile. You have to look at what’s going to happen post-tablet."

Microsoft will reportedly take a 30-percent royalty cut on every sale made through the Windows Store, following Apple's lead with iTunes. Companies like Blizzard want to sell their own software via their virtual storefronts, whereas companies like Valve have their own distribution platforms to sell games and deliver additional content (patches, DLC). Windows Store seemingly poses as a bigger threat to Steam, but Blizzard Entertainment will likely feel the heat through parent company Activision Blizzard.

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

  • aoneone
    yay no more stupid steam and valve with Windows 8! That I approve ^_^ muahahaha
    Reply
  • sp0nger
    Aoneone your retarded, us real gamers want steam not the shitty windows store
    Reply
  • shawn808
    otacon72I stopped PC gaming years ago. I buy one piece of hardware hook it into my LED TV and don't have to upgrade anything for years. PC hardware is obsolete 6 months after you buy it. Thumb me down all you want I don't care..lol
    Enjoy your 2006 technology.

    LOL @ every 6 months....

    My year old 2600k with 580 gtx SMOKES your 360 /PS3

    Reply
  • MrMakapuu
    It's not too late to plan your mass suicide for the 2012 event in December. Can't wait for that since the world be rid of idiocracy!
    Reply
  • uglynerdman
    if that really does happen then there needs to be a complete dx Ripoff for linux so that games can be run. if it goes that bad with win8 and hogging the marketspace then finally linux might get a shot at finally being a worthwhile os for "GAMING" Truth be told the only reason I use windows is because i have no choice ima gamer and i want to use my hardware and see the eyecandy.
    Reply
  • killerclick
    otacon72Linux will NEVER garner more than the 1% market share it currently holds.
    It already has most of the smartphone market, most of the server market and 90+% of the supercomputer market. It's a huge fail on the desktop (in terms of adoption), but more around 2-3%.

    So if you look at its totality, Linux actually rules the world - Windows is only dominant on the PC.
    Reply
  • Kami3k
    otacon72I stopped PC gaming years ago. I buy one piece of hardware hook it into my LED TV and don't have to upgrade anything for years. PC hardware is obsolete 6 months after you buy it. Thumb me down all you want I don't care..lol
    Consoles are obsolete before they are even release.... pwnt
    Reply
  • Hellbound
    Simple solution... Dont buy/upgrade to Windows 8.. I wont.
    Reply
  • esrever
    Valve and blizzard is just looking at the margins but realistically, most people who would use the windows store would be people who wouldn't buy blizzard games imo. Steam however might lose some sales of casual stuff to the windows store but I think most pc gamers would choose steam over anything microsoft makes.
    Reply
  • misterawsome
    i like my windows 7 PC no need to upgrade to windows 8 if windows doesn't shape up by the next OS i'll switch to linux.
    Reply