Blizzard Exec Backs Valve's Critical Windows 8 Outlook
Blizzard's Rob Pardo agrees with Gabe Newell's comment about Windows 8.
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.

Consoles are obsolete before they are even release.... pwnt
Enjoy your 2006 technology.
LOL @ every 6 months....
My year old 2600k with 580 gtx SMOKES your 360 /PS3
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.
Consoles are obsolete before they are even release.... pwnt
Your logic is flawed here as your console is outdated before it is even released to the public. By the time they settle on the specs, manufacture and release the newest console is around the equivalent of a older low end PC. The fact that new PC hardware is being released all the time is what makes the PC the powerhouse it is. Nor is anyone forced to get new hardware right away, a decent rig will last for many years before a upgrade is truly a must.
So have fun with your outdated console that is also a completely closed system and doesn't even have a ounce of freedom.
I think it's extremely unlikely that Microsoft would turn Windows into a iOS style "walled garden".
That would go against everything a desktop OS is supposed to be. It would never be allowed by anti trust agencies anyway.
You're a blantant moron, Only really really hardcore Benchmarkers and enthusiasts upgrade every 6 months.
I'm guessing one of the key drivers of having windows store on the PC is so users can download the same apps from their phones onto their PC (of course the extra money would be a key driver too).
People need to calm down and just see how this one plays out.
As to anything you buy is obsolete in a few months.
Houses, cars, couches, beds, lightbulbs, appliances, washers, fridges, EVERYTHING. Even clothing, and shoes.
tell me how your cave gets you by,but then again, even a CAVE is obsolete by the cave next door since it has a natural indoor pool.
Your a sucker.
Actually, I'd argue real gamers want games with just the game, no third party spyware at all.
No reason to thumb this guy down. He isn't saying anything that isn't true. Well, I don't console game, but I can't say his statements are invalid.