So as we know Windows Platform Apps and WinUI3 apps do not work on Linux, I keep wondering if Microsoft were to launch a new API let’s say direct X 15 but limit it to Windows Store Apps, and provided a way for the apps to be installed from other stores like steam could they in time kill modern Linux gaming.
Some people are making fun about this, but if you look at the history of the steam store and how Gabe is focusing so heavily on Linux, it is because he is concerned that Microsoft is going to shut down Win32 and he will be absolutely screwed.
Due to this, he is creating a safety net for himself and is pushing Linux hard as an alternative to Microsoft Windows so that he can not be so reliant on Microsoft and what they choose to do and not do. Specifically when it comes to win 32.
Got a source for this?
https://venturebeat.com/games/valves-gabe-newell-talks/
Some of what Gabe Newell said:
Goddamn can this man be any more GOATed?
This was quite a while ago and as you can imagine a lot of websites closed but I found some references to it here and there and I’m sure if you dig deeper you’ll really find some good sources for yourself.
It’s definitely a hedging strategy to invest in Linux so that they’re not beholden to Microsoft.
https://soylentnews.org/comments.pl?noupdate=1&sid=12517&cid=315125
https://forum.level1techs.com/t/valve-ceo-says-windows-8-would-mean-a-catastrophe-for-windows-pc-gaming/142
And this one even has Tim Sweeney talking about it.
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/07/now-tim-sweeney-thinks-that-microsoft-will-use-windows-10-to-break-steam/
It’s very old news and the search engine that don’t really reward old articles too much, but it’s out there.
Thank you!
Sadly none of those links, unless I somehow missed it, directly quote Newell, but given the contemporaneous discussion on it and the citations linking to pages that no longer work, it seems benefit of the doubt is reasonable.
I think if Newell has gone on record as such, he is right to do so if MS does decide to abandon win32. Thing is though, one of the reasons win32 and even the registry have existed this long is so they don’t alienate developers.
It’s speculative, but my opinion is the only way MS would ever do this is if they decide to create a completely brand new operating system (one that eschews NTOSKRNL, NTFS, the registry, etc, in favor of something new).
However, it looks to me as if they’re all in on Windows 11 with this nonsensical Recall and other “AI” craziness, they don’t seem to be focusing on much else — so maybe that’s a good thing :)
Can you expand on this please, why is Gabe so worried about win32?,
I just posted a few links to the other person who responded to me and you can follow those and there is more detail there.
But basically if Microsoft were to try, which they did, try and move to their own app store, which removes win32, then all of Valve’s games ( in the store) will no longer become relevant over time, on the Windows platform.
You don’t just spend millions and millions and millions of dollars on Linux for no reason at all. It’s not like he’s a fanboy, he’s a businessman, and he’s protecting his business.
I guess I’m still confused on the why, is it because valve doesn’t want to update their games?
Why is win32 so important?
Win32 is what basically all non MS store apps use. It’s a bit old and bloated.