Xbox Live confirmed for Windows 8
- Thread starter patsu
- Start date
So you think they'll charge for Live on Windows? I'd see that as a huge barrier to success. PC users do not like paying for those kinds of services, especially when steam offers the same thing for free. Maybe they'd go the route of offering it free and having a subscription option that gave discounts to purchases, or something like that.
Like PS+ ? Sure !
Once they have their media services integrated into the package, they don't have to worry about Steam comparison. They can also tweak their gaming services to offer free gaming. ^_^
But they can keep the XBL Gold label to grow the pool of people who want premium services.
That is why I think Steam, Origins and others should consider iOS and Android version as well as their integration with PSN and of course Win8. The Windows AppStore may cause problems for MS and regulators though, in the light of Steam and Origins stores. They may need to work out a more complex setup there.
As for Sony and Nintendo services, they should also extend to iOS and Android. It's a poison they have to swallow and overcome. Then they will be fine in the mass media's eyes. Dedicated devices become more powerful when they are more relevant to more people. ^_^
Once they have their media services integrated into the package, they don't have to worry about Steam comparison. They can also tweak their gaming services to offer free gaming. ^_^
But they can keep the XBL Gold label to grow the pool of people who want premium services.
That is why I think Steam, Origins and others should consider iOS and Android version as well as their integration with PSN and of course Win8. The Windows AppStore may cause problems for MS and regulators though, in the light of Steam and Origins stores. They may need to work out a more complex setup there.
As for Sony and Nintendo services, they should also extend to iOS and Android. It's a poison they have to swallow and overcome. Then they will be fine in the mass media's eyes. Dedicated devices become more powerful when they are more relevant to more people. ^_^
MS has been under the thumbs of federal oversight for the past 10 years as part of the anti-trust suit. They have been following the non-monopolistic line so well they are now in the other direction and have lagged behind Apple and Google in those respects. So I highly doubt that (the M word) will be at issue (or should even be mentioned)
The federal oversight expired this year, so I would expect MS to take a more agressive stance on a lot of this.
No, not really.
MS has ~90% market share of desktop computers (laptops included there, naturally). The power of bundling software conveniently with the OS to gain marketshare should not be misunderestimated - shit, just ask Netscape if you don't believe me!
Apple's market share of personal computers is ~10% at best. There's a HUGE disparity between it and Microsoft.
Those are all closed platforms, so it's not the same thing.
Well, not Android, or at least not AS closed. And Android has alternate marketplaces too, for better and for worse. Largely worse, I'd say, considering the clear and present danger of malware. But that's a topic for a different discussion...
I'm struggling to see the benefits to PC gaming at the moment. We've been burned with GfWL before. Still, I'm hopeful about the potential, I'll certainly be keeping a close eye on it. Can't say I'm at all interested in any non-gaming media offerings though. There are already plenty of better options out there.
Keep in mind that Kinect will also be available for PC...it makes a lot of sense.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/ballmer-microsoft-will-eventually-support-kinect-on-pc/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/ballmer-microsoft-will-eventually-support-kinect-on-pc/
No, not really.
MS has ~90% market share of desktop computers (laptops included there, naturally). The power of bundling software conveniently with the OS to gain marketshare should not be misunderestimated - shit, just ask Netscape if you don't believe me!
Apple's market share of personal computers is ~10% at best. There's a HUGE disparity between it and Microsoft.
Those are all closed platforms, so it's not the same thing.
Well, not Android, or at least not AS closed. And Android has alternate marketplaces too, for better and for worse. Largely worse, I'd say, considering the clear and present danger of malware. But that's a topic for a different discussion...
XBox Live is a content/social platform - it is a pure value add IMO, vs any sort of anti-trust issue concerning the pre-determined death of, say, like a browser. One could make the argument that it predisposes one to use Microsoft for their media purchases; perhaps. But in a world where other content platforms have much greater penetration, there is no reason for MS to sit on their hands for fear of a challenge alone. I see this as a complete antitrust non-issue, and honestly of crucial importance to MS as OS' blend across a broader multi-platform space to create an experience beyond the box.
I think that's what it's about though - a unified media library/account across platforms, with an in-built social aspect as well.
Exactly.
I think the big thing MS is still missing out on is providing that unified library.
I want to pay one monthly fee and have access to stream movies, tv, music, and games.
When I pay that fee, I want to be able to enjoy this media source on any device which can support these media channels (xphone, xbox, xpad, xpc) Obviously with that much bandwidth liability, there must be rules in place such as one stream at a time for a fixed cost etc ..
THAT would be worth something.
Microsoft has been losing PC marketshare consistently for the last 10 years. in 2000, apple had (if they were lucky) 4% marketshare. Now they have 10% or more. By definition, a monopoly cannot lose marketshare.MS has ~90% market share of desktop computers (laptops included there, naturally). The power of bundling software conveniently with the OS to gain marketshare should not be misunderestimated - shit, just ask Netscape if you don't believe me!
Apple may have 10+% in the US, where it has a string of high-profile retail stores and advertise heavily. Its market presence is much less world-wide though, Europe included, where you may have to look hard to even see an Apple advertisement, and much less any stores selling their computers.
D
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No, not really.
MS has ~90% market share of desktop computers (laptops included there, naturally). The power of bundling software conveniently with the OS to gain marketshare should not be misunderestimated - shit, just ask Netscape if you don't believe me!
Apple's market share of personal computers is ~10% at best. There's a HUGE disparity between it and Microsoft.
So.. Microsoft should be stopped from doing it only because it's more successfull than Apple at selling their OS?
I would consider your opinion as valid if Microsoft was cock-blocking other software vendors from using other forms of distribution, but I really see no problem in getting their own marketplace for "Windows 8 tested and approved" software.
They'll certainly need it once the "this runs on x86 and not ARM" chaos starts invading their ecossystem.
Android and Symbian both allow purchasing and installation of certified software outside their own marketplace.
Forbidding someone from buying software for their device from any other place than the company's own profit-inducing marketplace is what I thing should be strictly forbidden, and Apple + Microsoft (in WP7) should be hunt like witches during the Inquisition for doing that.
Grall said:No, not really.
MS has ~90% market share of desktop computers (laptops included there, naturally). The power of bundling software conveniently with the OS to gain marketshare should not be misunderestimated - shit, just ask Netscape if you don't believe me!
Apple's market share of personal computers is ~10% at best. There's a HUGE disparity between it and Microsoft.
Those are all closed platforms, so it's not the same thing.
Well, not Android, or at least not AS closed. And Android has alternate marketplaces too, for better and for worse. Largely worse, I'd say, considering the clear and present danger of malware. But that's a topic for a different discussion...
So what? As long as you can continue to install non ms products there is no issue here.
What apple is doing is far worse
How is this not simply a re-branding of GFWL?
AFAICS they are just trying to remove the impression that windows is suited for playing games ... they want to present an integrated system for the media consumption and social aspects, and then hoard you to an xbox to play the real games (with a small exception being made for social games).
AFAICS they are just trying to remove the impression that windows is suited for playing games ... they want to present an integrated system for the media consumption and social aspects, and then hoard you to an xbox to play the real games (with a small exception being made for social games).
