A bit of a necro, but it seems valve has indeed confirmed their steam box console is going to be linux based.
Seems more of a power play for market share then for game functionality.
Well, Gabe hasn't exactly been quiet about his utter disdain for Windows 8. I myself am not happy that this is the "next gen" windows OS either. Its a major step back by everything I've seen thus far. I just haven't had the chance to try it myself.
I'm not saying it is wrong, if anything, I'm saying now is the exact time to do so from a business standpoint.
Vista was not liked after XP, but not because it tried to copy Apple. It was just...odd. In my opinion, largely due to it being coupled early on with systems woefully underpowered to use it (to explain to my dad why his cheap early vista laptop was slow, I said it would be liked putting a 4 piston engine on a utlity truck, it just doesn't work.)
7 was wonky in its own way, but at least wasn't put on underpowered devices, and is actually fairly lean.
However, 8 committed the most grave sin in Window's lifetime. It wasn't windows. It wasn't wonky, yet is taking steps that can let it be locked down. It's...turning into Apple.
Even I will tell you I use Windows because I like Apple less. So why be like Apple? Ugh. It defeats the purpose.
Now, steam is a gaming platform. It is popular. What's the strongest step to take for an independent system? An own independent device. The best time to be your own platform, to break away, is when your competition is unpopular. 8 is unpopular, so now is the time to be free.
Yeah, I don't like the Apple-inspirations of the OS either. The ease with which Microsoft could lock the system down is...concerning. And then if they did, well, frak, we don't have a ton of options at that point. Microsoft can bluster all it likes about not turning into the next Apple but actions speak louder and the fact that they've come closer to Apple's way of thinking than they ever have in a long time speaks loudly.
But yeah, this looks to be the time that Valve will try and become an independent system all on its own. Big picture mode, Steam box, a completely overhauled Community section, selling software, it all seems to point to them doing just that.
It's a shame, because the decision to go Apple will in the long run be very dubious at best for Microsoft. In an age where most of what you need previously from a PC is now done by smartphone / tablet / laptop (netbook), the gaming scene (hardware intensive wise) is one of the few remaining reasons to keep a PC.
The process of acquiring a crack to "unlock" PC's won't be very much different from acquiring pirated versions to begin with, so piracy will skyrocket.
It used to be I didn't care about the overall package of windows, because it was open within its framework, meaing the bugs could be worked out. Without this capability, why would I care? I might as well get a console (gaming device), whether it be steam box or a console.
