Windows 8 and gaming

[LongBlade]

So.. in the future, Microsoft is taking a decidedly Apple-like tack by locking down what can be installed on their devices, so that you're always forced to go through their company??

F*** that!

This is an amazingly dumb move. One of the best reasons for not using an Apple OS was the open platform Windows offered.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

The question is, what will replace it? I'm guessing Linux-based gaming rigs will take over. Regardless, nature abhores a vacuum. Who knows? Maybe Apple will fill the breach. All I know is that something will replace Windows.

[Zulu1966]

So.. in the future, Microsoft is taking a decidedly Apple-like tack by locking down what can be installed on their devices, so that you're always forced to go through their company??

F*** that!

This is an amazingly dumb move. One of the best reasons for not using an Apple OS was the open platform Windows offered.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

The question is, what will replace it? I'm guessing Linux-based gaming rigs will take over. Regardless, nature abhores a vacuum. Who knows? Maybe Apple will fill the breach. All I know is that something will replace Windows.

It may seem dumb - but if you look at the numbers they have to do something to keep their profits up. This is about money only and not users. They have seen if you follow the apple model you can make a hell of a lot of money. Its even better for MS as they have the existing OS base people will one day have to convert from. Microsoft make very little money overall from games - but that will change if they move like apple and sell everything through an app store. I am not saying its imminent but thats where I see them heading. Personally I think people will just have to lump it. Unless another player comes into the market with deep pockets. Steam have already plowed a big wedge of cash into linux but I am not sure their pockets are deep enough. I think from MS point of view also the majority of PC's are used by busniess and people who just want to surf the internet and write word documents.

[ArizonaTank]

I have Win 8 that came installed on a non-touch capable laptop. 

The overall navigation, and getting to the "old" desktop took some getting used to....but I had the same disorientation everytime I upgraded to a new version of Windows.

My biggest issue has been getting my older games to run.  The security model is much "tighter" under Windows 8, so it has taken some mucking around to get them to work. 

Some issues I have seen:

-Gamers gate installers don't work (even if run as admin), unless I manually create the install directory first. 

-GOG's version of Combat Mission Beyond Normandy runs very slow  May be a video card issue.

-Gamers Gate site won't run.  Very bizarre.  Even if I try under IE, Firefox or Opera.  Even if I turn off anti-virus and firewalls.  I can use the Gamers Gate downloaders however.  Since the problem is across browsers, I am thinking it is some sort issue with the security model again.  Site is asking browser to do something....Win8 won't allow

-Matrix Games Troy won't run from the Matrix menu.  Have to run directly from the executable file.

Games running well:

-Distant Worlds, no issues
-War in the Pacific, no issues
-Total War Medieval II, under Steam, no issues
-JT WWI and Austerlitz no issues
-GOG games, Icewind Dale II, Age of Wonders, Mob Rule, Warlords Battlecry 3, Alpha Centari and Imperialism I and II all running well.

[Nefaro]

THAT is the primary reason I don't plan to use Win8 right now.  Compatibility problems.  I didn't have those switching from Vista to Win7, obviously, so that was an easy switch. 

I already turn off Win7's extra annoying security bullshit, so why would I want to deal with even more in the next one (which also happens to cause serious compatibility issues with some of my current software)?

[LongBlade]

Thanks for the intel, Arizona. That is not encouraging.

[republic]

Thankfully, I haven't had those Gamersgate issues.  I haven't any problems really, other than the initial disorientation Arizona mentions.  Everything that worked in Windows 7 has worked fine for me in Windows 8.

[Grim.Reaper]

I have had no issues as well.  Everything with gamersgate has been fine, plus all my other games have had no issues.  The ui takes some getting use to, but no major issues for me.  Anytime that I had issues in the past with gamersgate turned out to be Internet security software related.

[Tuna]

You'd think they'd have learned their lesson when they beat Apple years ago.. Apple was a much better product, but Microsoft Dos worked on lots of PC's so there was price competition with many vendors making PC's that could run  their product...

They won because of the competitive pricing.. they Lock themselves down and Linux may bet a rise..

[Staggerwing]

they Lock themselves down and Linux may bet a rise..

[Nefaro]

I've been half-expecting MS to try locking down stuff in small steps, but past talk of it seemed to scare them from venturing too far in that direction.  I certainly expect Linux to start increasing in market share in direct proportion to how much dickery MS commits regarding this subject.

Which reminds me.. perhaps on the next rig I build, I'll leave a partition for jacking with Ubuntu.  Best to be prepared.  ;)

[Staggerwing]

Why wait? Dual boot now.

[Nefaro]

Why wait? Dual boot now.

I actually have a small partition set aside, with nothing on it, right now.  Just haven't felt like messing with it just yet.

[junk2drive]

In case anyone is confused, Windows Defender is different for 8 than 7, it includes anti virus

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/protect-pc#1TC=t1