Windows 8 and CloD (Merged Threads)

[AirHog71]

There's nothing wrong with Win8 in terms of what it's meant to do. In fact in some small ways it's better than Win7 in terms of speed and stability around every day use and general applications.

The reason why commentators are saying Win8 will be a flop is because it's the first time MS have decided to lock down development, and this has many developers running for the hills.

While Win8 still has the traditional desktop which is an open development space, the new Metro environment is closed and this is what MS will be pushing and supporting in all future versions of Windows.

Now it's no secret games are the biggest drivers of PC innovations but it's this very industry that is saying that they're seriously contemplating leaving Windows. If you look at the Metro / Win App Store requirements, 99% of games wouldn't be able run on it because they don't comply with the rules (yes this is still after MS announced they'll allow R18 content), even 2011's game of the year Skyrim would not be able to be sold through the new Windows App Store.

Also Valve's Steam distribution system is not allowed to run in Metro. Now there are lots of people (including myself) who have bought a tonne of games using Steam, I've even bought games on Steam for which I have the DVD version, mainly because the DVD is damaged (thanks kids) and for just as a backup.

It for this reason I'm taking a wait and see approach for future versions of Windows. I think if MS don't change their minds, Win8 will be the new Millennium edition and Win7 will the new XP edition. Or in the case of Valve software, gamers will be flocking to Linux.