Steam for Linux: Gabe's hedging strategy

[Drakus]

It's no secret what Gabe thinks of Windows 8. I'd be willing to switch to Linux permanently when this happens. I have tried it before, but always went back to using windows due to the lack of gaming capabilities on Linux.

What are your thoughts?

[Jeronkey]

You and Wesley think similar. There is a very similar thread over in the technology discussion at the moment. I wasn't aware of Gabe's opinion on Windows 8, though, so thanks for the link. It is a bit worrying to hear such a negative remark from a man I admire so much. It doesn't make me hate Windows 8 all of a sudden, but it does make me a bit weary.

I am, however, quite happy with the news. I don't have plans to swap over as I'm more comfortable with Windows, even though I have used Ubuntu a bit and think it is a decent enough OS. I might consider a dual boot in the future, though, just for the fun of it. Any improvement is good for the Linux community, and it is great to see Valve supporting more platforms. Healthy, in my opinion.

[Wesley]

My thoughts are here in my opinion column today :-)

Still a lot of worrying for nothing. Things change, people change. Hell, software changes on a daily basis! These people are worry-warts.

[tarisma]

If i could play games on linux with minimal effort I would switch to it in a heartbeat

[Squirly]

My thoughts are here in my opinion column today :-)

Well that link won't do. I doubt we want to edit your column.

Is this it?

[Wesley]

Well that link won't do. I doubt we want to edit your column.

Is this it?

Fixed, thanks for noticing ^_^

[FreddyAintDead]

Is it just me?

This seems very much a repeat of Gabe's opinion of the PS3. He had valid reasons for disliking it and opting not to invest in it as a developer, but then he learned that, practically speaking, it's just not good business sense to disregard competitors of a certain market so blatantly as well as the fact that there are far more investors out there who have influence over much more than he might and that he may be intelligent and influential himself, but his opinion is not the final word in a billion dollar industry.

Is he gonna have to come on stage at Microsoft's next press conference and publicly apologize again? I don't think Windows 8 needs to suck for Valve to support Linux, I think it's a good, healthy step for both brands regardless. But if Valve and Steam theoretically abandon Windows 8 I don't think the result would be as clear cut as the majority of Steam users jumping ship to Linux because that would still exclude a lot of other games. Also, if Valve chooses not to support Windows 8 it doesn't mean they choose not to support Windows altogether.

People are entitled to their opinions but everyone everywhere should be mindful of how they choose to express that opinion, especially if it effects their business.

[FreakKing]

I tried looking on the internet but couldn't find anything. Can someone people tell me what the story is behind Windows 8 "being frowned upon"? What is it that Gabe doesn't like?

[FreddyAintDead]

I tried looking on the internet but couldn't find anything. Can someone people tell me what the story is behind Windows 8 "being frowned upon"? What is it that Gabe doesn't like?

Gabe Newell thinks Windows 8 is a Catastrophe