Once again, Microsoft is jealous of another company’s success in a sector adjacent to their own, and is setting their crosshairs accordingly. Unfortunately this is one company that can’t be bought or properly imitated: Valve and Steam are firebrands in the gaming world, and have achieved over the years a level of trust and legitimacy among gamers that is nigh impossible for perhaps any other company to match. The success of Steam has made it the archetype for digital content distribution, and Microsoft doesn’t really expect to dethrone them there. Instead, they hope to grow a marketplace around things not currently offered by Steam, for example Games for Windows Live branded DLC, which would be made available exclusively by Microsoft. But is this really a sound plan?
It’ll be hard for Microsoft: Steam is a much stronger brand than Games for Windows Live, a faceless concept that evokes imperialist Microsoft tendencies and the vast, flaccid tentacles of their Live services. The only way they can make this little adventure work is by shoehorning themselves in, as they have suggested they will do with Fallout 3 DLC, and forcing a market presence. It’s a certainty that they can’t beat Valve, but with the amount of clout they’ve got, they’re guaranteed at least a spot in the lineup.
Microsoft also can’t ignore the fact that Valve is a smart company and receptive to the whims of the market. The service is no longer viewed as a novelty distribution system or Valve’s personal fileserver; the day-one releases of major games like Fallout 3 and Far Cry 2 are indicative of the faith that developers and producers have in the distribution system. It’s not quite ready to be a sole method of release, but it’s really just a matter of time before that comes to pass, too.
NOT A CONTEST OR A BATTLE.
Steam destroys Microsoft in every way except budget. Xbox is a nice experience, but as far as the computer side goes, Valve owns.
Why did this item show up in the feed for TechCrunch? If I wanted to read items from this blog I’d subscribe to it.
We cross post items that apply to both categories - in this case both PC gaming and online services. Although I must say we at CG are deeply hurt! You brute!
One concept I like about Games for Windows is the built in support for the Xbox 360 controller. Most PC gamers like using the keyboard/mouse combo over a controller, but having the option is nice. It is possible to configure the 360 controller to be used with other games, but it just doesn’t work the same.
Microsoft is always jealous of competitors. from apple to google to yahoo ;)
Even though Apple told steam/valve to eat it a while back, hopefully this will piss off Valve enough to bring their stuff to macs (where they are certain to have no competition for gaming…). But I am not holding my breath.
If computer games worked on the Mac they would consider it :p
Games…on a Mac?
Ha! The idea is laughable!
Macs weren’t made with software in mind, my friend, much less games.
Yeah, like Aaron S. said… if games worked on Macs, they would consider it.
Until then, I would like to know: how fun is it to play minesweeper with one mouse button? LOL!
How about Left 4 Dead, being released on Steam and Xbox Live simultaneously? MS should just use Steam like any other developer.
I know, right? They seem to want to have a finger in every pie.
Don’t mess with my STEAM! Microsoft i will have turn on the Valve and burn you!
Get it
Love Steam for releasing Fallout 3 irrespective of the regions since the game is kind of banned in India due to cultural issues.
MS is losing its cool…
No one is invincible in this world. Steam is awesome no doubt. But MS has a huge warchest and a skilled army to take down anyone they want to. They will do it right the second time around. Like Xbox 360 and the new gen Zune.
Where is the comment from Micheal Arrington cheering for the destruction of Valve? Disappointing.
Seems the perfect opportunity for TechCrunch to “short” Valve, start publishing daily posts about how Valve’s management team is “useless” and they deserve to be destroy by Microsoft.
I banned him. I run this joint now.
In the last 2 years I get the feeling that MS lost all creativity and innovation. They are just copying things, admit that they didn’t see developing markets, trying to buy out the competition - they’re behind other comapnies in almost every field. I consider buying a new smartphone now and Windows Mobile is not even an option - what’s up? They are sitiing on $10s billions in RnD budget…
my comments at http://www.commentino.com/orim
Downloadable content isn’t a new idea- MS did for consoles what Valve did for the PC.
Bottom line is that I would like to play L4D with people on 360 or Steam. The more the merrier- shame on MS and Valve for being stingy and not working together to create a larger gaming community.
I’m just upset i cant buy microsoft games off steam.