Could Microsoft destroy Linux gaming by using the windows store
So as we know Windows Platform Apps and WinUI3 apps do not work on Linux, I keep wondering if Microsoft were to launch a new API let’s say direct X 15 but limit it to Windows Store Apps, and provided a way for the apps to be installed from other stores like steam could they in time kill modern Linux gaming.
They tried. It was called UWP, but it never caught on and Microsoft quickly realized nobody wanted to use their store or even bother with the new format, so all their games also have a normal x86 version.
Some people are making fun about this, but if you look at the history of the steam store and how Gabe is focusing so heavily on Linux, it is because he is concerned that Microsoft is going to shut down Win32 and he will be absolutely screwed.
Due to this, he is creating a safety net for himself and is pushing Linux hard as an alternative to Microsoft Windows so that he can not be so reliant on Microsoft and what they choose to do and not do. Specifically when it comes to win 32.
I just posted a few links to the other person who responded to me and you can follow those and there is more detail there.
But basically if Microsoft were to try, which they did, try and move to their own app store, which removes win32, then all of Valve's games ( in the store) will no longer become relevant over time, on the Windows platform.
You don't just spend millions and millions and millions of dollars on Linux for no reason at all. It's not like he's a fanboy, he's a businessman, and he's protecting his business.
They'd probably feel the wrath of the EU if they tried that, hopefully. Also, I doubt Steam under the current management would do that since it would shoot them in the foot because they'd be giving up and abandoning the popular enough Steam Deck at that point. I'm sure they've made more than enough money back from it to not want to shoot themselves in the foot.
Hopefully, yes. But I'm sure MS and some hardware manufacturers salivate at the thought of being able to create a completely locked down computer platform. I own neither, but aren't both iPhone and Playstation users locked into the manufacturers' respective stores? Those seems to be perfectly legal in the EU.
I don't think Playstation is unlocked when it comes to 3rd party stores, but I do remember a whole thing about Apple having to allow side loading of apps onto iPhones over there, so if that actually came true you would technically not be locked into the app store since you could side load another one. Not quite the same as being totally free to choose an app store, but close enough.
I bought Gears 4 from the Windows store - they sold it as an exclusive there. We are not under any threat from that.
The store is clunky, it works about 40% of the time, it constantly needs updates, and there's an install limit of 10 times before you have to buy it again. Even if they locked a tech like DirectX behind it developers wouldn't use it.
I suspect if they let steam do it there is nothing stopping steam from running it on Linux as well, provided the usual compatibility features such as proton wouldnt be deliberately incapacitated by Microsoft; which in turn would piss off valve a lot because of the steam deck and OS.
They invested heavily in their Linux fork and compatibility suite, if windows store were to fuck with that I suspect they would be on the losing end. Steam users are very loyal to the company and by default extremely hostile to proprietary fuckery.
I think the time to do that has already passed; the Steam Deck and even Linux gaming in general has really taken off, so it would impact far more people than before. In addition, I think the EU has started breathing down their neck and will pounce on them if they do anything so blatantly monopolistic.
So this hypothetical "Direct X 15" would be limited to only Windows 11 users outside of europe, and the games wouldn't be distributable through Steam. I can't see that being a good pitch to developers, even if DirectX15 was really good.
They also tried this waay back in Windows 8 with the Windows Store, and it honestly was a flop.
Never underestimate the fleeting willpower of gamers in the face of exclusivity deals. It's already captured a large section of the market (xbox consoles literally just run modified windows now) and will likely capture more. It's all about adding enough of a marketing spin on it until the average gamer stops caring, or concedes the value proposition or their morals in favor of something they want more (like a next gen Skyrim reboot or something idk 🤷♂️)
My hope is that the Microsoft store continues to be so shitty that users just reject any future attempts to do that.
That being said, if a large number of devs and users eventually adopted it, I would abandon gaming and stick with only native Linux games and vintage PC games that ran through Wine/Proton.
I refuse to use Windows for anything. And as much as I love gaming, I love my freedom, privacy, and rights as a user far more.
Aside from the reasons stated by other people in this thread, purely destroying something isn't really Microsoft's MO. Theirs is Extend, Embrace, Extinguish Embrace, Extend, Extinguish.
IMO the Windows Store is why valve has invested heavily into gaming on Linux. Windows Store could easily become a huge Steam Store competitor if Microsoft were an effective company. So Valve wants to enable devices that don't run Windows. Numerous other benefits for something like the Steam Deck as well, but I'd bet we see another Steam Machine someday - probably after they convince more companies to support Linux
@skymtf Well yes and no. Technically they probably could, but they'd likely incur the wrath of the EU doing so. That said if they were interested in a locked environment, they could have just never started porting Xbox games to PC.
What if they made an API allowing 3rd party stores, but the same security methods. Like MS would do this for the sole reason to kill device like the steam deck
There'd be no reason to. Anymore, I think they'd be more likely than that to try to port their Xbox game store to Linux than try to kill Linux gaming (though I doubt they'll do that either)
It might, if it worked well, but that's a big "if" and as I suggested in my original post I don't think it's particularly likely they'll do it either way