How long until Windows 8 become a requirement for games?

I have a fairly high end PC, running Windows 7 with no issues. I just HATE Windows 8 to the core, even more than Vista. I can't even recognize its a Windows OS, because of such significant (and unnecessary) changes. Its really good for tablets/touch screens, but for a desktop the Metro UI is joke, and not at all user friendly. I just hate those ugly, different sized, colored tiles splattered all over my screen. I will never use it until I'm forced, and that too will use a ton of apps to make it behave like Windows 7. So I just want to know, how long will it be before Windows 8 become the minimum requirement to run a game? Windows XP, released in 2001, supported almost all modern games until 2010. Its only now that a mjority of games have the minimum requirement as Windows Vista. So how long can I survuive with Windows 7, until a game is released which runs only on WIndows 8 or above? I want to know this so that I can be "mentally prepared" to put up with such a horrible OS (the OS isn't horrible, only the interface is) when the time comes.

............... Windows Xp was just recently dropped.... So a very very long time.sSubZerOo

hopefully when a new decent windows is released, cause i'm not swtiching to win 8

You'll be fine with Win7 for at least 8-10 years. Ur PC will die before you need to upgrade OS. And when you have to upgrade, there will probably be Win9 or Win10.

I dont get all the windows 8 hate. I think it is pretty good.Nick3306

[QUOTE="Nick3306"]I dont get all the windows 8 hate. I think it is pretty good.FelipeInside

because it was actually an improvement and not a reskin with touch support and a new number to win some fast money. I have tested it already and besides the start up it offers no performance advantage and i already find windows 7 to be very compatible with all my other stuff.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Nick3306"]I dont get all the windows 8 hate. I think it is pretty good.Krelian-co

because it was actually an improvement and not a reskin with touch support and a new number to win some fast money. I have tested it already and besides the start up it offers no performance advantage and i already find windows 7 to be very compatible with all my other stuff.

[QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Believe it or not, I remember all the hate I read on these forums when Windows 7 came out. Now everyone loves it.FelipeInside

because it was actually an improvement and not a reskin with touch support and a new number to win some fast money. I have tested it already and besides the start up it offers no performance advantage and i already find windows 7 to be very compatible with all my other stuff.

i forgot to add i also tested in video encoding and edition, couldn't find any performance boost, at least on my pc. There may be some, but so far i don't see any strong reason for the common user to upgrade

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

because it was actually an improvement and not a reskin with touch support and a new number to win some fast money. I have tested it already and besides the start up it offers no performance advantage and i already find windows 7 to be very compatible with all my other stuff.

Krelian-co

i forgot to add i also tested in video encoding and edition, couldn't find any performance boost, at least on my pc. There may be some, but so far i don't see any strong reason for the common user to upgrade

[QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Win8 is an improvement in other areas apart from gaming.FelipeInside

i forgot to add i also tested in video encoding and edition, couldn't find any performance boost, at least on my pc. There may be some, but so far i don't see any strong reason for the common user to upgrade

a. social networking? really is it so hard to log in facebook or install any plugin in any brower that you need it integrated on the os?

b. whats casual home and work stuff? i've programmed fine in windows 7 and even better on linux, me not get this point, whats the other "home stuff"? office?:lol:

c. touch and tablet? well maybe thats the only reason, even though i had a touch laptop and windows 7 worked great in it, but for the sake of argument, let's just say its easier.

d. instant restore, hmm, well i never used system restore but there could be some people that find use for this.

e. sync of documents and devices is already in windows 7 and there are many programs that do it, and outlook works perfect in windows 7 so?

THATS your heaps of reasons?:lol: well i guess we both can't see eye to eye, they look useless gimmicks to me.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

i forgot to add i also tested in video encoding and edition, couldn't find any performance boost, at least on my pc. There may be some, but so far i don't see any strong reason for the common user to upgrade

Krelian-co

My answers in red:

a. social networking? really is it so hard to log in facebook or install any plugin in any brower that you need it integrated on the os?

You don't understand this one probably because you haven't used Live Tiles before, or aren't into Social Networking like Facebook. I've been using the Windows Phone 7 for 2 years and the live Tiles work great for FB Updates, Friend Updates, Feeds, News etc. Once you get the hand of Tiles, you barely log into the Webpage anymore.

b. whats casual home and work stuff? i've programmed fine in windows 7 and even better on linux, me not get this point, whats the other "home stuff"? office?:lol:

Look at the Windows 8 commercials with people at home and work and u'll see what I mean.

c. touch and tablet? well maybe thats the only reason, even though i had a touch laptop and windows 7 worked great in it, but for the sake of argument, let's just say its easier. Windows 7 worked heaps better than XP on touch/tablet, but Windows 8 takes it to a new level. Have a look at Office 2013 using touch for example.

d. instant restore, hmm, well i never used system restore but there could be some people that find use for this. Instant Restore isn't the same as System Restore.

e. sync of documents and devices is already in windows 7 and there are many programs that do it, and outlook works perfect in windows 7 so? "Many programs that do that", this is FULL integration, there is a difference. Anyone can sync documents, but documents, skydrive and settings across multiple OS and devices? Good luck with that. Windows 8 is about integration, no need to download, install and configure third party software. And Outlook works perfect in Win7? Yeah, who said it didn't?

THATS your heaps of reasons?:lol: well i guess we both can't see eye to eye, they look useless gimmicks to me. "they look useless gimmick to ME" There's the key word, to YOU. I find programming useless myself, but that doesn't mean other people (like yourself) do as well. What might seem like a useless gimmick to you might increase productivity for others, or make things easier.

I've said this a hundred times on these forums already, people need to stop thinking MS only makes Operating Systems for Gamers and people with IT Knowledge.

Im suprised ppl still don't understand why ppl don't like windows 8 apart from the crappy metro interface it's the direction microsoft are taking, it is not about windows 8 itself it is about what windows 9 or 10 will end up being.

I have used a microsoft os since the 90's (Dos) and in all that time microsoft has constantly been screwing over pc users and its just got worst since the xbox came out.

First they took away the exclusive games (halo etc) to put on their new console then they released windows me ,then the bloated vista,then they did GFWL which they never updated and let die, now they have the metro interface which is crappy with the mouse and it loads into it by default at startup now they are making every DirectX only available on windows 8 from now on even though dx11.1 is just a small update and ther is no good reason (technical or otherwise)why it cant be on windows 7, it's just another case of MS using their monopoly to force you into upgrading.

Windows 8 rt,windows 8 tablet,windows 8 desktop are all made to force you into the MS store...there is no reason they couldnt put the ms store or metro on W7, The problem is if they did it would be an option like steam not something they can force you to have to see first before switching to desktop.

I have been screwed over by ms enough in the past 2 decades to know that this company does not have my best intrests as a consumer at heart all they do is force you into whatever crap they make wether you like it or not.

Im sure i will get some Corporate Apologists telling me im wrong or just being paranoid or that some random person on the internet knows more about W8 than ppl like Gabe Newell a man who owns a multi billion dollar gaming company who also worked for microsoft.

Microsoft is evil(ok maybe not evil :P) they want us all into a closed of xbox windows store ive been gaming long enough to know better and as soon as i can jump ship to linux i will, i already have ubuntu installed now im just trying to learn it so i can be ready to switch should it ever become a possibility.

Also finally Pc users didnt hate Windows 7 (even though ppl are claming that in this thread)at all it was the first windows in years that ppl actually praised and could use properly without having to wait years for service packs

Im suprised ppl still don't understand why ppl don't like windows 8 apart from the crappy metro interface it's the direction microsoft are taking, it is not about windows 8 itself it is about what windows 9 or 10 will end up being.

I have used a microsoft os since the 90's (Dos) and in all that time microsoft has constantly been screwing over pc users and its just got worst since the xbox came out.

First they took away the exclusive games (halo etc) to put on their new console then they released windows me ,then the bloated vista,then they did GFWL which they never updated and let die, now they have the metro interface which is crappy with the mouse and it loads into it by default at startup now they are making every DirectX only available on windows 8 from now on even though dx11.1 is just a small update and ther is no good reason (technical or otherwise)why it cant be on windows 7, it's just another case of MS using their monopoly to force you into upgrading.

Windows 8 rt,windows 8 tablet,windows 8 desktop are all made to force you into the MS store...there is no reason they couldnt put the ms store or metro on W7, The problem is if they did it would be an option like steam not something they can force you to have to see first before switching to desktop.

I have been screwed over by ms enough in the past 2 decades to know that this company does not have my best intrests as a consumer at heart all they do is force you into whatever crap they make wether you like it or not.

Im sure i will get some Corporate Apologists telling me im wrong or just being paranoid or that some random person on the internet knows more about W8 than ppl like Gabe Newell a man who owns a multi billion dollar gaming company who also worked for microsoft.

Microsoft is evil(ok maybe not evil :P) they want us all into a closed of xbox windows store ive been gaming long enough to know better and as soon as i can jump ship to linux i will, i already have ubuntu installed now im just trying to learn it so i can be ready to switch should it ever become a possibility.

Also finally Pc users didnt hate Windows 7 (even though ppl are claming that in this thread)at all it was the first windows in years that ppl actually praised and could use properly without having to wait years for service packs

naz99

Exactly. There are already community fixes that bring back the old interface so you don't have to use Metro but I'm still not inerested in using W8, because of its closed nature.

And I absolutely agree with you. It feels like MS is actively trying to get people gaming on their xbox instead of windows. In the last years:

-GFWL was a disaster

-Closing of several PC developers, making other PC developers make games for Xbox

-Keeping games exclusive for Xbox eventhough the developers don't want that (Alan Wake)

And now this Windows store aimed at casual/smartphone games ? No thank MS.

Taking in consideration that some recent games as Diablo III are still full XP based games, that W8 sales are 1/5 of Vista/W8 sales at the release time and that the main guy behind Windows just leave out of the company:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-13-windows-boss-leaves-microsoft-following-surface-windows-8-launches

...I wouldn't be worried at all about developers turning their back to XP/W8. Seems just in the other way: most of them will keep supporting XP/Vista/W7 due is the main market, and for the casual games... well most of them migrated to iOS time ago, so gaming related W8 is/will be a graveyard.

^^ You guys DO know that the Microsoft App Store isn't compulsory right? You can still install normal desktop games like the old days? As for me, yes they have made mistakes (GFWL, yuck), but since Bill Gates left they have turned into a new company. They are revamping all their services, and offering more on each one, making them as competitive as anyone else. They have new email (outlook.com), new Skydrive, new OS, new Tablet, new Phone (which all sync together). Yes, of course they are pushing the XBOX forward, it's one of their main revenue of money (beats the PS3 in money making), why wouldn't they continue with it. But I don't see them blocking off normal desktop games on Windows 8....it allows you to install anything. Some people might call me a fanboy, but they would be wrong because I've talked bad about MS in the past and will continue to do so when they get it wrong.... but when they get it RIGHT, no one speaks out on these forums.FelipeInside

Did you even read or understand what was typed?

""""Im suprised ppl still don't understand why ppl don't like windows 8 apart from the crappy metro interface it's the direction microsoft are taking, it is not about windows 8 itself it is about what windows 9 or 10 will end up being.""""

and

""""Windows 8 rt,windows 8 tablet,windows 8 desktop are all made to force you into the MS store...there is no reason they couldnt put the ms store or metro on W7, The problem is if they did it would be an option like steam not something they can force you to have to see first before switching to desktop.""""

neither one of us said the app store was compulsary or that you couldnt use it like the old windows and install what you want, but can you guarantee that it won't happen with windows 9 or 10?

Do you forget that we have pc's with keybord and mice we have no need for touchscreen interfaces, and the windows store and certification go against everything the pc is.

Peoples "Meh Nevermind" attitude is why we have crappy tiny dlc and on disc dlc and yearly game releases and we are monotized at every turn.

The reason us pc gamers still have mods,freedom after all these years and the reason ubisoft packed in its always on drm etc is because of long time gamers like me that vocally shout "F**k that" and kick scream whine and whinge everytime big corparations try to go too far, it seems like most gamers today try to empathize with big corporations and are like "oh well" and "nevermind" these corporate apologists actually defend companys that are ripping them off,as a gamer for 30yrs it's sickening to see.

^^ You guys DO know that the Microsoft App Store isn't compulsory right? You can still install normal desktop games like the old days? As for me, yes they have made mistakes (GFWL, yuck), but since Bill Gates left they have turned into a new company. They are revamping all their services, and offering more on each one, making them as competitive as anyone else. They have new email (outlook.com), new Skydrive, new OS, new Tablet, new Phone (which all sync together). Yes, of course they are pushing the XBOX forward, it's one of their main revenue of money (beats the PS3 in money making), why wouldn't they continue with it. But I don't see them blocking off normal desktop games on Windows 8....it allows you to install anything. Some people might call me a fanboy, but they would be wrong because I've talked bad about MS in the past and will continue to do so when they get it wrong.... but when they get it RIGHT, no one speaks out on these forums.FelipeInside

You seem to misunderstand me. I don't hate Microsoft as a whole. I have Windows, I have a Windows Phone and I use their email cient.

I hate what they are doing to PC gaming though. Recently I saw they published two games for PC but how long has it been before that ?

MS Flight was a complete disaster and the last one I can remember that had some succes was Age of Empires Online.

Even Sony publishes more worthwhile PC games these days than MS.

I have an Xbox but I prefer gaming on PC, why is that so hard for MS to understand ? If they want to keep their games exclusive to the Xbox then I'll just go play the competitors games and if they want to implement a more closed nature in Windows 8 and later Windows then I'll just stick to W7 or go to the competition if there is a viable alternative.

there seems to be a lot of unnecessary worry and speculation from gamers on this board about win 8 and a failure to appreciate the shift of balance in the technology market from recent years.

sales figures for PCs have plateaued (they've been decreasing slowly for the past several years) - they've hit market saturation, in direct contrast to sales of smart phones and tablet devices, which undoubtedly is where the money is at at the moment and, like it or not, the platform is showing incredible growth potential.

ms already have around 85% of the traditional desktop OS marketshare with XP, Vista and 7 so turning their attention to mobile technology and developing a new OS specifically for the platform was inevitible. it doesn't mean they'll suddenly turn their back on their bread and butter audience, it just means they now have a mobile / tablet friendly alternative and are first to go to market with it.

i personally expect windows 8 to be something of a guinea pig OS and expect it to undergo a lot of change and re-design in response to industry and consumer criticism. i also don't think they'll be expect many Windows 7 gamers to upgrade at this stage nor do i think they're even considering forcing gamers into using new input methods over the keyboard and mouse

Windows 8 and 7 are practically the same where it counts. The real question is how long before Windows Vista/7/8 are a requirement for all games?

Seeing as most Dev's hate Windows 8, i can't see many of them caring.mep69

I have a fairly high end PC, running Windows 7 with no issues. I just HATE Windows 8 to the core, even more than Vista. I can't even recognize its a Windows OS, because of such significant (and unnecessary) changes. Its really good for tablets/touch screens, but for a desktop the Metro UI is joke, and not at all user friendly. I just hate those ugly, different sized, colored tiles splattered all over my screen. I will never use it until I'm forced, and that too will use a ton of apps to make it behave like Windows 7. So I just want to know, how long will it be before Windows 8 become the minimum requirement to run a game? Windows XP, released in 2001, supported almost all modern games until 2010. Its only now that a mjority of games have the minimum requirement as Windows Vista. So how long can I survuive with Windows 7, until a game is released which runs only on WIndows 8 or above? I want to know this so that I can be "mentally prepared" to put up with such a horrible OS (the OS isn't horrible, only the interface is) when the time comes.

funkyzoom

Thanks..I was thinking of trying it..no more though!

I don't think Dx11.1 is bringing anything to the table so its not like devs are going to just make dx11.1 games that is only supported by windows 8 that would just be stupid.

and by the time DirectX 12 comes out there will most likely be a new windows, if not i guess ill be upgrading to 8.

[QUOTE="mep69"]Seeing as most Dev's hate Windows 8, i can't see many of them caring.DanielDust

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]^^ You guys DO know that the Microsoft App Store isn't compulsory right? You can still install normal desktop games like the old days? As for me, yes they have made mistakes (GFWL, yuck), but since Bill Gates left they have turned into a new company. They are revamping all their services, and offering more on each one, making them as competitive as anyone else. They have new email (outlook.com), new Skydrive, new OS, new Tablet, new Phone (which all sync together). Yes, of course they are pushing the XBOX forward, it's one of their main revenue of money (beats the PS3 in money making), why wouldn't they continue with it. But I don't see them blocking off normal desktop games on Windows 8....it allows you to install anything. Some people might call me a fanboy, but they would be wrong because I've talked bad about MS in the past and will continue to do so when they get it wrong.... but when they get it RIGHT, no one speaks out on these forums.naz99

Did you even read or understand what was typed?

""""Im suprised ppl still don't understand why ppl don't like windows 8 apart from the crappy metro interface it's the direction microsoft are taking, it is not about windows 8 itself it is about what windows 9 or 10 will end up being.""""

and

""""Windows 8 rt,windows 8 tablet,windows 8 desktop are all made to force you into the MS store...there is no reason they couldnt put the ms store or metro on W7, The problem is if they did it would be an option like steam not something they can force you to have to see first before switching to desktop.""""

neither one of us said the app store was compulsary or that you couldnt use it like the old windows and install what you want, but can you guarantee that it won't happen with windows 9 or 10?

Do you forget that we have pc's with keybord and mice we have no need for touchscreen interfaces, and the windows store and certification go against everything the pc is.

Peoples "Meh Nevermind" attitude is why we have crappy tiny dlc and on disc dlc and yearly game releases and we are monotized at every turn.

The reason us pc gamers still have mods,freedom after all these years and the reason ubisoft packed in its always on drm etc is because of long time gamers like me that vocally shout "F**k that" and kick scream whine and whinge everytime big corparations try to go too far, it seems like most gamers today try to empathize with big corporations and are like "oh well" and "nevermind" these corporate apologists actually defend companys that are ripping them off,as a gamer for 30yrs it's sickening to see.

Just the idiot Gabe and some dev from Blizzard said that Windows 8 was the devil.FelipeInside

You're calling Gabe an idiot? Well.....he DID give us the most AMAZING game ever made, that is Half-Life!

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

I have a fairly high end PC, running Windows 7 with no issues. I just HATE Windows 8 to the core, even more than Vista. I can't even recognize its a Windows OS, because of such significant (and unnecessary) changes. Its really good for tablets/touch screens, but for a desktop the Metro UI is joke, and not at all user friendly. I just hate those ugly, different sized, colored tiles splattered all over my screen. I will never use it until I'm forced, and that too will use a ton of apps to make it behave like Windows 7. So I just want to know, how long will it be before Windows 8 become the minimum requirement to run a game? Windows XP, released in 2001, supported almost all modern games until 2010. Its only now that a mjority of games have the minimum requirement as Windows Vista. So how long can I survuive with Windows 7, until a game is released which runs only on WIndows 8 or above? I want to know this so that I can be "mentally prepared" to put up with such a horrible OS (the OS isn't horrible, only the interface is) when the time comes.

ttomm1946

Thanks..I was thinking of trying it..no more though!

Yeah, do yourself a favor and DON'T buy Windows 8 until it becomes absolutely essential. Most reviews on the net are positive because Microsoft probably bribed them to write positive reviews, so that there are at least SOME sales.

[QUOTE="DanielDust"]

[QUOTE="mep69"]Seeing as most Dev's hate Windows 8, i can't see many of them caring.FelipeInside

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]Just the idiot Gabe and some dev from Blizzard said that Windows 8 was the devil.funkyzoom

You're calling Gabe an idiot? Well.....he DID give us the most AMAZING game ever made, that is Half-Life!

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="DanielDust"] Who and what?DanielDust

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]Just the idiot Gabe and some dev from Blizzard said that Windows 8 was the devil.FelipeInside

You're calling Gabe an idiot? Well.....he DID give us the most AMAZING game ever made, that is Half-Life!

I agree with you. I've never been a fan of Steam. But you can't stay Steam is "always online" because if you want to play a single player game, you can always play in offline mode provided you've activated and updated it. Much better compared to some DRMs where even single player games require you to be be online always.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

You're calling Gabe an idiot? Well.....he DID give us the most AMAZING game ever made, that is Half-Life!

funkyzoom

I agree with you. I've never been a fan of Steam. But you can't stay Steam is "always online" because if you want to play a single player game, you can always play in offline mode provided you've activated and updated it. Much better compared to some DRMs where even single player games require you to be be online always.

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] True (although he didn't actually make it), but I'm sick of his hypocritical stances. He calls out other companies on their DRM when he has one of the most online DRMs in the World.FelipeInside

I agree with you. I've never been a fan of Steam. But you can't stay Steam is "always online" because if you want to play a single player game, you can always play in offline mode provided you've activated and updated it. Much better compared to some DRMs where even single player games require you to be be online always.

What I meant was, you were wrong about Steam being the most online DRM.

............... Windows Xp was just recently dropped.... So a very very long time.sSubZerOo

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

I agree with you. I've never been a fan of Steam. But you can't stay Steam is "always online" because if you want to play a single player game, you can always play in offline mode provided you've activated and updated it. Much better compared to some DRMs where even single player games require you to be be online always.

funkyzoom

What I meant was, you were wrong about Steam being the most online DRM.

most games still run in windows xp, and it was released in 2001. So i doubt you'll have much to worry about if you are running windows 7 right now. But if your using windows xp still, when the next gen consoles come out, they will probably all be running dx10 and 11, so you will need windows 7 or 8 to play those future games.

windows 9 or 10 will be out before you even think about needing windows 8, which by benchmarks i've seen runs the same as windows 7. sometimes slower, sometimes faster by 1-5% depending on who ran the tests.

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]............... Windows Xp was just recently dropped.... So a very very long time.Franko_3

[QUOTE="Franko_3"][QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]............... Windows Xp was just recently dropped.... So a very very long time.Shatilov