Microsoft could TAKE DOWN Steam....

...if they really wanted to and it was in their economical plan.

Imagine this for one second:

Windows 8 with a full integrated "steam-like" service (like GFWL but heaps better).

- With achievements

- Hot sales on games (prices to compete with Steam)

- Friends list (like inbuilt Messenger)

- Cloud Backup of Saved Games

- Fully Automated Updates

Basically like Steam, but with improvements and best of all FULL INBUILT into Windows, so you don't have to have a third party program running in the background (cause Windows always runs in the background anyway).

Publishers would go for it, cause they already have to license it for Windows anyway.

I'd honestly rather buy a Steam based OS then have to deal with MS's attempt at a decent digital download client

I think they are a little late to try, if they really wanted to. Steam already has a very large user base and it has evolved quite well. I don't know if others think the same thing, but as I already have quite a few games on Steam, I rather not divide my collection amongst too many distributers, anyway.XIntoTheBlue

There's a reason why people use firefox (or anything else) over Internet Explorer.

Nothing beats some good ol competition 8)

I'd still use Steam... I'd even turn to Impulse before I'd use a MS service.

There's a reason why people use firefox (or anything else) over Internet Explorer.

Drazule

microsoft doesn't like giving "sales"..they do it once in awhile,but nothing compared to other places like steam.lawlessx

*Laughs like crazy*kris9031998

How many people actually trust Microsoft though? Do Microsoft have the right policies in place to actually give us better prices, and the right expertise and technology to give us a better service than Steam?kdawg88

Except for Valve cares about its PC community, Microsoft has been leaving us in the dirt for the last 5 years.

[QUOTE="lawlessx"]microsoft doesn't like giving "sales"..they do it once in awhile,but nothing compared to other places like steam.monkeymoose5000

[QUOTE="kris9031998"]*Laughs like crazy*FelipeInside

They need to have alot more sales to beat steam.

Except for Valve cares about its PC community, Microsoft has been leaving us in the dirt for the last 5 years.

Vesica_Prime

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="kris9031998"]*Laughs like crazy*kris9031998

[QUOTE="kris9031998"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] What's so funny? If MS would have done GFWL the correct way STEAM wouldn't exist today matey.....FelipeInside

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="kris9031998"] Yeah, but its MS we are talking about. I doubt they will be able to make something stable, easy to use, FREE as a service (looks at xbox live), and good deals. Its possible, but persuading everyone who uses steam into using GFWL is pretty hard too.kris9031998

How about the ability to import your Steam games and Friends List? FelipeInside

What would you do if "Windows 8 Game Center" was 10 miles better than Steam...?FelipeInside

How many people actually trust Microsoft though? Do Microsoft have the right policies in place to actually give us better prices, and the right expertise and technology to give us a better service than Steam?kdawg88

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

Except for Valve cares about its PC community, Microsoft has been leaving us in the dirt for the last 5 years.

FelipeInside

[QUOTE="kris9031998"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Stable and easy to use is already here: it's called Windows 7. (and it comes with a few free things inside). But you are right...the hard part here is convincing everyone?FelipeInside

They'd get knocked down by market regulations if they attempted that.

Besides, looking at the current GFWL.... yeah, not gonna happen.

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

Except for Valve cares about its PC community, Microsoft has been leaving us in the dirt for the last 5 years.

FelipeInside

But Microsoft has been saying that for how long now? With every new OS Microsoft claims they are recommitting themselves to PC gaming and then, nothing. This is just more PR nonsense to hype up and sell a new OS.

Theoretically, they could... they have the financial backing.. but I don't think they will ever develop the same attitude and mentality to service their customers like Valve does. They sell games for ridiculous prices while everyone was putting games on sale during the Winter Sale. I noticed that.. and it shows where Microsoft's priority is. And that's console gaming. And even though they cater the console market, they do very little give those gamers great deals on games and services either. That pretty much sums up what their business conduct is like. And it's all about raking up the dough. Valve is about making gamers and their customers happy and fully statisfied, while integrating a reliable service, while staying full operational and profitable. I remember someone here posting what Gabe said about game prices and that if you can turn out very profitable if you sell games for cheaper prices. And Valve is doing that through these awesome sales.Elann2008

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="kris9031998"] I personally dont like windows 7. I, TBH, havent seen ANY difference between it and vista except the toolbar. I dont feel like exploring, so its not easy to use if you actually have to explore. Although it is stable. kris9031998

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

Except for Valve cares about its PC community, Microsoft has been leaving us in the dirt for the last 5 years.

-wildflower-

But Microsoft has been saying that for how long now? With every new OS Microsoft claims they are recommitting themselves to PC gaming and then, nothing. This is just more PR nonsense to hype up and sell a new OS.

Well, releasing late ports like Fable III isn't helping. They need to release all their Xbox titles, and perhaps simultaneously if they want to compete with Steam. Indie games along with big budget titles are key to success along with promotional sales. Why not have the Xbox and PC together in tandem, so they share the same titles and the games are simultaneously released.

rumor has it that Valve is making there own OS.

if its better and cheaper then steam i would use it

I dont think so. Dont get me wrong, I hope for the day where MS joins in to the degree Steam has.

But the simple truth is that Steam is here to stay; they have a loyal fanbase of millions, make millions of dollars every month, theyre a gateway and (for some) the sole distributor of independent game developers.

So, yes, I imagine MS could compete with Steam. But take it down? I dont think we the fans would let that happen (thats not to say we would not migrate to whatever MS does and use both services).

hmmm let's look at MS track record with gamers - original xbox owners got screwed as soon as MS released thier new toy

- xbox 360 hardware failures

- charging $60 a year for something everyone else provides for free

- GFWL (Trying to charge for that on the PC lol!)

- General lack of support for PC gamers ever since they turned their attention to consoles

Yea sure they could totally take down Steam...

[QUOTE="kris9031998"][QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Very BIG difference between Vista and 7, much like the difference that was ME to XP. What do you mean by exploring?FelipeInside

Microsoft could incorporate all of Steam's features if they want to but there is one thing I think they can't do, low price and holiday sales that could compete with Steam.

2- simultaneously release XBOX games on PC too....and not only that, integrate the online PC portion with the online XBOX portionFelipeInside

hmmm let's look at MS track record with gamers - original xbox owners got screwed as soon as MS released thier new toy

- xbox 360 hardware failures

- charging $60 a year for something everyone else provides for free

- GFWL (Trying to charge for that on the PC lol!)

- General lack of support for PC gamers ever since they turned their attention to consoles

Yea sure they could totally take down Steam...

Peerbreed

Some of us here are old enough to remember the glorious days of Microsoft games. Man, those were good times. This was well before the original Xbox.

Likewise, some of us wish for the return of those days, more or less.

[QUOTE="Peerbreed"]

hmmm let's look at MS track record with gamers - original xbox owners got screwed as soon as MS released thier new toy

- xbox 360 hardware failures

- charging $60 a year for something everyone else provides for free

- GFWL (Trying to charge for that on the PC lol!)

- General lack of support for PC gamers ever since they turned their attention to consoles

Yea sure they could totally take down Steam...

mrbojangles25

Some of us here are old enough to remember the glorious days of Microsoft games. Man, those were good times. This was well before the original Xbox.

Likewise, some of us wish for the return of those days, more or less.

[QUOTE="Peerbreed"]

hmmm let's look at MS track record with gamers - original xbox owners got screwed as soon as MS released thier new toy

- xbox 360 hardware failures

- charging $60 a year for something everyone else provides for free

- GFWL (Trying to charge for that on the PC lol!)

- General lack of support for PC gamers ever since they turned their attention to consoles

Yea sure they could totally take down Steam...

mrbojangles25

Some of us here are old enough to remember the glorious days of Microsoft games. Man, those were good times. This was well before the original Xbox.

Likewise, some of us wish for the return of those days, more or less.