Last week, Microsoft announced that Quantum Break would arrive on the PC. At the same time, they listed the system requirements, which included the requirement of Windows 10. It will only be available on Windows 10 (outside of Xbox One). They also mentioned that the game would require DirectX 12, which made the issue more interesting. It wasn't that Microsoft was pushing their OS with first-party software, they were using an API that is only available in Windows 10, and it had the potential to make a better video game.
Then they announced that it would only be available on Windows Store, which swings the pendulum back in the other direction. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.
In all seriousness, we'll probably see games begin to deprecate DirectX 11 once DirectX 12 (or Vulkan) becomes ubiquitous. These new APIs significantly change how content is designed and submit to GPU(s), and do so in ways that seem difficult to scale back. Granted, I've talked to game developers and I've yet to have my suspicions validated, but it seems like the real benefit of the APIs will be when art and content can be created differently — more objects, simpler objects, potentially splitting materials that are modified into separate instances, and so forth.
Quantum Break will come out on April 5th, along with a few other DX12-based titles.
It will piss off a lot of
It will piss off a lot of gamers if a game is DX12 only which means win10, but really needs to happen. Almost impossible to use DX12 properly and have DX11 as well.
The Windows Store requirement
The Windows Store requirement will really upset them, too. :p
That’s what really kills it
That’s what really kills it for me. I sure as hell don’t want to put any more money into Microsoft’s failed gaming initiatives after being burned so many times.
Why should it?
The store is
Why should it?
The store is empty, but please explain difference to Origin or battle.net. You mean MS should put their own game on Steam?
no, but they dont have to put
no, but they dont have to put it exclusively on M$ store, put it on both, why do you think ppl hate Uplay and Origin?
today i only buy my games on steam, i tried the other platforms and it went from bad to worst for me, i dont buy EA games anymore, simply because every online Origin game have unplayable lag for me, that i couldn’t fix, now i have games i would like to play but i dont because they are not on steam, im not saying steam is perfect, but i am a creature of habit and most gamers are, once used to something it’s hard to make them move, especialy if you force them, like M$ do.
quantum break is coming out soon, we will see how justified it is for the game to be DX12 only, the base of the game is on xbone, DX9 would have been enough to run it…
Microsoft is not obliged to
Microsoft is not obliged to put their own game on Steam.
That said, it could reasonably upset people who want to deal with Steam for one reason or another. Maybe it's for the value-add services, or maybe it's because they don't like fragmenting their catalog if they have a choice, or maybe they want to limit how many retailers store their purchase details.
There are also people who don't want to purchase games on Steam, usually using DRM-free services, like GoG, instead. There's a difference between stating that Microsoft is not obliged to put its game on whatever platform, and confronting those who express distaste for that happening.
One thing is confronting,
One thing is confronting, another expressing surprise when some people complain that grass is green.
Sure, nobody wants to have 30 various installers, but Windows Store is integral part of Win10. Therefore it is understandable that MS does not want to pay some 30% commission to Valve.
Those hating Win10 beyond death will however soon have unique opportunity to cure their computer gaming addiction.
The difference is that it’s
The difference is that it’s trapped inside the limitations of Window Store apps. It’s locked to V-Sync, only allows for limited graphics settings, doesn’t allow overlays or FPS counters, and doesn’t allow for mods. At least Origin and Battle.Net are merely storefronts for independently executable games, vs limited sandboxed and locked down ‘apps’.
Now THAT is an issue. I
Now THAT is an issue. I wonder what MS is going to do once all reviews rightfully blast them for it.
You know what’s funny, is
You know what’s funny, is when this game tanks on PC they’re going to blame the PC market for not being viable –
It couldn’t be the fact that it’s gated behind Windows 10, and not only that, but it uses the shitty Windows 10 store.
Not only that but the game looks very bland but that’s purely subjective I guess, not interested in the game but I am interested in the fallout from it’s failure.
While I totally agree that it
While I totally agree that it isn’t ideal that it requires Windows 10 and be purchased through the MS store it is still a better option than having to buy an Xbox One. I have been a fan of Remedy and absolutely loved Alan Wake and purchased it both on 360 and PC (when if finally came out). I thought I was going to have to wait 3 years to get the game on PC.
Having to buy the game through MS is a much better option than having to buy an Xbox One.
didn’t they say they have
didn’t they say they have record numbers of windows 10 devices ?
so let them run the game on their win10 devices(phones, tablets,surfaces, laptops)…because i dont really feel like desktop is moving to win10, alot of ppl i know got win10 then rolled back to 7.
Yep, Vulkan it is.
Yep, Vulkan it is.
Remedy have gone down hill I
Remedy have gone down hill I see…
Wasn’t DX9 gated behind Win
Wasn’t DX9 gated behind Win 7? I seem to remember reluctantly upgrading after finding someone who knew a MS employee who could get Pro for $25. Seems like it turned out OK didn’t it? The “Oh the humanity” drama is wearing a little thin for me on Win10 upgrade phobias. Just sayin 🙂
fair points. i dont remember
fair points. i dont remember windows 7 calling home every second tho? just sayin 🙂
It was DirectX 10 that was
It was DirectX 10 that was gated behind Windows Vista
Here’s the breakdown:
XP –
Here’s the breakdown:
XP – DX9 (some unofficial DX10 hacks)
Vista – launched with DX10 and then given update to DX11
7 – DX11
8 – DX11.1
8.1 – DX11.2
10 – DX12
When Microsoft made the switch to Vista, they tried (and failed) to coerce gamers by making Halo 2 PC Vista-only. They also really pushed Games for Windows Live, but that failed as well. Vista bombed and the X360 was really starting to take off, so Microsoft basically abandoned PC gaming for the last 10 years. Now they’re back with a warchest of Xbox IP (Halo, Gears of War, Forza) that they will use to get people locked into the Windows 10 Store. Khronos and Valve have woken the beast from its slumber…
if you wanna know when
if you wanna know when directx get an upgrade, it’s usualy a year after they release their console ( xbox), because they need to to see how much performance the PC is allowed to have to keep in pace with the console, basicaly PC doesnt move unless microsoft move it’s console.
xbox 2001, followed by windows xp, then DX9 in 2002
xbox 360 in 2005 followed by windows vista and dx10 in 2006
vista failed, so another go in 2009 with win7 and dx11
windows8 release 2012 with ofc exclusive yet again dx11.2, this OS was a pathetic attempt to make windows store a default platform
xbone 2013 followed by windows 10 and dx12 (which initialy was dx11.3 but got forced to move to lower level for special circumstances)
one constant, PC gaming is taken hostage by microsoft to sell OS, and is forbiden from evolving too fast than their console.
and i think everyone is fed up by this, there is 2 way out :
1- epic failure of the console division to force microsoft out.
2-Vulkan, and linux takes off
You are talking about an OS
You are talking about an OS update and a Spyware injection. completely 2 different thing. People worry about privacy issues that’s backed in to W10.
The windows store strips key
The windows store strips key PC features from games, hell you cant even go full screen so that alone breaks alot of things. Runs it like an “App”
Windows’ version of DRM?
Windows’ version of DRM? Thank you, no.
Among all of the conspiracy
Among all of the conspiracy theorizing about Windows 10 “phoning home” and complaining about Quantum Break being on the Windows Store. Do we have any idea if the game is built as a Universal App?
As a developer like Scott, I’d be curious as to the build differences and challenges for Remedy doing a release for Windows 10 and Xbox One beyond the handling of different hardware configurations and input devices. I wonder if they are taking advantage of the Universal app platofrm in anyway. The same question would be interesting to ask Crystal Dynamics.
looks like I’m passing on
looks like I’m passing on this game then. Too many other games that aren’t enslaved to pushing microsofts latest garbage and even more that I never got around to playing. Like DarkSouls II, Outlast expansion, etc.
Microsoft wants to promote
Microsoft wants to promote Windows 10 and is using DX12 to do that. But this is not enough so it also brings exclusive Xbox One titles to Windows 10. Very clever. It helps Windows 10 and it expands, in a way, the user base of Xbox One by adding that of Windows 10 users(reach those number PS4 if you can). This is also good news for AMD. Async compute is going to become an important feature faster than expected.
I would love to see PCPer do
I would love to see PCPer do a story on how Windows Store impact gamers. I’ve been hearing that duel graphics cards and variable refresh monitors(you can’t disable vertical sync) don’t work, etc…
It would be valuable to get a clear picture on this, especially if theres a $60 Windows Store only game.
EDIT: Is there a way to make a more direct request for a story than just leaving it here and hoping it gets read?