Microsoft Studios Exec Cautions Valve on Launching Hardware

[CardinalPiggles]

You scared Microsoft? You should be.

Joking aside, I think people will appreciate Valves service more in the long run, whereas even though Microsoft offer a solid service it comes with a premium fee, ads on every dashboard page, a whiny young demographic, no hardware customisation, shit sales (relatively speaking).

I hope Valve really breaks into the console market and takes it by storm. We need something better than sequel after sequel.

 

[Slash2x]

Microsoft Studios executive and PlayStation brand veteran, issued a warning to Valve, saying that the company could potentially be in for hard times.

If you put your customers through bullshit like putting their personal data at risk, an annual subscription an gimmicky hardware then yes, you'll have hard times. Also, if you cause so much outrage within your user base by making up more useless shit along the way, then yes, you'll have hard times.

Harrison also stated that he "admired" Valve and their achievements with digital distribution, as well as their role in the industry. However, he hesitated to use Steam as a benchmark of success. "Xbox Live as a foundation, the reach we have and the experience we deliver is a great place to build on."

What? Are you trying to look like an idiot or are you just ignorant? Since when is Xbox Live a great place to build on? I can't imagine how much hoops you have to jump through just to get your game up there. Oh, and let's not forget about Microsoft points, being able to choose from just a handful of countries while registering and having only one item on sale during the holidays that's worth it and just for one day.

I don't usually rant like this but when faced with such stupidity and ignorance I'm really powerless to resist. I realize this is just some corporate style response to Valve's efforts but I really don't think they need advice from the "big three" that are more and more looking like the gaming equivalent of dinosaurs. Think Valve pretty much showed them how it's done in some key areas.

All of This^

And lets be honest.... Think about Xbox live for a second do not think about the shitty service or poor support. Think about the ACTUAL people you encounter on the service..... What came to mind?

Now think about the people you encounter on Steam games...What came to mind?

Using my psychic powers you came up with a bunch or racist homophobic 13 year olds, and mature players trying to have fun playing a game, respectively. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule but they are not consistent by any stretch of the imagination.

Oh yeah I think you should totally take advice from Microsoft on how to attract people to a service and what to provide them..................

 

[Elithraradril]

As much as I enjoy using Steam, what this guy said is actually true. Both Sony, MS had hardware distribution experience before releasing console and Ninny is on console market, since... like... forever. Don't know about US, but managing shipping to every single country in UE or Asia is not easy thing to do, not to mention tech support, warranties etc. Probably because of these, most of mass production PC models are not available in Europe or are too expensive for anyone to really care (at least in central Europe).

 

[Terminate421]

I gotta side with the XBL rep. It's clear he shows respect NOT FEAR for valve entering the market. Valve aren't Jesus, people, I like them too but I at least recognize reality. Valve has clearly put thought into this and I am all for it but its going to be DAMNED hard to get the name valve to be recognizable as something like Microsoft.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I think he makes a very good point. Whilst Valve are pretty awesome, I'm not entirely convinced that they'll fare very well launching a console, it's notoriously tough. And say what you like about Microsoft, but Harrison has been in the industry a long time and knows what he's talking about. Also, it's nice to hear someone in the industry not come across as a total arse for a change when talking about another company.

 

[AlexLoxate]

Microsoft Studios executive and PlayStation brand veteran, issued a warning to Valve, saying that the company could potentially be in for hard times.

If you put your customers through bullshit like putting their personal data at risk, an annual subscription an gimmicky hardware then yes, you'll have hard times. Also, if you cause so much outrage within your user base by making up more useless shit along the way, then yes, you'll have hard times.

Harrison also stated that he "admired" Valve and their achievements with digital distribution, as well as their role in the industry. However, he hesitated to use Steam as a benchmark of success. "Xbox Live as a foundation, the reach we have and the experience we deliver is a great place to build on."

What? Are you trying to look like an idiot or are you just ignorant? Since when is Xbox Live a great place to build on? I can't imagine how much hoops you have to jump through just to get your game up there. Oh, and let's not forget about Microsoft points, being able to choose from just a handful of countries while registering and having only one item on sale during the holidays that's worth it and just for one day.

I don't usually rant like this but when faced with such stupidity and ignorance I'm really powerless to resist. I realize this is just some corporate style response to Valve's efforts but I really don't think they need advice from the "big three" that are more and more looking like the gaming equivalent of dinosaurs. Think Valve pretty much showed them how it's done in some key areas.

All of This^

And lets be honest.... Think about Xbox live for a second do not think about the shitty service or poor support. Think about the ACTUAL people you encounter on the service..... What came to mind?

Now think about the people you encounter on Steam games...What came to mind?

Using my psychic powers you came up with a bunch or racist homophobic 13 year olds, and mature players trying to have fun playing a game, respectively. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule but they are not consistent by any stretch of the imagination.

Oh yeah I think you should totally take advice from Microsoft on how to attract people to a service and what to provide them..................

Most people on Xbox Live make me cringe. I can only list a few decent people I met that didn't go crazy when they lost a game. I think this has more to do with terrible moderation on Microsoft's part. If the users knew the consequences of behaving in such a way they either wouldn't do it or get banned. I really had better experiences with Steam's users in that respect. Just to point out I'm not generalizing any user base since this can partially be the fault of the company itself.

See Microsoft, "Back to basics" just like Captcha says.

 

[roushutsu]

Well of course entering into the console market is going to be challenging. When has it not been? And Valve is known for taking up challenges, be it their digital distribution model or their games, so I'm hopeful here.

I mostly play console games, but I'm excited to finally see some new faces starting to come around. Having some new blood won't hurt anyone in the long run.

 

[Occams_Razor]

Ah yes, the friendly "advice from the competitor" speech, I can't fathom what ulterior motives Harrison might have in discouraging Valve from entering the hardware business. Especially since Valve seems to be approaching sainthood in the eyes of gamers.

Side note, I'm pumped for the Steam Box. Personally, anything that helps PC gaming is good by me

 

[Sylveria]

Steambox is a nice idea, but if it's just another platform for digital distribution of PC games, I can't say I'm interested.

 

[tangoprime]

I'm sorry Mr. Harrison, I couldn't hear your comment over the sound of you shitting yourself.

 

[gigastar]

Still don't understand the gaming hate for Windows 8.

Doesn't stop anyone from installing their own programs ie. Steam and every other game in the world.

I think one of the issues raised with W8 was that Microsoft really could stop users from installing their own programs.

Not quite unlike trying to turn all of Windows into something like the Amazon Kindle. It will bring you entertainment in many forms and in no small quantity, but it doesnt allow you to get anything from an alternative source and trying runs the risk of getting your system bricked.

As such i believe Gabe is accelerating the growing gaming market in Linux because he genuinely believes that Microsoft will lock down Windows eventually.

Of course whether that will happen or not is still up in the air, but if the shit hits the fan its better to have a fallback.

 

[Tradjus]

While everyone is jeering at this guy, he's not actually wrong about his main point.
Consoles are an all or nothing business and if you fail out of the gate, you waste millions. Companies have lived and died on the strength of their consoles and if Valve wants too get into the business they need to be really sure about their capacity. Plus, he does end off by welcoming competition. I don't really know what he hoped to gain by making this warning, it was really ill advised as it can be -so- easily twisted as someone talking out of fear of innovation, but he did and Microsoft will have to deal with the fallout from him flapping his gums.

 

[Scow2]

I figure Microsoft would know all about a Software Giant entering the Console Market with hardware built to run and distribute games through a lightweight frontend operating system, internet integration, and a PC-development mindset. After all, they managed to pull it off back in 2001 with the DirectX Box.

 

[Proverbial Jon]

Sounds like a pretty bad case of sour grapes to me. Valve are pretty successful in everything they do. I certainly don't see the use of comparing the Steam distribution system to Xbox Live; they're leagues apart! Microsoft could only wish to be as adored by their community as Valve are.

 

[Sonicron]

I think I hear a trickling soun-- Oooh, oooh, Mr Harrison, sir! What's that dark stain running down your pant leg?

 

[Coffeejack]

Good. Time for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo to buck up their ideas or fuck off and die. Either works.

Happy Friday, everyone!

 

[Covarr]

This almost sounds like a threat. "You shouldn't try to compete with us. It could be 'dangerous'."

P.S. Thanks

 

[Azo Galvat]

If anyone can break into the console market and make it work, it's Valve.