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Paladin Skylark
Paladin Skylark

By Paladin Skylark •

Is Microsoft Going To Kill Gaming?

Universal Windows Platform Monopoly, Go!

Today in the news - Epic Games Co-Founder Tim Sweeney has denounced Microsoft's decision via The Guardian to unify Xbox One and Windows 10 (called Universal Windows Platform) in what he is calling "the most aggressive move Microsoft has ever made". But why is combining two platforms to be able to stream and cross-play a bad idea?

 

Here is what Sweeney has to say about the matter:

Microsoft has launched new PC Windows features exclusively in UWP, and is effectively telling developers you can use these Windows features only if you submit to the control of our locked-down UWP ecosystem. They’re curtailing users’ freedom to install full-featured PC software, and subverting the rights of developers and publishers to maintain a direct relationship with their customers.  ... The specific problem here is that Microsoft’s shiny new “Universal Windows Platform” is locked down, and by default it’s impossible to download UWP apps from the websites of publishers and developers, to install them, update them, and conduct commerce in them outside of the Windows Store.

If you want to ignore the technical mumbo-jumbo, basically all developers must place their game/apps on the UWP/Windows 10 store, which would give Microsoft direct control over, well pretty much everything. The current system is a very open one with purchases and apps/games being able to be purchased and played from a variety of places - what we would call an open market. With the changes being made, it would give monopolizing control to Microsoft directly and we here think, no one man should have all that power.**

 

Microsoft has provided an answer in regards to Sweeney's call out which reads:

“The Universal Windows Platform is a fully open ecosystem, available to every developer, that can be supported by any store. We continue to make improvements for developers; for example, in the Windows 10 November Update, we enabled people to easily side-load apps by default, with no UX required.”

What do you think about this bold move by Microsoft? Will the new UWP cause a monopoly with us all begging at our lord and saviour, Microsoft's feet? Or will it simply make a more streamlined gaming experience that both PC and Xbox One gamers can enjoy? Let us know in the comments down below and as always give us a shout over on the forums.

 

** Trademark registered Kanye West "Power" 2010, all rights reserved directly to the creating artist, please don't sue us Mr. West.

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