So still only a couple of pages into the IMF article and I just can't keep up with the 3 sided debacle going on between Phil Spencer, developers and consumers re: Xbox v PC / UWP (Universal Windows Platform specifically means softening boundaries between hardware AND software)
Yet, as the flood of news keeps coming in I can't help but wanna stop the world and get a straight answer from someone. When the game developers don't know what's going on... That's a red flag.
As more developers step in to voice their individual responses to UWP, like Square Enix / Crystal Dynamics for TombRaider, by releasing a AAA game, or Epic Games, swearing bloody vengeance upon UWP, which are basically as expected, as they are the ones that need to support UWP because they won't have a choice when Windows 10 games are concerned, and when they depend on the platform itself for licensing their products, Unreal Engine 4, to their customers, a platform like UWP is going to divide opinions.
For the time being the actual features and benefits that will be exclusive to UWP versus other online distribution platforms like Steam isn't clear to me. Frankly they are probably limited to the point no one should give a shit about UWP.. That's both as a positive force for games and a negative.
It isn't like Microsoft has declared war on Steam and will refuse to offer any critical aspects of Windows 10 outside of the Live ecosystem to Steam customers and developers.
The people caught in the middle will probably have to wait until //build, gdc and E3 for concrete answers.
But again, in the meantime those questions.
Why is MS pushing UWP now and why are developers jumping in?
Xbox One isn't comparable to Windows 10 gaming PCs. And if nothing else Phil Spencer and certain developers who should know better are muddying the water with bullshit and doubt.
Yes we know that Xbox games will not be ported to Windows. UWP does not makes that suddenly possible even though that's exactly what it should be for moving forward.
Think of it this was, Linux, Mac and Windows is 'PC'. Even something that simple is muddy because gamers and developers will argue that AAA games only belong on Windows. You might have a developer that could release their AAA game for Linux or Mac but often they don't. I hear the argument being sorry we can't make a 64bit version of this game because why the hell should we? For the most part consumers for Windows based PCs play their games on 32bit systems. That basically excludes 64bit Mac. When the Windows version does support 64bit the argument against making a Mac version or porting the PC version to Mac the Mac hardware isn't for gaming.
I'd be like shut the fuck up and release the games on all PC platforms.
However I see the example from EA's the Sims being released on Mac.. Finally.. In 64bit.
Why is that an issue? It says EA could have released a 64bit version for PC.. Irrespective of just a Mac version. But they got stuck with the 'PC' version being 32bit because they had no intention of releasing a version for Mac.
Then they said sorry still no 64bit PC version, only Mac. Wtf?
That 64bit version will stop crashes and enable the game to run smoother because it will allow the game access to more RAM. I'm not unique in the world as a gamer that bought upgrades like 8-16 gigs of RAM for EA's games. Only to have no support.
That same shit is expected from Xbox v Windows.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-division-day-1-patch-notes-released-see-them-h/1100-6435384/
So I wonder if UWP games will have stuff like day 1 mega updates like Ubisoft's The_÷
Like 1... Why not release the game in a finished form. Of course the game won't be finished but if the gold version of the game is set and ready for publishing.. It shouldn't need a patch. The game that released on physical media on day 1 should just run. That's a plague that has become the norm for PC gaming for ages.
And while console games do need patches... They are supposed to just work. Not all users have internet and so can't access updates day one.
UWP benefits? Less of this shit.
Of course the actual benefits will be more important than the quality and usability experience for gamers.. And being able to make the most of the hardware the user has. We'll see.
But then I'm like maybe I'm thinking like a dinosaur and UWP has benefits for games that are expected to be updated live. Not just weeks after a release build is ready.
There are game engines that support live updates while players are currently playing. Arguably if as a developer you've done at least enough work to have a stable core experience you shouldn't need to shut players out, like on day one, to run a patch.. It should be seamless.
Examples would be Ark, GTA, destiny etc. If devs stopped building the games to be based so fundamentally on items and stats and other BS they could patch small updates in live and not cause such a huge disturbance for everyone still playing. Especially for experience where game time is based in hundreds of thousands of hours yes being kicked off for 4 to 12 hours or more to patch the server is a pain... I'm saying going in.. Why not concentrate on having your game be able to support minor shit live. Looking at some of these patch notes almost nothing tells me look shut the game down for hours to patch the traffic lights. That should be fixable live. The fucking things are static anyway... That's more of an issue than the light the are supposed to cast somehow was off in the beta build.
Like honestly why release the division in a static metropolis anyway... But i don't care I'm ignoring that game since even last year with the materials released for E3 I was poking fun at those same stop lights and stop signs. Something trivial yet voila day one patch. I was thinking are they the right language? Are they the right direction? Are they positioned properly or at least in a game that makes sense... But there's no cars so who cares. If they don't cast light though, yes it matters because people will notice.. Even on the lower res console version shit should be tinted or lit based on any available light source especially at night. You'd notice on the PC version because at ultra resolution everything in that game pops with insane details.
Still.. Because it's something that's need me for years... Day 1 patches and UWP mean and the open question of what's between Xbox and Windows 10 PCs is burning up.
If you have all these people suddenly stranded on XP through Windows 8 that can't seriously consider Xbox One... They need something to play games that runs Windows 10.
MS could be preparing something that isn't a new Xbox but also isn't a conventional PC... And even if they aren't the market is wide open for hardware that supports Windows 10 that's designed for games.
The folly being that there's still hardware that needs to be supported by games and Windows 10. It is unlikely that Windows 10 hardware vendors, the ones that will be building appliances for the living room that will support games, either stationary or mobile... They need guidelines. What specs should they aim for?
UWP means any of them could build an Xbox clone. One that supports the ultra specs of a given PC game. It would be interesting to see the pricing... But only if those spec guidelines mean AAA games aren't limited to the ancient specs of Xbox One.
That's an open question that for 2016 and 2017 without concrete plans for another console from Microsoft that we can have Xbox games catch up not just to nonsensical 64bit 32gb gaming rigs with sli TitanX but to available technology... Like the new display port spec.
And that UWP means better releases day 1 that run on PC and Xbox. And some mobile hardware.
And that some of the restrictions for Xbox certification will be relaxed.
The issue is that PC has different rules because Microsofts role has been custodial for way too long.
So big picture.. Microsoft isn't talking hardware where Xbox is concerned and what a PC is other than to indicate that PC gaming is where there Windows 10 business happens. They are talking software and games and services.
Speaking that simply... With everything they haven't said... They also haven't said if UWP games and apps need Xbox Live subscriptions or some other fee to be clients on any important Microsoft cloud services. Though I might have missed it if it has been clarified that they still don't.
What I did see is that quantum break will have streaming content. The cost of the game for PC doesn't cover streaming video... That would be stupid. You'll probably download the videos or they will be expected downloads as part of installing the game on PC but it will get expensive to run streaming video for that game and updates... Generally speaking.
Just too many questions.