Microsoft and Nvidia Abandon PC Gaming Alliance

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday February 22, 2011 @05:17PM from the end-to-lipservice dept.

An anonymous reader writes with this quote from PC Authority: "Ever since Microsoft turned its back on Windows gaming in favor of the closed Xbox ecosystem, the platform has been crying out for a champion. The company occasionally gives nods toward a revived focus upon PC gaming, most recently with yet another relaunch on Games for Windows Live and a trio of upcoming PC games, but when it comes to throwing cash around the Xbox is the beneficiary. What can definitely be said is that the one group that should be championing the PC, the PC Gaming Alliance, is going backwards. In 2009 the group lost the biggest PC game developer/publisher, Activision-Blizzard, and now it seems that both Microsoft and Nvidia have bid the alliance farewell."

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Re:No surprise by artor3 · 2011-02-22 18:26 · Score: 4, Informative
Why would anyone make an effort to launch a non-Steam game under Steam? Not being sarcastic, just never used it.
- Digital distribution, with easy and non-intrusive copy protection -- you need an internet connection to install, but that's it unless the publisher (e.g. Ubisoft) insists on more.
- A digital storefront that millions of gamers see every time they play any Steam game, making impulse buys more likely.
- A friends list that lets people see what their friends are playing, essentially giving free word-of-mouth advertising without even needing your customers to talk about the game.