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Notch Won't Certify Minecraft For Windows 8
MojoKid writes "The backlash against Windows 8 from various developers continues, but this time a game's creator isn't just expressing discontent. Notch, the developer behind smash hit Minecraft, has declared that he won't be working with Microsoft to certify Minecraft for Windows 8. Note that this doesn't mean Minecraft won't run on Windows 8. The certification process in question is Microsoft's mandatory rules for submitting content to the Windows game store. In order to be listed there, an application must be Metro-compatible and conform to a laundry list of other conditions. The real problem with Windows 8 is that it locks ARM users into a second class experience. If you buy an x86 tablet, you can download programs from SourceForge, GitHub, or any file mirror. If you're an ARM user, you can download programs from the Microsoft store and that's it. The bifurcated permission structure is the problem, and it makes WinRT tablets categorically impossible to recommend for anyone who values the ability to install whatever software they please."
Microsoft being Microsoft, they can't write to anything other than x86. They tried with Windows NT supporting other architectures and it just didn't work out for them. They failed miserably with Windows XP 64 bit too. So here they go again with their half-assed attempt at supporting anohter architecture and it's underwhelming the marketplace which has grown to love and expect the ARM. Microsoft will not get off their Win32 asses and make serious changes. Their myopic style will eventually put them in the same league with RIM. For a while, Microsoft will be "business only/primary" and then they'll fade away.
They WILL NOT CHANGE. At first, it made sense not to change... not wanting to offend developers. Now they are offending developers anyway and look what's about to happen?