@lstormy10, I believe your last paragraph is a little bit "strong", IMO.
Back to topic : GfW & Steam reminded me of PSN & XBOX Live. They are both newcomer vs oldtimer fight. In every case of newtimer vs oldtimer, if the oldtimer became too complacent / not nimble enough, the newtimer can take away the oldtimer marketshare (Lotus 123 vs. Excel). If the oldtimer is nimble enough, it can crush the newtimer (MS DOS vs. PC DOS a.k.a. CPM).
I don't think it is wise to understimate Microsoft, especially in the software area. The only failure of Microsoft that I know of is Microsoft Money vs. Intuit Quicken. It is still too early to say whether XBOX (and X360) is a failure or not. Microsoft is known to be a failure at first, but became successful later. It should be interesting to watch GfW vs Steam.
Since Microsoft is also a game publisher, I think lots of publisher might shy away from giving Microsoft (as their competing publisher) more money by making their game available on GfW. I could be wrong in this "prediction".
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I believe your last paragraph is a little bit "strong", IMO.
Back to topic :
GfW & Steam reminded me of PSN & XBOX Live. They are both newcomer vs oldtimer fight. In every case of newtimer vs oldtimer, if the oldtimer became too complacent / not nimble enough, the newtimer can take away the oldtimer marketshare (Lotus 123 vs. Excel). If the oldtimer is nimble enough, it can crush the newtimer (MS DOS vs. PC DOS a.k.a. CPM).
I don't think it is wise to understimate Microsoft, especially in the software area. The only failure of Microsoft that I know of is Microsoft Money vs. Intuit Quicken. It is still too early to say whether XBOX (and X360) is a failure or not. Microsoft is known to be a failure at first, but became successful later. It should be interesting to watch GfW vs Steam.
Since Microsoft is also a game publisher, I think lots of publisher might shy away from giving Microsoft (as their competing publisher) more money by making their game available on GfW. I could be wrong in this "prediction".