Rumors: Microsoft in talks to acquire Valve

By macoman
in Gamers' Hangout

 Share

Recommended Posts

Grand Master

Brandon H Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

this one I'm not sure should be allowed; Valve is one of the biggest competing pieces right now, so I don't think anyone should be allowed to absorb them as a whole.

Grand Master

Max Norris

Posted
Posted

I can see some interesting potential with that. Steam on my XBox? Yes please.  That said, would worry the hell out of me too as 99% of my PC gaming is done through Steam and Proton on Linux, Microsoft could really put the screws to Linux on the desktop if they wanted, dismantle that and most of the non-coder Linux users could possibly ditch it and go back to Windows just for the gaming. Pure speculation on my part of course, but without gaming you're going to be dual booting at minimum, and lots of people probably won't want that hassle.  Extra credit, let's put Bingdows on my Steam Deck just to really make me want to walk in front of a bus. Linux aside, that's one hell of a near monopoly they'll have on the PC gaming market.

  • macoman and satukoro
  • Like 2
Grand Master

neufuse Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
On 22/05/2024 at 14:26, Max Norris said:

I can see some interesting potential with that. Steam on my XBox? Yes please.  That said, would worry the hell out of me too as 99% of my PC gaming is done through Steam and Proton on Linux, Microsoft could really put the screws to Linux on the desktop if they wanted, dismantle that and most of the non-coder Linux users could possibly ditch it and go back to Windows just for the gaming. Pure speculation on my part of course, but without gaming you're going to be dual booting at minimum, and lots of people probably won't want that hassle.  Extra credit, let's put Bingdows on my Steam Deck just to really make me want to walk in front of a bus. Linux aside, that's one hell of a near monopoly they'll have on the PC gaming market.

steam on xbox? haha they'd scrap that and rename it to xbox live or windows live or games live or something stupid then kill it off in a few years (who games for windows live?)

Grand Master

+mram Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted
On 22/05/2024 at 11:26, Max Norris said:

I can see some interesting potential with that. Steam on my XBox? Yes please.  That said, would worry the hell out of me too as 99% of my PC gaming is done through Steam and Proton on Linux, Microsoft could really put the screws to Linux on the desktop if they wanted, dismantle that and most of the non-coder Linux users could possibly ditch it and go back to Windows just for the gaming. Pure speculation on my part of course, but without gaming you're going to be dual booting at minimum, and lots of people probably won't want that hassle.  Extra credit, let's put Bingdows on my Steam Deck just to really make me want to walk in front of a bus. Linux aside, that's one hell of a near monopoly they'll have on the PC gaming market.

I see a lot of doom and gloom when it comes to Microsoft but I do NOT see them being anti-Linux in any way, NOW.  Emphasis on now.  

In the past, sure.  But right now, Windows represents a small fraction of MS total pie.  The cloud, azure, m365 are all the profits and even xbox and other acquisitions there.  Even putting my conspiracy hat on, I can't see a MS-owned Valve doing anything to remove the breadth that Steam offers now, there's simply no need, it would detract from the value of the product.  MS right now is all about service offerings, not compartmentalization.  You want Linux on Azure?  Go right ahead.  No problems.

But thinking critically about this acquisition, they would gain some IP, some games, but really, Steam as a distribution platform.  It wouldn't create a monopoly in the slightest.  Steam represents a distribution engine.  Maybe I'm missing something?

Proficient

+Mud W1ggle Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted
On 23/05/2024 at 06:26, Max Norris said:

I can see some interesting potential with that. Steam on my XBox? Yes please.  That said, would worry the hell out of me too as 99% of my PC gaming is done through Steam and Proton on Linux, Microsoft could really put the screws to Linux on the desktop if they wanted, dismantle that and most of the non-coder Linux users could possibly ditch it and go back to Windows just for the gaming. Pure speculation on my part of course, but without gaming you're going to be dual booting at minimum, and lots of people probably won't want that hassle.  Extra credit, let's put Bingdows on my Steam Deck just to really make me want to walk in front of a bus. Linux aside, that's one hell of a near monopoly they'll have on the PC gaming market.

Microsoft is the anti-linux company from previous years anymore, I think your "logic" that MS could buy it to kill gaming on the Linux platform is hugely flawed.  If this is true, then its a purely monetary decision, they can make money from it, so do it - a totally valid reason for a company to do something.

People need to get over the whole Microsoft is evil ideology.  

Grand Master

Max Norris

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 22/05/2024 at 19:29, Mud W1ggle said:

People need to get over the whole Microsoft is evil ideology.  

Meh I was over it in the 80s when I was still using Xenix. I was there when the whole sh-t show started.  Was just spitballing for laughs, logic was never involved, relax. That said, they've been pretty good for a while, but recently "Evil M$" has been coming back into play somewhat. Just look at what they're doing with Bing, Edge, etc. Not so squeaky clean as they were trying for a few years back. Them wanting to nuke Linux gaming isn't that hard of a stretch of the imagination.  Besides, it'll never ever be allowed anyway, antitrust and all that.

Grand Master

JustGeorge

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 22/05/2024 at 19:29, Mud W1ggle said:

Microsoft is the anti-linux company from previous years anymore, I think your "logic" that MS could buy it to kill gaming on the Linux platform is hugely flawed.  If this is true, then its a purely monetary decision, they can make money from it, so do it - a totally valid reason for a company to do something.

People need to get over the whole Microsoft is evil ideology.  

Doesn't matter if they're evil or not. MS will not support a Linux based SteamOS, nor will they put effort into Proton. Linux market share is enough to determine that. Oh they'll be BS and corporate speak to the opposite for awhile, but SteamOS on the Deck will almost certainly get replaced by something built on Windows.

The rumors within the last few weeks about MS wanting to get into the portable gaming market are making sense now. The Steam deck is making progress and MS probably wants to just buy their way in with something already gaining traction. 

I'd rather they brute force buy Nintendo and assimilate them over Steam. At least that will be one jerk company taking over another jerk company. It's not that I think Valve is out for anything other than profit, but they're not on the level of MS and Nintendo. 

If this turns out to be true, I hope regulators put a stop to it.

Veteran

sava700

Posted
Posted

Lol ohh that would be funny. TeamFortress 2, DOTA2, CSGO and all those games would see their item value come to an end once and for all which would be great. I never could figure why Valve would allow such nonsense regardless the funds it brought in when they aren't even supporting the games much anymore. They've refused to create a TeamFortress 3 game and dump the older/items and all because of it.

  • 11 months later...
Grand Master

DramaInc

Posted
Posted
On 22/05/2024 at 13:32, Brandon H said:

on another hand, this IS just a rumor, and honestly, I can't see Gabe giving up the company without a fight.

What fight?  Why would Gabe HAVE to sell it?

Screw MS, they did nothing to fix the problems at Blizzard did they.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Apple CEO Tim Cook confirms looming price hikes due to memory shortages

      By Hamid Ganji · Posted

      Apple CEO Tim Cook confirms looming price hikes due to memory shortages by Hamid Ganji Image via Apple Memory and chip shortages have led to significant price increases for electronics over the past year, and it seems that more hikes are on the way for upcoming smartphones and computers. Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that the company is planning to increase the prices of some of its products due to the ongoing memory and storage shortages. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Cook confirmed the looming price hikes for Apple’s future products, adding that “Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable.” He also said the company is doing its best to “mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.” The Apple CEO also noted that the allocation of a large portion of memory chips to AI companies has contributed to shortages in the market, resulting in lower supply at a time when demand for devices remains high. “We definitely need memory pricing and supply to return to reasonable levels for consumer products. That’s the bottom line,” Cook said. Cook also added that Apple is ready to use its vast cash reserves to help boost supply in the market because additional production capacity is needed. While he declined to specify how Apple plans to do that, he said the company will not build its own memory and storage factories despite its financial resources and silicon expertise. Cook did not provide further details on the scale of the price increases or which Apple products would be affected, though iPads and Macs could see higher prices sooner than other products. Apple’s next product launch event is scheduled for September, when the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone. It remains unclear whether the upcoming iPhones will be affected by the price increases, but given the current memory shortage, higher prices seem increasingly likely. There is currently no clear timeline for the end of the memory shortage. Samsung, one of the world’s three largest memory chip manufacturers, recently said the shortage could persist for several more years.
    • Samsung is shutting down yet another app used by millions

      By AgusL · Posted

      Downloads does not equal actual usage, even less when the app is pre-installed in some Galaxy phones.
    • Mozilla highlights Firefox Nova 2026 redesign and more upcoming features with new roadmap

      By AgusL · Posted

      +1000 to this, don't understand why they added that margin around the top bar, even the close button is a PITA to click without aiming. Ofc, this is just preview and hopefully they will revert such odd UX decision before hitting final version.
    • Rockstar gives last-gen GTA V players free upgrades tomorrow

      By THE END · Posted

      so the people who bought this will get a refund?
    • Nearly half of American adults now use AI, but concerns are also growing

      By Jose_49 · Posted

  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      eurospharma62 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      With What earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Harris Gilbert earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Vincian earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • First Post
      Jocimo earned a badge
      First Post

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      542
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      167
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      86
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      64
    5. 5
      ATLien_0
      64
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!