Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#91

Post by vlan0 » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:42 PM UTC

Lev1a wrote: post #75

vlan0 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This really only affects distribution through the Windows Store, correct? I don't anything saying the execution of console emulation software is now impossible on Windows 10. While it is possible this is a slippery slope that leads to the case you are referring to. It's still not clear if it will ever reach that state.

I can only imagine from their apparent course that they'll lock out Win32 apps at some point and only allow installation/execution of software from the Windows store (and maybe some "partners", i.e. some companies that are too big to just lock out, like Valve, although they would probably have to pay a "fee" to have access to the Win10 audience). Blocking of Win32 apps/apps not from the Windows Store already exists t…

It's questionable whether this is currently a slippery slope. There is no precedence for this move on the PC platform. That alone weakens the argument that Microsoft will eventually make that move. To be clear, it is still possible, but there is not enough evidence to build a case that guarantees your conclusion.

Edit: You could argue that the ChromeOS platform is an example of a completed locked ecosystem. I've never really considered Chromebooks to be a PCs, but I'm sure under some context they meet the classifications of a PC.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#92

Post by ihuman » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:42 PM UTC

bbmario wrote: post #49

So what? There are many Javascript-based emulators out there. You just need a browser.

Or you could just download one from the internet and run the executable "manually." You aren't restricted to the app store.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#93

Post by pjmlp » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:42 PM UTC

shawnz wrote: post #87

pjmlp wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It isn't technically the same game, they cannot match 1:1 in features and gaming experience, given the differences between Wii and Switch.

But the value that the customer can extract from the game is almost the same whether they got the Wii or Switch version. It doesn't make sense to charge double the price for two different licenses when the value gained by being able to use either console is small.

Why not, most likely they weren't even written by the same developers, who pays the salaries of the Zelda Switch team, when one adopts take two pay one?

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#94

Post by garganzol » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:43 PM UTC

Every UWP app I saw poses a risk, results in discomfort, injures its users with ridiculous uselessness. Windows Store should be banned altogether, once and for all, for a brighter future of the humankind.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#95

Post by ihuman » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:43 PM UTC

systems wrote: post #88

bad publicity for the upcoming scorpio system

How is this bad publicity? Why would someone spend >$400 just to play emulators on a TV?

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#96

Post by cryptarch » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:45 PM UTC

pjmlp wrote: post #63

douche wrote: post #10

I don't know about XBox, but does anybody actually use anything from the Windows Store? The only app that I have gotten is the SlingTV app, except I ditched it for the older native app, because the UWP Store one was so hideously broken and slow.

Yes, I have been slowly migrating to store apps, specially since they are sandboxed. I also own a couple of WP, so I now get to use those apps on the desktop as well.

What are "WP"?

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#97

Post by izacus » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:46 PM UTC

pjmlp wrote: post #78

izacus wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does it matter? You bought a licence to play for example Zelda Breath of the Wild. You should be able to play it on any hardware.

How do you expect to achieve that, given the technical differences?

Did you miss the fact that the game is actually release and runs on all those platforms?!

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#98

Post by shawnz » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:48 PM UTC

pjmlp wrote: post #93

shawnz wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But the value that the customer can extract from the game is almost the same whether they got the Wii or Switch version. It doesn't make sense to charge double the price for two different licenses when the value gained by being able to use either console is small.

Why not, most likely they weren't even written by the same developers, who pays the salaries of the Zelda Switch team, when one adopts take two pay one?

Who pays the salaries of the Zelda Wii team? The publisher, obviously, who also published Zelda for Switch.

It's true Nintendo had to spend effort creating a port of Zelda. But they didn't do it for the sake of customers who have both consoles. They did it for the sake of customers who only have a Switch. For customers that have both consoles, the effort of porting the game was already wasted. So they are not losing value by offering those customers a new license, except the minor value gained by being able to use either console and having access to any minor improvements in the newer edition of the game. That is not worth the price of the full game.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#99

Post by izacus » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:48 PM UTC

catdog wrote: post #90

cwyers wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I seriously doubt that Microsoft is going to ban, oh, just for starters: * Photoshop * Illustrator * Premier * Avid * Office * Visual Studio etc. etc. Legacy applications are a huge reason for people to use Windows. Blocking themselves off from that rich ecosystem of applications is basically begging people to use a Chromebook.

Easy, there will be special agreements for some of those bigger fish. And of course on the special versions of Windows enterprise customers get (which you can't buy individually that easy) this will still be allowed

Or you just side-step the issue by creating a "Tablet" or "Personal" version that's cheaper and never let arbitrary software run there. Just like Apple did - on iOS running arbitrary software isn't expected and they're slowly moving towards running it on more and more devices including TVs and "Pro" iPad hardware.

Re: Microsoft formally bans emulators on Xbox, Windows 10 download shops

#100

Post by catdog » Thu, Apr 06, 2017, 2:57 PM UTC

Lev1a wrote: post #86

Isn't the rule prohibiting "UWP games and apps that "pose a safety risk or result in discomfort, injury or any other harm" to users." kinda broad (meaning especially the "discomfort" part)? Seeing as "discomfort" was not specified in any way, it COULD mean the horror game you potentially want to release on the Windows Store could be denied a listing, because it could cause some players/people psychological "discomfor…

Welcome to the wonderful world of "App Stores" where some random company which managed to put itself between you and a substantial part of potential customers decides what you can distribute under what conditions covered by their own vague rules which are suspect to arbitrary change at any time anyways.