Notch Won't Certify Minecraft For Windows 8 303
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."
Well... (Score:5, Interesting)
Sometimes I feel like Microsoft si kind of flopping around like a fish on land when it comes to tablets. Even though they technically had a headstart, they've only just started their move to tablets and it feels rushed. The current release cycle of good > bad > good > bad will most likely continue and Windows 8 will flop. At least I hope it does and it will force them to rethink their stupid Start menu removal, amongst other things.
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Yes, I agree that It's a bit pissy of microsoft to drop the friggin start menu after all these years without any kind of transition period -- or with anything that has an ounce of useability in it.
There is a 3rd party program that adds the start menu back to the taskbar, http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ [stardock.com]
Just a happy user (note: it's a tad buggy when it comes to opening files from ju
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Re:Well... (Score:5, Interesting)
I can't type "shop" into the Windows 7 Start Menu and have it open Photoshop, although it does manage to offer me "Microsoft Visual C++ Express 2010" when I type "vi" in the hope of running Virtualdub. Having selected Virtualdub, it still puts VC++ at the top of the list next time I type "vi". Launchy, on the other hand, has already learned that "VC" means Visual C++, "V" means Vuze, and "vi" or "dub" means Virtualdub.
I personally don't use Launchy to open Firefox - "f" shows me Filezilla. I have to type "fir" before Firefox even shows in Launchy's list, but once I've done that once, it then shows up in the list when I type "fi". If I then launch that, it will show up in the list when I type just "f", and after that it becomes the first choice for "f". But I don't want that, so I just type "f", select Filezilla before pressing enter, and I'm back to how I like it.
Launchy's also a lot quicker than the Start Menu - on my machine anyway - because it's not trying to search through my Messenger conversations or stuff like that (or, potentially embarrassingly as I have just discovered, my recently opened files!)
Launchy is also, thanks to its plugin support, a very convenient calculator.
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Microsoft is trying the walled garden technique the Apple has going, but I don't foresee it being as effective or foolproof as Apple's.
That. I like it when I read a story's description, go to the comments, and the first post is almost exactly what I had in mind: that's the insightful Slashdot I enjoy.
So this is what I believe this news is about: Microsoft wanting in on some of that Apple-flavoured enchantment of which the necessary ingredient is simultaneous control (or at least influence during the making of) on both software and hardware. I believe Notch is merely a catalyst here (albeit a potent one), since Minecraft's enormous success
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> since Minecraft's enormous success with essentially zero advertizing through mainstream channels, the
> innovative way Mojang is run and his 33 years of age has made him one of the most closely monitored players
> in the field.
No, it's just the success of the game that matters. If it had been as successful bu thad advertising, was run differently and the guy was older/younger and there'd be no difference. If the game had bombed then all that other stuff wouldn't have made it any more interesting
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"I don't forsee any real future issues with getting your own apps on the ARM version. "
Why would a developer bother with an ARM version, though? With all the restrictions and the high likelihood that most users will be on X86, it doesn't look like a good way to spend your resources.
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Open Platforms (Score:3)
Given the moves towards walled gardens by both MS and Apple, I am making my own moves towards open or more open platforms. Debian laptop. XBMC set-top box with linux. Android phone. Possibly a linux tablet. And I am encouraging the same from those around me. Open computing is too important to lose.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
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Re:Well... (Score:5, Insightful)
Just because you can hack around a policy doesn't mean that policy should be widely accepted. I don't want my support status, or even legal status, reduced to blind luck.
You can crack a game to get it to run properly and hardly anyone will know, but if a business starts getting in involved with hacks and tricks just to get their damn software to function, they could be staring into a potential lawsuit... provided they're unlucky enough to get caught.
I get really pissed when people say walled gardens aren't a big deal because it's wicked easy to get around them. Of course they're a big deal... to certain types of people. Some people are unlucky enough to get slapped with million dollar lawsuits because they got caught downloading a file. If 99.9% of people don't get caught, does that mean it's not a big deal if that small percentage practically have their lives destroyed by chance? Will the majority still stick up for the rights of the minority, or is it every person for himself?
How to get around the policy is not the problem. The policy is the problem, and people certainly should be more vocal about it.
You would think (Score:5, Informative)
So now there are at least 2 aspects of Win8 that should fail, the interface, and the locked down ARM version
Disclaimer: Sent from android phone.
Re:You would think (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm an indie game developer. I'll compile and test on Win XP, Vista, Win7 (besides Mac, Linux & Android -- hell, I've got an experimental BSD branch), but I am boycotting Windows 8, including the x86 version expressly because of the ARM version.
I'd rather only release on Android and other Linux boxen (and go back to construction laborer part time) than encourage anyone, especially MS, that a locked down operating system is OK. (Note: iOS isn't up there -- It's dead to me)
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Great less competition!
As an indie developer, Windows 8's app store is a boon.
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I'm an indie game developer. I am boycotting Windows 8, including the x86 version expressly because of the ARM version.
iOS isn't up there -- It's dead to me.
I'll be blunt here and say that this isn't how the professional developer --- the for-profit enterprise --- looks at their potential markets.
The Linux developer who touts the convenience and safety of his distro's repository isn't in a position to complain when other operating systems move in the same direction.
The trusted OS-branded app store has become the norm in mobile.
The geek may side-load from other sources, but you are not going to pay the light bill and the rent serving that crowd. The number
Re:You would think (Score:5, Insightful)
The Linux developer who touts the convenience and safety of his distro's repository isn't in a position to complain when other operating systems move in the same direction.
I have absolutely no problem with app stores having a curated listing of items. Its when that stores is the only method I can get software I have an issue. That's why I don't mind Google's Play Store (for apps), while its the default on my phone I can easily enable side-loading of apps on to it.
And that's exactly how my Linux distro's work as well ...
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There are actually ways to sideload apps on Win8, they're just not as straightforward and prominent as "Allow other app sources" checkbox on Android.
See, Win8 is somewhat different from iOS/Android in that to write apps for it, you have to run your developer tools on it - at least for the time being. Which in turn means that there has to be a way to deploy and run a freshly compiled app when you're developing one. And sure it is - the OS will let you do just that when you have a developer license activated
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And that's exactly how my Linux distro's work as well ...
If a program isn't packaged for your distribution, how easy will be for anyone but the true blue Linux geek to install it --- or even to discover that it exists?
Ubuntu developers set as a goal:
"...there should be one obvious mechanism for installing, removing, and updating software in Ubuntu, with a self-evident name and an interface anyone can use. There should be a coordinated system for developers and enthusiasts to improve the usefulness of descriptions and other metadata for software packages. The software updates interface should be honed to maximize the voluntary installation of updates across the millions of computers on which Ubuntu is installed. And projects and vendors whose software is packaged for Ubuntu should be encouraged to provide links to their software's presence in the Software Store, instead of command-line installation instructions.
Ubuntu Software Center [wikipedia.org]
This reads equally well as a mission statement for the the Kindle, Android smartphone, Win 8 tablet, and the iOS mobile device.
It is only a half-step away from an admission that the "obvious" mechanism --- the increasingly familiar, easy to use and trusted app store --- is about to become the most significant --- perhaps t
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This sentiment is incorrect, and I'll let you figure out why.
You may not, but what do you get from attacking them like Apple and Microsoft do?
Re:You would think (Score:5, Insightful)
This, 100 times this.
Regardles of what gui you perfer or if you think Linux is a pile of crap or amazing, the main reason to use windows is because it has all the software and an OS is primarilly just a tool to run software.
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That Ballmer would understand that a large portion of windows past success was due in part to the fact that software for the system was available anywhere.
Agreed. I think there is room for someone to make money on the low-end (Walmart) as well as on the high-end (Tiffany). Just because Walmart's gross margins are low doesn't make them a bad investment.
Android is proving that an open market gains more market share
Android is a huge impediment for MS. MS can't charge for an OS and remain competitive with Android, which is free. This screws up their Windows model. I think they are fishing around for another model. Apple, at this point, still makes bucketloads of money on actual hardware - the walled garden money was almost
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Windows was never a big money maker in the home market and, objectively, was never very successful.
Yikes, I have to disagree with you there. They got a piece of nearly every PC sold over 20 years. Every single PC. The home PC market is large enough that this has been a stunning amount of money. It's been successful enough that I can say "Every home in the US has a Windows machine" and only be off by single-digit percentage numbers. The only reason they aren't still lighting cigars with hundred dollar bills
certification = protection racket (Score:2, Insightful)
nice software you have, shame if something was to happen to it (like scary warning dialogs)
how anti-trust regulators are not all over this is a mystery
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IANAL, but I think antitrust requires that you both (a) have a monopoly, and (b) use tying to extend your monopoly into new areas.
My guess is that because MS doesn't have a monopoly on the tablet market in general, extending their control over the OS into control over app distribution, on their platform only, isn't antitrust.
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Microsoft are locking anything under their 'Metro' interface to their software store for *all* platforms, as I understand it. It is absolutely abusing their monopoly. Apple has made it acceptable enough that it won't be questioned for a while.
The Windows Store does not have a monopoly (Score:2)
How is this different than any other tablet? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:How is this different than any other tablet? (Score:5, Insightful)
Please explain how Android has a walled garden? Last time I checked I can install applications without using google play/market
Re:How is this different than any other tablet? (Score:5, Informative)
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If you keep the little box "install from other sources" unchecked, then Android has a walled garden. You get the choice of a walled garden or not, which is fine, most people shouldn't be allowed to DL random stuff. Too bad the walls are not that good, BTW ^^
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You get the choice of a walled garden or not...
Walled Garden... heh heh heh. Giving Fido the man-slaughtering hell hound the abilty to doff his collar doesn't mean he's safely secured up either. A walled garden is not an "opt-in" feature. Install from other sources is just that, freedom.
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OK, that's it.
If you people want to win the PR war, stop using the enemy's PR terms!
It isn't a walled garden. NO WAY.
That implies something wonderful and pleasant and beautiful and...
Walled garden? Nope, it is a JAIL. Designed so you CAN NOT escape, and your free will is negated.
Stop using their PR terms!
(note: Wattos.. you just happened to be the dude I replied to. Nothing personal, everyone seems to be using the enemy's PR terms)
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IIRC you can even divorce an Android device entirely from Google (something which can be especially desirable in the "Enterprise" market) far more easily than you can divorce an iOS device from Apple.
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If you're talking about "sideloading" Metro apps, you can only do that in the Enterprise version.
Re:How is this different than any other tablet? (Score:5, Funny)
Apple has a walled garden.
Yes.
Android does too.
No
Microsoft has a walled garden, but if you have an x86 tablet, you can plant petunias and begonias
WTF?
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Apple and Microsoft are not in competition, since Microsoft doesn't make computers. That being said, people bought the land knowing there was a wall around the garden, and in many cases because it has a wall around it. They trust the realtor.
No, it doesn't. It has a gate with an option to keep the gate locked, or to open it.
What computer does Microsoft make, again? Why do they get to lock my hardware down, when they don't even mak
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At the end of the day... (Score:4, Insightful)
They will try, but at the end of the day, the Microsoft walled garden will always have the gate left open.
WinRT is dead in the water (Score:5, Insightful)
I'd say Microsoft shot itself in the foot here, not by enacting the walled garden (which is bad), but by not releasing a compat layer to run WinRT executables on earlier versions of i386/amd64 Windows.
No one is really going to port stuff just for porting sake, and the API is quite different, with no obvious upsides. As for users, there are three groups:
* Windows Phone 8: laughed at, and without software it's a chicken-and-egg problem
* Windows 8 for business: no sane business is going to migrate for 5 or so years
* Windows 8 for home users: they don't upgrade for the (non-existing) coolness factor but by getting Windows with replacement hardware
Thus, the only real way to get actual users for WinRT software in the short term would be making it possible to run it on Windows 7 (and if they really cared, even XP). With no users, there will be no serious developers.
Re:WinRT is dead in the water (Score:4, Insightful)
"the API is quite different, with no obvious upsides". Or not:
obvious upsides to dropping some backward compatibility:
- less OS bloat
- faster OS
- more battery life
- fewer security holes
- no significant loss of features aside from backward compatibility itself
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I mean upsides for the developer. A less bloated OS is easier to maintain and might be milder on the battery, but doesn't make writing software for it any easier.
Re:WinRT is dead in the water (Score:5, Informative)
no significant loss of features aside from backward compatibility itself
That's a common misconception perpetuated by clever marketing, but it's flat out wrong.
Metro/WinRT is not Win32 modernized, instead it is Silverlight 6 Tablet Edition.
It's severely sandboxed, even more in some ways than Silverlight 5 was, which means that really important things that a lot of common applications require just Don't Work At All, and can't be made to work unless Microsoft relents and releases Windows 9 with a newer, more permissive API.
To give you an idea of just how restricted Metro/WinRT apps are, they're prevented from communicating with Desktop apps and traditional local services. That means that there's no shared memory, no named pipes, no Windows event passing, not even "localhost" sockets! Really major things can't be done, like runtime code generation (JIT), which directly impacts applications like Firefox and Chrome. Statically compiling Java code may work for some apps, but not if dynamic class loading is required.
Put yourself in the shoes of an Enterprise developer: Message Queues? Missing. LDAP? Nope. Background services? Blocked. Oracle client? Hah! Local database? Can't connect. Group Policy? Unavailable. PowerShell Integration? Desktop only.
Try this from a games developer's perspective: OpenCL? No JIT. PhysX? Can't talk to the driver. OpenGL? Over Ballmer's dead body.
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Try this from a games developer's perspective: OpenCL? No JIT. PhysX? Can't talk to the driver. OpenGL? Over Ballmer's dead body.
But how is the situation on Windows RT devices worse than that on the Xbox 360?
Why is there an official Minecraft for iOS? (Score:4, Insightful)
If he isn't just trolling about Windows, and instead does want to make a point about the "value of being able to install your own software", why is there an official Minecraft client for iOS?
Did he suddenly grow a pair because it's Microsoft?
Or is he just more likely to take a stand using a platform which isn't likely to lose him any money if he stays away from it because of his views?
I'm going to go with the last one...
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If he isn't just trolling about Windows, and instead does want to make a point about the "value of being able to install your own software", why is there an official Minecraft client for iOS?
Hell, there's also a version for Xbox 360.
Clearly, Notch has no problems releasing Minecraft on a Microsoft platform that restricts your ability to freely release software.
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Both iOS and XBox are locked down from their inception. Notch is "boycotting" Windows 8 certification (Metro apps or whatever is called now and store") because it wasn't a locked down platform and is becoming one, don't know but Windows probably is his main platform and he don't want it to become like iOS
Re:Why is there an official Minecraft for iOS? (Score:5, Informative)
I don't know you guys that are talking about tablets got the memo that Windows 8 also (unfortunately) runs on the desktop.
This is a path that goes a lot further then Apple as I'm still able to install software freely on my Apple desktop. With Windows also, but not the new Metro apps they are trying to push or I should run the enterprise version.
Probably some of that (Score:2)
It is easy to be a "fighter" where little is on the line. I find it rather unlikely Windows 8 tablets will succeed so there's no harm in him snubbing them. That aside, if they do, he can always just release Minecraft for them. It isn't like MS is going to ban him, they don't give a shit.
I also think it is just generally jumping on the "Hate MS" cause of the day. Hating on MS for the Windows Store is real popular right now with geek types. So he's just jumping on that, probably without doing much research on
Do two tweets define a straight line? (Score:4, Insightful)
If he isn't just trolling about Windows, and instead does want to make a point about the "value of being able to install your own software", why is there an official Minecraft client for iOS?
That did occur to me - but bear in mind that TFA consists of two tweets from Notch followed by an awful lot of extrapolation by HotHardware.com. His tweets don't mention ARM at all, just not wanting Microsoft to 'ruin the PC as an open platform'.
I think the problem occures if you see devices like tablets, phones and consoles as 'media consumption' appliances rather than general purpose computers. It's no big deal if they are closed systems (consoles have been that way for years).
The forthcoming ARM-based Windows machines may well be marketed as general purpose laptops and SFF computers.
The guy is a rock star now ! (Score:2, Flamebait)
And like all rock stars, it's "issue of the day" bandwagon for him. Where was he when MCraft got certified for Apple's AppStore ?
Patent Infringement (Score:5, Funny)
Hey, I thought Apple held the patent on locking users into an app store? They should sue MicroSoft for patent infringement.
Another open platform will evolve then. (Score:2)
The real problem? (Score:2)
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.
If that's the real problem with windows 8 then it's really not a problem at all, is it? Competing operating systems on mobile (android, ios) are also locked down to a single source out of the box unless you make changes to the OS.
There are a LOT of problems with win8, but this isn't a biggie.
It's not (Score:2)
It is just anti-MS FUD, which is something Slashdot likes a lot.
Windows 8 isn't a great desktop OS because it tries to force a tablet interface on you to replace the start menu (and the UI is ugly compared to 7), but ultimately it doesn't matter. You can replace that if you like (Start8 is my recommendation) and it still runs all Windows x86/x64 software just like past versions of Windows. It just also has the ability to run new Metro aka MS tablet, software which the previous Windows versions didn't. That
Notch/Slashdot misunderstanding? (Score:3, Informative)
ARM locks ARM users into 2nd rate experience! (Score:2)
What the Metro and MS store is allow developers to write across both architectures with ease. While a Metro app may appear that taxes an ARM tablet, that same app isn't going to break a sweat on a multicore x86 box.
You may as wel
and microsoft charges for certification (Score:3)
My theory.. (Score:3)
I see two possibliities:
MS is sufficiently deluded that they genuinely think doubling down on Silverlight based technology while forcing tighter lockin to MS store and services is going to work and lead to rapid obsolecence of their existing software ecosystem without anything of significance lost. This seems to fly against all evidence and reason, but I wouldn't put it past them.
The other possibility is that WindowsRT isn't *that* serious an endeavor. Enough invested to make it *real* and maybe even take off in the unlikely scenario described above. Not enough to actually enable the large third-party application base that remains MS' sole meaningful advantage nowadays. The hope may be to scare AMD and Intel to worry more and work harder to provide compelling x86 compatible solutions amenable to the same physical form factors that are being popularized in iOS and Android devices. The strongest evidence of this that I can see is how both AMD and Intel have pretty much explicitly come out and said their next big thing in the mobile space is very much designed exclusively for Windows usage. Linux (notably Android) have been de-emphasized by both Intel and AMD for those chips as they go out of their way to endorse Windows 8. This could either be due to pressure/threats from MS but it also might be explained by Intel's relative failure to attract real partnerships in the Android space despite an earnest effort to do so, which would drive both AMD and Intel to realize that they really need microsoft to retain competitive advantage over non-x86 architectures.
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Re:Transformer Infinity looks better and better (Score:4, Interesting)
I have the Transformer Tablet with keyboard and, while yes it is very, very useful it really still isn't a general purpose computing device. You can run linux on it in a chroot, but that only gives you X over VNC. Its possible to evetually dual boot it since it boots linux already anyways. People have been doing this one the prime. In that context it is actually fairly impressive and had 3d acceleration...though I don't think sound works yet. From the videos I've seen it performs much like a netbook running linux. Like a 2nd generation netbook. Most of the apps for android are optimized for phones, so that is a downside. There aren't a huge number of productivity apps for android on tablets. There are some nice apps though. Honestly I use this more than my notebook now. The screen has the same resolution roughly and is smaller so it looks better. For internet communication and web browsing this thing is pretty awesome. Also I am photographer and I can just plug in an external usb powered mini drive and dump my sd cards straight to the drive pretty quickly. Ghost commander works well as a file manager too. I have the bootloader unlocked and I'm running the hydro jellybean rom atm. Its still a little buggy and the i/o is awful right now, but its still a very fast and usable tablet. Some of the games rock too.
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I love my tablet but it doesn't replace my computer, it augments it.
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Blanket Fail statememt. I have a desktop but am looking at getting a tablet to replace a notebook due to changes in usage. Simply put, I'm spending more and more time in god damn waiting rooms w/o tables or desks and the laptop just isn't as useful anymore while a tablet offers enough functionality to be useable while being smaller. In fact, based on the damn changes in usage, I may even be able to use the tablet to replace most of my desktop functionality while converting it to a home server. It's still u
Do these waiting rooms have public Wi-Fi? (Score:3)
I'm spending more and more time in god damn waiting rooms w/o tables or desks
But do these waiting rooms have public Wi-Fi so that you can actually do something on a tablet, or is it locked and the key available to employees only? I have more than enough on my 10" laptop to survive a wait of at least a couple hours with no Internet.
In fact, based on the damn changes in usage, I may even be able to use the tablet to replace most of my desktop functionality while converting it to a home server.
So would you get onto the home server whenever you need to do a lot of typing or play games in genres not suited for touch input?
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:4, Insightful)
Notch developed most of the game by himself in the beginning. Then when he started hiring people Jeb eventually took over development and Notch doesn't do any code for minecraft anymore. So yes, he did develop the main base game by himself, but anything that's happened in the past year(?) has been all Jeb and the other developers.
Also I'd say it's more the press taking his tweets and blowing them up rather than him being some kind of PR supergod, almost every single one of his tweets ends up on some news site somewhere, even the inane ones. What's he supposed to do about that, stop tweeting altogether?
Not to mention he's just saying what we're all thinking. ;)
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So yes, he did develop the main base game by himself
INFINIMINER EXISTED
Just thought you should know that... Educate yourself. That's all I have to say to you.
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:4, Insightful)
what's your point? no secret that the failed game Infiniminer (discontinued commercially after one month in marketplace) inspired Notch to write MINECRAFT. So Notch made the winning sandbox game, and you bring up a loser. so what?
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Re:Shut up Notch (Score:5, Insightful)
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And, you will have 30 days to return your tablet if you don't like it.
And, if winRT starts selling, there will be a Minecraft port on it within 72 hours (remember it's on every game console, iOS device, which have the same requirements). So the OP is actually making a good point here.
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iOS and OSX look very different and run on different devices, whereas, Windows RT and Windows x86 look exactly the same and will run on identical hardware.
Since when is ARM and x86 "identical hardware"? Since, you know, WinRT is only for ARM tablets.
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...and if you're Joe Q. Public who doesn't know what that means when they're looking at the price tag at Best Buy?
YOU know, and I know, but there's a good chance that even otherwise well-informed nerds won't know or recall when they're shopping around. It happens.
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Besides, even WinRT will have a browser, email, and angry birds. That right there satisfies 99% of users (I actually just made that number up, but it's probably pretty accurate).
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:4, Insightful)
You do realize the Surface and Surface Pro are rather similar from the outside? Plus, I have to say the name doesn't make me think "those are two entirely different products running on two entirely different platforms" like, say, iPad and MacBook do.
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But all that aside, MS wants Windows on ARM.It's not possible to run executables compiled for x86 or x64 on ARM. So there has to be a separation, with Apple you
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you explain to them that RT != x86. It's in the name, so the bran dis not "the same"(sic).
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Please do not encourage the troll by calling his lies "facts" ;}
He claims Notch did not create Minecraft, yet Notch has live updated Minecraft while coding on it with a crowd of thousands around him at a convention held in his games name...
He continues with a claim that someone else wrote most of the code, when in fact Notch wrote most of the code and only recently handed it off for updates to another person, very very recently.
While technically speaking, lies are indeed facts, at least call it "false facts
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That and I highly doubt this has anything to do with problems with the Windows 8 platform and much more to do with the fact that Minecraft is written in Java, and therefore would have to be ported to "something else" in order to meet the game store requirements.
Of course, astute Minecraft fans would know that the game already has been ported to "something else" multiple times in order to make the Xbox 360 and iOS releases. So presumably, if Notch didn't want to be an ass, he could just make the Xbox 360 ver
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Oh sweet, so yet another game could be ruined by becoming a console to PC port?
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It would be a vastly inferior game at that point and everyone would hate Notch for dumping Java.
No one ever gets hated for dumping Java.
Many of the problems this game has are directly related to java bloat and limitations, something the developer even admits.
If you're a die hard java enthusiast, ask yourself why so few games are written in the language, and especially open world games.
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Notch has made at least 17 games in addition to Minecraft.
Funny Farm, Luxor, Carnival Shootout, MEG4kMAN, Left 4k Dead, t4kns, Miners4k, Hunters4k, Dungeon4k, Sonic Racer 4k, Dachon4k, l4krits, Blast Passage, Bunny Press, Breaking the Tower, Infinite Mario Bros, Minicraft.
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:4, Insightful)
Not to mention that he quite happily did minecraft pocket edition for the ipad, an ARM ecosystem that is just as restrictive as the Microsoft app store on windows RT.
No hypocrisy there, no siree.
Consumers went 'ohhh, walled garden, totally restricted to one vendor, apple decides what apps I'm allowed to install, awesome' and bought the things by the utter truckload.
The most common complaint about android is that Google doesn't exercise ENOUGH control over the OEMs to prevent fragmentation
Is it any surprise that Microsoft went 'seriously? A walled garden where we get to cream a big slice of profit on every bit of software is what customers want? Alrighty then!'
He's griping about Windows 8 (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Also, having a carefully curated software does not mean that needs to be your only source of software. Google needs to exercise more control over their store, but not do like Apple, and now Microsoft are doing, and use it as an excuse to lock your users out of their own device. These OS suppliers should enforce whatever rules they want on their own software repositories, be let people choose and install software from wherever they like.
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Got an email from microsoft, wanting to help "certify" minecraft for win 8. I told them to stop trying to ruin the pc as an open platform.
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Not to mention that he quite happily did minecraft pocket edition for the ipad, an ARM ecosystem that is just as restrictive as the Microsoft app store on windows RT.
No hypocrisy there, no siree.
That's because of money. No such thing as hypocrisy as long as money is involved!
Its cheap grandstanding and nothing more. MC will work fine on x86 Win8 without certification, and lets be honest, RT is probably going to bomb badly.
Quite the example of an empty gesture.
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:4, Insightful)
Seriously? He made two comments on twitter, of which he's an active user, and the media picked it up. I don't quite see how that's trolling for attention.
You, on the other hand, seem to be doing quite well at it.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Wow. You literally just claimed both that Notch did not create Minecraft, and that Windows RT on ARM will not be locked down to the Microsoft store!
Care to prove either of those claims? Even just a teeny bit?
And whoever modded your lies as insightful should be ashamed.
jealous? (Score:2)
Jealous of success? Notch did originally write Minecraft, yes it was inspired by at least two other similar games that didn't take off commercially. Notch's company Mojang pulls in $80M USD a year in revenue. Of course he's good at development, marketing, selling, PR.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
steam is far from being the anti MS. they both, like apple, want to lock their users into never really owning content, having to go though them to do anything with what they bought... Apple is wildly successful at it, Steam quite successfful, and MS not yet in the consumer space.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
You can't complain about Apple or MS whilst being a Valve fanboy. Yes, the Steam user experience is great. The developer experience isn't so good (Loads of developers aren't allowed in. Greenlight was a bit of a clusterfuck. And if you get in, it'll cost you a large chunk of your revenue)
I really wish Valve would split up into two companies... the awesome company that makes amazing games, and the evil company that's just about managed to turn the PC into a closed platform when it comes to gaming.
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:5, Insightful)
This is quite different from the current Microsoft and Apple tactics of using their power as an OS provider to extract a "gatekeeper tax" on all programs sold for their platform.
Re:Shut up Notch (Score:5, Insightful)
Not really greed, just good business sense, IMHO.
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Two questions for you:
First, what did Infiniminer clone? As far as I can tell, it's a 3D version of Motherload, and Motherload is heavily inspired by Boulder Dash.
Second, should Linus Torvalds and the Free Software Foundation be looked down on for cloning UNIX?
Re: (Score:2)
So shouldn't it be the JVM that is certified for the platform? Minecraft doesn't make any platform dependant system calls directly as far as I'm aware. The part that is LWJGL may be an exception, but Mojang didn't write that.
he's got a version for the xbox360 live service too, I thought about the problem being really that too, but since he has that version he could quite easily have the winRT version up and running(it might not be as good as the x86 tho..).