The results from April’s Steam survey tell an interesting story, while Windows 7 is remains the dominant OS, making up about 70% of the machines running Steam, the number of Windows 8 users is on the rise. In the last month alone, the number of Windows 8 users has increased by almost 1%. That sounds pretty insignificant but considering there are 50 million registered Steam accounts and around 4.5 million daily users 1% accounts for a significant number of gamers. Frustratingly, Valve don’t say how many people take part in the survey (you need to opt in to have your computer polled) but even if we treat this information cautiously we can at least take away that the number of people adopting Windows 8 is far from insubstantial.
Even today Microsoft announced that they’ve sold more than 100 million Windows 8 licenses.
Conversely, Linux ain’t doing so good. Despite the welcoming hand Valve have extended to Linux users – creating a Linux version of their Steam client, porting their back catalogue to the open source OS, and adding more Linux games to their library every week – the number of machines running versions of Linux has shrunk in the last month. And, it was not a large audience to begin with, only accounting for a little more than a single per cent.
Valve have said numerous times in the past that they take their data collection seriously and will often let the numbers speak for themselves. If the user base remains small Valve may put fewer resources into Linux development. Of course, if the Gabe Cube, when it eventually launches, runs Linux natively I imagine we’ll see a spike in those numbers.
From Linux Game News:
Real or fallacy?
It seems every time we look at what Microsoft and what they are doing in regards to Windows 8, the numbers are always strong. Then somehow, magically, Linux is falling short.
The reason this article has been reblogged is due to it’s entertainment value. And quite frankly, I think we all need a good laugh once in a while.
From Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Windows, Tami Reller:
“We recently surpassed the 100 million licenses sold mark for Windows 8. This number includes Windows licenses that ship on a new tablet or PC, as well as upgrades to Windows 8. This is up from the 60 million license number we provided in January.”
Which leads to the fact, suggestively, that Microsoft is rolling out all these license to OEM’s, rather than having actual sales. Sure, upgrades can be suggested. But I have yet to meet anyone who is all hyped to install Windows 8 on their PC or laptop.
But seriously, how many of you are running Windows 8 on you box?
Reblogged from: pcgamesn.com
