Earlier this week we reported on the latest comments from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney regarding the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). He said he fears Microsoft is trying to break platforms such as Steam. Today, Microsoft has issued a repost to Sweeney and the company insists that Universal Windows is an open platform.
This week's comments by Sweeney are just the latest in a number of criticisms of the Universal Windows Platform. He has been one of the most vocal critics of the platform. In previous months Sweeney said the approval system for developing games means UWP is not really open.
As we reported this week, Sweeney's latest comments centered on Microsoft attempting to cut the market. This could break Steam, he argues, while adding that Microsoft has done this in the past.
“Slowly, over the next five years, they will force-patch Windows 10 to make Steam progressively worse and more broken,” says Sweeney. “They'll never completely break it, but will continue to break it until, in five years, people are so fed up that Steam is buggy that the Windows Store seems like an ideal alternative. That's exactly what they did to their previous competitors in other areas.”
Microsoft and Sweeney's Epic Games used to enjoy a close relationship. The two partnered on the Gears of War franchise, which Microsoft purchased full rights for after the third installment. However, Sweeney is adamant his concerns are real and that he has no particular problem with Microsoft.
Microsoft's Response
For its part, Microsoft today issued a statement to GameInformer. The company maintained a respectful tone, clearly not looking to engage in a war of words. Instead Microsoft points out that the Universal Windows Platform is open, although work still needs to be done.
“Tim is a respected figure in the gaming world, and we value his feedback… As stated previously, the Universal Windows Platform is a fully open ecosystem that is available to every developer, and can be supported by any store. It's early, and we recognize there is still work to be done, but we want to make Windows the best development platform regardless of technologies used.”
What do think, it Sweeney right to be concerned?