Windows XP Still Clear Favorite for Gamers

According to Steam’s December statistics report, Windows XP is still the clear favorite for PC gamers. While only 30% of Steam gamers use Vista, XP dominates with a towering 70%, according to Valve. Why such a rift between operating systems? The answer, it seems, lies at the source.

Ever since the advent of Microsoft’s newest operation system, a struggle between Microsoft and other leading software developers has emerged. The advanced security system within Vista has not created a user-friendly environment for outside software companies. In response, companies such as Blizzard have expressed displeasure with Microsoft’s inattention to the importance of the PC gaming industry.

According to an interview by Games Industry with Peter Zetterberg, though Microsoft is spending equal time with PC and Xbox development in the United States, Xbox is the focus in the global market.

In response to Microsoft’s lowered attention to the PC gaming industry, most software vendors are ignoring the Vista operating system entirely, and continue to gear their games toward Windows XP. In fact, according to a recent survey, CNET reports that only 8% of non-Microsoft vendors are even willing to bother to include Window’s Vista compatibility in their software.

The projected summer release of Windows 7, a reportedly slicker and less problem-ridden version of Windows Vista may help reduce the rift between Microsoft and other ruling software companies. The proposed similarity that the system holds to Vista, however, keeps PC gamers skeptical as to Microsoft’s future in the gaming industry.