Notch refuses to help certify Minecraft for Windows 8

Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson says he refused to help Microsoft certify Minecraft for Windows 8, saying he'd rather not have it run on the new OS at all.

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Windows 8 has already received a fair bit of criticism for its new Windows Store app marketplace, which some developers have interpreted as a move to make Windows PCs a more closed platform. Popular indie developer Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of Minecraft, has now lodged his own complaint -- by refusing to help put Minecraft on the OS.

"Got an email from microsoft, wanting to help 'certify' minecraft for win 8," Persson tweeted. "I told them to stop trying to ruin the pc as an open platform." He followed up saying he'd "rather have minecraft not run on win 8 at all than to play along," and hoping that it will keep some users from switching to Windows 8.

Persson's refusal to help doesn't necessarily mean Minecraft will be unavailable on Windows 8 machines, mind you. It could run just fine, but it will do it without its creator's involvement.

This isn't the first time Windows 8 has faced high-profile criticism. John Carmack remarked that it's unexciting. Valve boss Gabe Newell took a harsher turn, calling it a 'catastrophe.' On the bright side, you can get achievements in Minesweeper, and that's something, right?

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 27, 2012 9:30 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Notch refuses to help certify Minecraft for Windows 8.

    Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson says he refused to help Microsoft certify Minecraft for Windows 8, saying he'd rather not have it run on the new OS at all.

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      September 27, 2012 9:34 AM

      [deleted]

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        September 27, 2012 9:43 AM

        It seems like the biggest complaint is that it isn't optional. Some people would rather just use it they way they use 7 now and 8 does not quite let you do that.

        I think if they hadn't announced that they were blocking measures to disable to metro interface and app store that less people would be bitching.

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          September 27, 2012 9:49 AM

          I would bet that by the time it ships, there will be a way to enable classic mode.

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          September 27, 2012 9:50 AM

          [deleted]

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          September 27, 2012 9:55 AM

          Of course it's optional. Not being able to uninstall it is not the same as forcing you to use it

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            September 27, 2012 10:01 AM

            As I understand it, the original Start Menu is gone. You have Metro and that's it.

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              September 27, 2012 10:05 AM

              What does that have to do with forcing people to use the app store?

              The Start Menu isn't "gone", it just looks radically different.

              Let's set aside pointless nomenclature for a moment. The thing that appears when you click in the bottom right of your OS still lets you launch all of your applications, still lets you search by typing for the program you want, and still lets you access shit like your control panel. It does all of the same things.

              Now, you might find it to be a shitty interface and that's mostly subjective of course and we could debate that until the cows come home. But my point is it's not any more "closed" than the thing that appeared when you execute the same action in Windows 7.

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                September 27, 2012 10:22 AM

                i dont think it has anything to do with metro view, no one really cares about it, it is the fact that Microsoft is starting to push everything (software and games) to go through their so called app store... next think you know it will be like apple app store where you cant post anything for windows until it passed through ms approval and posted on their app store... that is where people will start loosing money, steam will have to pay Microsoft, Notch will have to pay Microsoft...

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                  September 27, 2012 10:43 AM

                  That's not how it works with Apple and their desktop OS. You can release all the apps you want outside of their App Store.

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                    September 27, 2012 10:46 AM

                    right. desktop and mobile and consoles and pads have some different installation environments and requirements therein.

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        September 27, 2012 9:49 AM

        as far as i can tell yes. While i agree there will be no compelling reason to upgrade from 7, i do not understand all the hate for 8. (I can rhyme!)

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          September 27, 2012 10:24 AM

          problem is they are starting to push developers to go through their so called "App store" meaning that give it a few year, you will have to buy all your games and software through WINDOWS APP STORE... no steam, no independent developer... everyone has to pay a fee to them and can't do anything without ms' approval... that is what everyone is afraid of...

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            September 27, 2012 10:27 AM

            but don't google and apple do that for their devices? isn't MS just going with that successful framework for their next devices?

            what are people afraid of, if the major players are doing exactly that?

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              September 27, 2012 11:19 AM

              [deleted]

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                September 27, 2012 11:21 AM

                I think he was just responding to the very first part of the aptly-named CrazyRussian's post. The "they are starting to push developers to go through their so called App store" part

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        September 27, 2012 10:05 AM

        [deleted]

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          September 27, 2012 10:27 AM

          what developers are afraid of is Microsoft making their own App store a mandatory thing for any software/game... no more steam... no more "Notch" selling his game on his website... everyone goes and pays MS before they can sell something... i think that is what the problem is.
          People hating on metro just don't know what they are talking about...

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            September 27, 2012 10:50 AM

            That is absurd. The reason Windows is so popular is the open nature of producing desktop applications. You don need anything to make a Windows program except a text editor and some reference documentation. Having the Metro App Store be closed makes sense because they're going for a uniform style there, but restricting the desktop is a stupid idea.

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              September 27, 2012 10:55 AM

              Agreed, it is absurd, but it didn't stop Microsoft from trying to close it off in some way... only time will show if they will go crazy or will let that stupid idea go

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                September 27, 2012 11:03 AM

                But they haven't tried to do that.

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                September 27, 2012 11:10 AM

                They have not "tried to close it off in some way" at all

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                  September 27, 2012 11:11 AM

                  MS is not trying to close off Windows 8 via a "certification" process for software at all and this is one big misunderstanding? Does either side know anything for sure whether they are trying to create a closed environment for the PC or not?

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                    September 27, 2012 11:14 AM

                    They require certification if you want to be on their app store. There is no requirement to be on the app store. You can get programs and install them in the exact same way as you've always been able to.

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                      September 27, 2012 11:17 AM

                      The only way that would be a big deal is if MS somehow someday got stupid and said only certified software can run.

                      What I don't get is say you go through the process of getting certified, what does that tell the consumer in relation to the uncertified software they have installed? If the point is to ensure it plays nice with other software, how can that be guaranteed knowing I can install anything anyways?

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                        September 27, 2012 1:54 PM

                        There is no relation to uncertified software, at all. It will run as any desktop application does on Windows 7 now. I don't see why this concept is so hard for people to understand. If it would be causing problems on Windows 7, it will cause similar problems on Windows 8. If it worked fine on Win7, it will be fine on Win8. I can't say this any clearer.

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                    September 27, 2012 11:16 AM

                    They are adding an app store to conveniently buy and install applications in Windows, like every other major platform already has. They have done absolutely nothing to close off the platform.

                    Anybody complaining about them closing off the platform is just an idiot. They have done absolutely nothing that indicates this is their plan.

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                      September 27, 2012 11:23 AM

                      Does the certification process ensure the software plays nice with other pieces of certified software or is it just a front end shop for ease of finding and installing/removing software. I think there's just alot of confusion perhaps.

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                        September 27, 2012 2:59 PM

                        It's mostly a front end shop ease as well as to make sure your app isn't completely fucked up. It makes no guarantees per say about other apps.

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                  September 27, 2012 2:47 PM

                  installing unsigned drivers is a pain in the ass. Makes using things like http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/ or http://www.edtruthan.com/tileproxy/tutorial/ a PITA. That's not new to 8 of course. But I think some people are extrapolating things like that out to doing similar things for regular software

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        September 27, 2012 11:40 AM

        I don't see why, given the 'app store' approach is why I enjoy the iphone so much

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      September 27, 2012 9:37 AM

      I thought he wasn't even involved in any of the coding or managerial stuff for minecraft any more

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      September 27, 2012 9:40 AM

      Notch is a prima donna news at 11

      It's not different than certifying your game to be on Steam. It doesn't prevent your game from being available in whatever other methods you choose. Windows 8 can still use applications that aren't available through the store.

      (Yes I know Minecraft is not on Steam)

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        September 27, 2012 10:02 AM

        Minecraft not being on Steam sort of invalidates your point.

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          September 27, 2012 10:04 AM

          [deleted]

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          September 27, 2012 10:07 AM

          No, you just misunderstood my point. My point is a closed marketplace merely existing doesn't make the whole universe closed. Games on Steam can be sold outside of Steam. Similarly, if Minecraft were on the Win8 Marketplace, it could still be sold outside of the Win8 Marketplace, and would still work on Win8 even if not purchased through the Marketplace. It doesn't make Windows less "open" like he's claiming.

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            September 27, 2012 10:08 AM

            It kinda does on Windows RT.

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              September 27, 2012 10:10 AM

              Well yeah but that's a unique single device; I assumed what we're talking about is personal computers.

              Yes, Microsoft does make closed platforms, like the Xbox 360 and Windows RT. But that doesn't mean Windows 8 on personal computers is a closed platform.

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                September 27, 2012 10:11 AM

                And honestly I don't know much about Windows RT at all, and that was news to me. I'm only really speaking about personal computers as that's what I have experience with in Windows 8.

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                  September 27, 2012 12:01 PM

                  It's not a "unique single device", it's a large number of the Windows 8 tablets that will be shipping - including products from Dell, Asus, and Samsung.

                  And I think there are quite a few people who may well buy a WinRT device without knowing that limitation as they still have a desktop, etc.

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              September 27, 2012 10:11 AM

              [deleted]

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                September 27, 2012 11:57 AM

                It is different than Android, yes, unless you're getting a device from a carrier who is stupid and goes overboard in locking things down.

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        September 27, 2012 10:29 AM

        i think what everyone (developers) afraid of that that 2 years down the line Microsoft won't let him sell things to people on website like that, they will say, hey you want to be on our platform, get on our app store and pay us fee....

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          September 27, 2012 10:34 AM

          Microsoft would be hit with a shit ton of anti-trust lawsuits then.

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            September 27, 2012 10:57 AM

            noone is hitting tablets with these lawsuits, why would they do it to PC OS? and microsoft has all right to do whatever they want with their system...

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              September 27, 2012 10:59 AM

              no one in the tablet market is considered a monopoly like Microsoft is with x86/x64 machines.

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          September 27, 2012 10:44 AM

          That won't happen for the desktop OS

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            September 27, 2012 10:51 AM

            Absolutely agreed.

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              September 27, 2012 10:58 AM

              i hope you are right... i am just saying what developers are afraid of and the fact that so many of them are so vocal about it makes you think they they know something... but on the other "hand it is all tinfoil hats" talk

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          September 27, 2012 2:11 PM

          The fucking crazy crazies have been worried of that "2 years down the line" shit since Windows 95.

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      September 27, 2012 9:41 AM

      that's too bad, i liked the xbox version

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      September 27, 2012 9:52 AM

      Well apple has had much success with closing their system as much as possible.

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        September 27, 2012 9:58 AM

        [deleted]

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          September 27, 2012 10:03 AM

          Same with Win 8

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          September 27, 2012 10:05 AM

          In Win 8 their app store is not the only way to install apps either you do it normally. What MS asked is that MineCraft be compatible with their app store not Windows 8. If you have Win 8 now with MSDN you just install your games normally like 7, the app store is like a mini OS or Steam if you want to look at it that way which requires more code/stuff integrated into your app to work in that interface.

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        September 27, 2012 10:01 AM

        LOL

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        September 27, 2012 10:02 AM

        Say whaat?

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          September 27, 2012 1:50 PM

          iOS app store is extremely successful, wouldn't you agree?

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      September 27, 2012 10:12 AM

      As a software developer who has been through the Windows certification process with an app, I can't think of one single aspect of certification than isn't easy, good or neutral from the customer's perspective, or detrimental to the development process. It just isn't a big deal, and it makes sure your code plays nice with the OS.

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        September 27, 2012 10:45 AM

        This ^^^ I agree, that is my experience as well with the shop I am with, its no big deal.

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      September 27, 2012 10:29 AM

      Desktop applications can still be sold through whatever means you want, I don't know what he is complaining about. Dude is a moron.

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      September 27, 2012 10:38 AM

      lol Windows 8 is sounding like the Obama Care Debate. I might buy it, but i'll wait to see how it turns out before I install it.

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      September 27, 2012 11:03 AM

      [deleted]

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      September 27, 2012 11:09 AM

      The Neckbeard is strong in this one.

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      September 27, 2012 11:38 AM

      Like JohnnyRey said above, Minecraft being on XBLA and iOS is pretty hypocritical.

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      September 27, 2012 12:10 PM

      This is like prisoners arguing over who's bitch Johnny is.

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      September 27, 2012 12:37 PM

      So minecraft will run on W8, just not be in the app store right? If so the who the hell cares, if I were Notch I wouldn't waste my time helping with that either, I got better things to do.

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      September 27, 2012 12:45 PM

      If the store offers a service like steams cross play across windows 8 devices, then i can see the benefit. But i cant see MS forcing the user into using it.

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      September 27, 2012 2:04 PM

      Notch is being a tard this time.

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      September 27, 2012 2:38 PM

      This coming from a guy whose game requires a Java VM install. lol

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      September 27, 2012 3:47 PM

      I'm glad to see the intelligent people coming out. Notch here makes no sense. He's just bagging on Win8 because it's trendy. Minecraft will work on any Intel/AMD based Win8 device, becaue Win8 supports everything that runs on Win7. As far as being closed, Microsoft is just introducing another way to purchase apps ("Win 8 style apps") directly through the desktop. OS X has had this for almost 2 years now, nobody complained then. The point is that people are still going to buy software through retail, digital download, and yes some people will use Win8 store. But if you make good software and there is demand, people will go get it wherever it is. Don't like app competition in the desktop? I get that, MS has a built-in competitive advantage. But to say Win8 is closed, especially for Intel/AMD Win8 devices is just stupid.

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      September 27, 2012 3:49 PM

      Considering Minecraft already runs perfectly fine on Windows 8 using standard install methods, this is a non-issue.

      I've been running various releases of Windows 8 for around 6 months and the only thing I've got from the store is a fucking free weather app. Yet in the same time frame I've spent over a grand on steam, green man gaming and gog. I don't understand the fuss.

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      September 27, 2012 5:15 PM

      So someone want to explain how the fuck this is news?

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        September 27, 2012 6:05 PM

        Shacknews is the tabloid of internet personalities.

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        September 27, 2012 6:38 PM

        a game developer of a fairly popular game is publicly thumbing his nose at a major platform for games.

        there.

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      September 27, 2012 6:27 PM

      Hey the guy is standing up for something he believes in, that's commendable.

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      September 27, 2012 8:09 PM

      That's pretty sad. I dislike the Windows 8. In my opinion, the Windows 7 is better than 8.

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      September 27, 2012 10:00 PM

      Is there any limit to the depths of unprofessionalism this man displays?

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      September 27, 2012 10:00 PM

      Is there any limit to the depths of unprofessionalism this man displays?

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      September 27, 2012 11:03 PM

      I wish people would remember. People almost always hate every new version of Windows. I remember Windows 95, and people still running stuff in a DOS prompt cause "Windows sucks". I remember people not upgrading to Windows 98 because "there was no reason to". I remember people hating Windows XP, saying "it was horrible". I remember people hating Vista "The problem is you're using Vista, switch back to XP". I heard people hate on 7 "didn't they just come out with a new system???".

      Windows 8 is just a new Windows. Keep your shit legal, and you shouldn't have shit to worry about. Yes some things might be moved around. Whatever. They're trying to get windows ready for a mobile ruled universe, because that's where we are heading. Get over it, and strap in for the ride.

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      September 29, 2012 8:21 AM

      Notch is entitled to his opinion, but it's fucking annoying how the gaming community puts him on a pedistol and acts as if his opinion is righteous. He's responsible for a game that luckily got popular, besides that he is nothing special and offers nothing more than other developers in the business.

      Also, I'm curious as to if Notch actually thinks that his opinion actually warrants some sort of attention sometimes as the way he goes about it makes it seem as if his opinions will start a big revolution.

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