Windows 8 for gaming

funkyzoom · 2013-06-07 12:46:31

I recently obtained a free Windows 8 license from my company, and I'd like to try it out. I'm currently using Windows 7. I have heard that there are several games which have compatibility issues with Windows 8, and I also know that Steam doesn't even officially support Windows 8. I have a huge library of games on Steam, and I also play very old games, released even as far back as early 90s. So I just wanted to know, will all the games which run well on Windows 7, also work fine on Windows 8? I'm asking this question both with respect to Steam and the other games. If you have played games on Windows 8, please help me out with this. Thank you.P.S. There is a reason why I need to install Windows 8. Apart from gaming, I also develop apps for Windows Phone 8. This can be done only with Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 8. All these days I used to work only on my office PC which had Windows 8 installed, but now, due to some change in our company policy, I may sometimes be required to work from home on my desktop. This is the reason why all employees of my company who develop apps for Windows Phone 8 were provided with free lincensed copies of Windows 8. I have only used Windows 8 for asp.net and Windows Phone 8 development, but never for games. Right now I dual boot my desktop with Windows XP and Windows 7. I can't let go of XP because some important legacy software work only on it. And I don't think its possible to triple boot 3 Windows OSes (even if its possible, I wouldn't do it). So the only option left for me is to remove Windows 7 and dual boot Windows 8 with Windows XP.

V3rciS

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#51 V3rciS

Member since 2011 • 2241 Posts

Just keep Win7 man... the best MS OS so far.

11 years ago

FelipeInside

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#52 FelipeInside

Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

[QUOTE="Cyberdot"]
You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.
Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.
Inconsistancy

How could you possibly find Win8 to be confusing?

I agree, for a PC gamer Win8 should be easy to use. My mum learned it in a week for Christs Sake, and she is really bad with computers.

11 years ago

sleepingzzz

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#53 sleepingzzz

Member since 2006 • 2263 Posts

[QUOTE="Inconsistancy"][QUOTE="Cyberdot"]
You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.
Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.
FelipeInside

How could you possibly find Win8 to be confusing?

I agree, for a PC gamer Win8 should be easy to use. My mum learned it in a week for Christs Sake, and she is really bad with computers.

I wouldn't call in confusing, more like cumbersome and unintuitive because of the bad UI design.

11 years ago

Cyberdot

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#54 Cyberdot

Member since 2013 • 3928 Posts

[QUOTE="Cyberdot"]
You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.
Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.
Inconsistancy

How could you possibly find Win8 to be confusing?

Dat Metro UI...

Took me a while to figure out how to shut the computer down. Why should it be hard to do it?

11 years ago

ShimmerMan

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#56 ShimmerMan

Member since 2008 • 4634 Posts

There's no beneficial gain for gaming on windows 8 otherwise gamers would be upgrading. Stick with Windows 7, or if you want to fluff around with Metro Ui and don't mind some possible compatability issues then I guess upgrade to win 8, simple as that.

11 years ago

FelipeInside

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#57 FelipeInside

Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

[QUOTE="Inconsistancy"][QUOTE="Cyberdot"]
You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.
Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.
Cyberdot

How could you possibly find Win8 to be confusing?

Dat Metro UI...

Took me a while to figure out how to shut the computer down. Why should it be hard to do it?

I agree on the Shut Down button, it should be somewhere else and easier to get to.

11 years ago

millerlight89

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#58 millerlight89

Member since 2007 • 18658 Posts

I quite liked Win 8. Only reason I went back was because some of my prephs didn't work as well.

11 years ago

wkp63

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#59 wkp63

Member since 2013 • 25 Posts

I think the more RAM you have the better! My friend's PC running 32 GB DDR3 RAM on Windows 8! Damn fast & smooth!

11 years ago

skrat_01

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#60 skrat_01

Member since 2007 • 33767 Posts

It has legacy software issues from what I know, and unless you hide Metro by installing third party software you're going to have a nightmare of an experience. At this current stage 7 seems like the more ideal gaming OS, especially if you're using it already. Otherwise personally I'd hold off, but that's your prerogative.

11 years ago

MasterNinja49

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#61 MasterNinja49

Member since 2008 • 461 Posts

I got Windows 8 last week, at first it was annoying for desktop use but after some tweaks and learning shortcut keys it's growing on me, and the games I played so far (Civ 5, Skyrim, Metro Last Light) play the same as Windows 7.

11 years ago

jun_aka_pekto

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#62 jun_aka_pekto

Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

Do the Windows 8 gestures (such as dragging screens and resizing windows) work with the built-in touchpads of most laptops or do you have to buy a dedicated touchpad like this:

11 years ago

WinsteadVolve

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#63 WinsteadVolve

Member since 2011 • 366 Posts

Personally I believe there hasn't been much of an effect on my gaming since making a transition from XP to Win 8 (Yes I did skip 7 completely, personal reasons) if anything the UI is cleaner and no problems have arisen from my ASUS Laptop,, that being said, I had compatibility issues to sort out with older games, such as Fallout 3, but I surpassed them, I cannot wait until 8.1 comes out, it will improve on a number of discrepancies that I have with the software as a whole, not really gaming centric.

11 years ago

kerk12

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#64 kerk12

Member since 2010 • 1580 Posts

Well... windows 8 DO have less RAM usage than windows 7 and are pretty damn quick, however, they're still pretty new and some companies haven't made their games compatible, but it'll most likely not pose an issue to you. I did have some problems with really old games (released around 2002) but I haven't had any other problems so far. It should be noted that some software will pose an issue (non gaming), for example Photoshop which frustrated me a bit with it's graphical glitches, but that's another thread... My advice: Give them a try :D.

11 years ago

Byshop

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#65 Byshop Moderator

Member since 2002 • 20504 Posts

The only real issue with gaming that I've encountered is with older GFW clients. Earlier games that use GFW come with a version of the client doesn't work in Win8 (like Dark Souls or GTA4). The solution is to simply uninstall the older version of the client and install a newer one, then everything works fine.

Regarding Win8 as an overall OS, sure the Metro UI is an eyesore on a non-touchscreen computer but it actually works almost exactly the same as the Start Button did in terms of basic functionality. Click the lower left of the screen or press the Windows Key, start typing the name of your program and it pops up. It's really not that different.

-Byshop

11 years ago

FelipeInside

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#66 FelipeInside

Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

Do the Windows 8 gestures (such as dragging screens and resizing windows) work with the built-in touchpads of most laptops or do you have to buy a dedicated touchpad like this:
jun_aka_pekto

I believe in depends on the driver of the laptop touchpad. Some touchpads are gesture based while others work only just like a mouse.

11 years ago

Elann2008

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#67 Elann2008

Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

Looking forward to getting my new Asus tablet running Win8. School's coming up, and I need a new toy, since I gave away my laptop to my aunt. haha

11 years ago

_SKatEDiRt_

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#68 _SKatEDiRt_

Member since 2007 • 3117 Posts

[QUOTE="Cyberdot"]
You would be best using Windows 7 for gaming and general use.
Windows 8 is such a torture to use. Very confusing and you get lost easily.
Inconsistancy

How could you possibly find Win8 to be confusing?

yeahh.. i mean if you can use a smartphone you can use windows 8

11 years ago

JasonBroady

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#69 JasonBroady

Member since 2013 • 60 Posts

Windows 8 for Current Games Not Recommended by me :D

_________________________________

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon

11 years ago

jdiego82

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#70 jdiego82

Member since 2006 • 272 Posts

Since you're already experienced with Windows 8 and you need it for work, I'd say install it. Can't really give my opinion on Win 8 gaming, since I'm still on 7, but if you're looking for a UI that's a lot like Win 7 (like me), wait for Windows 8.1.

11 years ago

SKaREO

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#71 SKaREO

Member since 2006 • 3161 Posts

I didn't read any of this thread at all. i'll just say: lolno.

11 years ago

Kravyn81

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#72 Kravyn81

Member since 2005 • 9438 Posts

My concerns are similar to the TC. I have a lot of older games (mid- to late '90s) and I'll be getting a new laptop soon with Win8 on it. I'm just wondering if my games will be compatible or not since it will be my only option for gaming on a PC is concerned.

11 years ago

FelipeInside

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#73 FelipeInside

Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

Since you're already experienced with Windows 8 and you need it for work, I'd say install it. Can't really give my opinion on Win 8 gaming, since I'm still on 7, but if you're looking for a UI that's a lot like Win 7 (like me), wait for Windows 8.1.
jdiego82

8.1 won't have a UI like Win7, it's just adding a Start Tip Button and a few more options for the Metro Menu.

10 years ago

Shryke888

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#74 Shryke888

Member since 2005 • 61 Posts

Everybody who says Windows 8 is inferior to Windows 7 has no idea what they're talking about. I won't say that I haven't had problems with a couple of (older) games under Windows 8, but Windows 8 has been an even smoother experience than Windows 7 was.

As a long-time Windows 8 user and heavy gamer, believe me: Windows 8 + classic shell offers everything Windows 7 has plus more speed, better convenience, better security, better file copy interface, etc. etc.

All those bashing Windows 8: you've bowed to the negative hype and you are doing yourself a disservice. Give it a real shot with Classic Shell installed and tell me what you still like better about Windows 7.

10 years ago

FelipeInside

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#75 FelipeInside

Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

Everybody who says Windows 8 is inferior to Windows 7 has no idea what they're talking about. I won't say that I haven't had problems with a couple of (older) games under Windows 8, but Windows 8 has been an even smoother experience than Windows 7 was.

As a long-time Windows 8 user and heavy gamer, believe me: Windows 8 + classic shell offers everything Windows 7 has plus more speed, better convenience, better security, better file copy interface, etc. etc.

All those bashing Windows 8: you've bowed to the negative hype and you are doing yourself a disservice. Give it a real shot with Classic Shell installed and tell me what you still like better about Windows 7.
Shryke888

But.... But.... a new menu !!! I must learn something new !!!

10 years ago

FelipeInside

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#77 FelipeInside

Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

This is what I mean by Microsoft's idea of unifying the different platforms. Good ad showing this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RS6r8QgLfLk

10 years ago

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