While the rest of the computing (and consumer) world eagerly awaits the legitimate public release of Windows 8, one ever-growing segment of the population isn't looking forward to the OS's debut.
More and more game developers seem to be wringing their hands over Windows 8 as the ranks of developers anxious about its effect on PC gaming continues to grow.
A gated community for games
The primary issue with Windows 8 that gaming developers keep bringing ups is the possibility of a closed platform. In that scenario, games, as well as all other software, would only be available through Microsoft's Windows Store.
In order to appear in the Windows store, games could need Microsoft certification as well as the potential for mandates of controller support, Xbox Live integration or other usability features that could limit some developers and would run a significant time and financial cost for some developers.
This will be the case with Windows RT, the version of Windows 8 that'll run on ARM-based devices.
However, the majority of Windows 8 users on x86 machines will get the full OS experience, with programs openly available just like on Windows 7, with the Windows store simply another option for how to get your software.
Of course, since Windows 8 can't boot directly to the desktop there are extra steps involved in reaching all of that software downloaded outside of the Windows store, but the OS is not as closed as say, the iTunes store.
Will Windows 8 stay open?
Developers still have a legitimate concern though. Microsoft has a history of adding regulations and requirements to games released on Xbox Live Arcade, which is very much a closed platform. If Microsoft employs similar measures on the Windows Store, it could further alienate Windows RT users.
Maximum PC senior editor Nathan Edwards said that while developers should work in an open environment, his take is that they're worried about the future of PC gaming.
"It's the philosophy that there is this ecosystem in a walled place," he said. "While it doesn't seem like it will be the case in Windows 8 because it contains the whole OS, it's the precedent it sets for future Windows."
Will Microsoft close Windows 8 to make it more similar to Windows RT? The chances of that are thankfully slim, if for no other reason than because of the potential legal backlash from the U.S. Department of Justice.
It's still far too early to tell what effect Windows 8 will have on PC games, and whether the Windows RT install base will grow large enough to influence it, but game developers have made it clear that they're not interested in a closed Windows 8. It remains to be seen how Microsoft will respond.