Time-bending shooter 'Quantum Break' arrives on Steam
The fancy 'Timeless Collector’s Edition' is out too.
Quantum Break is a strange video game. Not for its time-bending story, or the way it combines a live-action TV show (although both are pretty interesting) but how Microsoft and developer Remedy have decided to release it. The game started as an Xbox One exclusive before branching out onto Windows 10. Now, it's also available on Steam, giving even more players the chance to adventure as Jack Joyce. In addition, there's also the Timeless Collector's Edition, a physical package that includes five game discs, a 'Making Of' Blu-ray and book, the soundtrack and two posters.
It begs the question: Could other Microsoft exclusives make the jump to Steam? Xbox head Phil Spencer has hinted at it. "I look at Valve as an important [independent software vendor] for us on Windows. They are a critical part of gaming's success on Windows," he said in June. "I don't think Valve's hurt by not having our first-party games in their store right now. They're doing incredibly well. We will ship games on Steam again."
The trade-off, of course, would be control. Microsoft has a broader mission to drive Xbox One sales and increase Windows 10 adoption. Pushing all of its games through Steam would, effectively, kill one of its biggest incentives -- exclusive software. (Microsoft's "Play Anywhere" scheme could lure them back in, however.) Regular Steam distribution would also give Valve a not-to-be-sniffed-at-cut of its digital sales. Ultimately, however, PC players just want better access to video games. If Halo 5 followed Quantum Break's lead, many would be pretty darn happy.
