Are you sure GOG is the one that should list games on the app store? They are not the publishers and if every other store could do that, it would lead to tons of duplicate entries wouldn't it? I think it's most likely up to the publisher to list the game on the app store with a link to their own official page which could have links to all the official distributors. If it's like I think it is then GOG wouldn't see a dime from it and that's probably why TET said there is not profit for them.

I thought the new Store is optional? I agree that Microsoft shouldn't take the same route as Apple for a number of reasons but as long as the streamlining is optional I think it's a good idea.

Yes, so far it is. But you can bet that Microsoft will shift it's focus and support more and more towards the windows store. These are just speculations on my part of course, but I fear quite a bit that with every Windows release, the platform will be a tad more closed down and just a tad more orientated at distribution via the store, because that's what would bring Microsoft the most profit in the long run. And then ... Well, then we can download a Linux distro for free and use their utterly fantastic repository system.

After bad experiences with Xbox live (a week long experience of trying to remove my CC) and Microsoft's record on stopping support for stores or programs that are not profitable. I will most likely never use a windows store again.

http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-notifies-zune-pass-users-impending-changes-loss-features

Hundred EUR for the billions of applications that you can publish, for which Microsoft would take care of distribution, marketing, all transactions, and that's expensive? The same account is valid for both desktop and WinRT applications.
It is optional, and it is only for WinRT applications. Why some people keep saying that Microsoft will close the OS is beyond me.

Step back a few years when WPF was announced, people were saying that WF is dead.
Step back a few more years when WF was announced, people were saying that MFC is dead.
Step back a few more more years... you get the point.

Didn't you just say that all they do is add a link to their store?

Because in this case, Microsoft would actually profit immensely from closing it down and only allowing distribution via store, if they manage to beat apple in convenience.

That's only for desktop applications. For WinRT applications, Microsoft provide everything I mentioned.

So yes, GOG would be paying 100 - 160 EUR for links.

Oh boy. But even for WinRT applications distributed through Windows Store, you don't have to give Microsoft anything. You can use third party transaction services that aren't connected in any way to Microsoft.

For example, I distribute a game through the Store. The game's firstly in trial mode allowing you to play 1/10th of it. When you want to buy it, the game features its own transaction page and all that, that is not connected to Microsoft in any way. Through the transaction, you pay using some whatever service I support, and I just give you a key that you can insert to unlock the full game. Resulting in Microsoft getting 0 coins. And this is all perfectly legal and supported.

Developers have a huge choice. :p
Its not like they cannot afford that. They are free to ignore this if they want. They'll gain huge exposure, but hey, who am I to suggest stuff, right?

Until they change their terms. Remember that Valve allowed something like what you describe with DLCs and they no longer do.

Doubt they'll do. Its not something developers can exploit, but actual feature mentioned in the official documentation.

EDIT: But of course, anything is possible, tomorrow they may switch to using BSD and forget about Windows. :p

Yes, and I don't need to pay microsoft a single penny aside for the operating system, right? Not for tools used for distribution, not for publishing itself, not for keeping my product on their servers. And there will be absolutely no limitations to upkeep and modifications of my software at all - I mean we all know how well Microsoft can do that by just looking at XBLA.

Please, I will start trusting Microsoft Store if it works flawlessly for at least a few years. Until then, I'll remain skeptical - so far it's an unexplored territory, we have no clue what will Microsoft do with it in the future, and that includes you.
As I've already mentioned earlier, it's good for publicity, but it's nowhere near the holy grail you make it out to be.

All updates and stuff you publish don't cost you anything. This is not XBLA. :p

And of course its just marketing just like the 'DRM-free' and 'indie' crap that's popular these days. ;)