I dont think you'll be allowed to disable *all* features (yeah let's call them that). If anything, simply because not all features are shown to you.
Back to the lack of innovation and lock ins in competitiveness, the Intel/Nvidia/AMD argument is terrible. Processing power moves really fast. If MS built anything like it they would still be selling Pentium 4 equivalents and striking deals with companies to design their software exclusively for that platform. Maybe then gamers would actually realize why monopolies and lock-ins are terrible for everyone.
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Can we game on Linux already?
I don't want to get OT in here (check the Linux Gaming threads) but it really all depends on the type of games you play and what compromises you're willing to make. Recently, many companies such as Firaxis, Daedalic, and even 4A games have released Linux versions. You can play strategy games like the Warlock series, Civ V, XCOM and others, action games such as Metro Last Light, cRPG's like Shadowrun Returns, Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, Tides of Numenera (pending release of course), etc. ALL of them natively in Linux. Even The Witcher 2. Other (confirmed) upcoming titles include Divinity Original Sin, Blackguards 2 and Age of Wonders 3, and others are likely to follow based on their previous record (such as Legend of Grimrock 2).
In my opinion, the only thing still tying the average gamer to Windows are lock-ins such as DirectX exclusives, most of which are AAA+ megaproductions that aren't usually known for their innovations and also come with heavy DRM. For instance, games from Ubisoft, EA, Bethesda, Activision.
So yes, there are solid alternatives for gaming.
