[Neiteio]

I've been wondering this... On the one hand, not having the PC version of a game available day and date with the console versions means a huge chunk of the market goes neglected that might not come back later when the hype has come and gone...

On the other hand, for major high-budget blockbusters like Resident Evil 6, which STILL hasn't had its PC date announced, you know what will happen: everyone and their mom will buy the game on PS3 and XBox 360 when it arrives Oct. 2 -- and then the GAF crowd will buy it again when it eventually arrives on PC. Whereas if the game was there for PC from the start, those who want it for PC would get it to the exclusion of the console version.

I plan to buy just one version... and I plan to make that version PC. Easy enough to say that now, though. I don't know how the hype will affect me when the time comes, when I'll want to join in and share the experience with everyone going through it for the first time, for better or worse. I could pull the trigger on the console version only to inevitably pick it up again in a Steam sale -- discounted in price, perhaps, but a sale's a sale.

Is it possible that some companies might be aware of the potential for double-dipping with PC releases, and might deliberately schedule things as such? Surely a company as big as Capcom could get all three versions out on time if they really wanted to, right?

[Coolwhip]

People outside this forum don't even use that term. So I doubt it.

[Seda]

I figure the vast majority of people will just wait for the PC version if that's the version they want to play.

[chickdigger802]

I doubt it. For the most part, console versions are priority and pc is an after thought (reflected by sales). And optimizing a game for the infinite skews of pc takes a bit more than 2 consoles.

Pretty sure Max Payne 3 was delayed cuz it didn't want to launch with D3 (still didn't do it much good T_T).

Do pcgaffers really buy the same game twice? Maybe on console than on pc during a steam sale...

For me, if I wanna play a game, I play it at it's best. Backlog is too big to have time to play the same game twice and I'm not stupid enough to buy the same game at full retail price twice.

What do you think I am, the "mythical ideal vita owner"?

[fluffydelusions]

People outside this forum don't even use that term. So I doubt it.

[Oreoleo]

Maybe not double-dipping, but they are definitely trying to maximize Day 1 console $60 purchases.

[Neiteio]

I wouldn't buy the same game twice at full retail price, but for example, I bought Arkham City at full price on PS3 and I love it so much I want to have it on PC, even if I won't find an opportunity to play it anytime soon. So now I'm waiting for the PC version to drop into the low teens on Steam, knowing how gorgeous Arkam Asylum is on PC, yet having been too hyped to wait a month for AC on PC at the time.

[Grayman]

The console manufactureres won't let the game arrive on their console late, no one is pushing that for the PC version so when something with more work has to slip it slips. I think in the case like Capcom they make look at the PC sales as a hyper casual walmart market like they are rollercoaster tycoon, hunting, or sims games and not be in a rush to get it out there.

[Rufus]

Maybe not double-dipping, but they are definitely trying to maximize Day 1 console $60 purchases.

The more likely scenario.

[ShockingAlberto]

Maybe not double-dipping, but they are definitely trying to maximize Day 1 console $60 purchases.

Yep.

There's also the entirely unrealistic fear that people will just pirate it and not buy for consoles.

[AppleMIX]

Maybe not double-dipping, but they are definitely trying to maximize Day 1 console $60 purchases.

Which is silly because they make more copy on a digital PC copy than a retail copy,

[BigDug13]

I think it's more to try to stem the piracy. If you release the most easily pirated version at the same time as the consoles, you may lose sales. If you let the game out on the much less pirated consoles for awhile, then release on PC, piracy doesn't hurt as bad.

At least that's the theory behind the staggered release schedule.

[Grayman]

Which is silly because they make more copy on a digital PC copy than a retail copy,

No one ever accused these multibillion dollar corporations of being smart ;)

[D4Danger]

The PC version is always held back because they want people to go buy the $60 console version day 1 instead of pirating it.

[JoeBoy101]

Also, its an attempt to push people towards console. If given the choice and means, I think most people would opt for PC.

[Glix]

Hehehehe, thank you.

[Oreoleo]

Which is silly because they make more copy on a digital PC copy than a retail copy,

In theory.. if they sold as many PC copies Day 1 as on consoles, but for 95% of games released on PC that isn't the case.

The mindset of the powers that be seems to be that if PC gamers aren't pirates, then they're going to wait for Steam sales to buy it for $5 a year from now which is just as bad, in their eyes.

[Reallink]

Personally, I think PC games are delayed because they view PC as a pirates den and they believe day and date cannibalizes a lot of would-be legitimate consoles sales (obviously a lot of people own consoles AND a gaming PC). Considering how many gamers are impatient as fuck and 70-90% of sales are generated within the first month, it's not entirely nonsense.

[LiK]

Personally, I think PC games are delayed because they view PC as a pirates den and they believe day and date cannibalizes a lot of would-be legitimate consoles sales as obviously a lot of people own consoles AND a gaming PC. Considering how many gamers are impatient as fuck and 70-90% of sales are generated within the first month, it's not entirely nonsense.

This. While piracy for 360 exists, PC is easier so I assume this is the reason why PC versions are delayed as well.

[M3d10n]

Movies aren't released day-and-date on both theaters, blu-ray and cable either, so I guess there's a similar reasoning going on. The market dynamics of the PC format are different from consoles (piracy being one, but not the sole, factor).

[scion_barzahd]

it's piracy damage control.

[Squidofman]

It seems entirely more plausible that most developers aren't as experienced on PC as they could/should be.

[BrokenEchelon]

I think it's much more likely that they want to force the people on the edge about buying/pirating to buy the console version rather than have to wait a month+

As several others have stated.

[M3d10n]

It seems entirely more plausible that most developers aren't as experienced on PC as they could/should be.

It *does* need additional testing over a range of different hardware configurations after all. That's not free and takes time.

[Mario]

Is it possible that some companies might be aware of the potential for double-dipping with PC releases, and might deliberately schedule things as such? Surely a company as big as Capcom could get all three versions out on time if they really wanted to, right?

For the most part, publishers I have worked with that have done this tend to do so as a measure to reduce piracy by pushing people to pick up a console SKU.

No developer or publisher I have ever worked with or spoken to has ever had any kind of proactive strategy or tactic to encourage double dipping.

[shinobi602]

Not sure why anyone would buy RE6 on the PC after having a console copy. Are some improved visuals really worth another 60 bones?

[Squidofman]

It *does* need additional testing over a range of different hardware configurations after all. That's not free and takes time.

Oh, exactly. Emphasis should have been on the "could" bit!

[bede-x]

I think it's more to try to stem the piracy. If you release the most easily pirated version at the same time as the consoles, you may lose sales. If you let the game out on the much less pirated consoles for awhile, then release on PC, piracy doesn't hurt as bad. At least that's the theory behind the staggered release schedule.

I believe this to be the case as well. If you release day and date some of the people that would have bought the console version, will choose to pirate it instead.

Lots of companies seem to be following this strategy: maximize profits on console, release on pc/digital later, followed by Steam sales much later. I suspect we'll see more and more port to mobile some time after that. That way the product will be relevant at every pricepoint through its lifetime, from the expensive console versions to almost free mobile games.

[Stallion Free]

Not sure why anyone would buy RE6 on the PC after having a console copy. Are some improved visuals really worth another 60 bones?

Well you sell the console copy.

I don't know how anyone could swallow 120$ for most games.

[saunderez]

Yep that's exactly the reason. All publishers are chasing that lucrative "buy the same games on both console and PC crowd".

[LiK]

Not sure why anyone would buy RE6 on the PC after having a console copy. Are some improved visuals really worth another 60 bones?

Maybe not full price cuz PC games go on sale fast and usually looks better plus mods. I got RE5 for PC during the Steam sales.

[Thoraxes]

Yep. There's also the entirely unrealistic fear that people will just pirate it and not buy for consoles.

The crazy thing is that i've read stories about illegal Xbox 360 copies of games leaking 2 weeks before a game's release.

[Weenerz]

It's probably done because of piracy. Make money on the console version then port to PC when the game has paid for itself.

[Shane86]

The PC version is always held back because they want people to go buy the $60 console version day 1 instead of pirating it.

ding ding winner

[saunderez]

The crazy thing is that i've read stories about illegal Xbox 360 copies of games leaking 2 weeks before a game's release.

The barrier of entry to pirate on consoles is still much higher than that on PC. You've already got everything you need on any PC. You need specific hardware and either the ability to hack it yourself or to pay for someone else to do it on the console side.

[joeygreco1985]

Hate having to wait for PC versions. I've been waiting to play future soldier for over a month now. So stupid.

Refreshing to see day and date PC version of saints row 3 though. That game was so awesome

[D4Danger]

The crazy thing is that i've read stories about illegal Xbox 360 copies of games leaking 2 weeks before a game's release.

yep... but console piracy doesn't exist remember

Like that time Microsoft banned 1 million people for playing on modded consoles? Never happened.

what's needed is more rootkits and always-on DRM on the PC to fix the problem of piracy

[Neiteio]

Not sure why anyone would buy RE6 on the PC after having a console copy. Are some improved visuals really worth another 60 bones?

Probably not worth another $60, but RE5 on PC and RE5 on PS3 is a night and day difference. Like, on PC, RE5 looks like stereoscopic 3D, practically popping off the screen in tangible fashion, it's so sharp. It's incredible what 60 fps, anti-aliasing and a bump in resolution can do.

[shinobi602]

Maybe not full price cuz PC games go on sale fast and usually looks better plus mods. I got RE5 for PC during the Steam sales.

Even still, if you have a copy already for PS3/360, is some improvement in graphics worth an extra, say, $30 for the same game? I can't see the justification.

[Neiteio]

Even still, if you have a copy already for PS3/360, is some improvement in graphics worth an extra, say, $30 for the same game? I can't see the justification.

Honest question: Have you seen what RE5 looks like in motion, in person, on a high-end PC? It's quite incredible. I say this as a life-long Nintendo gamer (prior to 2008, when I went PS3, and then PC) who never particularly got hyped by graphics. It's like a warm silk blanket for your eyeballs.

[Mario]

yep... but console piracy doesn't exist remember

It isn't that devs and publishers don't recognise console piracy. PC piracy is just easier and more prevalent.

[Agent Icebeezy]

I built my new PC in February. I waited for Max Payne on PC and I'm now waiting for Ghost Recon. Fine by me. I have a tremendous backlog that awaits. I have nothing but time.

[D4Danger]

It isn't that devs and publishers don't recognise console piracy. PC piracy is just easier and more prevalent.

I could be wrong but I don't think I've ever seen Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo or any major publisher talk about console piracy specifically.

I'm trying to think of the game but there was one recently that leaked like a month early. this was after Microsoft's 2009 mass banning so presumably it's still a problem.

And on an unrelated note, I hate companies that advertise a date for months and months and then a week before release push the PC version back. They can burn for all I care.

[Xyber]

Even still, if you have a copy already for PS3/360, is some improvement in graphics worth an extra, say, $30 for the same game? I can't see the justification.

Depends on the game for me. Bought Alan Wake on release for both 360 and PC because it was a great game and I wanted to buy the game again to support Remedy for doing a great PC version.

[LowEndTorque]

1st post is correct post.

[saunderez]

I could be wrong but I don't think I've ever seen Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo or any major publisher talk about console piracy specifically. .

They don't talk about it but they're constantly changing their copy protection systems in order to prevent it. It's not like they're just accepting of it, they actively try and stamp it out. Microsoft changes their copy protection scheme on average maybe twice a year. Sony massively overhauled theirs after 3.55fw was hacked.

[KMD]

Even still, if you have a copy already for PS3/360, is some improvement in graphics worth an extra, say, $30 for the same game? I can't see the justification.

I'm right there with ya. I cannot fathom a reason to double dip on a game.

One of my favorite topics on gaf was a topic full of people saying they would double dip on a rerelease of a game if it had achievements! Come on...

[DisenLedZep]

Maybe not double-dipping, but they are definitely trying to maximize Day 1 console $60 purchases.

This, plus the whole "PC piracy" thingy.

[wanders]

Is it possible that DVD versions of movies are held late to force double-dipping?

[ShockingAlberto]

Is it possible that DVD versions of movies are held late to force double-dipping?

Well

Yes

That's the business model