Don't miss this steam sale if you have yet to play Batman AC

http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/2012/05/04/holy-steam-sale-batman/

The same can be said for those who buy secondhand games from stores like Gamestop, the developers don't get a dime from any of the re-sales but people still get to enjoy the game. An problem of equal, if not greater, proportion in my opinion. Its even fully legal and has a whole market segment devoted to it.

The problem with console secondhand sales is reduced solved greatly by online passes and other similar DLCs what not.

Personally I don't see steam or GOG having an effect of PC gaming piracy.

It's still doesn't affect the PC gaming piracy situation here in Asia.

there is not really any retail game market in most of Asia, the reigon outside of Japan is dominated by F2P PC/Web games, and recently mobile games.

I just built a gaming PC about 2 weeks ago, primarily because I've been dying to build one for years now (now i finally had the money) and ... Diablo 3! (my previous computer wouldn't even load up the beta due to not meeting specifications).

Oh yeah baby, 10 more days till that beast comes out.

Yeah, the Asian market as a whole simply operates under widely different rules and circumstances than the West.

Also, I can only speak for myself but I haven't pirated a single game in about three years since I started to use Steam, GOG and Green Man Gaming. I also buy some retail copies dirt cheap at Play.com.

ok ive been pc gamind since 97. never really had a gaming pc until 2009 when i built the one im using today. here is the thing you say "you gotta keep paying hundreds to keep the pc up to date to play the latest games." that is false if you go to build a "budget pc" you can do so and still get up to 5 years of gaming joy without upgrading. yes it might cost you 500-600 to build one but think about this i had a choice build a pc or pay 600 for a ps3. i built me a pc and it cost me 100 less to do so. over the lifespan of a console you buy controllers and games correct? if you buy games for pc its cheaper and you dont need to spend money on multiple controllers. so the money you save you can add to the pc during the 6 years. the pc i am playing on that is considered "old" runs skyrim at high graphics. if your wondering what i have for a system its

q6600 quad core
3 GB ram
asus pro motherboard
700 watt psu
9400GT Nvidia card
and a wifi card
had to upgrade the case from a nzxt case to a thermaltake chaser mk1 cause of dust issues. but overall since initial build ive put in maybe 300 total into it.

yes i still have the wii and expect to buy a Wii U when it is released. there are not many games i am into anymore cause of the gaming industry changing so much since the mid 90's. for example games are much shorter and have no replay value to them. games have gotten expensive on consoles if you dont believe me look at mortal kombat for example. mk2 was amazing and cost a total of what 50 dollars when first released? now you buy mortal kombat 9 for lets say xbox360 to get the complete full fun out of it you gotta pay for xbox live gold, another controller, the DLC etc which can add up to hundreds of dollars. for me its not worth the headache. back when mortal kombat trilogy came out yes i had extra controllers but you know what you didnt have to buy extra content to play all the characters. sorry bout teh rant but console gaming is dying and not cause of the games its cause of sony and microsoft

If one is happy to game @ 720p with a v-synced 30fps and medium to high settings then a gaming PC is quite affordable. However if you want to play at a high frame rate (50-60fps) with high to ultra settings then it's quite expensive. Obviously the games are cheaper and the digital download deals are excellent. I don't like the lack of gaming toshlink surround sound support though.

I have a decent gaming PC but I still prefer to play on my consoles.

You can play on PC everything.. but with Mouse and keyboard not everything.. you will need some accesories like joysticks and pad controllers... some adventure games are better with a Dualshock thanwith mouse and keyboard...

Except racing games and beat 'em up's, I don't really see the need for anything besides a mouse and keyboard.