But PC gaming is alive and well. This game was owned by 6.3 million people within its first week of release. How many franchises, other than COD, can say that?

what OS and antivirus are you running?

Are you downloading the game? Have to tried installing from the DVD?

I haven't had an issue installing a PC game in years, sorry to hear you are having problems.

its stuff like this is why im afraid to jump into the PC gaming tank. Some people say its real easy, some others say its not. IMHO there are just too many variables, I shouldnt have to think to play a game. But i did just get this new PC and I do want to get into Steam, seems more stress free than buying the traditional disc

As an avid PC gamer your issues are almost unheard of to me. I have pretty much never had a problem with installing a game.

PC gaming isn't done for ease of play though (where I agree, consoles are king), it's done for superiority of graphics, controls that are (in my opinion) superior for most genres and for the ability to mod games.

I'm not very fond of PC gaming myself, having to keep drivers, programs and such updated is annoying for those of us who don't care for computers beyond basic tasks.

Of course console games have problems, it's just that with PC games I feel you need to go more out of your way to find the solutions to these problems, check forums, etc. I'm sure that tech savvy people have no problems whatsoever because for them is second nature, but I do find it irritating.

That said, when I decide that I will make something work no matter what, I usually end up doing it.

Sounds like you (and your buddies) have somehow messed up your PC setups. Consoles are for sure easier - but your issues are definitely atypical. Most PC games install without fuss or issues - Steam in particular of course tends to be a breeze. The gap between console and PC (particularly PS3/360) is really not that great now for ease - all three being home to patches, updates and the ability to get yourself out of sync with what the game wants and what you have installed.

TBH it sounds like you're in the unlucky minority - someone's got to be a guess!

What is your specs?

and you do realize that Consoles are becoming more and more like half assed PCs (which is why I dislike patches/updates on consoles)

I actually had a better experience with PC than console, least I don't need an update to run games well, because my PC can run it regardless

./agreed.

i haven't gamed on my PC since WoW but for every hour i spent in game i spend another 5 min outside of game trying to fix all the crashes and bugs. maybe i'm just not "smart" enough to game on a PC but console gaming is just so accessible from a hardware persepective. well worth the price and hit in graphical fidelity for me.