Many detractors of the Xbox 360 point out how many of its first and second-party games (as well as third-party) games end up on the PC.  While this has been true in the past I think we're witnessing an end to that practice with games such as Gears of War 2, Fable 2, and Halo 3.  I also think that the only remaining 360 releases that we'll see on PC are ones that have already been announced (eg. Alan Wake).

As for why Microsoft would take this course of action I think it's mainly due to Europe.  With that market expanding it will likely continue to gain importance for Microsoft especially with the 360's growing installed base there.  One problem with Europe (for the 360) is how entrenched PC gaming is compared to the 360's other markets.  A Microsoft representative (Microsoft Games Studios' Peter Zetterberg - business development manager for Europe) has already indicated for example that in Germany if they release the same game on the 360 and PC many gamers are likely to buy the PC version of the game rather than purchase a 360 to play it.

Anyways I just want to get the opinions of other people that follow the console.  Do you think that it will happen?  And if so do you think it will cause the system to make gains in Europe similar to those in North America?

I think those games are still coming to PC, just a long time after release.

I do think it will help it make gains in Europe, but I think the huge price cuts have had a much larger impact as the 360 Pro is cheaper than the Wii in the UK at least

Hmmm....if this happens, do you think it´d show MS no longer considers PC gaming such an important thing?

Rumor has it that Halo 3 is hitting pc around the time of Windows 7 or the new DirectX.

Microsoft is going to lose alot more (if they even have any) respect if halo 3 gets released for PC.

Good! I hope SHIO sees this.

hey i think that is also helping them in America as well,my friend bought a xbox because halo 3 and gears 2 r xbox exclusives

Ah yes, because making it Vista only worked so well :P

I'd hope that if they do bring Halo 3 to the PC, they don't do the same thing they did with 2.

 Not only they get money from games,but they get money for online play (Live). On Windows,Live is free,so no more ports. On Windows,piracy is for everyone and anyone,so no more ports. I think they made the right choice.

And also,If I can remember correctly,Pc software sales were down from 900 mil in 2007 to 700 mil in 2008. Console software sales in 2008 were about 8-9 billion,a huge rise. So yeah,no more Pc ports.

MS wont lose respect if they release anything on the PC, Halo 3 included. A few fan boys may complain but in the end that is about it. MS has a vision of dominating the console and PC market. Microsoft would love to re introduce a fee structure for games for windows live. If bringing Halo 3 to the PC does that.... then MS wont hesitate. In the end, its all about money.