Microsoft comments on Gears of War 2 debacle

[Reasonable]

jasonnc80 said:

mike_intellivision said:
Microsoft is tired of people playing for free.
PC players would not buy Xbox Live subs -- so this is their revenge, they won't release (themselves) any PC games that are from their console collection.
It makes good (short-run) business sense -- but may force people to start buying substitutes from your competitors (bad long-run business).

Mike from Morgantown

I don't see how keeping something exclusive forces people to buy from your competition...

So the PS3 keeping MGS4 and LBP makes people go out and buy X360's and Wii's?  I don't buy it.  Exclusives are one of the biggest factors in purchasing a console imo.

 

I guess he could mean PC players who refuse to pay for online might instead turn to other PC games rather than get a 360 or I suppose a PS3 assuming online remains free.

 

I understand why MS might not release on PC.  I also understand that short term, given the PC gaming community has been a bit touchy about MS commitment to the platform they're going to get hassled from that community.

 

I think MS is worried about big titles not being perceived as truly exlusive if they appear on the PC (this is objective but clearly a fair number of people see it that way) and want to firm up on 360 versions as being exclusive.  Depending upon how things go right now I think its 50/50 they'll release on PC quietly a year later.