Why Microsoft entered the Console War

[Scoobes]

shio said:

Cueil said:

daroamer said:

MikeB said:

@ shio

PC gaming is increasing FASTER than console gaming!

That's not the perspective of developers who work on major game releases:

Epic blaming integrated PC chips:
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=184431

EA/Infinity Ward/Crytek blaming piracy:
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/05/next-up-to-blame-piracy-for-pc-gamings-decline-peter-moore.ars

How about a newer link?

http://www.edge-online.com/news/ea-pc-becoming-worlds-largest-games-platform

 

 

 why don't you take a look at sales... with the exception of exceptional games and low end games things tend to be pirated at a high rate.

You are doing the same mistake as many developers and publishers did when they looked at PC gaming. Don't think about pirates! Most of them won't buy games, so why are you even watching them?
When EA looked at piracy and then decided to fight piracy, they added DRM real costumers didn't want, and instead of helping it probably hurt their sales. Now after failures, EA now knows what PC gaming is all about and how to be successful on it.

EA and all the other publishers are giving support to PC more than ever, while consoles are losing support: http://kotaku.com/5241554/ea-showed-more-love-to-pc-and-ds-last-year

And how about we take a look at sales why don't we... in 2007 retail sales were only 30% of PC gaming's revenue. Digital Distribution services like Steam and Gamersgate grew 100% last year, China's Online Gaming grew over 75%, etc...

There are reasons why so many analysts think there won't be more than 1 console generation after the one currently.

 

Not to mention services like OnLive that can (in theory) stream games. Whilst most places in the world may not have network infrastructure just yet, after another console generation or 2, simply streaming games to a cheap PC could be the easiest and most convenient way to play games for numerous people.