console + PC games are NOT exclusive

[heruamon]

Reasonable said:

KylieDog said:
Consoles and PCs do not directly compete so when talking exclusive console games a PC version existing or not is irrelevant and treated as such.

That's not striclty true.  While not the majority, a fair few people, particularly in Europe and other countries outside US, still view PC as the main platform for titles like L4D, Mass Effect, etc.  I'm in that camp.  The fact that most 360 title's I'd be interested in are on PC prevents me buying a 360 - that's competition, as I really am chosing to invest in PC platform/versions vs 360.

The unknown, and I'm sure it's a minority to be sure, is what percentage that is.  But I'd note that the 360 growth aligns quite well with countries where there has been the biggest shift from PC to console for online FPS/TPS titles.  US, then UK, etc.  Therefore, in many places, particularly in Eruope, the PC does remain competitive with 360 for the hearts and minds of those gamers.

Pretty much everyone I know on Steam, for example, remain focused on PC vs 360 and see the 360 as a competitive platform to consider.

I do accept the term 'console exclusive' as I do see a big chasm between console / PC orientation for gaming.  But interestingly (well, for me anyway), the term really applies to PC/360 titles, and with Xbox initially seen by many (myself included I have to confess) as a poor man's PC, and the PC still remaining strong for many FPS, RTS and Strategy titles, I don't automatically see 360/PC as a positive for MS.  I see it more as a negative overall, with PC competiting for potential 360 owners and slowing it's adoption outside US.

I'd note MS have clearly become wary about their big titles being on PC, too, keeping Gears 2 off PC this time around, as well as Halo 3.  I suspect if they could they'd keep Mass Effect off PC, too at this point.  I remember when Gears hit PC many 360 fans complained bitterly on the forums that the title was supposed to be 360 exclusive (I guess they were the 360 fans that prefer to stick to dictionary definitions).

This tells me MS know all too well they want to keep titles off PC to try and encourage more and more PC gamers (or potential PC gamers) away from PC to 360, particularly in Europe, which again reinforces the fact there is a definate element of competition there.  It seems to me that, where MS have the influence, they are keeping key titles away from PC.  Clearly they can't stop Activision and IW supporting PC, for example, or Valve with L4D2, or EA with Mass Effect.  But I bet they'd like too.

That's why, really the whole area is rather grey instead of black and white.

I beg to differ, it would seem that Microsoft is happy with this model?  If you want to use the PC as a gaming platform, instead of the 360....M$ is fine with it in general!  Xbox 360 proggramming is closely aligned to PC programming, and I suspect it's going to be even closer when the next console comes out, making it a no brainer for developers to port a games between the 2 platforms.  Of course M$ is going to try and save a few titles for the 360, but as a general rule, I suspect they are satisfied with PC/360.  Using Halo 3 and Gears series aren't good example, because look at the profit dynamics...there are so many shooters for PC that if you want to play Halo...get an Xbox.  I think we will see a Fable 2.5 released for the PC sometime in the future... 

BTW...CCP joins the ranks of developers jumping onto console development, and this segway provides a perfect opportunity to plug the funny HTFU video, once again: