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Originally Posted by Nisgeis
Hmmm, there was the one case of one particular game having a sales rate of ten to one consoles to PC, but that was a rarity. Can you post some links to one of the multiple studies that have shown console sales drop dramatically? I'm not trying to call you out or anything, I just would like to read up about it. The averaage piracy world rate of 38% doesn't seem that high, but if there are certain games that are pirated at a rate of 1000%, then that means that it's a minorty of games that are accounting for that 38% figure and the rest of the market really isn't at risk of piracy at all. Anyway, I'd be interested in those study reports.
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Well lets start with some figures, I'll dig up the rest when I have some time and am not sick (have the flu atm).
http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=15831
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US Console & Handheld Game Software Sales
1998 - $3.7 billion
1999 - $4.2 billion
2000 - $4.1 billion (130.6 million units)
2001 - $4.6 billion (141.5 million units)
2002 - $5.5 billion (162.8 million units)
2003 - $5.8 billion (186.4 million units)
2004 - $6.2 billion (203 million units)
2005 - $6.1 billion (190.5 million units)
2006 - $6.5 billion
US PC Game Software Sales
1998 - $1.8 billion
1999 - $1.9 billion
2000 - $1.78 billion (84.9 million units)
2001 - $1.75 billion (83.6 million units)
2002 - $1.4 billion (61.5 million units)
2003 - $1.2 billion (52.8 million units)
2004 - $1.1 billion (47 million units)
2005 - $953 million (38 million units)
2006 - $970 million
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That's a pretty giant drop in software sales for pc in the US, 2006 made half as much as 1999. It isn't explained by people switching to consoles, there are still far more gaming capable pc's then there are consoles.
Anyhow the companies certainly have noticed that sales of their console games drop down quite a bit if they release a pc version at the same time (and no the pc sales don't go up). This is precisely why they delay the pc release for 3-6 months. The logic is pretty simple, if its available to be pirated on pc, fewer people are going to buy it (and console sales will suffer too).
For further reading Neal posted a link to a pretty good examination of the effect piracy is having on the industry. I don't agree with everything in it but most of it is accurate by my knowledge.
PC Game Piracy Examined
Anyhow, my point is its always wrong to pirate stuff, it is stealing no matter how one tries to excuse it. If you don't like the DRM, don't buy or pirate the game. I personally never buy steam games, or anything else that will limit my ability to play the game when I want, far into the future.