PC always seems to get multiplats later

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

As long as they get them why does it matter? And the might be **** ports but give it time for mods and what not then you get the better game.

Well, I dunno, is better graphics worth the wait?

I dunno, but sometimes it has to do with them making the PC version better.. such as the case of batman.

Rock band 2, marvel vs capcom 2, Orange Box, Bioshock, GRAW 2, Condemned 2, red Alert 3, Lost Planet, NGS2, Oblivion, Fear, Sonic, Blacksite, the Last Remnant, and Alone in the Dark, all come to mind in regards to PS3 getting late multiplats.

I do believe the list goes on and on... :P

Well in the case of Batman it is because they are implementing PhysX throughout the game.

PC doesn't always get multiplats later, I can think of reasons why but it isn't as big a deal as some people make it out to be. A game doesn't suddenly become irrelevant a few weeks or months down the line, especially if you haven't played it.

Often its to max the console sales and avoid piracy.

Not all multiplats are late though, many are same day as console, recently Call of Juarez, Prototype, Riddick, FEAR2, and later this year Alpha Protocol, AC2 and many more. In Batmans and Dirt 2's case its to add features like Physx and DX11 which is good.

Sure some are late but its less than you make out.

I don't mind waiting tbh there is always plenty to play on the PC :D

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

SquatsAreAwesom

All systems have some sort of a delay in any multiplat (although PC tends to have the most) I don't usually mind, the delay gives me time to save.

Because there are less people who care about the PC version of the game. Publisher release it for the platforms that will sell the most copies right out of the game. Most of the time the PC version will sale about 1/10 of what the game consoles will sell.

Good points, I had no idea they were adding physx to Batman!!! That's going to be sick :)SquatsAreAwesom

Well if you haven't played the demo here's a preview.

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"]Good points, I had no idea they were adding physx to Batman!!! That's going to be sick :)AnnoyedDragon

Well if you haven't played the demo here's a preview.

Not always look at GTA IV, Saints row 2, Graw, etc.

Not always look at GTA IV, Saints row 2, Graw, etc.

PS3_3DO

Not always look at GTA IV, Saints row 2, Graw, etc.

PS3_3DO

Seeing as how PC usually gets all the console stuff for cheaper, and the extra DLC for free, I don't really mind.

Most games are released simultaneously on all platforms including PC. Just a few companies release later versions. Namely Capcom. Very few others do it. Batman is being put out later on PC (by 20 days...seriously...) to add full PhysX capabilities. So it's understandable.

Red Faction Guerilla on PC wasn't done by Volition. It'll be the same game but better but it's being done by another company. Hence, they wouldn't have it come out at the same time.

Most multiplats are released at the same time on all platforms though, including PC. Think Prototype, CoD4, CoDWaW, Fallout 3, Chronicles or Riddick Assault on Dark Athena, Left 4 Dead, Quantum of Solace, etc etc. It's mainly Capcom that releases later PC versions (like with SFIV and RE5 as well as DMC4).

Because there are less people who care about the PC version of the game. Publisher release it for the platforms that will sell the most copies right out of the game. Most of the time the PC version will sale about 1/10 of what the game consoles will sell.

XanderZane

u know outside of the USA pc sells more games than consoles right.:|

This isn't just speculation on my part; Microsoft Game Studios' Peter Zetterberg, the business development manager for Europe, admitted as much in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.

"On a global scale the Windows Vista business is as important as our Xbox 360 business," he said, when questioned about why we don't see simultaneous PC and Xbox 360 releases of games. "But in Germany for example, we want more gamers to buy our Xbox 360. If we launch a game that is on 360 and PC simultaneously, we basically shoot ourselves in the foot by allowing the German market to choose to play the PC version- because they are more likely to buy that than spend their money on the Xbox 360."

He continued, "On a global scale the PC is very relevant to us. And I would say that 90 per cent of the games that are pitched to us are on console. We're strongly perceived as a console publisher because we're the first-party publisher even though the Windows operating system is equally important to us. If we launched a Halo game on PC and 360 in Germany simultaneously, 80 per cent of sales would be on the PC. So we need to pick and choose our formats."

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

SquatsAreAwesom

I don't know but i'd put my money on pyrating.

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"]

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

simslifer

I don't know but i'd put my money on pyrating.

[QUOTE="simslifer"]

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"]

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

tume-x

I don't know but i'd put my money on pyrating.

You don't seem to care for graphics much then.

[QUOTE="simslifer"]

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"]

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

tume-x

I don't know but i'd put my money on pyrating.

actually PhysX seems worth the wait. heck have u seen this batmanPhysxdemo

• Dynamic paper
• Cloth simulation
• Tearable cloth
• Destructible objects
• Steam and fog
• Enviromental effects(i.e. sparks)

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

SquatsAreAwesom

Batman is obviously a console-centric game, thus the consoles were primary platforms. On the other hand multiplats like Divinity 2 or Risen will come out on PC first this year and only later on consoles

[QUOTE="tume-x"][QUOTE="simslifer"]

I don't know but i'd put my money on pyrating.

Threebabycows

You don't seem to care for graphics much then.

Not really. I'm a gamer, not a graphics admirer... PhysX was already in the demo. Why didn't they announce the PC version delay before? Makes you wonder.

EDIT: Well, not delay, but the fact that it really isn't coming on August like they said it would.

[QUOTE="Threebabycows"]

[QUOTE="tume-x"] Me too, me too...It was a "nice" surprise when I preordered Arkham Asylum only to hear a day later I'd be getting it in september, unlike my friends with 360's.. It was supposed to come out for my birthday and my friend was supposed to pay for it.. How cool is that?! PhysX is just a silly excuse in my opinion.tume-x

You don't seem to care for graphics much then.

Not really. I'm a gamer, not a graphics admirer... PhysX was already in the demo. Why didn't they announce the PC version delay before? Makes you wonder.

No, I am surprised, most hermits shove that up consoles user's ass's.

Well in the case of Batman it is because they are implementing PhysX throughout the game.

PC doesn't always get multiplats later, I can think of reasons why but it isn't as big a deal as some people make it out to be. A game doesn't suddenly become irrelevant a few weeks or months down the line, especially if you haven't played it.

AnnoyedDragon

Not always look at GTA IV, Saints row 2, Graw, etc.

PS3_3DO

some do it to improve the pc version further, supporting the latest technology and whatnot. this is just my opinion, but usually the pc crowd is a bit harder to please than the console crowd, therefore developers might decide to add a bit more to the game, i say this based on the fact that the console crowd likes oblivion, but the pc crowd not as much. as long as it gets better, why not. after all, you spent your hard earned money on an nvidia card, might as well have a few games that uses physx.

the bad side though, some release it late for porting purpose. for example, saints row 2 and gta 4. the original studio that worked on these games didn't port them, instead, it was handed to an external studio. i think while the console version is being shipped, the pc version were sent to the porting studio to port, they tend to not know how to port it as they didn't work on it, and also not enough time to do bug testing, which resulted in an unoptimized pc port.

It does to many console gamers. ;)DragonfireXZ95

Well those same people were hyped for a port of The Witcher, a 2007 game. They're in no position to declare a couple months old game irrelevant :P

For one single reason m8...

$$!!!

Piracy is the strongest reason and the lower PC price of the same game the second.

So what most companies do for this?!!

1 ) They just announce their games for consoles only.

2) After some months that their game sold at very high prices "" 59.99 to 69.99 "" on consoles they announce the PC port.

3) PC port release with higher standards and very lower price 39.99 most new AA-AAA games.

So companies avoid early piracy of the game or/and selling the same game at way higher prices. Simply because someone that owns a PC and console , most likely will buy the 39.99 higher quality title , not to say he might pirate it and play for free...

So thats marketing. Thats $$!! They dont play with $$ and above all , they dont care if PC gamers will cry alot or not. More $$ the better , and the sadly truth is .. With the same date release on both consoles and PC ... they lose $$.

1 ) They just announce their games for consoles only.

Yet they don't do that do they? Console companies are increasingly moving their games to PC.

2) After some months that their game sold at very high prices "" 59.99 to 69.99 "" on consoles they announce the PC port.

Console games cost more because of licensing fees, the developers/publishers don't see any of that extra money.

3) PC port release with higher standards and very lower price 39.99 most new AA-AAA games.

PC games cost less because the platform does not charge to sell games on it...

AzatiS

If you're going to be a consolite at least get informed on the subject, that way you don't look ignorant when you try to bash a platform :roll: Console games costing more because of licensing fees is common knowledge.

Did it ever occur to you having such a wide range of hardware configurations increase the development time of PC games compared to fixed hardware platforms? Plus console games have to run perfectly on release, so take higher priority than the platform with a performance surplus?

i dont see how pc version is better other then slight visual upgrade. ill stick to console version

i dont see how pc version is better other then slight visual upgrade. ill stick to console version

sikanderahmed

What's interesting is a vast reduction in this "slight visual upgrade", say slightly more jaggies, is still enough to spawn 14 page threads between PS3 and 360.

Console users do care about these visual differences, but only when it comes to their platform of choice.

Patience is a virtue.

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"]Good points, I had no idea they were adding physx to Batman!!! That's going to be sick :)AnnoyedDragon

Well if you haven't played the demo here's a preview.

Often its to max the console sales and avoid piracy.

Not all multiplats are late though, many are same day as console, recently Call of Juarez, Prototype, Riddick, FEAR2, and later this year Alpha Protocol, AC2 and many more. In Batmans and Dirt 2's case its to add features like Physx and DX11 which is good.

Sure some are late but its less than you make out.

I don't mind waiting tbh there is always plenty to play on the PC :DSnagal123

This, and people should remember it works out both ways, there are games that come out later for consoles.

Main two companies behind late ports were MGS and Capcom, MGS is out now and Capcom is aiming to release future titles closer to each other. Actually most big multiplats this fall will be simultaneous on PC and consoles.

VideoGamer.com: Looking at Capcom's record on the PC in recent times, when you have brought games to the PC that have been on consoles, it's usually after the console versions have already been released. How much of an issue is that?

CS: That is definitely an issue. Syncing release dates is a challenge. What's funny is, I don't know if you saw actually on my blog a couple of days ago somebody somewhere started spouting off that we were holding back PC releases due to the impact of piracy, which is a completely absurd and pointless statement. Piracy exists regardless of when I release it. The objective is obviously to keep the window as close to a simultaneous release as possible to benefit from a significantly larger marketing footprint. So the accusation that we were delaying things due to piracy impact is silly.

VideoGamer.com: Then why do you do it?

CS: Well the answer is the game's not done. So, to put things in perspective, the Street Fighter IV team is working on two things right now. They're finishing the PC SKU, and people are like, well the arcade was the PC, how hard can it be? Well I just mentioned we had all of these additions for the console version in terms of content that didn't exist on the PC. All of that needs to be rolled back in. We have to do an online integration with an online service. I won't discuss which one yet because it hasn't been announced yet. Obviously the arcade had no online. Here we have an online integration that has to be done. We have to optimise the game for a variety of configurations, both up and down, so that it looks pretty on things that are more powerful than the arcade system and it runs well and at 60 frames per second on things that are considerably less powerful so we sell to more than the top two per cent of the market. All of that takes time. The testing on PC in particular is a very, very time consuming process. Testing and optimisation versus obviously when we're working on console or an arcade board for that matter, it has a known configuration that we can optimise for out of the gate.

[QUOTE="AnnoyedDragon"]

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"]Good points, I had no idea they were adding physx to Batman!!! That's going to be sick :)clyde46

Well if you haven't played the demo here's a preview.

[QUOTE="clyde46"][QUOTE="AnnoyedDragon"]

Well if you haven't played the demo here's a preview.

osan0

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

SquatsAreAwesom

In the case of batman it would be so they can have time to properly implement PhysX. That is one reason PC gets late multiplats: to add content or features. Another reason is because Microsoft has admitted that if they released the PC version of a game that was also on 360 at the exact same time that the sales would be higher on PC and that would hurt their 360. The third reason I can think of is fear of piracy. Companies want to maximize their profits on consoles first before they release their game on what they assume to be the high seas of PC gaming where we will steal it.

Batman is the latest culprit.

The question is... why?

It seems its done by because Sony and Microsoft urge them to push out the console versions first, so that that they can win over the "Mantacores" who can't wait out the extra time.

I'm waiting for the PC version of Batman, since it will obviously be the superior version. However, its still annoying.

SquatsAreAwesom

Meh who cares, the computer multiplayer is always better unless its an Ubisoft game...FarCry 2, Brothers in Arms...and others...you cant even keep up a game server. Sheesh if we wanted to do matchmaking we would buy a freakin xbox.

This, and people should remember it works out both ways, there are games that come out later for consoles.

Main two companies behind late ports were MGS and Capcom, MGS is out now and Capcom is aiming to release future titles closer to each other. Actually most big multiplats this fall will be simultaneous on PC and consoles.ManicAce

They don't state piracy because if they did they would have the pc gaming legions fill their forums with complaints about how piracy isn't actually a problem and how some are going to now pirate the game out of spite. They don't want to anger pc gamers since some will actually buy the game, though of course most will pirate it.

Plus console games have to run perfectly on release, so take higher priority than the platform with a performance surplus?

AnnoyedDragon