What is the sense of releasing games on the PC 5 months later?

There have been plenty of times in the past where game publishers will put out a video game on the consoles and then the PC version will come out five months later. Capcom did this with Devil May Cry 4 way back, when it did came out on the PC everyone would have bought it got it for their console and all its left were a few who dont have a console.  They apparently expected to sell millions more until it sold badly and then blamed piracy. Skyrim, Far Cry 3, Dead Space 2 and other games all came out at the same time on all platforms, they all have done very well.

What is the sense of continuing this practice of releasing video games months apart on the PC?

Makes people buy it on consoles first where it costs more usually and nets sony/MS more profits, then wait later and release the superior PC versions where some people will by it again. 

Sometimes it gives developers a chance to add more content to the game for the PC version. I like seeing that.

a: more people most likely game on 360/ps3 so why not put your resources there?

Some times there differnt codes for the pc an the xbox..So they have to make it pc ready i think any how..Also some developers actually make the pc version better some not many..If the coding is different they have to port it over to make it work on the pc..

Sometimes it gives developers a chance to add more content to the game for the PC version. I like seeing that.

Falconoffury

especially when you have to pay for it right? :P

A few possible reasons:

Backlash for a bad PC port is worse than delaying the release. PC sales are lower than console sales, so they feel it won't hurt their overall sales much by delaying it. Also, the release can be better timed to be outside the release window of another competitive game.

Get more people to play it on console to improve the publisher/developer relations with console makers (Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo). A long term positive relationship = discounted rates to get future games on the consoles.

Makes people buy it on consoles first where it costs more usually and nets sony/MS more profits, then wait later and release the superior PC versions where some people will by it again. 

wis3boi

This.  If they release the console version alongside the superior and cheaper PC version then more people would buy the PC version. Instead they delay the PC version, act like they are optimising it or adding new features and release it months later after everyone has already played it on consoles with 45 FOV poorly implemented controls, a console UI and press start to play. Then they whine about low sales on PC and blame piracy.

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

Makes people buy it on consoles first where it costs more usually and nets sony/MS more profits, then wait later and release the superior PC versions where some people will by it again. 

pelvist

This.  If they release the console version alongside the superior and cheaper PC version then more people would buy the PC version. Instead they delay the PC version, act like they are optimising it or adding new features and release it months later after everyone has already played it on consoles with 45 FOV poorly implemented controls, a console UI and press start to play. Then they whine about low sales on PC and blame piracy.

[QUOTE="pelvist"]

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

Makes people buy it on consoles first where it costs more usually and nets sony/MS more profits, then wait later and release the superior PC versions where some people will by it again. 

_SKatEDiRt_

This.  If they release the console version alongside the superior and cheaper PC version then more people would buy the PC version. Instead they delay the PC version, act like they are optimising it or adding new features and release it months later after everyone has already played it on consoles with 45 FOV poorly implemented controls, a console UI and press start to play. Then they whine about low sales on PC and blame piracy.

They sometimes don't want gamers to have a choice. sometime they want as much money as possible for the 360/ps3 versions and are willing to hold back the PC version to do it. when GTA5 comes out those who have a Gaming PC and console(s) might feel the need to cave in and buy it on the consoles rather then wait for the PC version.

i plan on getting both versions anyway,but for different reasons.

Hows that saying go? "Better late than never...? I mean look at Halo3. That games been out for years and only recently was it announced it was coming to Steam. 1st day buy for me.

Hows that saying go? "Better late than never...? I mean look at Halo3. That games been out for years and only recently was it announced it was coming to Steam. 1st day buy for me.

badlalo59

What???

Just googled it.  Holy hell.  I played all Halo games up to Halo Reach except Halo 4, but I'd never expect this, if true.. 

Larger markets, Plus at times devs are buddy buddy with consoles manufractors. Plus concern by investors on piracy on pc 

I'm just glad they get released at all. Although I've had to wait far longer than 5 months for some games. Alan Wake for example.

[QUOTE="badlalo59"]

Hows that saying go? "Better late than never...? I mean look at Halo3. That games been out for years and only recently was it announced it was coming to Steam. 1st day buy for me.

Elann2008

What???

Just googled it.  Holy hell.  I played all Halo games up to Halo Reach except Halo 4, but I'd never expect this, if true.. 

Hopefully they release mod tools with it so people can replace the fugly character models.

Capcom's PC releases have been god-like. They run maxed out on toasters. DMC4 and RE5 were amazing, despite being released later. Not to mention PC games sell over time, not instantly.

I am going to go ahead and say the P word ... Piracy

Publishers won't release the PC game at the same time as consoles because they believe that PC Piracy being so prevalent will cannibalize console sales.

Now don't get me wrong, I think that is all just a big crock, and that good games sell regardless of piracy.

But apart from console manufacturers paying for exclusivity - it would be more advantageous for them to release a game on PC's at the same time as consoles from a sales point of view while the marketing hype is high. The optimisation excuse can be taken care of through patch and driver updates. 

They are worried about losing more sales than they already do to piracy and PC's being the easiest platform to pirate for means that it is treated like the red headed step child when it comes to timed releases.