Alan Wake: Microsoft preparing to leave PC gamers behind (again)

I'll probably end up buying it just like I did with Halo 3 and Gears 2.

Regards,
SB

 

Seems like a strange reason. I would guess it has more to do with ROI than "delivering the right experience".

 

I bet its still on track for the pc. I bet they just want to use it as an exlcusive and then this holiday when they rung as many sales for the 360 verison they will release it on the pc.

Still pisses me off.

 

That would be my guess also as I'm guessing MS is now in reduce costs mode. I'm sure MS was not expecting development of this game to take this long. And probably had Remedy stop developement of the PC version some months ago in order to cut costs. That also has the effect of possibly pushing more resources to trying to even get the game out the door. And even with that, its released date has moved again from the rumored March timeframe to May.

Combine this with the fact that I really doubt this has blockbuster potential and it might even be a case of reducing losses rather than maximizing profit.

Regards,
SB

 

It will probably be 360s "Uncharted 2" blockbuster as showcase or so I speculate. Would also be quite stupid to ditch the functional PC version engine that they showcased in live several times and that supported the Quad core CPU. So yes as you said.

Heck it even ran well on the x1900xt or was it x1800xt GPU.. well anyways ~30fps at 720p with similar or same visuals.

 

If Alan Wake ends up turning a profit (I'm somewhat doubtful) then MS might still greenlight Remedy to finish the PC version. If it doesn't however, it's extremely doubtful that MS will advance more money to finish the PC version.

Regards,
SB

 

I'm really disappointed. Have been looking forward to this title. I wonder why they killed the PC version.

I get the impression that Microsoft is losing its mojo wrt games.

 

Despite what they claim, Xbox gaming is a hundred times more important to Microsoft than PC gaming. That's why they are paying for the exclusive and will either cancel the PC version, or pretend it's cancelled until they have wrung out as many Xbox sales as they can.

 

No way. It will be like Gears 2 an exclusive Xbox release. Its not coming out for PC. Fugghedabootit. Money has changed hands. End of story. I am def not buying it either. Cuz I hate the Xbox.

 

I'm going to laugh when/if (windows)pc gaming does die (i.e. when people switch en masse to a different OS). Microsoft is going to feel awful butthurt when PC gamers start migrating to some future Google or Apple platform after being constantly shafted. Microsoft can't earn royalties on an open platform so they treat pc gamers like Cinderella but it is their own fault, they could have carved out a slice of the digital distribution market but they let Steam sneak up take the prize(and I'm sure as gamers we are all the better for it). So far their GFW/Games on Demand client is an absolute joke, especially since they don't even seem dedicated to or have enough faith in it to support it with their own games.

 

Correction, Microsoft does have games on Games for Windows Live Games on Demand (what an idiotic mouthful):

Viva Pinata and Shadowrun, the first party killer apps of Games for Windows Live Games on Demand.

 

killer party apps or party killer apps?

 

"Some games are more suited for the intimacy of the PC, and others are best played from the couch in front of a larger TV screen. We ultimately realised that the most compelling way to experience "Alan Wake" was on the Xbox 360 platform, so we focused on making it an Xbox 360 exclusive. Both Microsoft and Remedy have long histories in PC game development. This decision was about matching this specific game to the right platform." said a Microsoft spokesperson

I can see why the unnamed Microsoft spokesperson would prefer to remain unnamed, no one would want their name connected to such a ridiculous and condescending bit of PR mouth diarrhea.

 

The future success of Windows and the state of PC gaming has very little to do with each other. MS of course knows this and has increasingly re-allocated resources to the console front, where every exclusive these days is quite rare, especially on the Xbox. The PR statement of course is pure bullshit. It would be nice if companies actually said the truth once in a while. I wanted to buy this for the PC also, but don't really mind playing it on the 360 either.

 

I dunno, without gaming on the PC you lose the mind share of many IT enthusiasts when compared to a Mac. Those enthusiasts will grow up to be the next gen of IT execs and it doesn't take much for the pendulum to start swinging the other way. The more people they influence, the more momentum is given to Apple, and thanks to the iPhone and possibly iPad, they're already winning a lot of mind share.

Its not a direct link but I still think its pretty stupid of MS to be deliberatly removing their platforms only real advantage over its biggest competitor (besides backwards compatibility).

 

M$ just gave me a reason to mod my 360, 'cause there is no way in hell I'll give them money for a game that should be out for the pc...
It's a shame really, AW would be great on a pc. And now that I think about it, no, I won't play it on the dust collector. I have sensitive ears, and those jet engines inside that thing drive me nuts.
As always with most 360 "exclusives", it will make its way to the pc. Only then will I actually buy it...

 

Honestly, I never really understood the appeal of this game. I doubt it would sell that well regardless of how good it looked, and I'm guessing MS realized this. The fact that it's been in development for so long most likely means MS are just cutting their losses.

 

I've a friend who bought a quad core after seeing the Alan Wake demo at the Intel event. Well he got *some* gaming use out of it, but will probably be a bit narked hearing this.