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Considering just how much momentum the console market has picked up over the past decade, the PC gaming community would be happy to do without any major setbacks or troubles.
Considering just how much momentum the console market has picked up over the past decade, the PC gaming community would be happy to do without any major setbacks or troubles. The rampant nature of software piracy has become a growing threat for the future of PC, with publishers having to calculate lost sales at an increasing rate. For now though, the market still has its faithful supporters. Even after a near-complete developer build ofwas leaked onto the internet, the game’s developer Cryteksays that it hasn’t shaken their faith in the PC crowd one bit.
The struggle to control DRM and prevent piracy has quickly become one of the largest issues that cross-platform publishers are having to deal with, and there isn’t one clear-cut solution. Given the proprietary technology built into the console market, it’s much easier for Microsoft, Nintendo, and PS3 to control what people do with their systems.
Sure, they run into some piracy issues themselves, but PCs will always be the easiest for the dishonest to take advantage of. Even with a game as high-profile as Crysis 2 leaked onto the internet, it seems that the die-hard nature of much of PC gaming is enough to keep the faith of the most jilted developers.
Crytek doesn’t have a solution to the problem as it stands, and some PC gamers may have been worried when the developer issued a joint statement with Electronic Arts stating only that “Piracy continues to damage the PC packaged goods market and the PC development community.” Damage, yes, but not cause irreparable harm.
Crytek boss Cevat Yerli has since released a statement onto the Crysis forums showing that even having their software stolen isn’t enough to sour their relationship with their PC roots:
“As you all have heard by now, an early, incomplete build of Crysis 2 has been leaked online. While we are deeply disappointed by these events, we are all completely overwhelmed by the support we have received from you, our community.
“Despite this unfortunate incident, we can assure you that PC gaming is very important to us and will always be important to Crytek in the future. We are all still focused on delivering a great gaming experience to our true and honest fans. I hope you will enjoy Crysis 2 on PC, as we think it is our best PC game yet!”
And just like that, the loyalty of PC gamers was proven to be well-placed in Crytek’s hands. It’s always nice to see developers acknowledge their fans as more than just customers, so hopefully those companies who are being drawn towards the bright lights of home consoles will be reminded of where they got their start.
Crytek has shown that it will take more than money to turn their back on their fans, so PC gamers and fans of game development alike have yet another reason to try out their brand new Nanosuit. And after the looks we’ve had at the game in action, it’s a safe bet that fans didn’t need any more convincing.
Crysis 2 will be available to fans everywhere, regardless of console when it launches for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on March 22, 2011.
Source: MyCrisis(via Eurogamer)