BT: Do you think that piracy is a huge problem for the PC gaming market – are many publisher getting put off by sales figures versus piracy estimates? What do you think the future holds for the industry?
CF: We are often asked, “Is PC Gaming Dead”. The figures show that PC gaming is in fact growing – but piracy is too. I think we are going to see less and less single player only games on the market every year. Developers will need to protect themselves with multiplayer components, regular online updates; expansions and new revenue models that can help offset the losses. I wouldn’t be surprised to see many developers migrate to console over the next few years.
BT: What’s your take on the PC Gaming Alliance? Have you been tempted to sign up?
CF: No. This is the first time I’ve heard of them. I don’t recall them ever contacting us.
BT: Is the piracy problem the fault of customers or publishers in your opinion? True, users are the ones doing the illegal downloading, but many claim that’s in reaction to the publisher’s DRM. Plus there’s the fact that many publishers still aren’t taking advantage of digital distribution.
CF: This is kind of a chicken and egg question. In a world without pirating there is no need for DRM, but overprotective measures on the publishing is making life difficult for legitimate consumers. I think it is unfair to pit customers and publishers against one another when the common enemy is clearly the pirates.
These crimes are a product of motivation and opportunity. The motivation to play games isn’t going to disappear. Publishers feel all they can do it limit the opportunity to steal. We see the solution in the reverse – we want to motivate paying customers with after sales rewards and leverage opportunities to make the whole process easier.
BT: Speaking of going digital, why is that Sins didn’t go to Steam if it was being released digitally? Also, why do you think that some digital platforms succeed, like Steam, while EA’s Store hasn’t managed the same level of success?
CF: Steam has a good service, but we were not ready to replace traditional retailers with a completely digital front. We wanted to keep all of our avenues open. Stardock was able to do it all with their distribution channels and their own proven digital download platform - Stardock Central. We are really looking forward Central’s successor Impulse which will be out very shortly.
CF: We are often asked, “Is PC Gaming Dead”. The figures show that PC gaming is in fact growing – but piracy is too. I think we are going to see less and less single player only games on the market every year. Developers will need to protect themselves with multiplayer components, regular online updates; expansions and new revenue models that can help offset the losses. I wouldn’t be surprised to see many developers migrate to console over the next few years.
BT: What’s your take on the PC Gaming Alliance? Have you been tempted to sign up?
CF: No. This is the first time I’ve heard of them. I don’t recall them ever contacting us.
BT: Is the piracy problem the fault of customers or publishers in your opinion? True, users are the ones doing the illegal downloading, but many claim that’s in reaction to the publisher’s DRM. Plus there’s the fact that many publishers still aren’t taking advantage of digital distribution.
CF: This is kind of a chicken and egg question. In a world without pirating there is no need for DRM, but overprotective measures on the publishing is making life difficult for legitimate consumers. I think it is unfair to pit customers and publishers against one another when the common enemy is clearly the pirates.
These crimes are a product of motivation and opportunity. The motivation to play games isn’t going to disappear. Publishers feel all they can do it limit the opportunity to steal. We see the solution in the reverse – we want to motivate paying customers with after sales rewards and leverage opportunities to make the whole process easier.
BT: Speaking of going digital, why is that Sins didn’t go to Steam if it was being released digitally? Also, why do you think that some digital platforms succeed, like Steam, while EA’s Store hasn’t managed the same level of success?
CF: Steam has a good service, but we were not ready to replace traditional retailers with a completely digital front. We wanted to keep all of our avenues open. Stardock was able to do it all with their distribution channels and their own proven digital download platform - Stardock Central. We are really looking forward Central’s successor Impulse which will be out very shortly.
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