threads like this make me sad. i generally avoid these threads like the plague and cant recall posting in one in years.. but hey why not. i'll take a shot and maybe 2% of the people reading this post will get something from it.

countless developers and publishers have said that piracy hurts the pc platform. countless developers and publishers have hard data to back up those claims. its not like they just make a crappy game that doesnt sell well and decide that it must be piracy. successful publishers and developers also say this is a problem.

certainly there are several other factors involved in the success or failure of a game on a particular platform. but there is no denying that piracy is huge, and that piracy is worst on the pc platform.

you name the developer or publisher, and chances are they have said piracy is a real issue for the pc. not just the guys with failed games. this is real and there is little doubt that pc gaming needs help. note the recent PCGA announcement.

yes, its obviously a stretch to say that if 85 out of every 100 unique users to start your game on their computer is a pirated copy that represents 85 lost sales. but to dismiss publishers and developers talking about piracy on the pc platform as a problem at this point is just baffling.

it is a problem. every major publisher and developer has hard stats on this stuff. something needs to change. the only point that can be argued is just how much money is lost because of piracy. but as the guy stated here, even a 5% shift is a HUGE difference.