Publisher Capcom wasn't disappointed by sales of the PC version of Street Fighter IV, but due to rampant piracy it has decided to stay away from that platform for the next iteration.
In an interview with Japanese website4Gamer, translated through Google Translator, Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono talked about all things Street Fighter. During the interview, he said the PC version of Street Fighter IV was "number one in piracy."
Above: Sorry, PC gamers. You're good enough for Street Fighter IV but apparently you don't reach the "Super" threshold
That should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but even so it has sold admirably since it was released earlier this year. Ono also said he appreciates that so many people wanted to pirate it in the first place. Of course, no one gets any money that way.
Ono says there is no chance of releasing it only on Steam. If it goes to PC it has to be available as a packaged retail game as well so everyone would have the opportunity to buy it. But doing that opens up the door to rampant piracy.
So, the decision was made to neglect the PC for Super Street Fighter IV. It's going to remain exclusive to consoles unless Capcom finds an iron-clad copy-protection system. Are you happy, pirates? See what you've done?
Above: Arrrr! Pirates be ruinin' this industry, ya hear?
But then again, it's not a huge dent in the franchise. When Street Fighter IV was released, the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions took top spots on the US sales charts. The PC version doesn't even show up in the top 20, though neither does any PC game these days, really.
Nevertheless, it's a demonstrative example of why the PC gaming market is dying. Well, except for online game publisher Blizzard. But that's just because they print money at their offices all day.
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