The REAL reason SSIV is not coming to PC

[Viscera]

Many of us PC enthusiasts have waited for months on an announcement regarding a possible Super release. But a little while ago those hopes were dashed to pieces. I myself remained confident that Capcom would want to make money and maybe they will release but, it is unlikely.

I came across a story in JOYSTIQ (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/capcom-expecting-better-sales-for-marvel-vs-capcom-3-than-stree/) that spoke on Capcom's direction for the next year and apparently they are focusing their attention on the upcoming "Marvel vs. Capcom" saying that it has been the single most requested fighter in the company's history.

In addition, the company stresses that the combat is simplified and more approachable for the casual gamer. There is depth for the hardcore as well, giving those who want to invest hours in learning technique a chance to really glow. But, ultimately Capcom seeks to balance what they consider their premier franchise. So it seems Street fighter was en experiment to see "IF" their was still a market for the fighting genre.

There is and now it's time to move on.

Will you play Marvel vs. Capcom if released on your favorite platform? (PC for me)- I probably will. and there are talks of a DARKSTALKERS game being in development as well. Seems Capcom has bigger dreams then us mere mortals here on PC's have considered--Your thoughts?

Scratch that. Darkstalkers is still a no-go.

[Journeyman]

This is one of the possible "real" reasons for this.

Here's another:

Capcom said that the main cause for SSFIV not released on our platform is that PC games are like games gifted to pirates, still they released Dead Rising 2 on the PC; my guess is that they use the PC as a platform to revitalize their IP.

Another possibility is that capcom, to "fight piracy", will release SSFIV for PC under a DRM Ubisoft-like; knowing that the Street Fighter long time fans would suffer anything to play the game.

Any of these "real cause" maybe the actually real one, unfortunately only capcom knows what is...

[Krackatoa]

Your theory would only work if they didn't have a completely different team working on MvC3. The PC version could be put out by code and QA monkeys at this point too, so the argument that development time could be better allocated is shaky at best.

[Viscera]

Your theory would only work if they didn't have a completely different team working on MvC3. The PC version could be put out by code and QA monkeys at this point too, so the argument that development time could be better allocated is shaky at best.

My argument isn't that development resources are changing or being shifted at Capcom. It's that Capcom wants to promote a more open gaming experience w/ MvC3. Given that AND the problem with piracy, it becomes a little more clear why there is no scheduled release for SSFIV.

Remember, the WII was outselling the 360 and PS3 up until a few months ago and is still a strong market overall, so it stands to reason that Capcom wants some of that Tween money from the casual gamers who haven't been around since PONG!

Will it ever release? Probably. But, only after the hype of it all has died down considerably.

[Krackatoa]

My argument isn't that development resources are changing or being shifted at Capcom. It's that Capcom wants to promote a more open gaming experience w/ MvC3. Given that AND the problem with piracy, it becomes a little more clear why there is no scheduled release for SSFIV.

Remember, the WII was outselling the 360 and PS3 up until a few months ago and is still a strong market overall, so it stands to reason that Capcom wants some of that Tween money from the casual gamers who haven't been around since PONG!

Will it ever release? Probably. But, only after the hype of it all has died down considerably.

The release plans would have no bearing on the release plans of the other.

MvC3 is far less likely to get a PC release, because retail sales of Marvel products continue to be strong long after launch.

[Viscera]

The release plans would have no bearing on the release plans of the other.

MvC3 is far less likely to get a PC release, because retail sales of Marvel products continue to be strong long after launch.

That's not true. The release plans of one can and does affect the other. If Capcom shifts its focus toward somewhere where they feel will generate more money, then it does affect a Super release. Also i never said MvC3 was getting released to PC. This thread was about why we wont get SSFIV on PC. I know MvC3 wont be coming to PC.

1- Capcom is moving toward more casual gamers...Wii, iPhone, etc.
+ 1- Pirating in their minds killed any plans for a release of SSFIV
=2 No forseeable release of SSFIV for PC.

s'all I'm saying.

[Krackatoa]

That's not true. The release plans of one can and does affect the other. If Capcom shifts its focus toward somewhere where they feel will generate more money, then it does affect a Super release. Also i never said MvC3 was getting released to PC. This thread was about why we wont get SSFIV on PC. I know MvC3 wont be coming to PC.

1- Capcom is moving toward more casual gamers...Wii, iPhone, etc.
+ 1- Pirating in their minds killed any plans for a release of SSFIV
=2 No forseeable release of SSFIV for PC.

s'all I'm saying.

You're half on the ball, but you've got Capcom's position wrong.

In this case, due to Capcom's corporate setup, I can tell you for certain that Marvel vs. Capcom 3 in no way even comes into small consideration into whether or not SSFIV gets a PC version. :\

They cannot "reallocate resources" from the SFIV/SFxT studio headed by Ono towards the Vs studio headed by Niitsuma. They don't interchange budget, resources or employees. The only thing they share is Capcom's pocketbook, which is near-limitless for an AAA game developer.

A company doesn't just "decide to go casual". That's not even a realistic frame of mind.

Currently, the PC version is finished and console sales of SFIV has declined. This means piracy is less and less of a factor, the only factor left being that Dimps' and Capcom's time would be better spent on Street Fighter X Tekken and SSFIV:3DS, instead of finalizing the PC version. With the ability to outsource development, thanks to Capcom's position, they don't even have to delegate any internal resources if they don't want to, but at this point it probably seems like too much trouble for that.

It likely boils down to this:

1. The higher ups at Capcom are hiding in their pants because of a dismal quarter, and they're afraid of losing sales that don't exist instead of putting out a PC version.

2. Because they're so unnecessarily terrified of piracy, they won't have the SFIV team working on anything but their 3DS launch title and SFxT. We have to wait for them to take their heads out of the ground before they'll listen to those pushing for the PC release. It would only takes a modicum of work for them to finish it, to the point where it's a trivial endeavor. It's almost mind-boggling.

Hopefully, they snap out of #1 and with it, #2 goes away by default.

[kikogotskill]

but a lot of things to capcom does ,no make sense becouse capcom release SSFIV for 3DS come on!!!!....and for ipads really are you kidding me?,
and very soon for cash registers or what.

but why no super for pc?

[Krackatoa]

but a lot of things to capcom does ,no make sense becouse capcom release SSFIV for 3DS come on!!!!....and for ipads really are you kidding me?,
and very soon for cash registers or what.

but why no super for pc?

Wat?

Releasing SSFIV as a 3DS Launch Title is likely going to bring in bucketloads of cash dollars. Launch titles have copious amounts of marketshare, which usually results in guaranteed sales.

[Gorguts]

Capcom said that the main cause for SSFIV not released on our platform is that PC games are like games gifted to pirates

Well that's just not true, you have to buy the game to play multiplayer. i dont think anyone could enjoy single-player SSF4 for very long.

[kikogotskill]

YOU can post anything you want about SSFIV for pc , in the forum of capcom unity
http://www.capcom-unity.com/ask_capcom/go/thread/view/7371/20200701/Why_No_Super_Street_Fighter_IV_for_PC&post_num=4#469598865

[SUPARSTARX]

SSF4 PC is probably one of the last priorities since they're churning out the arcade edition.

[whateva]

MvsC3 - Never coming to the pc
Street Fighter vs Tekken - Never coming to the pc
SSF4 - Most likely will come late 2011 (fall) or early 2012 (spring)

[joeycrack]

This statement about Marvel vs Capcom 3 is not true "single most requested fighter in the company's history". People have request a new Street Fighter game which was Street Fighter 4 followed by Street Fighter Anniversary, then A new Marvel game.

A new Darkstalkers will be developed, but it won't have a huge market in the US as they do in Japan and Europe.

I am waiting for a Super Street Fighter 4 version on the PC also and Capcom hasn't say yes or no that it will come out. Maybe if we bug Capcom about this something can be done.

[Krackatoa]

This statement about Marvel vs Capcom 3 is not true "single most requested fighter in the company's history". People have request a new Street Fighter game which was Street Fighter 4 followed by Street Fighter Anniversary, then A new Marvel game.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is more requested because it has an entire pool of Marvel fans to pull from. MvC3 is projected to sell more than SFIV.

[Reaprar]

Street Fighter IV (PC) was the most pirated game of 2009.

THat's why we're not getting super.

[armabe]

Street Fighter IV (PC) was the most pirated game of 2009.

THat's why we're not getting super.

It was not. Check your facts.
Apparently it was only 5th.

[airblad3]

Apparently it was only 5th.

"Only 5th"

Enough reason to not port it.

[armabe]

"Only 5th"

Enough reason to not port it.

It was second most pirated on Xbox. I don't seem them deciding not to release it there...

Thing is, they're just being [color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color]. There's no real reason not to release it, when the entire point is to play against a variety of players (online), and you can't do that with a pirated copy.
And playing just against your friend(s) is just a hassle in the long run.

[whateva]

It was second most pirated on Xbox. I don't seem them deciding not to release it there...

Thing is, they're just being [color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color][color="#FF66FF"]♥[/color]. There's no real reason not to release it, when the entire point is to play against a variety of players (online), and you can't do that with a pirated copy.
And playing just against your friend(s) is just a hassle in the long run.

Well besides calling them D!*#$ i completely agree, i mean with the recent sale they continue to make money off of the honest pc players (And a little on the side considering the DLC alt costume pack) Like i said in my other post they will eventually release it but when is anyone's guess.

[ElleNearMello]

SF4 was pirated also in XBox360.
Many games are pirated in Xbox360. Guess what? "console are for games, pc is for work". That is the capitalism mantra of businessmen.

I hope that this recent sales will raise the total number of players, so that capcom will publish the super within 6 months

[Krackatoa]

Just so you know, the PC version had a tenth of the retail sales as the 360 version, yet three times to amount of piracy.

[Wasted]

Just so you know, the PC version had a tenth of the retail sales as the 360 version, yet three times to amount of piracy.

The PC version also came out 6 months after. A little fact people seem to ignore when explaining why the sales were lower.

[Krackatoa]

The PC version also came out 6 months after. A little fact people seem to ignore when explaining why the sales were lower.

PC always undersells compared to console, unless the game gets a shoddy port to console, or if your core audience is entrenched in the PC market.

PC versions of games also ALWAYS have higher piracy rates. Always.

People generally don't buy PCs to play fighting games. While DD sales were substantial and profitable for Capcom, they don't want the inevitable piracy of a PC release to cannibalize sales of it's console brethren.

PC users also don't buy DLC, which got a big "Woe as me" from Capcom sometime back. This leads me to believe that they're considering releasing the Arcade Edition as a PC release, as opposed to SSFIV. They'd be able to charge a much higher pricepoint than they would otherwise, and don't have to worry about trying to hock AE as a DLC package to the numb PC userbase.

While I think Capcom needs to get the "Baaaw! Pirates!" stick out of their ♥♥♥♥ just as much as you do, what I listed above are legitimate concerns about the PC market.

Wait and see what happens, I suppose.

[Wasted]

PC always undersells compared to console, unless the game gets a shoddy port to console, or if your core audience is entrenched in the PC market.

PC versions of games also ALWAYS have higher piracy rates. Always.

People generally don't buy PCs to play fighting games. While DD sales were substantial and profitable for Capcom, they don't want the inevitable piracy of a PC release to cannibalize sales of it's console brethren.

PC users also don't buy DLC, which got a big "Woe as me" from Capcom sometime back. This leads me to believe that they're considering releasing the Arcade Edition as a PC release, as opposed to SSFIV. They'd be able to charge a much higher pricepoint than they would otherwise, and don't have to worry about trying to hock AE as a DLC package to the numb PC userbase.

While I think Capcom needs to get the "Baaaw! Pirates!" stick out of their ♥♥♥♥ just as much as you do, what I listed above are legitimate concerns about the PC market.

Wait and see what happens, I suppose.

I'm not saying the piracy isn't a problem on PC, people who deny that are really delusional. But I just believe that the 6 month difference played a bigger role in lower sales than they want to admit. I am a huge Street Fighter fan and even I almost completely forgot about SF4 until a few days prior the PC release. All that time waiting drained my feverish anticipation for the game. I still bought the game, but just not on day one PC release.

[Shakey_Jake33]

There's a chance that Capcom might work on a PC version once the arcade version is out of the way, since any PC version would be based on the arcade version (just like the original Street Fighter 4 - the game uses the PC-based Taito Type X2 hardware).

Then again, I'd be far more concerned about getting Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 on the PC. It uses the MT Framework engine, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility.

[Syncourt]

It's no wonder it was pirated so much when they only use GFWL as their authentication tool. Use something built for PC titles like steam that's a tonne harder to pirate and you will get much less pirates.

Can't get upset with pirates if you are basically welcoming them to pirate the game with no effort needed.

[Pumpgunner]

Ono, although he is a master troll, is also responding to Twitter questions about a PC version of SSF4AE now (if you want to keep up the "pressure", just ask him about a PC version on his twitter account).

It may be always the same answer but it could mean something. And if a new version of Street Fighter 4 will be released, it definitely will be the Arcade Edition of SSF4 with Yun and Yang (and mabye other chars) + character changes.

I, personally, think that it will happen, but not before April 2011, because CAPCOM will release the DLC's for the consoles first (Yun, Yang and maybe others) to milk the users. And if we don't get an official version of the game, well, there is still the chance to see a leaked version of SSF4 AE like we had with Blazblue: CS (since Ono said that the PC version IS already finished [Taito X2 -> nothing more than WXP OS]). :P

Also, a general understanding of CAPCOM in case of PC games:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17047407&postcount=18

[Skanvak]

Anyway, We have to keep on the pressure. We Want a PC version of SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV.

And they are mistaken, if they think I will buy other titles. I won't. SSFIV have a nostalgic feeling that the other clowns don't have.

[Viscera]

I stand corrected. It looks like we will be getting SSFIV for PC. I can only guess that the reason they delayed it was because it was already planned to have Evil Ryu and Oni in the game as DLC, which if they released to PC then, those characters would've been unlocked before there big reveal and no DLC money. Plus a few tweaks to the online component and that's that. Seems Capcom was more in awe of the PC community then we thought.

As a consumer, I hate the thought of a game shipping to me with parts i have to pay extra for, but I guess it's just business. What are your thoughts?