This will be my final plea to see Fable 2 released on the PC. I figure now that Fable 3 is on the horizon, now’s a time, since in the case of several other games, about the time #2 or 3 comes out, we finally see the previous version emerge on PC.

The most common excuse I hear for not releasing a game on PC is that Piracy is more prevalent on PC’s than it is on consoles, and that the same people who are going to craft a custom gaming PC are the same people who are likely to pirate games. Personally, I think this is utterly ridiculous.

Consider this:

To pirate an Xbox game (or any console game) You need A solderless mod chip capable of being installed by a trained chimpanzee, and the ISO of the game.

To Pirate a PC game, you need the ISO, and a crack consisting of any or all of the following: A cracked execuatable, keygen’d or leaked key that doesn’t work 75% of the time, and, if your lucky, a registry hack that you don’t have to enter manually. To track these things down, you’ll be sifting through the dark underbelly of the internet and probably end up with your PC spamming porn sites at you after you reboot, so now you’ve got malware to clean off as well.
Once you’ve gotten past all this, the patch for the PC version that fixes all the bugs you have no right to be complaining about in the forums since you pirated game comes out. To use it, You’ll completely invalidate your (hard earned?) crack, have to wait for weeks or months for someone to come out with a crack for the patch, then start the whole process all over again.

I decided a long time ago that this just wasn’t worth it.

Every couple years I spend $2000+ on a custom built gaming machine.. I deserve to be able to play the best games out there on it, why else would I spend enough money to buy four consoles on a computer? People like me are likely to have enough money to buy their games as well, and if we don’t, it’s tremendously easier to put in on our credit cards (Takes about three mouse clicks on Steam, Direct2Drive, etc..) and pay it off over a couple months than it is to go through the hassle of getting a pirated copy. People who are still trying to pirate the game at this point probably couldn’t affoard it to begin with.

I could go on about how PC games tend to have better graphics, mods, replayability, etcetera, but we’ve heard it all before, suffice to say that it’s true.

I’m going to be posting different versions on this message on different forums about different games at some point, I just happen to feel the most passionate about Fable 2 at this time. The true message to take away from this is that we PC gamers are out there and have money to buy games with! I encourage people to take the core of this message, personalize it for that game *you* want to see on PC, and repost it anywhere they feel the need to!

Firstly - I entirely agree.  I want Fable 2 so badly I'd have bought an XBox360 if I could afford to.  Give me it on PC please.

Secondly - My PC is my single media center.  Neither XBox nor PS3 have adequate media-plying capabilities.  I want a single integrated system that will function the way I want.  The only failing my PC has is that Fable 2 doesn't run on it.  If it's never released for PC, then I'll just wait for an emulator (and I'll get a pirate copy just to spite microsoft so there!)   - Seriously though - Who wants to have 3 gaming systems, 2 PCs and a laptop.  All I want is one system that I can play all my games on etc. etc. etc.

Thirdly, and my main point;
If I bought an xbox360 when it first came out it might have been better than a PC.  That was a long while ago.  The PCs are back in the lead by so far, my granny's PC is stronger than a 360.  I have a dedicated PC hooked up to a 48" LCD in my lounge for music, videos, youtube (and the rest of the web) and for gaming.  It can drive the screen to the full 1920x1080.  I love gaming on it.  Then I play some game on the 360 and it's limited to 720p 'cause it just can't take the load above that. 
PCs will ultimately always be the better option because they can be upgraded piecemeal.  Limiting games like Fable to the 360 is just Microsofts way of trying to force us all to buy out-dated hardware.
The only response is to refuse to buy into their idiocy.  They can just live without my money.

This seems to have turned into a rant, so sorry all.
In the end my point is - Lionhead have made what looks like another awesome game.  Please share it round.

ChaosCrafter:

Secondly - My PC is my single media center.  Neither XBox nor PS3 have adequate media-plying capabilities.  I want a single integrated system that will function the way I want

'S funny, because I've been fiddling about with media PCs in my front room since about 2001, and as soon as viable alternatives appeared came to the conclusion that PCs are far too clunky to use as quick-access media centres, hence I recently bought a 2nd PS3 to work exclusively as a media box - films/blu-ray/music/Television/iPlayer/Photos/Youtube etc
That said, I generally use a netbook for net access these days - the PS3 browser isn't great.

I've no particular axe to grind here, but I'm curious - what part of it's media playing capabilities are lacking in your opinion?

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I don't have anything long and real thought out to say on this matter, but I'd -love- for Fable 2 to be on PC! I can't afford an Xbox360, yet here I have my lovely PC, newly built.. When I found out about Fable 3, I honestly was a little upset.

Fable -The Lost Chapters- was on PC, and I highly enjoyed it more than on the xbox. The controllers are a pain, and I really dislike Console systems. I think they're really losing out on a big customer base by not having it on PC. Everyone in my house has a pc. That's 5 computers. Think about the rest of the world, and all those computers! How frustrating. =(

Agreed. At least then I would be able to get the DLC and not have to wallow in my misery of not having access to LIVE.

Come on Lionhead Studios! Give the people what they want!!

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<(O_o)>

I have to agree with most of the posters here, i would love to have Fable 2 for PC. I went out and purchased a copy of Fable TLC when it was avaliable for the PC. I have graduated way past the consoles for gaming at this point and would consider a console a step backwards in tech. Like the OP i build my own PCs i do this about every 2 years and go top of the line when i do. So as 2010 is the year of the upgrade, i guess ill have to find an emulator, and run a 360 copy on my new PC, which will probably look and play better than any console could ever hope.  I do not think that it is piracy i think its content control as in MS wants to sell 360 systems and if you could play the game on the PC how is MS going to get its VIG on the console.

Anyway Lionhead and Microsoft you guys are loosing out on some more bussiness, as i was SO impressed with Fable TLC that if Fable 2 and 3 became avaliable on the PC i would be one of the first to buy a copy. You will never ever ever under any circumstances get me to purchase a console gaming system been there done that. As another poster said why have a 360 and a top of the line PC, sure we miss out on some games, but in the games we get the PC version will always look better than a console and for me that is why i pay extra for the better computer parts.

 

Asai

 

Speaking of emulators, that's the other thing that irks me. Both the original Xbox and the 360 are built from PC parts and run a cut down version of Windows. Microsoft could very easily write their own emulator for the 360, and/or make it possible to design games that could run on a 360 or a PC off the same disc.

I was hoping to see this happen when the original Xbox came out, it would be a great step towards the "unified console" that would include PC's as well!

The original x-box had what's basically a Celeron 733MHz Processor, so it was essentially PC x86 architecture. What Windows runs on.
The Xbox 360 Processor is based on rather different PowerPC architecture - it's got a lot more in common with the old G5 macs than 'normal' PCs. This would probably complicate matters somewhat.
I vaguely recall the early dev kits ran on G5 Macs, thinking about it...

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I'm convinced it's a bad business decision and a bad decision regarding their fans to not port the game. It's making very little sense why it's not being done yet.

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.

What I fail to understand is why someone whould spend a couple of thousand dollars on a computer every two years, and then say they can't afford a mere $300 for a console. Not to mention they will admit to maxing their credit cards out to do it.

Sorry, but this just makes no logical sense to me. 

Then again this is also probably the most common thread being made around here, and apparently pc gamers don't know how to use  simple search buttons.

 

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I am one forum year old.

suzanne536 brute

I am getting sick of the attitude of console folks around these boards!

What I don't understand is why anybody would buy a console if they can easily play the same thing on the PC? Anybody owns a PC anyway, so why spend another 300€? A part from the fact that you would then have another dust collecting equipment under your TV.

It makes no logical sense to me. See where I'm coming from Suzanne?

As I said before, it can not hurt to remember Lionhead from time to time that there are still people out there playing on Windows. So I think it is better to create a new thread than just resurrecting an old one. Also the forum search is bullshit! 

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Everyone should boycott Ubisoft and their new Online DRM for PC games. This has gone too far in the reduction of the rights of users and I am sick of it! It is not made to fight piracy, but to control the customer.

I don't understand why people do that either Suzanne. Probably because absolutely NOBODY does that worth noting.

You do not have to spend thousands of dollars every two years upgrading a PC. That is an absolutely complete myth. A little thing console gamers like to throw around because they're ignorant.

And our reasons not to buy a console on top of a PC are myriad. Some of us simply can only afford one machine. If you think that's bad, then please, if you're overflowing with cash then give it to me. If you're so bloody rich you can buy every single gaming machine out there, then please spread the wealth.
Most people seem to have PC's. More than they have consoles. This is because PC's have millions of uses that consoles have not yet acquired. They're multi-tasking power houses. We can do our taxes on them, internet banking, video editing, play games, e-mail friends. Sure, consoles are heading that way, but they're not there yet.

So when we decide we want a machine, many of us choose a PC, because they do the things we want them to do AND play games. Everything in one machine. We have bills to pay, we have more important things to buy than a silly little console that has had, in the past, a startlingly high failure rate. There is absolutely no reason for these games not to be brought to the PC audience.

And the fact that it's common shows the high demand for it. I say the more threads the better. The search function is a shambles anyway, was much better with Vbulletin...

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.

Since, I am computer illiterate according to Del.

I thought I would find that thread I mentioned.  Oh, by the way I didn't know that threads on the 2nd page constituted being old.

Here is the thread I was referring to.

http://community.lionhead.com/forums/thread/3387374.aspx

 

How much gold was that you wanted Del?  Wait,  we are in the Fable II forums right and not the off topic.  Face palm I am confused now.

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I am one forum year old.

suzanne536 brute

It's a little known fact, that my signature banner is talking about you, rather than me. It should have had a question mark.

Would you like a cookie for finding that thread, or did it serve a purpose?

I never even said you were computer illiterate bizarrely enough!

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.

I do completely wish for a Fable II PC release. I've bought the game [TWICE, after the 360 nommed my first disk. Thank you, Money$oft] on the 360, and would be willing to get it again with our without the DLCs [no Xbox Live, hell I'd pay for them separately even].

If you read the thread suzanne linked to and go to the last page, you'll see my points on Fable 2 for the PC.

Honestly, I can only see MS and LH profiting from this. Around 5k people so far have peritioned on it, and there have been approximately 2 million searchs on Fable 2 for the PC on google. Everything screams money, so MS should be happy, and Lionhead would be pleasing a lot more of their fans.

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Bilbo, Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins, greatest little hobbit of them all!

deliriousstudios:

So when we decide we want a machine, many of us choose a PC, because they do the things we want them to do AND play games. Everything in one machine. We have bills to pay, we have more important things to buy than a silly little console that has had, in the past, a startlingly high failure rate. There is absolutely no reason for these games not to be brought to the PC audience.

I would have though one fairly obvious point to be made here is that while there are certainly a lot of PCs out there, the percentage of them that have the sort of spec required to run something like Fable II at what would be considered acceptable settings is actually pretty low. I'm by no means saying there aren't enough to support a conversion of the game, but this idea that there are far more PCs than consoles ergo there are more PCs as gaming devices - well, you could say it's an absolutely complete myth. A little thing PC gamers like to throw around because they're ignorant

Obviously all PCs can play games, but not necessarily recent 'Gamer' games with demanding graphics, physics and gameplay engines. Yes, I am aware many PCs can be upgraded by the owner. No, the greater part of the PC buying market do not want to have to bother with this when there's an easier option.

That said, I'd personally much prefer to do all my gaming on a PC, because if you can be bothered with the hassle of it all the results can be much better. But I was pragmatic enough to accept several years ago that PC gaming, if not dead, is really quite poorly these days, due in no small part to PC gamers attitudes to piracy, drm and originality in games, and also the whole financial model that PC games run under just being plain less efficient than consoles. So I also bought a console. Now I have the best of both worlds, and happily 3 out of my top 5 games of all time only exist on that machine

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It would be ignorant, if I actually said anything of the sort Matneee. Of course, you're reading things again. What I think Quaseman is saying is that people have PC's anyway so why not spend the extra you spend on a console to get a PC that has high specs and will last? I'm not saying that personally, but I would tend to agree that one machine that does everything is the best solution, if it were possible.

I'm not some stoic PC gamer who flat out refuses to buy a console. I would do if I was still a teenager and had parents to buy me these things when I whine about Johnny down the road getting more pocket money than me. Or if I didn't have plane tickets and a visa to buy.

We both agree there's enough PC gamers to warrant console ports, so I don't see what your argument is.

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.

deliriousstudios:

I'm not some stoic PC gamer who flat out refuses to buy a console.

But I am! 

Never ever again will I buy a console in my life. The SEGA Master System was my first and last console I owned. It was about that time and when the next generation of consoles came (Mega Drive/SNES) that I realized console gaming was an inferior platform. A dead end street, every generation again and again. The restrictions of a closed platform and its frozen stats are a permanent brake for development. Development comes only in huge steps every few years. Sure you can buy in this next generation when it arrives, but that does make it similar expensive than PC gaming in the end. Biggest downside is that all your precious additional hardware and all your games don't work on the next generation of the consoles. You can throw them away or sell them if you find somebody that wants the old crap or collect them until you have a gym full of old hardware ... Not a bad idea with the gym museum of old hardware though.

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Everyone should boycott Ubisoft and their new Online DRM for PC games. This has gone too far in the reduction of the rights of users and I am sick of it! It is not made to fight piracy, but to control the customer.

I totally get why people want Fable 2 on the PC. I am not much of a pc gammer besides MMO's that aren't on consoles.

I think people need alternatives to Xbox gaming.  It should be illegal for a game company to have monopoly on a title when it breaks so easily. lol

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Xbox sucks, my brother got the red ring of death.

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Make Fable 2 for PC!! NOW!! :'(

deliriousstudios:

It would be ignorant, if I actually said anything of the sort Matneee. Of course, you're reading things again.

.
.
.

We both agree there's enough PC gamers to warrant console ports, so I don't see what your argument is.

Yes Del, I was reading things. Specifically your post. I should perhaps have also quoted the bit that said

Most people seem to have PC's. More than they have consoles. This is because PC's have millions of uses that consoles have not yet acquired. They're multi-tasking power houses. We can do our taxes on them, internet banking, video editing, play games, e-mail friends

Most PCs are not Gaming PCs in terms of modern gaming.

This wasn't an argument, though - just a clarification of a point. It seemed you were alluding to PCs being gaming machines, in the context of Fable II coming to PC. In general, the PCs in people's homes are not gaming machines. And in any statement where you're saying most people have PCs in a thread like this, it's important to differentiate between game-capable PCs and ones that can't run games when you start talking about how many people own them. The potential market is clearly limited by counting the numbers of Gaming capable PCs, not PCs in general.

I would, however, argue that while more people own PCs than consoles, more people own consoles than PCs that can run modern games. Possibly because there's a perception that PCs are a pain in the bum as gaming machines. A correct perception, I might add.

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Well, I wasn't alluding to that at all. And I don't think that's a relevant differentiation. That's probably because I'm not really fussed about the size of the market, just that it's there and not actually dead. It is my belief that it is big enough to warrant a port.

I'd be willing to argue that you can get a better machine for the price of a crap PC + PS3 in the form of just one PC. But I don't particularly care about whether the market cares about that, that was mostly in response to the idea that PC gaming is some money draining thing. I wouldn't be doing it if it was.

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.

Fair enough.

Anow, if quaseman, after saying ...

Biggest downside is that all your precious additional hardware and all your games don't work on the next generation of the consoles. You can throw them away or sell them if you find somebody that wants the old crap or collect them until you have a gym full of old hardware ...

... would care to explain to me why it is I can play PS1, PS2 and PS3 games on one console, yet have no end of trouble getting PC games from the PS1 era to run on a modern PC, or why so much PC hardware and add-ons from, say, the PS2 generation is now absolutely incompatible with modern PCs?
I'll overlook the fact that I invariably have to maintain an inconvenient dual-boot PC for years after each generational PC operating system upgrade, due to reasons of hardware, driver and games incompatabilities...

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to plug a gamecube controller into my Wii and play Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker from the gamecube on this console thing that doesn't run last generation's games or hardware. Apparently.

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Nice for you if the backwards compatibility is working for the games you own. What if you come across a game that does not work. At least XBox games seem to have their problems running on the XBox360. I have yet to come across a game or application that did not run on any of my PCs over the years (apart from some really really old homebuilt 16bit software that does not run anymore on 64bit).

I had once a dual boot system, but mainly to divide the gaming from the working. I see no reason anymore to have more than just Vista/Windows 7 on a computer. Maybe even a single Unix derivate if you do not need gaming!

If I wanted to, I could be playing some Zelda: Wind Waker on my PC with an XBox360 pad plugged in, Wee-mote, touchpad, keyboard, mouse, VR-glove or whatever. In addition I could play PS1, Gameboy, XBox, SEGA Saturn, NeoGeo games all on the same device ... 

For how long do you expect backwards compatibility in todays consoles? How can they sell you the "arcade" classics emulations package (that you already own two or three times) over XBox Live! if you could simply use your old data?

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Everyone should boycott Ubisoft and their new Online DRM for PC games. This has gone too far in the reduction of the rights of users and I am sick of it! It is not made to fight piracy, but to control the customer.

I've come across more compatibility issues amongst the current breed of consoles rather than PC's (although I mostly chalk that up to my brother owning a PS3 that isn't compatible, can't speak for the Xbox). In fact, most of the games I plan on the PC are from before the PSX even existed. They work fine, generally speaking.

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.