Piracy has killed the boxed retail PC game. Why should people buy when they can steal the game online with a torrent before it is even in the shops? These thieves have so much brass that they even use the publisher's tech support. This business model is broken. New ones, like Steam, will replace it.

rubbish bruce. People can steal both console and PC games online today. The reason why the PC appears to be in decline fails right on the door of publishers.

PC gamers are sick to 'dumbed down' controls, and the overall 'mass appeal' created today in order to sell the big numbers - but PC gamers demand that little extra - complex games where SOME level of thought is needed, which currently isnt being delivered.

There is a huge PC market out there but publishers need to address the problems THEY have created to boost selling figures.

If you ask me PC games are far too cheap, look at the difference in pricing against console games.
Fair enough PC gamers usually have to spend a lot more on perhaps upgrades etc but look at UT3 on the PC you can buy it online for like £18!! Console version around £40!

They are cheap as a tactic because of the piracy. Just like budget games were a tactic against tape to tape copying on the Sinclair Spectrum. Also there is no platform holder fee to pay on PC.
Most PC gamers routinely torrent all their games. PS3 and 360 owners don't. Yet. PSP owners do and DS owners are moving over to piracy in a big way.

I am an avid gamer, I play over 30 hrs a week.
Much as I hate piracy, I do not think this is the issue here. I have a 360 and a PC and used to have a PS3. Graphically, the PC was the best, the other two were identical. I have downloaded games on torrent sites. I only play ONE game on PC.- Warcraft. If it came out on 360, I would play it on 360 instead. I play FFXI on 360, I had it on PC but moved to 360.
Why?? Simple. I put a game in the drive, it comes on, I play.
No setting up of accounts, passwords, graphics etc.No having to check the specs to see if my PC will run the game, There are just too many differences with PCs. Every 360 game plays right out of the box on 360.

Warcraft (world of) is designed for console - cant use that as a benchmark for PC gaming.

PC gamers want complex games, thats why most have decent systems. If you dont want to check specs, worry about updating etc, then you own a console. its that simple. Bring back reasons to own a PC and the demand will soon follow.

Also, if you look around any tat Game/station store, the space dedicated to PC is shaming. No wonder sales are falling.

I'm not using it as a benchmark, Im just saying that its the only game I play on PC and thats because I cant get it on console. If I could, I would not play any games on PC. Most people want the ease of use that comes with console gaming. Switch it on, put the game in, Play. End of.

"PC gamers want complex games, thats why most have decent systems."

I think you're putting the horse before the cart there; gamers who want complex games have decent PC systems, because that's where they will find them.

I'd love to be able to play quick, simple games on the PC, so my wife can watch TV undisturbed. But if I've got to wait 15 minutes for my computer to boot up, log in and load the game, then I want to play a game for long enough to make that worthwhile.

So thank god for the Wii...