In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz (blessed folk that they are for bringing this to our attention), Microsoft Game Studios' protocol for releasing games was officially revealed.

Inquiry into the six month delay of Mass Effect's inevitable release to the PC unearthed that Microsoft's premier game studio was purposely delaying PC versions so that hardcore PC gamers would buy an Xbox 360 instead.

Business development manager Peter Zetterberg of Microsoft Game Studios Europe takes it away:

On a global scale the Windows Vista business is as important as our Xbox 360 business. But in Germany for example, we want more gamers to buy our Xbox 360. If we launch a game that is on 360 and PC simultaneously, we basically shoot ourselves in the foot by allowing the German market to choose to play the PC version - because they are more likely to buy [a PC version] than spend their money on the Xbox 360.

If that statement is accurate, then Microsoft is purposely delaying the release of PC games just so they could sell more Xbox 360s. But why would they attempt that stunt in what the gaming community would call the core of PC gaming? And moreover, isn't that a step backwards for promoting the PC game?

Zetterberg claims that they would have more game sales on the PC than on the Xbox 360 because the user base of the PC would rather pick up the game on the same platform instead of getting Microsoft's next generation console. He said:

On a global scale the PC is very relevant to us. And I would say that 90 per cent of the games that are pitched to us are on console. We're strongly perceived as a console publisher because we're the first-party publisher even though the Windows operating system is equally important to us. If we launched a Halo game on PC and 360 in Germany simultaneously, 80 per cent of sales would be on the PC. So we need to pick and choose our formats.

So on one hand we've got Kevin Unangst of the Games for Windows initiative pouring out countless campaigns to revitalize PC gaming, while on the other, Microsoft Game Studios continues to bleed the PC gaming population into the Xbox 360 gaming population for console sales.

Apparently it's not just piracy that's eating up the PC game, folks. We'll get back to this at the upcoming Weekend Warrior issue. For now, we'll keep an eye out for more developments.

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