An interesting new study by The NPD Group suggests that a significant number of gamers rely on word of mouth to obtain game information and make purchasing decisions, with 41% of those surveyed learning about gaming from acquaintances as opposed to marketing and magazines.
In fact, as little as 5% of the survey takers stated that advertising had any effect on them whatsoever. After word of mouth, hands-on playtime at the homes of friends and family were noted as the second biggest influence on modern gamers. The numbers vary according to platform, but the results seem to point in the same direction.
It's quite amusing to consider that for all the money pumped into online advertising, gimmicky marketing campaigns and exclusive magazine reviews, it's the traditional and old-fashioned methods of publicity that work the best. Friends telling friends, and personal playtime cannot be beaten if this survey is to be belived. Makes you wonder why half of the people in PR even have the jobs they have.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
6:40 PM on 09.15.2009
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I get my info from pretty much just you guys and maaaaaybe Kotaku. Sometimes.
Then I pass that shit on to my friends, who are net-less. I know, doubly crazy.
When it comes to news I mostly get my gaming information from Kotaku and Destructoid.
Saying you are not affected by advertising and not being affected by advertising are two different things. People are notoriously stupid when it comes to accurately reporting what influences them. The hilariously named "Through the back door theory" is worth considering.
You seriously can't go wrong there.
I've bought some shit I thought I never would because of the reviews.
I've gotten them to try lots of games they'd never dream of playing on their own. They thank me because they realize they were missing out on lots of good stuff.
This survey seems to make sense to me.
Oh yeah! I think I've heard of that one! When's it coming out again?
for better or worse ;)
Funny, I've heard 112% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
Muthafuckas.
Here in my town me and 4 other people that knows that videogames exist, so i don't trust that survey.
Well, I hear that this game, Way of the Samurai 3 is coming out October 13th in North America on both the Xbox 360 and PS3 for like $50 (this is correct MSRP)
Just thought I'd put that out there.
Honestly, it's usually D-toid, which means it fries my bacon when we get a Darkest of Days review super fast, but it takes weeks for an inFamous or Prototype review. Seriously...wtf? I know you guys have to play them, but it usually takes a week for huge budget games to get a review on here.
That being said, the B:RB review was amazingly fast, so I hope this is a new tread.
Also, I heard Darkest of Days was IGN's GOTY. So you should all go out and buy it now.
say about games
Folks, we have a winner. I trust people I know personally a lot more than I do some faceless schmo on the pages of GI.
That, and I do the unthinkable - I try before I buy, any way I can manage it (that doesn't involve DLing the game).