Today, the San Jose Mercury-News ran a story dealing with the sales of new consoles. According to the report, the sales of next generation consoles is still rising, but only through people that already own another console. David Cole, analyst at DFC Intelligence explains it best:
You can look at how much the console systems actually sell, but that doesn't account for duplicate households. If you look at most new console purchases today, they are going into households that already own a game system from a previous generation.
This presents a small problem for the industry, considering that the ideal market penetration is to bust down the door on those people who would not typically want or cannot usually afford a console. It makes a person wonder if the current strategy of going after the soccer mom will ever work. Sure,
Wii Sports is fun and does get people to gravitate towards the console, but according to the article it doesn’t carry over in terms of buying a Wii. Even with its insanely low price point.
Honestly, I would love to see the Xbox 360 Arcade or Core or whatever Microsoft is trying to pawn onto consumers off the shelf, if this article is as accurate as it appears to be. Although, I am left wondering what impact handhelds have in this equation. What kind of growth does the Nintendo DS or PSP have with non-traditional households? Especially when compared to the last generation’s niche offerings? Sounds like we have some detective work to do.
[Via
GamePolitics]
Contest:
8:44 PM on 07.06.2008
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Mr. Cole, obvious observations are obvious.
At some point, at least 3 of them are collecting dust. I've never understood the whole one-system fanboy thing.
I mean, if you can afford a PS3 ('though lord knows why you'd want to) chances are you've had the money to buy consoles before. And if you owned an NES, you'd want a SNES, etc.
Also, I've never used the word "betwixt" before and I doubt I ever will again. That is all.
All that most gamers would need is a Wii, and the PS3 and Xbox 360 would remain niche just like PCs.
Sooner or later, the Wii will reach PS2 numbers and publishers will admit how wrong they originally were.
Little Billy may have liked the GameCube and then wanted the Wii, but it's all good when Nintendo racks up software sales not just from the him, but now on occasion mom, dad, or his girly girl sister who thinks it's cool she can whip a pony's ass with a Wii Remote in some Barbie Horse game.
And.. Nintendo needs to come out with some big 1st party surprises at E3: Anim.Crossing, Pikmin, or something good as that, or GTFO. DS is still more fun than Wii.
I use my PS3 to watch movies.
I'll buy a 2nd 360 (Arcade SKU for the bedroom for TV and media streaming, and bedtime teabagging) before I buy a Wii. I have not played a single game I enjoy on the Wii, and I've played over 20 of the best rated games on it and seriously can't understand what people see in it (but I totally respect your opinion if you enjoy it).
wow, like you need a 1000 dollar tv and surround sound system to play mgs4. I didn't say that as a requirement at the back of box, I must have missed it.
I do have a HDTV (got it for 500 bucks at costco, 37" hdtv 720p)and it looked sweet, I don't have a surround sound system.
I let my friend borrow the game (he has a fucking 10 year old 32" CRT TV) and he was blown away by the graphics.
The only people who say that 360 or ps3 games look like last gen games on a SDTV, is full of bullshit and probably never played those games.
I"m not saying graphics is the only important part about gaming, but what I am saying is that your fucking logic sucks ass. You don't need an hdtv or crazy sound system to enjoy next gen games.
BTW, the wii supports progressive scan and 5.1 surround sound, does that mean you need to buy a widescreen tv with component connections and 5.1 sound system? No of course. Now you know how fucking stupid you sound.
I HAVE ONE.
Aside from my PS3 that is.
I'm like to know the alternative reality in which any off the shelf PC can play any recent PC game at recommended settings.
Unless you play flash games, Sims, MMORPGs or old-school games (C&C DOS FTW!!!) then yes, PC gaming is niche.