The numerous polls I have seen on numerous gaming sites note that the Wii has over 50% popularity among gamers who visit those sites, while the PlayStation 3 is next at around 18% and the Xbox 360 is bottom, at usually around 10%.
Some claim that those sites don’t represent the majority of consumers, which is true.
Those sites only represent the gamers who are “hardcore†enough to going online to look at video-game related information.
The majority of the console market is casual, and a huge fraction of that are mommies and daddies who buy for their kids, especially at Christmas), and of course would never even see these polls much less vote.
Does that mean the polls are inaccurate? Yes.
Does that mean the Wii numbers should be lower?
No.
Considering that the largest share of consoles are sold to casual gamers, the PlayStation 3 would be performing even worse, because how many mommies and daddies are willing to spend $600 on a game system for little Timmy?
How many “independant†teenagers can save enough allowance to buy one for themselves?
How many older teens, with a slightly more “hardcore†feel can save enough of their part-time checks, while paying for rent and college (if applicable)?
This on top of the fact that polls show that 88% of the people who were “hardcore†enough to vote still think it is overpriced.
Then add that the fact that there are cheaper alternatives with quite-appealing features, recognizable characters, and a more family-oriented attitude.
Xbox 360 has been out for a while, but I really don’t hear anything about it.
No one really talks about it, and I rarely hear about any new games coming out on it.
Wii isn’t even out yet and I hear people talking about it, its games, and its features constantly.
I also hear more and more people talking in disgust about Sony’s sex-and-violence attitude, and one source told me it is so bad that Sony has begun changing some of their policies on what games are allowed on their system, and including a parentile locking system (which may play favorites with the parents, but A: kids won’t like that and B: parents are hardly willing to spend $600 on a toy for their kids, much less so if the kids won’t like it).
This is definitely the generation for Nintendo, without contest.
My personal opinion, however, is that they will need to rely less on motion detection in the future.
People are excited about it now, and of course it will be fun at first, but eventually people are just going to be tired of waving their arms to play games.
Most gamers are quite content packing their friends into a small space and relaxing with the controller in hand.
And there are many times people want to play their favorite games in bed relaxing, not leaning forward and waving their arms everywhere.
It also won’t attract the market they are trying to get.
Nintendo is of course family-oriented, but how many of your mothers would take this type of gameplay seriously?
Oh yes, they will definitely try it out.
But to them it will forever be a gimick. They may try it a few times, but ultimately they are going to feel ridiculous.
Though Nintendo is definitely the most adaptable among the three, and they will probably handle this situation correctly.
The focus is on motion detection now, but they, as well as you, should realize the importance of having an abundance of normal games.
L. Spiro
