Console Wars V

[DarkCloud]

Well... You make a good point about buying sequels in a franchise but- I would assume more people would buy a game if their friends recommend it to them.

In a sense, Red Steel was hyped and it was unique-- (which helped its sales). In the game you could physically swing a sword. That was a good gimmick.

If the grapevine says a game is bad, then it won't sell or it will be returned. Are returns counted in the NPD numbers?

But if a game offers something new and unique, like red steel did, then it will sell. That's what I would figure is the Wii's key strength- it's unique.

[Verto]

Originally posted by DarkCloud
Well... You make a good point about buying sequels in a franchise but- I would assume more people would buy a game if their friends recommend it to them.

In a sense, Red Steel was hyped and it was unique-- (which helped its sales). In the game you could physically swing a sword. That was a good gimmick.

If the grapevine says a game is bad, then it won't sell or it will be returned. Are returns counted in the NPD numbers?

But if a game offers something new and unique, like red steel did, then it will sell. That's what I would figure is the Wii's key strength- it's unique.

I'm not sure what Red Steel offered besides a seriously deficient experience. Red Steel, like most things Wii-related, falls far short of the hype.

[Asher]

Originally posted by DarkCloud
Well... You make a good point about buying sequels in a franchise but- I would assume more people would buy a game if their friends recommend it to them.

In a sense, Red Steel was hyped and it was unique-- (which helped its sales). In the game you could physically swing a sword. That was a good gimmick.

If the grapevine says a game is bad, then it won't sell or it will be returned. Are returns counted in the NPD numbers?

Returns are not included. But look at Red Steel -- it had no sales longevity. Good games who do spread by word of mouth do get that (Call of Duty 4 is a terrific example).

I know several people who purchased Red Steel but no one who liked it. If you check out the IGN forums dedicated to Red Steel you'll see the same thing. It, like the Wii, is a game that sold on its premise rather than what it delivers ("wow! motion-controlled sword fighting against Yakuza!").

[snoopy369]

Yet the Wii has sales longevity ...

[Asher]

Originally posted by snoopy369
Yet the Wii has sales longevity ...

The console itself -- yes. In terms of hours played on it and games purchased per console, no.

Out of all the consoles, the Wii is the leader in terms of disenchanted owners and dust-collection.

[Nikolai]

I think we need to check out how the online sales are. My Wii are used for a selected few new games and loads of VC games(and a couple WiiWare ones).

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Asher

The console itself -- yes. In terms of hours played on it and games purchased per console, no.

Out of all the consoles, the Wii is the leader in terms of disenchanted owners and dust-collection.

Well to be more balanced about it the facts show that average playtime is lower amongst Wii owners, as well as average games per console. But since the Wii is aimed at a different, more casual, playerbase than the PS3 and 360, this is to be expected.

Not sure it implies disenchantment, for a balanced person.

Equally poor evidence, but my experience from Wii owning friends who are not 'proper' gamers is that they (and their families) enjoy their Wii very much.

Who knows, maybe that's why the Wii is outselling the 360 and PS3 by a considerable margin.

[Asher]

It's the same reason Lil' Wayne's album debuted at #1 and sold a million copies in its first week also.

[DrSpike]

I guess that's your way of saying "yes DrSpike, you are right again and I bow down to your brilliance"

[Asher]

No, it's my way of belittling your contributions.

[Kuciwalker]

Hm, I think the score is Spike 1 Asher 0 right now.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Asher

The console itself -- yes. In terms of hours played on it and games purchased per console, no.

Out of all the consoles, the Wii is the leader in terms of disenchanted owners and dust-collection.

And yet people continue buying it ... apparently nobody tells them that it sucks?

[Asher]

Originally posted by snoopy369


And yet people continue buying it ... apparently nobody tells them that it sucks?

It's an interesting psychological phenomenon. One gets a Wii which "everyone wants", they spend a day playing Wii Sports saying "it's AWESOME OMG I GOT A WII". Then they realize that **** gets boring fast and there's very little else to do. Then it quietly collects dust.

And then others, remembering the OMG ITS AWESOME comments, get their own.

Very few of these people buying a Wii are hanging out in online forums discussing their opinions of it, so aside from the bragging about getting one people don't review it.

Hm, I think the score is Spike 1 Asher 0 right now.

You're welcome to that opinion, but DrSpike's "analysis" boils down to "it's a casual base, so they don't buy games, doesn't mean they're disenchanted". He ignores that the average selling price for the Wii games is much lower, there's a massive amount of games for it, and the device itself is the "hottest" console out there in terms of mindshare and hype.

On the other hand, overwhelming anecdotal evidence I've had both on this site and in real life (disclaimer: I don't hang out with retards, grandmothers, or five year olds) is that the novelty wears our quickly on the Wii. The typical observable Wii owner behaviour is to buy the Wii with a handful of games, then the rate of games purchasing drops dramatically if not altogether.

If DrSpike has evidence of sustained game sales on the Wii a year after purchase, he's free to cite it. As it is right now, he's got no evidence at all to make the claim while common sense dictates that much, if not most of the game sales are driven by new owners of the consoles each month, not sustained enjoyment.

[snoopy369]

DrSpike's analysis happens to fit the facts rather better than yours, which fits your personal opinion nicely...

[Asher]

Originally posted by snoopy369
DrSpike's analysis happens to fit the facts rather better than yours, which fits your personal opinion nicely...

What facts do you have for long-term Wii owner purchasing habits?

The "steady" sales of Wii games, mostly outside of the top 10 titles, indicates they're being purchased mostly by new console owners steadily coming to the new party. When new games come out, unless it's a first-class Nintendo title with massive exposure, rarely do they crack the top 10. That indicates people buying new consoles and then an assortment of titles to go with it rather than constantly purchasing of **** games by Wii owners who simply haven't learned their lesson year a year or more after ownership.

I'd like for you to actually bring an argument to this thread rather than rhetoric. Can you step up?