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crumas2 on 10 October 2008
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famousringo said:
crumas2 said:
famousringo said:
This man understands that without the combined install base of 360 and PS3, HD development would choke to death.

With the Japan current-gen console market being ~70% Wii, the danger is that all third-party games designed for Japanese release will opt for Wii exclusivity. Developers need to see it as an 'HD install base' rather than a 'PS3 or 360 install base' in order to justify new projects.

Do developers really think of the current console market that way, i.e. - HD vs SD gaming?  I thought the developers/publishers looked primarily at installed base and installed demographics, i.e. - casual gamer vs hardcore gamer.

 

 

They may not have at first. They may have looked at each console on its own merits and considered the demographics as you suggest. But when one console stands so far apart from the other two and snags two thirds of marketshare it becomes a conflict of the leader versus the rest. And Sony needs to persuade developers to see it that way, as it effectively gives the PS3 a larger install base for the purpose of deciding what games get developed for it.

I don't think that you can make a casual/hardcore split stick when the console has 70% marketshare.

I think I understand what you're saying, now, regarding the need to get developers to focus on HD vs SD.  As far as the bolded statement, I'm not so sure.  From my own experience, I believe the wild success of the Wii is based on four factors:

1. Cost of the system.  It's still cheaper than any console except for the 360 Arcade.

2. Strength and quality of Nintendo IPs.  You can't get Mario, etc., anywhere else.  And the titles are kid-safe, i.e. - no nudity, blood, language, etc.

3. Non-gamer friendly controls.  My wife hates the 360 controllers, but likes the WiiMote controller.  It feels "natural" to her to point at what she wants to affect on the screen.

4. Group/party-friendly titles and controls.  Wii Carnival.  Wii Sports.  Wii Play.  Etc.  My brothers and parents beg us to bring the Wii over for family events, but no so with the 360.  When I *did* take the 360 over a couple of times, my brothers, my son, and I sat and played Gears of War and Halo 3.  The wives and my parents just ignored us and went to another room to play cards.  With the Wii, everyone joins in and has a great time.

All of the above seems to make the Wii a strong choice for gamers who normally would not be interested in playing Oblivion or COD4.  I call those people casual gamers, but perhaps that's the wrong term.