Software Sales Ratios (Attach Rates) by Console

[mike_intellivision]

It is interesting to see the spin on this news.

First there was the Joystiq article -- which is basically reporting facts provided by NPD with some analysis regarding Wii Play (which is a legit point).

The next day, there is a tech.co.uk blog piece which makes the same point ... but also is careful to treat the PS3 extra nice. It rounds its total up to "nearly 4" (while quoting the exact Wii figure). It notes that it is not surprising for a console to be at that point in that stage of its lifecycle. And it mentions about the 40 gig unit going on sale.
http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/gaming/consoles/news/xbox-360-sells-most-games-per-console?articleid=1743126964

Then on Nov. 2 -- Portal IT out of Romania trumps this as good news for the 360 and tries to count both Wii Play and Wii Sports as part of the attach rate -- using that as an excuse to dish the Wii
http://news.portalit.net/fullnews_xbox-360-still-champion-of-game-sales_462.html

My analysis -- the Wii will always have a somewhat lower attach rate because (1) it has a pack in (at least in NA and PAL) and (2) there are purchases solely for that pack in or for the pack in and another title. Seriously, how many games are all the health rehab/care centers buying. Those 0-1 puchases (maybe they bought Wii Play) reduce the attach rate. Similarly, those who buy the unit for Wii Fit will have the same effect.

Nintendo does not really care because it makes money on hardware and makes more money than anyone else on software.

This can give other developers pause because they don't know how what proportion of that user base is not looking to ever buy another game. But then again, if its attach rate is close to a more traditional system (the PS3), then maybe the issues are not as large as some like to make them out to be.

Mike from Morgantown

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