| couchmonkey said: Someone mentioned NPD would have historical insight into Wal-Mart sales, but I think with the way Nintendo has changed the industry in the past couple of years, that historical insight may not be valid anymore. Nintendo has not only taken first place in hardware, but it is also arguably changing who buys the systems. If grandparents and moms are really buying Wiis for themselves now, they probably aren't getting them at GameStop. I think kn and Quaid have some good theories on what NPD is trying to achieve. |
Aww thanks 
You bring up a very good point yourself. it crossed my mind previously but I didn' t think to mention it in my post. I also believe that Nintendomination has played a big part in NPD's decision, either directly or indirectly. As you allude to, Nintendo has made efforts to get their hardware sold in new retail outlets not traditionally associated with games. (Wii in Bed bath & Beyond? LOL). Thus Nintendo's new efforts would not be tracked by NPD and I'm sure NPD is not happy about that.
Also there is more than a small possibility that some of NPD's other customers are not happy with the publication of sales data that does not jive with their PR campaigns.
Crazy fanboy talk? Think what you want. But it is fact that the videogame industry is by far the most shady of any entertainment industry. Just take a look at the video clip of Jack Tretton getting humiliated on CNBC.
