Analysis: How Xbox 360 And Kinect Nearly Toppled Wii In 2010

[Squilliam]

RolStoppable said:

Squilliam said:

 Wii users perhaps don't typically buy much software, but they play what they have heaps and when they first get the system they buy a lot. Hence the support for games which have gameplay longevity in either replayability or single player and the low peak software sales even though it outpaced the PS2 in the same timeframe. You could say its a lifestyle system.

Before jumping to that conclusion I would rather like to take a look at other systems with weak third party support. Out of those four systems on the graph, only the Wii is receiving the support of a traditional second or third place system while PS2, 360 and PS3 all enjoy the level of support for a first place system. I am quite sure that second and third place systems historically peaked earlier in their lifecycles than first place systems, but it might be hard to get the necessary data.

We don't have that data, that is speculation really. However given the types of games purchased and the subsequent value debate we have had before over the prices of games purchased there is support for the idea that the people who own Wiis generally buy software they intend to play for a long period of time in order to extract value from it. Third party software is generally discounted because it doesn't offer the same longevity or assurance of quality as a first party title.