Core or Casual: Which of the two markets are more important/desirable?

[Joelcool7]

Both Core and Casual demographics are needed in the modern games industry. I think PS3 proves that the core demographic remains a powerful force that must be tapped. Look at the PS3 it was a high end gaming machine that offered nothing to the casual market pretty much every game focused entirely on the hardcore. Origionally the PS3 failed big time and was trampled by the Wii (half casual half Core) and the 360 (Mostly hardcore a few casual). But in the end PS3 has almost caught up with 360 and has sold way more then GameCube or X-Box last gen.

Now if the PS3 can survive without tapping into the casual market it proves that the hardcore is still very much present and needed. Now the Wii is perhaps the greatest proof both hardcore and casual are needed. Nintendo's core franchises (Hardcore) have sold millions upon millions in line with past sales (Ex. Brawl getting 10-mill) while new casual titles like WiiFit sold to both hardcore and casual selling 20-mill .

Fact is a core game targets the hardcore demographic, while a casual game with the right message can target both markets. The future will see Nintendo , Microsoft and Sony all targetting both demographics. Nintendo has already stated the idea of making casual games was to turn more casuals hard core give them something they enjoyed to get them into gaming and expand the hardcore.

So both are needed simultaniously. Both are important.