The reasoning for why this gens market leader is down so much is multiple.
(for the sake of argument, lets accept the notion of the core and casual customer)
1. Gateway Inroduction. When a younger kid or anyone for that matter gets a wii as their sole console and really takes to video games, the wii serves as a gateway console leading to the purchase of a PS3 or 360.
2. Market Segment Dilution. There are 2 segments of consumers for consoles, "casual" and more hardcore gamer oriented or "core", (although ofcourse sometimes core gamers buy the wii, always exceptions etc.)Before, the 360 and PS3 split one of these segments while the wii had the other all to itself, thus the wii naturally sold more. But now those segments have been diluted due largely to kinect and somewhat Move.
This means something different for each console;
-The wii loses customers (as the wii is seen as the older casual)
-The 360 gains alot of casual customers but also loses some core customers (as the 360 is seen as both core and casual)
-The PS3 gains a litte bit of casual but also gains a lot of core customers (as the PS3 is now seen as the only choice for core customers.)
3. HD consoles matter more now than they originally did. This is simple, tech is going to show its age, or conversly, come into its own as time goes on. It may be that a console without HD or online connectivity (like the wii) is really starting to show its age unlike the other 2 consoles.
4. Games Games Games. As the title says, Games matter. Its no secret that 3rd parties have all but abandoned the wii, as it was always in first place in total console sales, the other 2 consoles combined always sold more, and that is how devs always saw it. It was a scenario from the start to either develope for the wii OR develope for the HD twins, this spelled doom for Nintendo. 3rd party support is nowhere to be seen for the wii now a days. It also doesnt help that there are really no games of any kind to speak of on the wii currently. Heres hoping that Zelda brings brighter days.
What does any of this really mean.. I dunno. The wii could just end up having the most sales at years end to make up for the slower rest of the year like it always does. But I'm starting to think that because of the reasons above that it may fall from grace and stay there from now on.
̶3̶R̶D̶ 2ND! Place has never been so sweet.
