| DraconianAC said: I thought niche markets were a good thing. If one can find the right niche, a product can survive as long as one creates a loyal following. Once that happens, one would expect for word of mouth (a type of marketing) to help in future sales. Vinyl is nice example, but Sony needs to play it right. |
Typically niche strategies are associated with price premiums, due to the focused targeting. Vita had a price drop.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_market
I wish a more knowledgable person would write an article about this, but I do think that you pretty much have dedicated gaming handhelds as only being viable if they're marketed towards young children.
Smartphones have basicly given a way for adults to kill time. Whereas before smartphones you had at best a iPod or maybe cell phones (where you entertained yourself by texting a lot). And even before that a Game Boy was literally the only portable computer you carried around with you.
So, what demographic probably only carries a Game Boy as its exclusive portable computer? Children. In addition, which demographic probably has the most need for a dedicated gaming device (i.e. have the time to play them)? Children.
Japan and a few other countries where public transportation is really developed might have a hightened demand for portables (whereas countries like the US have heavy automobile commute).
