| Mifely said: Lemme highlight some stuff first. (1) Physical media is about to become a lot more expensive (well, heck, everything from food to electric power is)... because it needs to be both produced and shipped by oil-based industries. Everything from the plastic coating on the discs, to the packaging is made primarily from oil, and the components of the "non-plastic" parts are usually manufactured with or dependant on oil as well. Shipping costs will skyrocket (for obvious reasons), and every last "ingredient" in every game and console component is shipped from somewhere -- often very long distances. Usually the amount of oil used in their production is pretty hefty as well. (2) Games are entertainment. As the US economy slumps, so will the rest of the world (although not as much, IMO). Entertainment products are usually the first to go. Or are they? (3) What affect will console demographics have on this? Will PS3/360 owners buy more games, because they are more likely to be devoted gamers? Will the Wii drop drastically (I should say "more drastically"), due to its appeal to the general populace (i.e. the group most stricken with economic woes). (4) Will gaming pick up, due to its relative lesser expense than driving to a movie, seeing a pro-sports game, cheaper-over-time than rental movies, etc.?
I'm sure this will spark some serious disagreements over exactly what the oil issue means to the world, but try to keep it on topic. =) |
(1) These costs as they relate to gaming are pretty tiny ... manufacturing and distribution of most games represents (maybe) $2 on a typical game.
(2) Entertainment is a necessity and videogames are (in general) a pretty inexpensive form of entertainment; in a recession most people end up lowering their cost associated to necessities by switching to more inexpensive forms.
(3) Because of #2 gaming in general (and more inexpensive forms of gaming like the PS2, DS and Wii specifically) will fair pretty well unless people are forced to reduce their spending far beyond what even the most pessimistic predictions anticipate
(4) Yes, because of #2
