MikeB on 29 June 2008
@ starcraft
At the end of the day, some people, including the OP, try to imply that the two console's attach rates are the same, when they most certainly are not.
Look at Sqrl's chart posted above. For a similar timeframe all 3 consoles seem perfectly alligned (although it should be noted Nintendo as a games publisher dominates the Wii charts, relevant to 3rd parties).
One crucial thing to note is that for those people who owned a console for a longer period of time, the attach ratio goes up.
So let's say (hypothetical, let's say people are only allowed to buy consoles on one day a year, the real scenario is of course far more dynamic with new game releases (and holiday seasons) pushing for many new console owners anytime of the year):
First year:
1 million 360 owners buy 5 games.
Results so far:
- 1 million 360 owners.
- 5 million 360 games sold.
Attach ratio: 5
Second year (PS3 launches)
2 million 360 owners buy 10 games.
1 million PS3 owners buy 5 games.
Results so far:
- 2 million 360 owners
- 15 million 360 games sold so far.
360 attach ratio: 7.5
- 1 million PS3 owners
- 5 million PS3 games sold so far.
PS3 attach ratio: 5
You undestand? As the install base of the PS3 and 360 move closer, it's mostly relevant how big the install base is and how many games are sold per year. How many past games people have in their homes for a specific console is not relevant to game publishers.
