Sony's disregard for casuals spells doom.

Name the number one selling console out on the market today, and whom does it cater too? Now name the second? And in 3rd place we have the Playstation 3. While the Wii went after the casual market, both Xbox and PS3 went after the 'hardcore' gamers. Almost everyone at SystemWars counted the Wiiout as it didn't cater to what we wanted, asystem that brings in a leaptechnological advancement, withbigger and longer games. The Wii took a side step and made a technological advancement, not in raw computing horse power, but rather in user interface, with smaller and shorter games. This of course got media attention and sold consoles.

What did Xbox and PS3 do to answer the huge potential for sales in the casual market? Well the Xbox revamped their menu screen and introduced cute little avatars. While this is nothing new, the Wii had them since launch and the PS3 had HOME Beta. The xbox made it part of the new menu screen and have even released games where you can show off your creation. The PS3 only had their avatars as an optional download. Lets call that strike one.

Next the Xbox revamped their user interface even more with the introduction of Natal. Given that this is a peripheral and didn't come included with the system, it will be a tough sale for the casuals to bite. The approach they are going for is that they are treating the Natal like a new system aimed at the "60 per cent of households where a videogame console doesn't exist", rather than current casual gamers "or even PS2 people who haven't upgraded". . It has received a lot of media attention since it's unveiling at E3. Just like the Wii, this can mean sales. The PS3 unveiled their project, still early in development as it still does not have a name. Sony said that they want"developers to create entirely new types of games that we believe have the potential to appeal to core gamers who, up until now, maybe haven't embraced motion gaming as much as casual fans." Lets call that strike two.

And last we have is the biggest deterrent to casual gamers which is of course the price point. To this day the PS3 has been the most expense system. Talks about price cut have been rumored for years. But if the price pointfor the PSP Go is anyindication of how much they have learned from the past, than they have got a longway to go before casual gamers proclaim PS3 the must have system. According to Kaz Hirai, Sony really isn't to interested in the casual market. "If you go mainstream too quickly and don't support the core gaming audience then you lack the pillar to support your platform", says Kaz. "Without this pillar", he continues, "you end up with a fickle audience that might be big but will probably move on. This is fine if you're looking at a five-year lifecycle like all of our competitors, even looking back in history, have always done. The new console comes out and the old one is immediately disregarded." Lets call that strike three, and that's game.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/natal-not-targeting-existing-casual-gamers

http://kotaku.com/5283062/sony-explains-unnamed-new-ps3-motion-controller-a-little-more

http://news.spong.com/article/18207/PlayStation_Hirai_-_Casual_Gamers_are_Fickle

What's your point? That Wii is for kids, 360 is for teens, and ps3 is for adults?

What's your point? That Wii is for kids, 360 is for teens, and ps3 is for adults?

Jfisch93

360 and ps3 target the same audience, the price gap is more of an explanation for the sales difference. And sony doesnt disregard the casuals just because there system is sophisticated, they still have games like little big planet that non hardcore gamers will enjoy. The Wii is a gimmicky toy with the nintendo brand on it.

sooo, you think because the 360 has avatars and a motion sensing system with a name, it targets more casual gamers? since when have casuals been all about the avatars and things with names? i can say this with full confidence: the PS3 and 360 target the same audience.

Isn't EyeToy and SingStar casual though? I know it sold more than 4 million.

Maybe the Wand Thingy of Sony will be the introduction of additional casual games for PS3 and future consoles?

M-O-O-N that spells doom :P (did anyone really get that reference? :? )BoloTheGreat

lulz, yeah, stephen king is awesome

but i have to say i disagree. sony actually embraces the casual gamer, the difference between the ps3 and wii though is that the ps3's casual games aren't all shovelware. its games like flower and puzzlequest.

The only point there I'd agree with TC on is the price point. If you really think that avatars and an expensive perhiperal aimed at casual gamers(Despite being as expensive as a console in itself and still requiring a console to be of any use) are moving 360's you're wrong.

meh, I'm enjoying my Ps3. Congratz for MS and Nindy, but I still love my Sony for the games they give me and the quality of there products. I try not to care to much about the numbers, just play games and hope for the best, na mean :)Nocturnal_Speed

I have to agree I am sure that the Natal equipment is going to be expensive. I mean look at other peripherals that Microsoft has released and look at the price compared to other products of the same equivilance.

The PS3 has been sold as a entertainment hub that's not always used for games. Many have a PS3 for Blu-Ray and DVD movies on that nice HDTV. Then there are many that got the PS3 for the memory card readers in the systems that had them to view photo albums with family and friends on that nice HDTV. There is so many things that the PS3 offers over the other consoles. I have the good old 60 gig system with all the nice bells and whistles.

Nintendo took a risk with the Wii. They never dreamed it would do as good as it did, in the first two years. But hey it did. So don't think Nintendo "knew" it would happen all along. And Sonys answer to the "casuals" is obviously the ps2. Hint: Dont have the title say "Sony" but rather the PS3.

The PS3 faithful will never say that they system of choice is failing, but a person who doesn't have a next gen console and doesn't have a preference is not looking at a PS3 to purchase. If they want to jump into hardcore gaming, they will pick a xbox. If they want casual gaming, they will pick a Wii. If they want Blu-ray, then they will get a stand alone which cost less than a PS3. I'm telling you, the PS3 sells will stagnant, and Sony will just have to chalk up the PS3 as a lost cause. player_leo

And only blind fanboys say the PS3 is doomed. Stagnant? Maybe. Doomed? Ask me in 2-3 years. Until then, have fun playing with your crystal ball.

LBP,modnation races,singstar and gran turismo disagreeirish4eva

[QUOTE="irish4eva"]LBP,modnation races,singstar and gran turismo disagreeplayer_leo

Sony's trying to get core gamers this gen rather than try pulling both crowds.Doesnt bother me as long as im getting good games tbqh xD.

I'm glad Sony isn't gathering to casual market, I'm not a kid nor a teenager.

The moment Sony follows this ridiculous casual Wii introduced, I'm going back to PC gaming.

I grew up with PS1 and PS2, i don't need PS3 to be causal.

The PS3 has been sold as a entertainment hub that's not always used for games. Many have a PS3 for Blu-Ray and DVD movies on that nice HDTV. Then there are many that got the PS3 for the memory card readers in the systems that had them to view photo albums with family and friends on that nice HDTV. There is so many things that the PS3 offers over the other consoles. I have the good old 60 gig system with all the nice bells and whistles.

jimm895

What a pointless post, the NXE hasn't increased sales (infact it lost them a customer as it's one of the many reasons i got rid of mine), Natal hasn't revamped the interface at all because it's not even out yet and may not be out till late 2010 possibly 2011, And as for price point, well lets just say that one can claim the 360 is the more expensive console if you factor in online play and that the PS3 is the more expensive one if you factor out online play. You post is so full of fail (and fanboyism) that it hurt my head :(.Stoner-Pimp

That is true, eventually the Xbox 360 becomes more expensive due to Xbox Live. I would buy a Xbox 360 console & after 4 years of Xbox Live fees I would break the price of a PS3 & then continue to raise the mark from there. Only issue here is it's easier to pay it out over a long period than all at once up front.

What's your point? That Wii is for kids, 360 is for teens, and ps3 is for adults?

Jfisch93

Wow. Couldn't put it in any better way myself.

I do think that those consoles catter more to those audiences in that exact way.

[QUOTE="Jfisch93"]

What's your point? That Wii is for kids, 360 is for teens, and ps3 is for adults?

SambaLele

Wow. Couldn't put it in any better way myself.

I do think that those consoles catter more to those audiences in that exact way.

How so? I understand the Wii, but what is it about the PS3 that would be more for an adult?

[QUOTE="Jfisch93"]

What's your point? That Wii is for kids, 360 is for teens, and ps3 is for adults?

Wow. Couldn't put it in any better way myself.

I do think that those consoles catter more to those audiences in that exact way.

What's your point? That Wii is for kids, 360 is for teens, and ps3 is for adults?

Jfisch93