Wii and DS sales 'under threat from recession'

[Shrygue]

via Games Industry


Screen Digest senior analyst Piers Harding-Rolls believes that some sections of the videogames industry are under greater threat from recession than others - particularly those which deal with "new, non-enthusiast" gamers that focus their attention on Wii and DS titles.

"These new, non-enthusiast and more mainstream console gamers view many Wii and DS games as experimental and discretionary luxuries," he said. "As the recession bites, Wii and DS games are likely to fall from the shopping lists of some of these consumers."

Sony too should be wary, says the analyst, due to the PlayStation 3's premium price point that's made it the most expensive console currently on the market.

"From a hardware perspective, Sony's PS3 console is relatively exposed on price, which may prompt price-sensitive traditional gamers to delay adoption of the platform until we see a substantial price drop."

However, Harding-Rolls was more positive about core gaming audiences, which he said were "relatively resilient to an economic downturn" thanks to "few financial responsibilities" and "a higher disposable income."

But despite that there was likely to be a medium term impact that would see "more risk-averse business practices" and "new and original IP projects" under pressure, leading to a lower level of innovation for consumers.

Echoing that last point Electronic Arts' CEO John Riccitiello recently claimed that while the company's new IP titles this year had reviewed strongly, sales weren't as high as they would have been had they formed part of an existing, well-known franchise.

[mcdougall57]

Under threat? Not likely. People will find the money this christmas to buy one of these.

That analyst can shove his report up his arse, I know what people are buying this christmas.

[zilos]

Agreed.. Where did this 'analyst' get his results exactly?

The NPD Group on Thursday released videogame software sales results for the November timeframe and while all platforms saw significant spikes, Nintendo's two systems soared through the atmosphere, out of this solar system and into the next galaxy, a faint, echoing "ka-ching!" left behind for Microsoft and Sony to consider. Wii was far and away the best-selling console for the month with 2.04 million units sold, easily the biggest month the platform has enjoyed since its release two years ago. And let's just repeat: 2.04 million units. Not a typo. DS, meanwhile, was the second best-selling platform with 1.57 million units sold. Xbox 360 sold to another 836,000 people; PSP 421,000; and PlayStation 3 another 378,000.

Sounds like he made them up really.. It's not like this information above is secret and he doesn't even know that? Hope he doesn't quit his day job for market analysis.

[grossaffe]

yeah, the best-selling console to go along with the best selling hand-held are threatened. sure.

[Triv1um]

With the recession, the sales might take a small hit.

But with the rate that these babies are selling, I dont think it will hurt them. Haha.

[goshogun1]

I seriously doubt it will hurt the sales of the DS much. I do see how it could hurt the sales of PS3's and 360's somewhat, just because of their cost, and equipment needed to play them at their optimized levels. ie: HDTVs digital recievers etc. The DS is standalone and needs only itself. DS will live on...through rain or shine...or recession.