Just reading an article about how the Wii has emerged as the biggest seller of the current generation of video game consoles by a long shot. This paragraph made me think:
Two years later, that risk has worked out far better than anyone could ever expect. Nintendo is once again back at the top of its game, selling several hundred thousand systems each and every month, exceeding the demand for the system pretty much every week of the year. It has thrust far ahead of both Microsoft’s and Sony’s current generation of consoles even with its inferior hardware capabilities, showing the industry that maybe the market isn’t as concerned with the sharpest HD visuals or the most robust online experience as the hardcore might lead you to believe.
It’s the last little bit that really struck a chord. Immediately I though of coaster enthusiasts. Same rule applies – the most hardcore don’t represent what the average person wants. In fact, they seem to be ridiculously out of touch in most cases. There’s definitely a lot of parallels to be drawn.
Then I started thinking and I’m pretty sure that it applies to almost everything in life. Those who are the most involved, interested, fanatic – the most hardcore – with something are usually out of touch with how people in general feel about said thing.
So if you’re WAY into something don’t bother telling me what you think because you’re probably a tool.
Just a random observation.
It’s interesting that everyone I know seems to have a Wii, but few, including myself, ever turn the thing on. The appeal I do think skews younger. The number of games being purchased for it are not as high as the other platforms, but in this case, it’s OK because Nintendo actually makes money from the console itself, whereas for the other two they sell at a loss and make it up in software.
That said, I wonder what the relative success is for Nintendo with soft software sales. It doesn’t seem the mass market is as interested in buying it.