With the success of the Nintendo Wii, numerous gaming-industry pundits have focused on what console companies are doing to garner the mainstream audience. In a sense, it's understandable; out of the gate, the Wii has reached a broad audience in a way that (arguably) no console ever has. While the shortsighted reaction would be to mimic the Wii in every way possible and as soon as possible, Sony believes in a more gradual approach -- an approach that has worked for the company twice before. It will go after the mainstream audience with products like Buzz, SingStar, and its unnamed motion controller. However, Sony feels that it's important to start with the core audience and build out. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai said:
"We have always started with the core audience and then expanded. A console always needs a solid core of games that appeal to gamers. Look at God of War. We launched that in the seventh year of the Playstation 2 and a lot of people wondered why we did. It's because we always wanted to keep the support of the core gaming audience.
That's not to say we're not doing anything to expand the demographics. Singstar and Buzz are obvious examples. But we need to do this in a controlled way. If you go mainstream too quickly and don't support the core gaming audience then you lack the pillar to support your platform. Without this pillar you end up with a fickle audience that might be big but will probably move on."
A lot of what Hirai is saying makes complete sense, but this generation is quite different from the previous two and the market has changed considerably. The most obvious point is that the PlayStation 3 does not enjoy the same market position as the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. With that in mind, can Sony afford to use the same approach it did in the past? Or does it need to alter its gameplan drastically in order to catch up to Microsoft? (Let's be honest -- neither company is going to catch up to Nintendo.)
Hirai's words also made me think about Nintendo's longterm future. Numerous readers of TheFeed would say, to use Hirai's words, that Nintendo lacks the pillar to support its core-gaming audience. While it might not matter this generation, some have argued that the Wii has generated so much ill will with enthusiast gamers and it will bite Nintendo come next generation. Like Kaz said, it's possible that these gamers will "move on".
It's still early in the console game so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Microsoft and Sony still have numerous opportunities to succeed. While Nintendo's lead is substantial, it still has a lot of work to do in order to avoid a sharp sales drop off. Even though a lot of enthusiast gamers have turned their backs on Nintendo, the company has the ability -- much more so than the others -- to win back hearts with its classic franchises.
So look into your crystal balls and read your tarot cards. Do you think the approach Hirai spoke about will work? Or is this generation a completely different ballgame? How about Nintendo? Did it "go mainstream too quickly"? Will it haunt the company in the future? Share your thoughts!
Comments
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UndiscoveredBum
Go create a piss poor online system for the "core gamers" less and less exclusives for the "core gamers." Thank you Microsoft for your excellent online service and dedication to us true core gamers who realize a system worth a damn. Suck it tricks.
Powerhungry
As a core gamer, obviously I like this approach to game development for the ps3. However, if Sony does not cater to the mainstream audience I fear that there will be no future for the ps3.
ProxyVirus
Aww here you go again Padilla.
In all seriousness, it doesn't matter how the gaming "market" changes, Nintendo could sell $20 million Wiis next month. Ultimately, its the enthusiast "core" gamers that keep the industry alive.
It doesn't matter that Nintendo changed things, which I agree with you they did, but they could never transform the market to the point where enthusiast gamers are the minority.
Well put together article(this time), and you gotta admit, this isn't "uncharacteristically stupid" now is it?
r_pad
@ProxyVirus Hirai's comments were very smart, which leads credence to my theory that the water supply is rotting Andy House's brain, turning him into David Reeves 2.0.
Scottydsntknow
I disagree with Hirai, You need to focus on pleasing both the hardcore and the casual audience, not just choosing one group over the other (Nintendo)
IcemanMX
Wouldn't it be deliciously ironic if Nintendo hired Mr. Hirai after his tenure with Sony. Seriously, I would like to see what he can bring to Nintendo's table. I doubt it would happen, but hey, one can only dream.
-M
ProxyVirus
@Raymond Padilla Everyone says things that they ultimately regret, costs them their job, and leaves them as but an shell of their former self.
It's the circle of life that makes being a President truly worthwhile.
@Scottydsntknow He didn't say to ignore the casual audience. They're there and you have to cater to them, obviously.
He means you have to focus on the ones that will always be there before you focus on the ones that are just following the trend.
DreamingDarklyRobin
It's the casual audience that pays the bills nowadays. Sony's on a slippery slope to dreamcast land.
Bookshelf
Look at that Ray, a Sony exec said something smart! =D
i'd much rather get to play more core games then mainstream games. Thank you Sony for not forgetting us. Uncharted 2, MAG, God of War, FF14, on and on, can't wait. =)
Bookshelf
wow did my comment really just not post?
N8R
@ R Pad
I'm going to share my opinions in a more understandable tone... relating it to pro wrestling.
Nintendo has the belt. MS and Sony of course, want said belt. Nintendo won the belt by pulling in new fans like the Rock or Stone Cold did. And Hulkster did it twice. i.e. Nintendo is the obvious Hulkster here.
MS, is trying to take the focus of all that, and basically create a character like John Cena. What people want to see, all the right moves, and attaching to pop culture. i.e. MS is the Prototype now Cena.
Sony... is for the hardcore fans. Kaz has always taken that outlook since the IDEA of the PS3. They were once champion, but have fallen in fan loyalty since. They still have a dazzling ring presence, and the fans who are the most picky tend to prefer this one. i.e. (tough call) I'd say RVD... but I bet you got one better.
zmnatz
I can say for sure that there will be a backlash from core gamers if there is another round of consoles. I for one have "moved on" and have no intention on getting the next nintendo console that's for sure.
Tmidiman
Kaz is right. I think Nintendo will have it's own private 3rd party videogame crash, because of games that no one want's. Sure Nintendo will sell millions of 1st party bits, but the rest of their market will suffer.
Many Hardcore Nintendo fans will stay, but many have left or have two systems now. And trust me. Nintendo knows how many people signed up online, but now have turned their systems off.
r_pad
@Bookshelf They do that sometimes. Ha! More seriously, there are a lot of Sony executives that are fantastic. House, Tretton, and Yoshida are fantastic, though Jack has been taking a pounding in the press this generation.
@N8R I love it when it comes back to wrestling...but I'm not a fan of two of the guys you picked. You're saying Nintendo and Microsoft are hugely charismatic but are mediocre when it comes to in-ring performance? On the other hand, you're saying Sony is hugely talented in the ring...but refuses to commit to WWE because of...uh...herbal issues?
Adrenalyn915
@ UndiscoveredBum
I don't mean to start a flame war, but what the hell, I participate in them all the time anyway. On to my ploy, how does Micro$oft care for the 'core gamer', with its two core exclusives coming out this year, and 'social networking' up the wazoo? PlayStation 3 is the only 'core' system out there.
Phuk5tar
I wouldn't say they need to "drastically" change, I appreciate Sony's dedication and investment in their customers (something a lot of companies are starting to do, like Virgin Mobile, Kia, etc.), but they do need to get a little more bang with their mainstream audience. It looks as if Sony is using the 80/20 principle (spending 80% of your time/investment in the top 20% of a given group) and is a principle that has been taught for years because it works. I think this will work, despite your greatest hopes, Ray ;)
Tmidiman
Numbers, numbers, numbers. For me it's about games. As far as I'm concernned the PS2 and 3 didn't win, becuase they had no games I was interested in playing. Yeah I have a Wii, but I also have the 5 good games for the system. Only 5!? So it doesn't win either. IMHO, and this is just me the system that wins is the one that provides the most games I want to play. The 360 wins for me. Action, adventure, open-world.
Nintendo sell more systems has not made me play the system more. System sales has not equaled game play. And to be honest, again for me, Nintendo is third. Even if I don't want a PS3. At least Sony is trying big time and they get major points for that from me as a HARDCORE gamer.
But again that's just me. And you,....?
r_pad
@Phud5tar Your "greatest hopes" comment will only lead to more idiocy. I want all three companies to succeed. It would make the business bigger and better.
Tmidiman
To Continue,..
Nintendo's big mistake was not having Factor 5, Silicone Knights, and Rare to create games while they take their usual 2 YEAR BREAK! That's right, those companies kept the games flowing last gen and before that. Other companies did the work wihile Nintendo worked on other things.
Now they are gone and Nintendo has nothing to show. MS and Sony should learn from that. Always keep your 1st party supported devs close or you will end up like Nintendo. And yes Nintendo knows they messed up.
Tmidiman
All 3 succeeding would be a good thing Ray. But arrogance will not allow that to happen. But while all three, like many of their fans, won't admit their faults in public they do at least know them. They won't repeat these mistakes,....well,...Nintendo will. But that's how they work. Been doing it that way forever.
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