Gaming Market Tanking Because of 360

[foogledricks]

No doubt you've all seen the headlines that the gaming market is down 18%. This is alarming for many because this is supposed to be a jackpot year of the industry considering the massive installed base of current gen consoles. And some publishers are blaming the XB360. And I think they're RIGHT!

 

There are no console games on my Xmas list, for the first time EVER! Why? Because of the 360. I passed on Burnout, Half-Life 2, and several other games because I knew that I'd be buying 360 games soon, so who needs the crappy Xbox versions? Throw in the fact that I simply won't be getting a 360 because they're not available, and Microsoft has psychologically caused me to not buy (or receive as a gift) ANY console games for Fall/Xmas 2005.

 

So, is Microsoft and consumers like me the reason that sales are down? I think, maybe, yes? And if so, publishers must be more pissed about the shortages than the people on this forum.

[Whooter]

Partially. That and all the current generation consoles are at the end of their lifespan. I'm sure plenty of people are waiting on PS3 and Revolution as well...

[Josh]

I'd agree to some extent. People's eyes and hearts are on the 360 and PS3 to some extent. Even me, although I've been on a PSP game buying binge.

[foogledricks]

That and all the current generation consoles are at the end of their lifespan.

And some people blame that on Microsoft. Traditionally, I keep hearing, this Xmas should be a big year. Instead publishers, developers, and customers are refocusing their attention on the future. The result is fewer great games on current gen consoles, less marketing, less emphasis by the media, and a general lack of excitment for videogames that aren't next-gen.

 

This of course was inevitable. But the argument was that it is all happening 6 months too soon... enough to hurt fall sales. And Microsoft's Xbox 360 is the catalyst. Sony and Nintendo are participating of course ... out of necessity.

[exile]

I agree to an extent. I won't buy an Xbox games for this reason and I won't buy a PS2 because the PS3 is coming. They're all to blame not just Microsoft.

[General Zot]

There are no console games on my Xmas list, for the first time EVER! Why? Because of the 360. I passed on Burnout, Half-Life 2, and several other games because I knew that I'd be buying 360 games soon, so who needs the crappy Xbox versions? Throw in the fact that I simply won't be getting a 360 because they're not available, and Microsoft has psychologically caused me to not buy (or receive as a gift) ANY console games for Fall/Xmas 2005[/color'].

 

 

This makes little sense. Because the 360 came out (which you don't have), you won't buy other desired games or allow other people to gift them to you (which affects your finances how?) Get over it and buy yourself a game, slump ended...

[Romier S]

Because the 360 came out (which you don't have), you won't buy other desired games or allow other people to gift them to you (which affects your finances how?) Get over it and buy yourself a game, slump ended...

I think Keith is speaking in retrospect Joe. Because he expected to have a 360 and spend his buying dollars on titles available for the new console, he held off on buying anything for the current generation of consoles leading to a reduction in sales for those titles. Given that many people subscribed to the same mindset, and due to the 360 shortages, it left many gamers without a new console to buy games for and months of slow sales due to folks playing the waiting game. Cause and effect so to speak. I'm sure he's more than willing to buy games NOW, but that doesn't help to fix the months leading up the holidays where consumers like Keith held on to thier cash.

 

I think it's worth mentioning that last year saw the release of major titles like Halo 2, and GTA San Andreas which were huge sellers and helped to boost game sales at the end of year. Something this years is lacking to an extent.

[Sparkz]

There are no console games on my Xmas list, for the first time EVER! Why? Because of the 360.

 

I'm in the same boat. I'm biding my time waiting for the 360 to be more readily available, and taking the chance to complete some older titles that haven't received much play time.

 

I also agree with idea that people are saving up for a 360, and therefore that money being saved is not being spent on any video games this quarter.

[foogledricks]

This makes little sense.

Fine, I'll disclose one more detail. I'm playing WoW right now.

[rustyjaw]

I wonder if the success of PSP as a movie player is having an effect on game buying? I'm sure it's not a huge effect in itself, but every little bit counts.

[Camp]

It's just part of the console cycle. The introduction of a new hardware generation takes the focus off the entrenched current gen systems.

Consumers (non-gamers) hear reports of the new hardware from mainstream media and see an industry in the midst of change. The resounding message from the mainstream media is, "wait to see how this next console generation pans out once Sony & Nintendo enter the market." So, they back off of video game purchases a bit and wait things out.

 

It's a typical response to an industry which reinvents itself every four or five years.

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

I'd say the fact that the software lineup is very weak is playing a much larger role than the 360. Normal TRU B2G1 free for me is 9-12 games. This year I had to get a game I didn't really want just to fill out one set of 3. Companies always have the luxury of making better games if they want higher sales.

[General Zot]

Fine, I'll disclose one more detail. I'm playing WoW right now.

 

Oh, OK. I didn't realize you were insane. Sorry for the misunderstanding...

[Paul]

while that may be part of the reason, i tend to believe it has more to do with comparing this year's sales against 2 of the top selling games of all time from the same month last year in san andreas and halo 2.

 

i missed the part where that point was already made above.

[Jeff W]

I'd love to be getting games like America's Army or Halflife 2 or a handful of others for the xbox this Christmas, instead I've told everyone I only want cash this year in anticipation of possibly scoring a 360 after the new year. I'm most definitely skipping out on some possibly great xbox games holding back for the likes of CoD2, Condemned, or PD0.

[Cyberwoo]

I've been playing nothing but PC games the past few months. Current gen consoles are dead. There hasn't been anything released recently that I've cared to play. I'm waiting for the good games on the 360 to arrive before I get one and start playing console games again. Until that happens I've got my sexy racing sims and first person shooters on the PC to keep me busy.

[iainl]

Clearly I'm in a minority, as overall sales are down, but I've had a shitload of games recently. However, they measure the 18% down figure on sales by value, not by volume.

 

I honestly can't remember the last time I paid ?39.99 for a game; certainly the best chance of me having been given one that cost that much was last Christmas. Most PS2 and XBox titles can be picked up year round in Tesco for ?32.99 or online for ?29.99. I've just recently been getting really into my DS, where games are ?29.99 list, and closer to ?22.99 if I order online from the US. Battlefield 2 was ?24.99 in a sale, and my recent PS2 purchases have been ?14.99 to ?19.99 each.

 

I went into HMV at the weekend in search of presents, and happened to glance at their games, too. Dear God they're trying to get them off the shelves in a hurry. Everything should cost ?39.99. However, I could have had 12-months XBox Live + PGR2 and Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones in the buy-one-get-one-free section (along with simply tonnes of others like True Crime:NYC, Darkwatch, Total Overdose or SSX On Tour), Kong on any format for ?27.99, just about anything EA for ?29.99 and loads of other stuff too.