Enough Is Enough: Too Many Game Consoles! (Page 4 of 4)

Table of Contents

Finding a Sweet Spot

Consumers like choice, but they don't want confusion. There's no right answer for what Sony and Microsoft can do to satisfy gamers, but if the last two console generations were any tell (Sony dominated the market with one console SKU), one console version is the way to go. Nintendo's doing it, and look what happened: a rocket boost from number three to market dominance.

Instead of releasing and re-releasing, and adding and removing minute features, give the consumer a clear cut choice: a relatively inexpensive low-end system and a high-end hardcore edition. Make them look different and distinguishable. Consoles aren't PCs. Console gamers want to play Halo 3 and Killzone 2 the same way all their friends do.

This model just doesn't work for consoles.

This model just doesn't work for consoles.

Following the iPod model doesn't work if there's not enough to distinguish each console. Anyone can point out the differences between the iPod Shuffle, Nano, and Video, but ask the general consumer to describe what makes each version of the PS3 unique and they'll probably look at you with a blank stare. Hell, before researching this piece I couldn't tell you everything that differentiates the 20, 40, 60 and 80GB PS3s, and I work in the gaming industry! That's a huge problem.

Comments [0]

post a comment

Post a Comment