[General Discussion] "when pigs fly..."

Originally Posted by SouthJag

As a final note, I'd like to say that I'm amazed at how some people see the retail market. The Wii's success seems to be (from the perspectives of many analysts and gamers who know it all) entirely dependent on the fact like people want the cheapest system. However, if that were true, then why did the Gamecube fail to reach the same sales numbers that the Xbox and PS2 did? Consumers do not always purchase so predictably -- if they want something bad enough, they will sacrifice to get it, and that includes gaming systems. Consumers are people who need justification in their purchasing decisions, and if they can justify the PS3 ("My kid really wants one and I know he'd really enjoy it") and its price point, then the transaction has already been finalized.

That's especially true during the holiday season. Nobody wants and hardly anyone has the time to be sold on a particular system. They know what they want and they want it with minimal hassle. If they or whoever they're buying for want a PS3/360/Wii, then that is what they'll get.

I think that you have a point to some extent. It's true that despite having the lower price, Nintendo failed to amass the sales numbers with the Gamecube that Sony and Microsoft had. But you have to consider the price points as well. Why spend $200 for a Gamecube when you can spend $100 more and get a PS2 with a larger library or an Xbox with improved visuals (speaking in terms of prices back towards their inceptions.)

Now we look to the future. We don't know the price yet, but we can assume that the Wii will be roughly $200 give or take. The PS3 on the other hand, will be $600 for the console that everyone is going to want to purchase.

So my question is, will a $400 price differential make more of an impact on the consumer than a $100 price differential?

Keep in mind that like I said, I agree with you to some extent. Some gamers want the PS3 and will do what it takes to get it. Some may not have a problem switching to the somewhat more affordable 360 (like I already have.) But how about the parents just looking to get their kid something affordable? You know just as well as I do that they too play as large a role in the market as the hardcore gamers do.

It's still too early to see, but I think that at least in the early going, the prince of the PS3 will hurt them despite the actual value of the package itself. I'll get all of them anyway, but i'm just a minor figure in the whole scheme of things.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Dayvon

@ Ronz

Thanks for the thoughts man. You have good stuff to say. Could you possibly make your own statement answering the four questions, instead of responding to SouthJag, though? Keeping to stating our personal opinions keeps the "bickering" down, as opposed to resonding to other's statements which can get people riled. It'd be most appreciated.

Thanks guys for playing by the rules. This thread is turning out great so far! Let's hear more opinions!!

Lets the game begain!

You'll have to forgive me because I really don't post much, but I fail to see the logic of your thread here.

You ask us to answer extremely speculative questions and ask to give our opinions, then ask that we don't respond to others opinons with those of our own.

Doesn't that eliminate the entire purpose?

I'm not trying to destroy your thread here or anything and i'm not trying to contribute to another stupid CONSOLE FANBOY FLAME WAR but I saw part of Southjag's post that I wanted to comment on and so I did so.

There's nowhere I can't reach.