Wii still No. 1 as game industry sales soar

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Yeah I think Sony really banked on product loyalty and totally underestimated just how much their initial price point would turn even the most loyal of PS fans away.

Going over the $500 mark for a console no matter how great it may be is virtual suicide.

Agreed, especially considering that the target market for video games still centers around teens and college aged young adults. Plenty of 20 and 30 somethings grew up on video games and are willing to spend money on them, but if you want to continue to grow your business in the sale of games and accessories, you need to reach out to the people just coming into the teen years who are new to the gaming industry. Develop brand loyalty with them and you create a well of repeat customers.

But you price the thing over $500 and you just put the thing out of reach for all but the most hard-core teen gamers. And then you're reliant on the 20 and 30 somethings to buy your console, and many of them have increasing career and family responsibilities, and frankly don't have the same amount of time to devote to video games; certainly not enough time to spend $600 on the thing.

The heart of the video game market is the teens. You alienate them, you tank your business.