What kind of person plays and enjoys video games? The stereotypical view of a gamer is ultimately quite different from the actual profile of one. The success of the Nintendo Wii helped to bring in an entirely new audience.
Let’s look at whether gaming culture has changed and whether this has resulted in a new audience getting involved in gaming.
Why Do People Play Certain Games?
For some, gaming is sheer escapism, the chance to explore a world very different from their own. We see this a lot with console games, especially sports games like FIFA or Madden NFL, as players get to be the best athletes in the world. Similarly, you can be a hero and save the world in titles like Devil May Cry or a detective in games like The Game.
Other people may want to recreate memories from games they’ve played in the non-virtual world. Take the online casino industry for example. Most of these games are traditional, well-known, and familiar. This familiarity, plus the fact that online gambling with real money is possible, contributes significantly to players’ attraction to the genre.
Others see it as an activity to engage in at a party with friends and people with similar interests. Quiz games like Smarty Pants and Buzz, even though it’s quite old now, are very popular in this regard and appeal to people as a shared experience and with a shared goal or as a means to spark some friendly competition.
Who’s Gaming in 2021 and What Was the Impact of the Nintendo Wii?
In America, research suggests that 60% of gamers are playing daily and that 45% are women. This is despite research from YouGov arguing that video games are ‘fun, but not inclusive’.
As said above, Nintendo tried to market the console to gamers and non-gamers alike. Despite the console being less powerful, it sold more units than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. They wanted to make the Wii a console for everyone and many believe that they succeeded.
One of the biggest impacts of the console was that it did force Microsoft and Sony to change tactics. Both consoles introduced accessories with the aiming of finding new ways to play. There’s a famous saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it’s something that could be applied to the Xbox Kinect and PlayStation Move.
What Impact Did Kinect and Playstation Move Have on Gamers Then?
It’s worth looking at whether the launch of Kinect changed the profile of gamers on the Xbox 360. It was revealed in 2013 that 38% of owners of Microsoft’s second console were women. Kinect went over 10 million units in its few months on the market. This made it one of the fastest-selling accessories ever. That being said, it is debatable whether it brought new gamers to the Xbox fold.
It was a different story for Sony with their PlayStation Move that sold just under 9 million units. A tiny percentage of those who owned the original console.
Despite huge differences in units sold, neither device had the long-term cultural impact on gamers that Microsoft and Sony envisioned. Gamers very quickly went back to more traditional ways of playing. Some have suggested that was down to the lack of a ‘killer app’ like Nintendo had with Wii Sports. It was this game that helped bring new audiences to Nintendo’s console.
What Does the Future Look Like?
Many believe that the success of the PS5 and Xbox Series X will shape the future of gaming. If both consoles are a success, it will show that demand for a traditional gaming set-up is still there. However, if they aren’t as successful as previous generations, some have argued that the gaming landscape will change forever.
Nintendo’s latest console is the Switch and perhaps they have stolen a march on their rivals once again. It is a console that allows gamers to play on the move and via a TV. With more people playing games on mobile devices, this certainly makes sense. It will be interesting if Sony and Microsoft eventually adapt their consoles to offer something similar.