Poll results: Next-gen combo platters
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jan 23rd 2006 at 10:30PM }
Another poll, another Nintendo blowout! The premise was that Nintendo is banking on being the most attractive second system, both in terms of cost and feature set. While gamers may be willing to spend $400 on a system like the Xbox 360 or the PS3, they are unlikely to want to do so twice, for games that will be largely the same on both platforms.
The numbers gathered in this poll support that assumption, with Nintendo's Revolution commanding a staggering 89% of the gamers that will be purchasing multiple systems, versus 64% for the Xbox 360 and 67% for the PS3.
Total percentages:
Nintendo Revolution: 6502 votes - 84.21%
Sony PlayStation 3: 3738 votes - 48.41%
Microsoft Xbox 360: 3575 votes - 46.30%
Market share:
Nintendo Revolution: 47.06%
Sony PlayStation 3: 27.06%
Microsoft Xbox 360: 25.88%
While our numbers might not match up with others, it's pretty clear Nintendo's strategy of being the side to the main course will prove effective. They might be surprised, however, to learn they are also the single most popular console, alone or in pairs... at least amongst Joystiq readers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kevin @ Mar 9th 2006 11:53AM
Interesting poll.
Asking my friends they all said the same thing. They will either own all three or a 360 and a Nintendo, or a PS3 and a Nintendo.
Go Nintendo :)
Thomas @ Mar 17th 2006 4:55PM
The Revolution will beat the the others b/c of its revolutionary gameplay aspect. People say that there will not be enough games. They are wrong. Look at all the developers who are interested in the revolution. they know its a great system. sure, there will not be very many multiplatform games on the revolution. but the amount of games that are revolution only (b/c the other systems cant do the things the rev can) will compensate nicely. And since the rev will be so much cheaper than the other systems (games included b/c the configuration is so similar to GC) more people will buy it. for these reasons i am pretty sure that the rev will out sell ps3 and xbox360. Yeah the ps3 does look awesome, i mean having 7 different processors, and in some cases(single player games) using each processor for a different purpose ex. one for fully interactive water, one for backgrounds, 2 for environments and the ohters for whatever. the games will look amazing. but to me, the look isnt the most important thing. the most important thing is gameplay and nintendo understands this. The bluray is also impressive, the storage space is crazy, but i bet ull have to sit there for 5 mins waiting for it all to load. Sony and Microsoft will copy the rev controller, just like they copied teh analog stick. Ive heard rumors of xbox360 and sony designing a gyro controller already.
Heavy @ Mar 22nd 2006 4:43PM
"Question. Now that GTA seems to go Microsoft too, what does Sony has to offer as per exclusive software?"
Shitloads of RPGs to will blow your mind away, sadly only way to pay them is to mod and "import" them. And learn Jap..
Carmen Michael Abramo @ Mar 26th 2006 2:09AM
I think People should lay off nintendo fans. What can I say we love games that are challenging. We love games with cool stories,nice music, and an innovative way to play. Look at the Ds. Everyone loved it . then the PsP(laughs oh sorry..couldn't help myself) come and so many brought back it cause they thought yes better grapphics like the ps2.. Then what happend, wow the ds beat the psp... cause more games came out for the ds that were good.. not cause of the graphics. all though many of u have already stated this so many times.. Lol if the nintendo Rev wins we all do. I say u only need two systems... Nintendo and playstation.. and as for the xbox fanboys, lol just repeat to yourself..we got halo..we got halo... LOL any person who likes the x-box aren't console gamers..more like PC lovers. The X-box will never be a console.. Power to the people who believe in real gaming systems. When Nintendo and the ps3 dominate .. i'll be happy, cause it means once again there still are real console gamers who know quality. Lol the 360 doesn't have a chance. The Xbox's slogan should be.. "but we got Halo... we do honestly.. We are cool.. "
Trevor @ Apr 19th 2006 1:45AM
I remember the first time that I heard news from friends about the Revolution, I hated it. The sole reason is because they said that the controller will be held with one hand. So back then, my decision was to buy both 360 and PS3. Now, after more info about the Rev. I can't wait to get my hands on it! For now, my primary system will be the Revolution, can't wait to play the game Red Steel. Man, is gonna be fun. Honestly, the second system doesn't matter. Is for sports and fighting games. Just because both console have amazing graphics, perfect for my HDTV. Playing Madden 07 is gonna be sweet!! Just because the 06 version for the 360 pains me. I assume most people will want to get the Rev too, or at least try it, just because the controller is so out there, if u know what I mean. As a fan of FPS, I hope the Rev will have a remake of CSS. man, that will be great!!
Whuh? @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:37PM
The only thing I can conclude from that poll is that there are a lot more Nintendo fans on this blog than other consoles fans. It's pretty obvious.
David @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:43PM
With no demos, one video, rumors and thin air, Nintendo is creating interest for its console. Not for the casual on the street person, not yet, but that will come. The amusing thing though is the 20% planning pure revolution, compared to 4% and 4% for the PS3 and 360. People have seen the 360. They've played the demos in Wal-Mart and Best Buy.
Perhaps the Revolution represents a hope among more and more gamers, a return to fun, to difference, to when you bought a game and -didn't- know exactly what you were getting. Get the new Madden on your 360 or PS3, but when a game comes out that can be done only on the Revo, something perhaps unique, special, or even downright ridiculously fun (someone has got to make a sword fighting game, a baseball game, and a golfing game that will use the controller's features), it will only be available on one system.
I want one. Badly. I don't even care who wins the next console race/war/pissing contest. I just want to pick up a controller and play a game that I felt I have not played already for years and years. If Nintendo delivers...
Well, I'll be a happy man. And so will millions others.
David
Jesse @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:46PM
or that nintendo has a good strategy? i love the way people twist things. this is an unbiased site.
Jon @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:47PM
I wouldn't even conclude that...ther's seems to be some sort of sculdugerry going on. Maybe some Nintendo fansite caught wind of the poll and asked all their readers to take part...but it doesn't take a genius to know that Nintendo doesn't have this much love.
Raikage @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:47PM
Or nintendo is doing something good for all gamers and you are too scared to admit that nintendo may become the leader once again.....I can't wait for the 360's later years.....I wanna see its power.... PS3 is ugly along with its controller (sorry fanboys) but I think it will look better than the 360 for the first year but then the 360 developers will master the 3 processors and then.....but graphics are not everything.........
Jau_Peacecraft @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:52PM
Not really a shock at all, but you cannot really conclude Nintendo's strategy will work from just 7,000 something readers of Joystiq, unless of course you conduct a fanboy poll to help bolster these results on whether there is Nintendo bias or not.
Although, hell, it may end up being their strategy; if it is i think it's very effective, if it works it'll make up for sticking to cartdriges for the 64.
cyberfelon @ Jan 23rd 2006 10:58PM
Why is there always this talk of Nintendo "being the side to the main course"? Why is the Revolution inherently lesser than the other offerings? We go on and on about how gameplay is more important than graphics, then we turn around and refer to the Revolution like it's the little brother of the big boy consoles. I'll be buying an Xbox 360 first, but that doesn't make the Revolution my second choice.
If anything, the 360 is the conventional "side" to my innovative "main course".
KingBigos @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:00PM
Revolution and PS3 for me...
Captain Obvious @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:01PM
Nintendo has been top ranked in polls conducted by Joystiq in the past.
This means..
Joystiq is home to more Nintendo fans than any other console.
-or-
the poll data was manipulated.
You would think that Sony would achieve higher numbers in the poll, considering they're #1 in the current geneation of consoles.
It would be interesting to know how many unique visitors Joystiq received (during the period of the poll) to compare with the total number of votes cast(7,721).
Ritz @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:02PM
When you consider that other poll from 1up (a generally pro-sony site in contrast), I would agree with you, Whuh. Still, you can infer Nintendo's strategy works on a basic level.
Austin @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:09PM
A lot of people are interested with the Revolution. 1 and 4: You may be wrong. I have never owned a Nintendo console, yet the Revolution is what I am most excited about. Remember, this is coming from a PS3 fanboy.
My vote fell into the PS3 + Rev category. PS3 for online and some of the series I love, while the Rev for retro gaming and a return to pure fun in videogames. I can't wait for a baseball game and a lightsaber game using the controller. It just seems like it will be so much fun, although multiplayer could prove somewhat dangerous.
Aelieth @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:16PM
This is yet another site that says the Revolution will be huge, I didn't even know about it. Every day I follow the Revolution's news, wanting to hear more about this system. Free online play, actually being part of the game, and playing the games that got us here. Not to mention keeping to the price tag a game system should be, system around $250 and NEW games that are around $30-$40.
This is what I'm looking foward to, the 360 far from impresses me. It looks like a Dell with a special case that offers me nothing new but games with improved graphics. Last game I got for the X-Box was Pump It Up Extreme (just cause PIU ownz) and that was after several years of sitting there.
MRex @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:39PM
Sure, there may be alot of Nintendo fans here, but you have to consider that most of these Nintendo fans actually DO consider having either Xbox360 and/or PS3. So it's not only biased Nintendo fans.
Consider also what the Revolution represents. It's not only an alternative, cheaper, different console. It's a virtual goldmine for us oldschool players whom when younger owned a NES or SNES. Keeping a high-end console like Xbox360 or PS3 gives the choice of playing the latest games with the best graphics, while having a Revolution satisfies the need whenever you get nostalgic or want to play something slightly different.
It's a good strategy that just might put a Nintendo console in the majority of homes, regardless of any pressence by Sony or Microsoft.
Thinking machine @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:39PM
What the what a fool everyone who has a even half a brain knows that most people who own PS2s arent fanboys and only brought them cause they were cheap and had a good library. why is everyone thinking PS3 will be a succes story like PS2 it is expensive it will have a bland library maybe MGS4 and if they do it Final Fantasy PS3 i doubt the sony will sell even close to 30 mil PS3s why cause they have lost there main selling point and nintendo stole it well half it Xbox stole the other half. Rev got cheap good library Xbox got first in and multifunctional so as you can see PS3 will be the least succesful of all playstations what proof have i got Singstar eyetoy Buzz all sold very well i doubt hardcore gamers and fanboy actually buy those games so there PS3 will not be ultimate like PS2. so shut up you PS3 fanboys you must accept it as i did when nintendo fell i'm a ninty fanboy but i forsee a Microsoft future free of sony.
I like Playstation better then Xbox i hate Halo it sucks i dont see why many like it also who hates halo and goes out and buys killzone those games are too similar. shut up stop boasting your time is at an end just as nintys was 2 gens ago.
bd @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:40PM
Well, maybe it is full of Nintendo fans because this is JoystIQ, the only site with an "IQ" above average ;)
Seriously though, it is pathetic that the 360 is in third place in a hardcore gaming site, despite the fact that is has shown a lot more 'promise' gamingwise and onlinewise than the two of its competitors combined, the huge marketing campaign, the money that is backing it and that it is out already (who knows, maybe it is the ugly, non-shiny, non-compact "concave" (LOL) and one color only design - sorry fanboys); kudos to Nintendo for being so popular without any games shown.
So if this is it, how popular will Sony and Nintendo be when they reveal all their cards, and when they are out? It'll be interesting to see.
gamer1 @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:44PM
I think that it would be interesting to see this poll taken again next year when people are actually getting their systems. I'm not believing that there are so many people that will be buying all three systems, or even two systems, especially in such a short timespan. After a few years, maybe, but not by this time next year for sure.
the Purneyor of Justice @ Jan 23rd 2006 11:45PM
Revolution will dominate, watch and see.
CrAzY American @ Jan 24th 2006 12:07AM
Guys, think about this-
This polled a little under 8,000 people, yet there were 90 million ps2's shipped, 20+ million xbox's, and 15+ million gamecubes.
This little poll in no way demonstrates the interest of the average, mainstream consumer. This shows nothing of importance.
Back_Lit @ Jan 24th 2006 12:36AM
This blog, while not pro-Nintendo itself, has a lot of Nintendo supporters (I being one of them).
Jago @ Jan 24th 2006 12:38AM
Looks like quite a few of you "fanboys" are in denial and think that just b/c it didn't come in first the last 2 generations.
Hate to break it to you guys but Nintendo isn't going anywhere. You forget that Nintendo always was and always will be a toy company. Their focus has always been "fun" and a games main focus should always be about "fun."
For the record I chose all 3 systems. Yes I will be able to afford all 3 b/c I have a full time $40k job (at a game industry company btw.) I will be buying the Revolution from day one...the PS3 "maybe" from day one...and the Xbox 360 "eventually" when it has some good games.
ReyBrujo @ Jan 24th 2006 12:52AM
I will be buying a Revolution. For nice graphics and horsepower, my PIV 2.8 with 1.5gb RAM and soon-to-be-bought 256mb video card is enough. After all, the only interesting game I see for now is Oblivion, which will be release for computer too. I won't buy an Xbox 360 because Live is virtually inexistent here, and Halo fun is for multiplayer games. And don't even think about Sony PS3, it will be EXPENSIVE down here (if a modded PS2 with one pad is currently USD 278 - http://www.deremate.com.ar/accdb/viewItem.asp?IDI=11305886 -, I guess a PS3 would be around USD 700).
Question. Now that GTA seems to go Microsoft too, what does Sony has to offer as per exclusive software?
Robert @ Jan 24th 2006 1:01AM
If we only had a time machine and went 4 years ahead and see what system did the best. But I do have a BIG feeling that nintendo will change alot of things by E3 this year from what we know from last year. Maybe something like what microsoft did with the 360.
Watership @ Jan 24th 2006 1:08AM
Nintendo shows us an empty case, and a msyterious controller... and we WANT IT! BADLY! GIVE US THE SYSTEM! Will it be great!? YES! YES! OH YES, NINTENDO has never disapointed me!
Err, there was the gamecube and the n64, and their lack of 3rd party support, and horrible launch games, and a reliance on old 10 year old IP..
BUT I WANT IT! OH JOY OH YES.
Who wants a xbox 360 now when I can dream of a sorta game maybe console around november i hope!
bd @ Jan 24th 2006 1:08AM
Crazy American, by the law of big numbers, it *does* represent an important part of the gaming population. In 1up, half of the gamers want a revolution, and PS3 is in first place. In Great Britain, PS3 is the preferred console, and let's not start with Asia. Microsoft is screwing it up by not having enough units out before the competition arrives.
Truth is, a lot of people are waiting for PS3 despite the fact that its online service might be crap, it is "late" (or not rushed) and hasn't shown "real gameplay footage". And let's not even start with Revolution, which hasn't shown a damned thing, except a Tech Demo. How does that speak of the 360, now that it is out, it has supposedly "lots of games", "the best gaming line-up ever" (their words), "the best online service", "the best controller", and the best marketing muscle in the planet, huh?
Jago @ Jan 24th 2006 1:34AM
Watership:
So you would rather have ported current generation games with SLIGHTLY better graphics, the need to have to spend THOUSANDS in new electronics in order to gain the "full" experience and have sub-par support from some of the best Japanese developers? Where do I sign up!
Hate to break it to you Watership but the PS2 had horrible launch titles, the Xbox has horrible launch titles and the 360's launch titles were not "the best gaming line-up ever."
free games @ Jan 24th 2006 1:46AM
I never thought I would end up getting all 3 of this generation's consoles, so I have no idea with what I'll end up with. I do want to see more of the Revolution, the controller idea is realy apealing. But the PS3 and blu-ray seems to be a no brainer as well. It's up to the games themselves to get me to purchase the systems.
Mullinator @ Jan 24th 2006 2:11AM
Seems to me like too many people are living in the past.
"BUT BUT BUT!! Nintendo was teh loozer befores!!"
This is 2006, 4 years after it became obvious which last gen console was going to win. Things change.
Brian @ Jan 24th 2006 2:23AM
Well, I'm a regular on Nintendo.com's NSider forums, and I check at least 6 Nintendo sites every day, and I can tell you that this poll wasn't on ANY of the sites, except it was on Nintendo's NSider yesterday, and the poll yesterday looked nearly identical to today's.
Could it be that some of you are scared that Nintendo might go and do a Katamari Damacy on the gaming industry? ;-)
Mullinator @ Jan 24th 2006 2:30AM
Also just wanted to say that yes some Nintendo fan site may have caught wind and skewed the results but the fact is that so could any Microsoft or Sony fan sites. Also the Nintendo fan sites could account for the Revolution only catagory but I doubt it would skew the results from the other options that included a Revolution as well.
D.C. @ Jan 24th 2006 2:43AM
Doobie doobie doo...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/danchastu/captain-boomerang-ps3.jpg
JustS @ Jan 24th 2006 3:17AM
Behold the great Usurper, the Revolution, in all of it's innovative glory!
It is about time someone did something with the stagnation of console gaming. I'd rather play one gimmicky half assed game on the revolution than the next incarnation of Spyro-the-Mortal-Grand-Theft-Halo-Tournament-Fantasy-Fighter-XII. No offense to the sitcom gaming world.
Bruce Wayne III @ Jan 24th 2006 3:26AM
I have never owned a Nintendo product. I enjoy my PlayStation 2 and am looking forward to the release of the PlayStation 3.
However, for the first time I might actually buy the Nintendo Revolution. It's slick, small and could be a lot of fun in a new way.
Decision @ Jan 24th 2006 3:42AM
For a console that many bill as a possible second console of choice, a lot of people (90% on this site?) say they plan to buy it AT LAUNCH, and PS3 or Xbox 360 at some undetermined point in the future. With less than ten games announced, mostly first party, this is amazing. I was glad to hear Monday's Portuguese magazine-based rumour that Silent Hill 5 may well be a Revolution EXCLUSIVE...not PS3!
http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/content/news_archives/rev.php?subaction=showfull&id=1138126608&archive=&start_from=&ucat=4
I am looking forward to more news of defections, especially as I never plan to own a PS3. Rev and maybe Xbox 360 (if I can afford it, and only for the games that may not go Revolution's way) for me!
skyrous @ Jan 24th 2006 4:58AM
It's interesting that as much as Nintendo has kept revolution details close to the vest we do in fact know more hard info about the revolution than we do about the PS3. Sony doesn't want to tell us anything at all and given their history of outright lying people are seeing and expecting the worst. They better go in to E3 with a system that does everything they promised last year.
The 360 is funny in that it's the only next gen system out and it's already in 3rd place. Nintendo and Sony WILL both sell more systems on launch day than microsoft has so far. Microsoft needs to get off their butts and start putting hardware in the stores.
Comparing next generation systems to current generation or any previous generation is silly. Every situation is different and predicting that nintendo will fail because the N64 failed is just dumb. If it worked that way Nintendo would still be the undisputed king.
Nintendo has an inovative strategy that could only work at this time in video game history. They're going to sell an less powerful, inexpensive system at a cut rate price compared to the competition, and still turn a profit. They can get away with this because in order to see the improved graphics on the competitor systems you need hdtv which a relatively few people own at the moment and fewer still use hdtv's to play video games. Nintendo sees this and is going to release a system cheap enough for everybody to own from the day they take it home. 5 years from now when the next generation comes out and they stop selling standard definition TV's completely then you'll see the revolution 2 with full HD support.
Much like Nintendo's online plans, they made a decision 5 years ago that online wasn't ready. So they ignored it and the number of people who actually went on xbox live seems to bear out this assumption. Now high speed connections are becoming standard, 802.11 is everywhere. Microsoft is predicting a massive in rush of 360 owners into xbox live. Online will be a defining feature in this generation and Nintendo is ready.
Alex K. @ Jan 24th 2006 6:33AM
think about it. it's totally logical.
1. everyone wants to try the new revolution controller, even if the games turn out sucking, everyone wants to at least try it.
2. if the revolution is $200, and only has a few good games, it's still cheap enough to buy as a second console.
given these two things, and the unwillingness of people to pay $900 to buy xbox + ps3, in most cases, unless for some reason everyone buys the revolution and nothing else, being a second console will actually put it ahead in the console race in terms of marketshare.
The PS2 is almost in that postition right now. whether you get a gamecube or xbox, everyone who gets one of those consoles has the PS2 whether they really like it or not. and then, in line with this poll, the PS2 probably has about 20% of its owners who only own a PS2.
mike @ Jan 24th 2006 6:37AM
yet there were 90 million ps2's shipped, 20+ million xbox's, and 15+ million gamecubes.
---
Brilliant.. look at how many PS2's are out there.. WHY ON EARTH IS THE NINTENDO DS DOMINATING JP SOFTWARE CHARTS? The install base is but a fraction of the PS2's.. and Nin is getting TONS of software lisence revenue.... what's going on here?? People are bored of the same old games, maybe??
Matt @ Jan 24th 2006 7:38AM
@ #35, Kizza
I think ure a nerd, but anyways ive bought a few games recently and havent enjoyed them, why do you need graphics, xbox 360 is just gonna be the same games with more detail and differnt button combos.... same with the ps3
"I'm buying next gen, for next gen, not for a gimmicky controller & duck hunt." Ok wtf? Nintendos approach on the next generation is gameplay not super real graphics, NINTENDO IS NEXT GEN, maybe you should stop being a fanboy and relise that sony coulkd get screwed this generation by being "over confident".
I think that Nintendo has taken a big risk and people are liking what they are seeing, but i wont be satisfied till e3 comes coz that will mean we can actually see what the controller can do.....
I think it is way to early to post a poll on this....
bkirst90 @ Jan 24th 2006 7:49AM
Besides the fact that it is way too early to poll about this stuff, and if we ignore the possibility that jostiq might have more nintendo fans than anywhere else on the web, we can still explain the results. Joystiq's poll is different from any others on the web, because it allows you to choose multiple platforms. Nintendo comes out ahead in this poll because most people don't primarily want a revolution, but are planning on buying one with another console, as this poll makes obvious.
Spence @ Jan 24th 2006 8:47AM
Seeing as Joystiq has such a wide demographic of gamers.. and there's nearly 8000 votes there I think it's safe to assume that Nintendo is quids in.
Thinking that Nintendo will be a success in Japan for sure.. and xbox 360 wont be the news is great.
Those who mention it being early days are right though.. Release dates revolve around Christmas.. and the shipping cost is also prime.
Though it's safe to assume Nintendo's developpers have a nice variety of titles for launch, or shortly after it.
randomboy @ Jan 24th 2006 8:53AM
Kizza, you need to get out more maybe get a girlfriend , you don't have to take out your frustration on a website.
Eric @ Jan 24th 2006 9:00AM
Kizza,
You need to get out more maybe get a girlfriend , you don't have to take out your frustration on a website.
pete @ Jan 24th 2006 10:11AM
I'm slightly confused, at the beginning of the comments did someone actually say the only thing you can tell from the poll is that folks who voted like nintendo more? Isn't that pretty obvious..it's kinda what the numbers day..
Jody Anthony @ Jan 24th 2006 10:11AM
I'll do exactly what I did this generation:
Buy the nintendo console new, near launch
Get the sony console a few years later used for less than half the price of when it came out
hold out for the microsoft console until I can find one used for about $50, when the next generation comes around.
Nintendo will have games that I really want to play (hey, I'm a sucker for Mario and Zelda)
Sony will have games that I also really want to play, but I'll be willing to wait for them, and get them when they're a greatest hits title (I'm sure they'll be the only ones with any new Suikoden games, which I've gotta have)
As for Microsoft...well, It will be fun to hack around in
Ben @ Jan 24th 2006 11:03AM
Hey 38
how can you say that people do not want a revolution as their primary console?? According to the poll, some 26% of people want a revolution as their sole platform, which is well above the other two console's polling
SuicideNinja @ Jan 24th 2006 11:22AM
#7 - That is because Nintendo has been behind for a long time...thus why it is only natural to consider it the "Second System". Honestly, no matter what Nintendo does, it will not be able to provide the same "standard" and solid types of games available for the other systems. Innovation is great and I support it, but you have to consider that their controller will not be suited for all types of games. I sure want to Metroid Prime it up with that thing though.
It's okay for Nintendo to stay quiet as well. All they had to do is release the innovative and controversial part of their system. Sony however, has yet to show anything "special" about their system, other than dual video outputs and flashcard readers. There are other features such as Bluray, but that is meaningless until we actually see a use for it. Sony, give us something!
Personally, I'm excited about the Nintendo Revolution, but I am still extremely happy with the Xbox 360. Live makes the difference. I got a game release list from Gamestop the other day, and there is some pretty good titles in its future this year. I think most critism is undeserved, as the system is great and looks good on even just on component output alone.