Japan: PS3, Wii poll comparisons

by Blake Snow { Jul 13th 2006 at 11:25AM }

Sony and Nintendo can try to differentiate their target markets, but the reality is that their upcoming consoles will still compete against one another. That's obvious, but if recent Japanese anticipation polls say anything, it's that Japanese gamers prefer to wait for the strong PlayStation brand until a "significant PS3 price-drop." In the interim, they could be swooping up Wiis if the console's motion controls and virtual console deliver.

Put on by Otona Fami (a Famitsu publication), the poll solicited the opinions of gamers, retailers, and developers, with gamers having the lowest interest in the PS3 at 16.7% (pictured) and developers with the highest level of interest at 27.3%. Expected launch sales aside, it looks like the Japanese still haven't warmed up to the idea of at least a long-term $500-600 PlayStation console.

[Thanks, pandlcg]

[Update: now with infographics!]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

IslandLife @ Jul 13th 2006 11:40AM

Oh great, its the daily Joystiq story about the PS3 high price tag!

Tony @ Jul 13th 2006 11:43AM

You knew it was coming. Now here come all the wiitards and 360 fans to bash it.

Derek @ Jul 13th 2006 11:49AM

ZOMG!1!!1! WTF $600?!!11?!
Haha just kidding you silly sony fanboys ;)
But no seriously, just let me sell my liver and then I'll get my PS3!!! Muhahah
I'll stick with my xbox 360!
/rant
/Xbox 360 Fanboy...and damn proud!

Homer @ Jul 13th 2006 11:51AM

I dream that Wii all play together. I also dream of winning the lottery so I can take over the world with my PS3. I don't dream so much of spinning in circles... (that was a reference to the 360 for those having a "slow" day).

martin @ Jul 13th 2006 11:53AM

Wiitards, hahahahaha. The only thing retarded is paying 600 dollars for a videogame system because you think it makes you look cool!

Cabbage @ Jul 13th 2006 11:53AM

The interesting part to me is that about 43% of housewives surveyed were interested in the Wii. This is housewives in general, not just gamers. I don't know how many housewives there are in Japan, but it definitely looks like Nintendo is expanding their market.

GamerZero @ Jul 13th 2006 11:57AM

I read about the poll elsewhere and it kind of relates to the DS vs PSP in Japan.It seems to me that expensive uber-technology doesn't win the hearts of the Japanese.
So if Sony lose in their own backyard, it won't be reassuring elsewhere in the world either.

Fenris @ Jul 13th 2006 11:57AM

This has nothing to do with bashing Sony, it has to do with the current state of the industry and the thoughts around it.

Joystiq, was just a critical of the 360, do you remember the lists of complaints they did.

Given that these are all valid concerns it does not make it bashing or biased. The fact that the PS3 is expensive and that leads to concerns. This is nothing more than evidence that the consumers and developers are in the same boat, and worried about the future of the console.

RazorElite @ Jul 13th 2006 11:59AM

PS3 is so owned before it's even released. I mean how much more do you want? Gamers not interested, developers not interested AND retailers not interested. Great recipe for a system's failure. And with all the new technology and the recent news about the Cell's super low yields, it most likely won't be moving from that outrageous price tag anytime soon. All the while Wii and 360 is selling millions. Ah well, who cares. I'm fortunately not a Sony fanboy. Because. Sony. Sucks.

Tony @ Jul 13th 2006 12:04PM

#3 "But no seriously, just let me sell my liver and then I'll get my PS3!!!"

You do that if you want. I'll just keep on working my job and saving my money.

"5. Wiitards, hahahahaha. The only thing retarded is paying 600 dollars for a videogame system because you think it makes you look cool!"

It isn't retarded to pay $600 for the most powerful and versatile console of the three.

What is retarded is buying a console now and buying an HD-DVD upgrade, which will probably be required for games in the future. Can you say "Sega CD"?

#9: "All the while Wii and 360 is selling millions. Ah well, who cares. I'm fortunately not a Sony fanboy. Because. Sony. Sucks."

360 selling millions in Japan? You are a funny, funny, man.

PS3 needs good press @ Jul 13th 2006 12:05PM

In all honest, the only problem with the PS3 is the price. If it was priced the same as the Xbox 360, Microsoft wouldn't have a prayer in the world for Market share. If Sony was smart, they'd take a bigger hit on loss per console to keep a stronghold on the industry and easily outdue Microsoft. Then Blu-ray would penetrate much faster. Right now, Blu-ray with all of its delays is dead in the water. Come on Sony!

jimy @ Jul 13th 2006 12:07PM

Why pay $600 for a system that's coming out a year after a $400 system with the same technology?

Pal @ Jul 13th 2006 12:10PM

I never buy on launch, so go ahead Sony! Raise that price.

Competetion will force Sony to lower their prices anyway. There's also a possibility that they're just leading us on to give it artificial value.

"My goodness, it's only $399! They said that it'd be $599! WHAT A DEAL for all the technology that they've been talking about!" They've been using this trick forever.

Buckshot @ Jul 13th 2006 12:12PM

Tony, #10. Have to call shenagins on the "It isn't retarded to pay $600 for the most powerful and versatile console of the three." Being forced to watch a sub-par hd format due to a manufactuer is not versatile, and the true power has not been determined as of yet, with all the devs complaining.
And sega cd, still kicks much ass. I was playing "Kris Kross make my video" with pc genesis emulation last weekend. Maybe some "Sewer Shark" this weekend

gman @ Jul 13th 2006 12:15PM

dude his point was.....sony sucks...they're losing HARDCORE...minidisc died. umd died. now blu-ray? good try sony, but you still can't seem to buy out the industry with your format wars. dumbasses

zero2dash @ Jul 13th 2006 12:15PM

People value their money and they won't carelessly throw it around like Sony execs (Kaz Hirai, Ken Kutaragi & Phil Harrison...aka "The Three Stooges") foolishly believe.

Big surprise. /shrug

r-deezy @ Jul 13th 2006 12:17PM

Unless Sony is like Bush and doesn't read the papers, they have to be shaking in their boots at least a little bit. I can only remember reading 1-2 positive articles about the PS3 for awhile now.

Tony @ Jul 13th 2006 12:17PM

Buckshot, I was referring to the failure of Sega CD. I love it too, and Kriss Kross Make My Video may be the best game ever made.

Anta @ Jul 13th 2006 12:21PM

PS3 RULES JOO ALL!

Tush @ Jul 13th 2006 12:22PM

I wonder why the women have more equal distributions than the others?

600 bucks is definitely a steep price for a console. It'll have to be ridiculously sweet to the point of me crying if Sony wants me to buy it. But I'm not afraid of crying... :)

John Q. @ Jul 13th 2006 12:28PM

Holy crap! RTFA, anyone who hasn't. A majority of retailers, developers and casual consumers polled were interested in the Wii. That is serious good news for the system, particularly the developers. More third-party devs is just what Wii needs to do well.

Granted, this is "Japan which doesn't matter lol," but still, most developers are Japanese. A lot of developer support there makes a serious difference in how the gen shapes up. This seriously looks like the Wii might replicate or at least emulate the DS's success.

I'm not worried about the future of the PS3. It will still have great support and titles (Final Fantasy XIII guarantees it will do at least ok). Still, I think we might be looking at a power shift among the console makers. I'm interested to see if any of the games coming for the 360 make a difference in Japan, since that's the area it critically needs to do better in.

Scott @ Jul 13th 2006 12:29PM

This may not be the biggest hurdle Sony has to face. I've seen several articles like this one http://www.nextechnews.com/PermaLink,guid,fea3f997-d078-4e56-945e-dded69598dae.aspx that basically states that Cell yield is extremely low and there's a diode shortage that is needed in order to make the blu-ray drive. They simply can't build the thing. Its like the gaming world's version of the Spruce Goose.

The interesting spin at the end is the reference to the 360. Even though its reported failure rate was 2-3%, there was a huge outcry over it. If Sony can't even manufacture enough consoles to meet demand and they have the same kind of failures the 360 had, it will be the double whammy that shuts them down for good.

soco @ Jul 13th 2006 12:30PM

looks like we now know which system will get all 4000 versions of Mahjongg. from Super Alpha XOR Mahjong EX to Strip Mahjongg 34. Go Nintendo!

Cabbage @ Jul 13th 2006 12:30PM

While I agree that buying a blocky add-on to set next to a much larger blocky heat-producing console just to play more expensive versions of movies is a dumb idea, I also think it is dumb to buy a console with an expensive component built in so that I can watch more expensive versions of movies. Especially considering that we don't know if either HD format will really succeed.

Personally I would rather buy a quality DVD player that can upscale the not-so-expensive versions of movies so that they look good on my expensive TV (not that I have an expensive TV).

Ethan Thomas @ Jul 13th 2006 12:43PM

- Tony

Maybe I'm the only one who caught your Sony-fanboy spin on things by saying "360 selling millions IN JAPAN?" Could you maybe show me where the original poster said it would sell millions in Japan? All I seem to see is he said it would sell millions. But that's ok. You represent the rest of the pro-Sony group very well...and sound just like the company executives the way you twist everything around. "PS3 will be the best-selling system ever, the most popular, and will be played by everyone!" (switch to very small legal print here [PS3 best-selling claim refering to my own self only as I traded in everything else just to purchase it..claim of most popular also tied to said fact that it is my only system. Played by everyone claim refers soley to myself..because I live alone...in my parent's basement..because I spent my rent money on buying two launch titles for the PS3 which I will play as soon as I save up enough money to replace the controller that broke on launch day. All statements subject to change and in no way reflect the thoughts of an intelligent individual. I support Sony because they are most expensive and therefore best, plus I love to be called an idiot and have my money stolen by a bunch of corporate liars. M$ suxxorz!!!!11 Teh wii iz teh stoopid nayme!!!111one! Teh Sony iz teh Roxxorz!!11...can I borrow a dollar?])

Sony fanboys...a dime a dozen and always more than willing to make themselves look...well..not smart. Although, defending someone who has publicly declared you stupid, blind, and incapable of making smart decisions on your own kinda goes hand in hand with that, does it not?

Just pointing things out.

james f. @ Jul 13th 2006 12:44PM

If the hd-dvd add on for 360 is this gen's equivallent to the sega cd than that means you cede that the 360 will win this gens console war as the genesis did in its day.

And that also means the most "versatile" console, the PS3 would be the equivallent of the NEO-GEO.

Analogies are fun but seldom are they applicable.

gman @ Jul 13th 2006 12:45PM

soooo..thanks for that little bit of info Scott, that's hillarious. Sony, the once great maker of the "mighty" PS2 crushed under the weight of their own arrogance and extravagance with the absurdly complex PS3. So..now what else is on? Who are we going to make fun of for making retarded exec comments when Sony's computer entertainment division is bankrupt and shut down???!

Subnet6 @ Jul 13th 2006 12:51PM

Hey, thanks for the links. That Scorpion 3 looks pretty cool!

Justin @ Jul 13th 2006 1:05PM

What makes this poll complete crap - sample size. Polls trying to accurately portray the thoughts of millions of people typically use sample sizes of 1000+ people, and still admit they could be +/- 3 percentage points off. Here, we've got 216 gamers, 85 retailers and 33 game makers. With those numbers, your possible margin of error is obscenely large for those groups.

That's not these polls aren't accurate, with polls you could always randomly have ended up with the perfect results, but the low sample size means that trusting these results is not a good idea. From the results it's likely that Wii is preferred, but who knows if it is overwhelmingly preferred as the poll suggests, or less so.

Since we don't know the sample size for the female groups, it's impossible to say how accurate those results are. But you can imagine how small a subsection "Female Housewives" is of a large base, and it raises misgivings about those results as well.

Exo @ Jul 13th 2006 1:14PM

when has the most powerfull system ever won a generation? never

vidGuy @ Jul 13th 2006 1:22PM

I'm tired of all this "OMG it's a {console name} bashing post". Not only has Joystiq as a whole been very objective about every console (there's been positive and negative posts about every one), but there's more than one blogger, of course they are going to have a preference and will sometimes put a spin to their wording, just like everyone else.

In JAPAN, where PS2 is king (where isn't it?), there will certainly be some support for the PS3. But the cost, like everywhere else, will deter huge sales early on. My opinion is that 3rd party developers will start to jump ship once they realize the market is playing the other consoles, and PS3 will lose the ultimate advantage the PS2 had, the largest game library.

The Wii stands to make a killing in Japan. The 360 isn't selling well, and the PS3 will likely have some problems selling to everyone outside the early adopter group. Plus, Japanese gamers tend to be into quirky games and gameplay, so the Wii speaks directly to them.

nambit @ Jul 13th 2006 1:24PM

Somebody up there forgot to remind us all that it's the games that sells the systems, and not the other way around. Look at the PS2, the DS, the GBA... add those numbers up and check out the insanely high market share.

I think the thing is, if the price of games are the same between the PS3 and the 360, then Sony need not worry. The system price is a one shot deal, but it's the games that always ends up being the "catch" that grabs you by the balls in any deal.

On that token, the PS3's real competition is the PS2 itself since it's still a very popular system with a bunch of great (cheap) games.

Jed Merrill @ Jul 13th 2006 1:24PM

There's no such thing as a "long-term" PlayStation. That's an oxymoron, if I ever heard one!

Scooby Doo @ Jul 13th 2006 1:25PM

I can't say it would be fair to use this kind of report for anything other than idle speculation. I wish I could see the original study. The fact that their figures total 100% for each category tells me that their questions must have been pretty strict. What about those gamers who are buying both?

And then you have those polls where a whole company is represented. How do we know that they research firm didn't just talk to one person at each firm and by coincidence, most of them were Pro-Nintendo? Unless a firm is going to publicly announce a preference, those numbers are meaningless. One person opinions cannot represent an entire firm.

All this report really tells us is that there is more hype and interest in the Wii, like any of us here really didn't know that already. While we have seen demos and a select minority have actually played games on both systems, the decisions their subjects made are really only based upon what limited knowledge we have. As launch plans and lineups are cemented, you would probably see some shifting in this report. Bottom line: the report is only an indicator and really shouldn't be used to make arguments for/against either Sony or Nintendo (or Microsoft for that matter) to determine which manufacturer will grab the lion's share of the market in Japan.

I do find it interesting to see such high numbers of women interested in either console, but I'm no expert on Japanese culture. It makes me wonder if Japan has a higher percentage of girls who play games than we have here in the States. Anyone from Japan or lived there long enough to give an opinion?

I'm also trying to wrap my head around the Housewives and Business Women sections. Is their interest for themselves, or for their kids? For good or bad, Nintendo has a cleaner image than the other players. (And please no one use the 'kiddie' word, we've had that debate too many times.) I have a feeling that if you polled US career women or stay-at-home moms, you'd probably see a higher number for Nintendo just because it's a company they 'trust' more.

Ken Kutaragi @ Jul 13th 2006 1:42PM

I love me some BETAMAX! Please Give!

Raskawa @ Jul 13th 2006 1:42PM

Tony,

Umm, PS2 HD addon and Network addon? duh.

And your crazy if you think any games will be released exclusively on HD-DVD for the 360.

-Rask

Isaac Klavsky @ Jul 13th 2006 1:43PM

Honestly, that was the most reasonable post made yet, Justin. My main problem with the concept of the PS3 is that it is a technology that hasn't been proven or even released as a standalone system. Cell is expensive as well. The true flaw in the PS3 is that the console seems like it will be dead out of the water because it has gotten huge amounts of bad press since rumble was taken off of the DualShock, the price points were announced, the Blu-ray player (standalone) was delayed again, and motion sensing was announced in a limited capacity after the Wiimote was. Wii and PS3 both are nice consoles, and the PS3 is likely worth every penny. Its a very high price though. Sony has three options for marketing the PS3, in my opinion.

-As a console, which will likely fail due to the high price point, along the lines of "OMFGWTFBBQ 600$ FOR A GAME!!"

-As a DVD player, which will again, fail, because Sony is releasing the Blu-ray standalone around that time, the console is 600 dollars (a good DVD player could be purchased for

Isaac Klavsky @ Jul 13th 2006 1:44PM

(It cut my message off)

-As a DVD player, which will again, fail, because Sony is releasing the Blu-ray standalone around that time, the console is 600 dollars (a good DVD player could be purchased for

J B Cougar @ Jul 13th 2006 1:48PM

Oh great, another "negative" post about the PS3 and, yup, just as I thought, the first two posts are from the required Sony fanboys who just can't accept reality. I quote negative because it's not, but who RTFA these days when there's incoherent fanboy lovefest comments to be made?

#25, I caught that one too. When all else fails, change the subject, right? Sony Logic at its worst (finest?). If thats the kind of gamer associated with PS3, count me out.

Point is, as has been said to death already here, Joystiq is reporting the facts, just as they did with their long-running series of complaints about the 360. Guess what, they also ran a positive bunch of posts in thay series about the 360 as well. But who cares about facts when you can just make shit up, right?

I guess it's all a moot point anyway, because with Sony fanboys like Tony and crew, who the hell needs to bash the PS3 anymore when they do well enough on their own.

BAck to the article, the difference between the Wii hype and the Sony hype is that Sony made their hype happen with fake screenshots, exaggerated claims, and huge spec numbers. It was all internally generated by a slick PR machine (although with all the missteps these days, I guess it's nto so slick anymore).

With Nintendo, all the hype was generated by the hardware and software demos, and subsequently by the fans themselves. It had to be, because everyone and their dog had written Nintendo off. Nintendo couldn't have mounted a Sony Logic PR campaign even if they wanted to. They had to get in the trenches and actually show off working hardware to the third party guys and win them back man by man. They provided at E3 and the crowds showed it. When was the last time people ran to a booth, risking bodily harm???

Some people still try and bash Nintendo, but they're in the minority these days, just like the 12 gamers that remain loyal to the PS3. Get a clue.

bill gats @ Jul 13th 2006 1:49PM

joystiq is s**t!

Isaac Klavsky @ Jul 13th 2006 1:49PM

Gah, I think I fixed the message.

-As a DVD player, which will again, fail, because Sony is releasing the Blu-ray standalone around that time, the console is 600 dollars (a good DVD player could be purchased for less than 100 dollars.

-As a computer/media center. Most likely candidate, they've hinted at it alredy. PLAYstation3 is a bad name for something whose game playing capacity isn't going to be the selling point.

It just seems like something likely to fail.

LongshotX @ Jul 13th 2006 1:57PM

I think the HD DVD add-on is a smart move. Because most consumers don't even have HD sets. According to CEA's 2005 CE Ownership and Market Potential Study,current HDTV penetration is at 13 percent (sales adjusted) or approximately 14.4 million households. About 10 million households say they plan to buy an HDTV within the next year. This means that only 13 percent of consumers, as of now can take advantage of Blu-Ray. Now if we take a look at the PS3, the so called "Blu-Ray Trojan Horse" most people would have little use for it today. There is also no guarentee that the format will take off as Sony has planned. It has already been shown DVD is a sucessful optical format. No one is sure about future of Blu-Ray. Imagine how horrible it would be if you bought a PS3 because it was both a video game console and a Blu-Ray player and you found out that it's optical format was no longer supported by the movie industry.

the_game_master @ Jul 13th 2006 2:07PM

If this was 1994, would cows be justifying the price of the $599 3DO
to the
$249 Jaguar
$149 32X upgrade
$129 Genesis
$129 SNES

Magus @ Jul 13th 2006 2:10PM

The pole size is a joke any serious pole would have over 1000 audience...
Funny how everyone is making a big deal of the price. But the only thing saving the ps3 launch is the pricepoint and the features the console offfers(to consumer and developer). The higher the price the better for sony unless they magicaly pull an extra 2-3 milion of ps3s out of their a$$. The people buying the first round of consoles will pay it regardless. make it 999 and first batch would still sell out. What it really comes down to is what happens post the rush.

If they still sell the console for the same price point a year later then thers some serious issues.

Personaly I'm not buying it until it hits at least its 3rd revision.
If you really want something to complain about how about 360s same price point. 1/2 the feaatures in a box for only 100$ less.

I dont care for BD for film. But i do care for the HD being default for next gen disc being default. I dont want my developers limiting feautures because theyre not sure if the audience has the equipment. And for those of you who dont think it i guarantee at least 1/3 of all post e3 07 games will requiere a 360 HD.

ps
if ps3 still has the same pricepoint 1 year later i'll be one of the first in line to complain. I know how to save my money to get what i want price is mostly a mute point to me. But after a year is when you begint o worry about general adoption and developers concearns.

the antique @ Jul 13th 2006 2:28PM

Good 'ol pacman.

unreal mccoy @ Jul 13th 2006 2:57PM

Uh, james f., the genesis didn't win the 16 bit console war, the SNES did.

And I quote wikipedia:

"49 million Super NES units were sold worldwide [3], beating the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis (35 million units). However, Nintendo was unable to recapture the market share of the Nintendo Entertainment System (60 million units)."

Know your roots!