100 comments at least: Console attach rates

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 7th 2008 at 4:45PM }

Gamasutra

Ah, attach rates. We know how much you love them. Gamasutra has compiled a fascinating and pleasingly colorful set of graphs highlighting the latest known tie ratios, both for first- and third-party titles, of the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. As the article notes, tie ratio can used to gauge the "health" of a system, with a higher number indicating more games being sold for every system escaping its retail self.

Comparing each system within their first 23 months on sale, the Xbox 360 had the highest third-party software tie ratio at 5.2, followed by the PS3 with 4.4 and the Wii with 3.1. The Xbox 360 has since gone on to establish a combined first- and third-party ratio of 8.1 after 35 months on the market. Interestingly, the Wii's ratio has remained quite consistent throughout 2008 -- certainly a positive result in the face of continued success in the hardware arena. Remember, a high attach ratio may sometimes indicate diminishing hardware sales, with consumers spending more on software as a system matures.

Tags: Attach-Rate, Console-Wars, Tie-Ratio

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

samfish @ Nov 7th 2008 4:49PM

163 comments. Easily.

Markez @ Nov 7th 2008 5:10PM

At least 8 dead fanboys of every flavor.

At least 4 references to how the Dreamcast was the best console.

At least 20 references to shovelware, or WiiPlay.

Innumerable pointless and stereotypical comments about RROD, soccer moms buying Wii, or PS3 having no games.

What am I missing?

Chase @ Nov 7th 2008 5:15PM

If we reach 169, everyone has to get a lawn chair and sit-down 69 the person below them while wearing a paper cutout mask of Justin's face.

Markez @ Nov 7th 2008 5:24PM

^^^ this man does not speak for me.

343 Guilty Fart @ Nov 7th 2008 5:35PM

"What am I missing?"

At least 35 U R GAY comments.

That's one.

BananaBoat @ Nov 7th 2008 6:19PM

Let there be butthurt for all!

LaughingTarget @ Nov 7th 2008 7:45PM

14 lists of games not yet out.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Nov 7th 2008 11:01PM

I would like to say "I predict bloodshed" but that's the special house I keep my woman in when she's menstrating.

Alex @ Nov 8th 2008 2:50PM

At least 7 very late comments about fire, flame wars, the word 'Fanboy' spelt with 'oi' on the end and something about fuel.

Chase @ Nov 8th 2008 4:42PM

It appears our fun will have to be postponed. Bastids. x'[

samfish @ Nov 9th 2008 1:21AM

*insert The Prices Is Right 'fail' sound here*

beatsuppussy @ Nov 24th 2008 10:17AM

Shagittarius @ Nov 7th 2008 4:50PM

In order for this to be useful information you have to also correlate that data to the total number of releases.

If you release 100 more titles than the other guy your attach rate is spread out over a larger number of titles. This is important when you try to figure out how many copies your game might sell on said platform.

Moptimus Slime @ Nov 7th 2008 4:56PM

wow....I actually agree with Shag

I never thought I*HEAD ASPLODES*

Jack Tretton @ Nov 7th 2008 5:20PM

"Comparing each system within their first 23 months on sale..."

Or: Within its first 23 months of release, the PS3 achieved an attach rate of 5.3 games, the Wii 5.5 games, and the 360 6.6 games.

Duscrom @ Nov 7th 2008 6:15PM

Actually, no it's not. A game sale is a game sale. The attach rate isn't a percentage of the total library, it's who bought a game. Doesn't matter if it's a new $50 game or a 7 month old $19.99 game.

Danjer @ Nov 7th 2008 4:50PM

More fuel for the fanboy fire.

j.howlett @ Nov 7th 2008 4:52PM

what does it all mean?

copa @ Nov 7th 2008 5:14PM

I'm not really sure. Comparing XBox 360 numbers from 2007 to current numbers for PS3 and Wii is pretty academic.

If I am a third-party trying to decide which platform to develop for, I'm going to look at the XBox 360's current attach rate of 8.1.

To paraphrase McCain: "If you wanted to run against my attach rate numbers from one year ago, you should have launched in 2005!"

CrossTheAtlantic @ Nov 7th 2008 4:52PM

The flame war cometh!

OMGOMG @ Nov 7th 2008 6:34PM

U R GAY! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOL!

Jouten @ Nov 7th 2008 4:53PM

"...Remember, a high attach ratio may sometimes indicate diminishing hardware sales, with consumers spending more on software as a system matures..."

So are you/they trying to say the 360 is pretty much at it's apex and beginning its decline in sales?

Fan Baby Fan!

CrossTheAtlantic @ Nov 7th 2008 5:12PM

Attach baby attach?

Ignatius @ Nov 7th 2008 4:54PM

Doesn't the Wii have over 500 titles or so now?

Mr Khan @ Nov 7th 2008 4:57PM

Their numbers are wrong. Wii Sports and maybe Wii Play isn't 5.5 games, that's 1.5 games

Maybe 1.75 if you factor in the few hundred diehard fans that are out there that maybe buy more than that

:P

dsub @ Nov 7th 2008 5:52PM

agreed.

Purchasing Wii Play does not constitute a "sale" in terms of an attach rate statistic.

Get Real.

You only bought that damn controller because it came with a game...that sucked so bad it should be in a cereal box.

Mr Khan @ Nov 7th 2008 11:23PM

Not according to the Nintendo Channel, those who contributed statistics logged more than 4 million hours collectively

Which means people conscientious enough to connect to the internet, download the channel, and volunteer for the service.

ben_man587 @ Nov 7th 2008 4:58PM

You forgot to mention in your post that the 360 red rings alot, the PS3 has no games, and the wii is for 5 year olds.

Shakhak @ Nov 7th 2008 5:02PM

It means the Wii is still kicking everyone's ass.

#28 @ Nov 7th 2008 6:11PM

Naw, not even.

Martin Bormann @ Nov 7th 2008 5:02PM

My favorite console is better than your favorite console which is a personal insult to you even though you had nothing to do with the creation of the console.

CrossTheAtlantic @ Nov 7th 2008 5:10PM

You wish! My fav0rite console totally rawwwwwks!! URS IS TEH GAY/FOR KIDS/BROKEN/HAS A LACKLUSTER AMOUNT OF QUALITY 3RD PARTY SUPPORT THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BOLSTER A SOLID LINE UP OF 1ST PARTY TITLES!!!!!11

Moptimus Slime @ Nov 7th 2008 5:19PM

MY CONSOLE HAS BLAST PROCESSING AND 64 BITS MUTHERF*CKER

Blazur @ Nov 7th 2008 5:23PM

Yeah, while my console can beat up your father!

Slaziman @ Nov 7th 2008 5:32PM

Oh yeah? My console works at MCDONALDS!

HOWS THEM APPLES?!!!

Moptimus Slime @ Nov 7th 2008 5:02PM

Wawaah?!?!?!? 3rd Party attach rate is higher than 1st on the Wii? Even I gotta call bullshit on that

Also, is this NA or World Wide?

Chase @ Nov 7th 2008 5:03PM

The end of days, my good man. The end of days.

Chase @ Nov 7th 2008 5:04PM

Aaand that was supposed to be a reply to j.howlett.

:shakes fist:

Markez @ Nov 7th 2008 5:12PM

Shake harder, boy!

Metal Geario 360 @ Nov 7th 2008 5:12PM

"My bar is bigger than yours!"

"Thats why this system is better"

john paul @ Nov 7th 2008 5:14PM

DONT COMMENT,fanboys, i know you have a sudden urge to say something but DONT

Mike @ Nov 7th 2008 5:15PM

I'm quite sure Sneak King and Big bumping inflated that ratio quite a bit on the 360.

DigDug @ Nov 7th 2008 5:16PM

So who is lying? Gamasutra? or every 3rd party publisher, who is saying the PS3 is now their major earner, not the 360...

http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/10/26/analysis-ps3-selling-more-games-than-xbox-360-with-smaller-install-base/

Duscrom @ Nov 7th 2008 6:22PM

Fun with statistics. The correct answer is BOTH.

Let me put forth a theory or scenario. I have 5 PS3 games, and 8 Xbox 360 games. Now, The PS3 is mostly played by me, I'm a "core" gamer. On my PS3 in my room I have Dead Space, GTA 4, Eternal Sonata, Madden 09, and Ratchet and Clank. On My Xbox 360, it's in the living room. Yeah I still play it the most of my family, but Sisters, Wife, and friends play it as well. So our game library is more varied as the libraray is bigger, I've got Viva Pinata, Gears Of War, Scene It, Halo 3, TMNT, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Saint's Row 2. Now, i've got MORE 360 games, but more of my Core games from EA or Namco are purchased for the PS3.