On the other hand, the stats include Wii Play, which is basically a controller, so we guess it's all in your perception. We'd encourage you to read Gamasutra's piece and form your own opinions.
On the other hand, the stats include Wii Play, which is basically a controller, so we guess it's all in your perception. We'd encourage you to read Gamasutra's piece and form your own opinions.
Reader Comments (67)
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:12PM hobbykitjr said
great visual ad, it all makes sense now.
the ps3 killed the Wii to get the jack ruby.
Reply
the ps3 killed the Wii to get the jack ruby.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:08PM (Unverified) said
There's also lots of piracy issues with the Wii.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:40PM Da Largest said
Yeah, seriously. You wouldn't think that the Wii of all systems would have such severe piracy issues but they're there. Fuck, just the other day I visited the GBATemp forums, they've got shit like external hard drive game loaders that run FASTER than retail games and have Cover Flow GUIs and shit, the Wii homebrew scene is pretty damn intense.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:53PM (Unverified) said
I counted 2 shits and one fuck. Your post is pretty intense.
Protip: save the Monster drink for after lunch.
Reply
Protip: save the Monster drink for after lunch.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:59PM (Unverified) said
Yep, but you don't even need all of that stuff. All you need is a launch copy of Twilight Princess(which I have) and an SD card, and you can start burning .ISO's of wii games and playing them. Its actually too easy....(note: i do not pirate games)
i wonder if this has artificially increased the price of old TP copies...hmm...
Reply
i wonder if this has artificially increased the price of old TP copies...hmm...
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 4:21PM (Unverified) said
I, for one, prefer the proper version of Twilight Princess (on the Gamecube, with a left-handed Link). Brings back memories...
"Nintendo of America's marketing head Reggie Fils-Aime told Spike TV this morning that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess would be out this fall. Reggie also said there were still no plans to bring Twilight Princess to the Revolution."
Ahh, good times.
Reply
"Nintendo of America's marketing head Reggie Fils-Aime told Spike TV this morning that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess would be out this fall. Reggie also said there were still no plans to bring Twilight Princess to the Revolution."
Ahh, good times.
Posted: Apr 23rd 2009 7:22AM (Unverified) said
Its rare to see a used Wii advertised online that ISN'T modded.
Of course, modded doesn't just mean pirated games, there are some legit reasons for it. But if you can play free games it must get hard to resist....
Reply
Of course, modded doesn't just mean pirated games, there are some legit reasons for it. But if you can play free games it must get hard to resist....
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:13PM RobS the 3rd said
Darn it Joystiq! Stop making me have to think of numbers!
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:15PM RobS the 3rd said
Apparently while PS3 has a higher tie record then the Wii, it is not as high as the Xbox. Furthermore, they still have far less software sold then either Microsoft or Nintendo because they have less units out, so it's all relative
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:16PM floating coffins said
There's been BUTTER CARNIVALS this whole time and I've just only now found out?!
Joystiq, you've let me down for the last time with your shoddy reporting.
Reply
Joystiq, you've let me down for the last time with your shoddy reporting.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:11PM Shagittarius said
Butter Carnivals are for Casuals. I'm all about the Trans-Fat carnivals.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:18PM PixelHustler said
Okay, Samfish, it's a deal. You do all the "maybe not" sexing, and I'll download Tanks on WiiWare. I love that game. Maybe not quite as much as you though...
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:24PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
People like Samfish make me understand why Nintendo is so furvent in their support of friend codes. Yeesh.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:18PM Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar said
And the fact that there's not really a lot good games to buy recently...
PS3 owners buy the console for games... and movies maybe.
Plenty Wii owners I know bought it for Wii Sports and the novelty factor. And it's gathering dust now. They don't care about connecting it to the internet or even getting new games.
Core gamers buying Wii are waiting for good titles, while the rest... doesn't buy games at all. Just because there's a zillion shovelware games doesn't mean people are stupid enough to buy them.
I used to work retail and know from observation that inexperienced people tend to choose a random game based on the cover... Then they trade it in because it "wasn't really fun", choose a different (probably preowned) one... and when they visit the shop again, they're already annoyed with how the games they choose suck balls and ask for assistance so they can at least get their money worth of gaming.
Thanks god, people tend to learn from their mistakes. At least most of them. The rest trolls Joystiq.
Reply
PS3 owners buy the console for games... and movies maybe.
Plenty Wii owners I know bought it for Wii Sports and the novelty factor. And it's gathering dust now. They don't care about connecting it to the internet or even getting new games.
Core gamers buying Wii are waiting for good titles, while the rest... doesn't buy games at all. Just because there's a zillion shovelware games doesn't mean people are stupid enough to buy them.
I used to work retail and know from observation that inexperienced people tend to choose a random game based on the cover... Then they trade it in because it "wasn't really fun", choose a different (probably preowned) one... and when they visit the shop again, they're already annoyed with how the games they choose suck balls and ask for assistance so they can at least get their money worth of gaming.
Thanks god, people tend to learn from their mistakes. At least most of them. The rest trolls Joystiq.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:20PM Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar said
Oh, and the XBox is probably high above those numbers, because that's the system you have when you want to be 'in', or whatever youngsters call it those days.
So every kid owns one. And kids love games. Ergo, higher tie ratio.
Reply
So every kid owns one. And kids love games. Ergo, higher tie ratio.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:22PM Mr Khan said
Kinda making the argument black-and-white, though, since the statistics show Wii software sales as an overall figure are at the top, and the difference between it and the competition isn't so severe to just explain it away as the difference in install base, some of these "casuals" have to be buying games at a decent rate
The number of "new gamers" that are on with the Wii is consistently overestimated, i think. Many of them are probably the mainstream PS2 crowd, moving on up.
Reply
The number of "new gamers" that are on with the Wii is consistently overestimated, i think. Many of them are probably the mainstream PS2 crowd, moving on up.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:25PM floating coffins said
Watching people choose Wii games at Eb games is a brutal, brutal experience. Although overhearing a guy try to convince his girlfriend to buy a shooter title is pretty fun.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:40PM (Unverified) said
Nothing beats the time I heard a guy want "that mario driving thingy on PS3". To say these people are stupid as hell when it comes to getting games is a severe understatement.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:42PM TheDetective said
People are totally stupid enough to buy them.
Case in point, my brother in law bought a Fooseball game. Thought it was totally worth the $20 he played even though he hasn't cracked it open for a second time.
My friend's cousins father bought some racing game and stopped playing it after the third or fourth time because he didn't have the patience to unlock the cars. He thought only having two cars and two tracks to start was stupid.
Nevermind that my other brother in-law who actually IS a gamer got Winter Sports as a gift and had to force a smile and thank you. Needless to say, if it wasn't for the family wanting to try it, he would have exchanged it towards something decent.
K387
Reply
Case in point, my brother in law bought a Fooseball game. Thought it was totally worth the $20 he played even though he hasn't cracked it open for a second time.
My friend's cousins father bought some racing game and stopped playing it after the third or fourth time because he didn't have the patience to unlock the cars. He thought only having two cars and two tracks to start was stupid.
Nevermind that my other brother in-law who actually IS a gamer got Winter Sports as a gift and had to force a smile and thank you. Needless to say, if it wasn't for the family wanting to try it, he would have exchanged it towards something decent.
K387
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:05PM samfish said
"Core gamers buying Wii are waiting for good titles, while the rest... doesn't buy games at all. Just because there's a zillion shovelware games doesn't mean people are stupid enough to buy them."
In my experience, those people DO buy games...they just generally aren't stupid enough to buy the shovelware. Or if they do buy it, they usually full well know that it isn't exactly going to be as good as Wii Sports or something. People learn to spot shit quick after getting burned once or twice at best.
So I think a lot of them are in the same boat that core Wii owners are in — they're waiting for something good to come along.
Reply
In my experience, those people DO buy games...they just generally aren't stupid enough to buy the shovelware. Or if they do buy it, they usually full well know that it isn't exactly going to be as good as Wii Sports or something. People learn to spot shit quick after getting burned once or twice at best.
So I think a lot of them are in the same boat that core Wii owners are in — they're waiting for something good to come along.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:09PM Vidikron said
"I used to work retail and know from observation that inexperienced people tend to choose a random game based on the cover..."
These days information is easily had if you take the time to look, but that's how I used to buy a lot of games when I was a kid. Sure, I still got the best games, like the original Zelda, due to word of mouth, but I'd say at least half of my purchases came from simply looking at the cover and reading the back. I'm glad I don't waste much money on poor games, but I sort of miss those days at the same time. There was a certain excitement to buying a game with no expectations... maybe it would good, maybe not... had to play it to find out.
Oh well, that's probably just nostalgia talking though. And I think a lot of it has to do with being so young... kids are more easily entertained. Just look at all the crappy movie-tie in games that sell in droves to young children.
Reply
These days information is easily had if you take the time to look, but that's how I used to buy a lot of games when I was a kid. Sure, I still got the best games, like the original Zelda, due to word of mouth, but I'd say at least half of my purchases came from simply looking at the cover and reading the back. I'm glad I don't waste much money on poor games, but I sort of miss those days at the same time. There was a certain excitement to buying a game with no expectations... maybe it would good, maybe not... had to play it to find out.
Oh well, that's probably just nostalgia talking though. And I think a lot of it has to do with being so young... kids are more easily entertained. Just look at all the crappy movie-tie in games that sell in droves to young children.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:18PM (Unverified) said
The Wizard pretty much proves everything Vidikron said
Reply
Posted: Apr 23rd 2009 3:02AM Slaziman said
I'm willing to bet that the Wii owes its tie ratio to kids annoying their moms to get them that cool looking game in the bargain bin. Kids don't know any better, and they will probably even enjoy those crappy games, that's how kids are (I got 2 little brothers who enjoy crappy movie tie-ins or lame minigame collections, so I'm not pulling this out of my ass). Sure you can make the same argument for the other consoles, but if you think about it the Wii is the only console most parents would consider for their kids (kids being 10 years and younger), it's cheap, it's Nintendo, and it has a lot more family-oriented games, and mommy might like it too!
What would be interesting is a tie ratio of games scoring over 75% or 80% on metacritic, the Wii would then probably be in a very, very distant last place.
Reply
What would be interesting is a tie ratio of games scoring over 75% or 80% on metacritic, the Wii would then probably be in a very, very distant last place.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:19PM spasewalkr said
"like portable defibrillators at a butter carnival"
+1 very clever!
Reply
+1 very clever!
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:19PM Mr Khan said
First: Specify the terms. Is Tie Ratio the number of games bought alongside the console on average? Or is it just another term for attach rate (average software per console out there period)
Because i remember they said at the MI6 Advertising summit that the Wii's attach rate was now over 360's in 2008, which would thoroughly contradict this assessment of it being narrowly dead last
Reply
Because i remember they said at the MI6 Advertising summit that the Wii's attach rate was now over 360's in 2008, which would thoroughly contradict this assessment of it being narrowly dead last
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:21PM Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar said
I don't think the article states that Wii was last. It may state that it was first, and now the PS3 is teh bestorz! On the other hand, it may not.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:38PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Tie ratio - This ratio is an average number of units of software per console owner. For example, each 360 owner owns an average of 7.5 games.
Attach Rate - The percentage of console owners that own a specific game or accessory. For example, 26.9% of PS3 owners own GTA IV.
A console has a tie ratio while a game (or accessory) has an attach rate.
Reply
Attach Rate - The percentage of console owners that own a specific game or accessory. For example, 26.9% of PS3 owners own GTA IV.
A console has a tie ratio while a game (or accessory) has an attach rate.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:47PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Just so specify a little further.
The Wii has the lowest Tie Ratio by a slim margain but it has still sold the most software overall. In that sense it's all relative. So, what this essentially means is that on the average 360 owners have about one more game per console than Wii & PS3 owners in North America. SInce there are more Wii's in the wild it will also lower it's tie ratio regardless of software sales. They will sell more software overall but less on average for each console. Essentially, PS3 owners & Wii owners both have about the same amount of games on average for their console while 360 owners have about 1 more game on the average.
You also need to consider these figures are interpreted from NPD data only.
Reply
The Wii has the lowest Tie Ratio by a slim margain but it has still sold the most software overall. In that sense it's all relative. So, what this essentially means is that on the average 360 owners have about one more game per console than Wii & PS3 owners in North America. SInce there are more Wii's in the wild it will also lower it's tie ratio regardless of software sales. They will sell more software overall but less on average for each console. Essentially, PS3 owners & Wii owners both have about the same amount of games on average for their console while 360 owners have about 1 more game on the average.
You also need to consider these figures are interpreted from NPD data only.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:21PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
I'm gonna stay out of this fanboy pissing match and just say...
I LOVE that picture.
Reply
I LOVE that picture.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:41PM (Unverified) said
my console likes that image more than your console!
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:25PM (Unverified) said
+1 for the mention of butter and carnival, and +10 for the visual aid. can i give 10? very new to this point giving system lol.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 2:42PM (Unverified) said
So, from what I understand, the tie ratio is the number of softwares divided by the number of hardwares, in other words, the average number of Wii games owned by a Wii owner.
It would mean that some people buy the Wii only for Wii Sports and Wii Fit. It makes sense. The thing is that those people with only those two games will lower the Wii tie ratio to 1 (since Wii Sports is bundled and doesn't count in the tie ratio) But if you take time to look at the article, you will notice that for the same period of time, the Wii has sold over 120m games, the Xbox 360 has sold 75m, and ths PS3 has sold less than 50m.
So I don't think this tie ratio has an important meaning...
Reply
It would mean that some people buy the Wii only for Wii Sports and Wii Fit. It makes sense. The thing is that those people with only those two games will lower the Wii tie ratio to 1 (since Wii Sports is bundled and doesn't count in the tie ratio) But if you take time to look at the article, you will notice that for the same period of time, the Wii has sold over 120m games, the Xbox 360 has sold 75m, and ths PS3 has sold less than 50m.
So I don't think this tie ratio has an important meaning...
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:56PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
It just helps to further illustrate the data. This essentially means that PS3 & Wii owners buy the same amount of software on the average for their console while 360 owners buy an extra game for theirs over the PS3 & Wii owners. It's not the end all be all for data or anything but it does show that while Wii owners have purchased the most software overall they buy the least per each console.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 4:00PM (Unverified) said
damn i thought it was about neck ties in star wars.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:54PM LaughingTarget said
Neck Tie/Tie Fighter = Neck*Tie/Tie*Fighter = Neck/Fighter
So, the answer is Neck Fighter. Sounds like a dating sim.
Reply
So, the answer is Neck Fighter. Sounds like a dating sim.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:27PM (Unverified) said
NPD doesn't count Wii Sports, therefore it's not in this data.
Reply
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 3:13PM ScottG13 said
Toss out Wii Play, obviously.
I spend MOST of my PS3 time watching BluRays. Its an awesome BR machine and a great DVD upscaler. I'm also enjoying Bioshock again. Otherwise, just waiting for Infamous.
Nothing on the Wii is on my GF list. Isn't that weird?
Reply
I spend MOST of my PS3 time watching BluRays. Its an awesome BR machine and a great DVD upscaler. I'm also enjoying Bioshock again. Otherwise, just waiting for Infamous.
Nothing on the Wii is on my GF list. Isn't that weird?
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 218 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 152 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 107 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
- Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments
