EEDAR: Blame low industry sales on casual gamers

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 13th 2009 at 7:30PM }

EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich recently told Industry Gamers that the low sales reported by NPD in October can be attributed mainly to casual gamers. Specifically, he placed the blame on "non-traditional and casual gamers who have failed to make follow-up purchases." Conversely, Divnich said that core game sales have been "quite healthy" throughout 2009. So, what can drive casual gamers back to the cash register? "it will take the introduction of some new style of gameplay or peripheral before we see a resurgence in the casual and non-traditional markets," said Divnich, noting that his company expects a new DS to arrive in 2010 (presumably a next generation model, not another redesign). In addition, Divnich believes that Microsoft's Project Natal could reinvigorate interest in motion-controlled gaming among both core and casual gamers.

Divnich also reiterated his belief that the Wii will remain on top for the rest of the year. He also thinks the PS3 could outsell the Xbox 360 over the holidays. He did note, however, that PS3 sales are "declining much faster post-price drop than the Xbx 360," suggesting that it's too early to claim any definite winners in the long run.

Tags: analysis, business, eedar, jesse-divnich, npd

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

monolithic @ Nov 13th 2009 7:34PM

Casual gamers are casual, news at 11.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:36PM

This just in: People did things and stuff happened.

Nobledevil @ Nov 13th 2009 7:39PM

And will something super-horrible happen when you do this everyday activity that you could be doing right now? Tune in at 11.

Plus Doppler-Douche with the weather!

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:42PM

[SWINE FLU GRAPHIC GOES HERE]

Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 13th 2009 7:34PM

Oh, shit. Fanboy wars ahead!

This is true, though. The casual market won't spend the money the hardcore will.

We have to.

They don't.

Prof. Von Manifest (aka the caterpillar in your buttermilk) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 13th 2009 7:36PM

This is true.

Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:40PM

True this is.

Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 13th 2009 7:40PM

Also, needs more Pachter.

A Pervert @ Nov 13th 2009 7:41PM

Is this true?

Crayfish @ Nov 13th 2009 8:29PM

Hey guys, I heard some true was going on in here?

IslandLife @ Nov 13th 2009 9:14PM

Truthiness?

Anti-Villian @ Nov 14th 2009 1:38AM

something bout how true this is, yeh that.

SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:34PM

Apparently I am the only one who is sick of hearing about sales comparisons.

Hey, guess what, PS3 is in 3rd place. Yet I have all of these amazing (PS3) games to play and Sony shows no signs of going bankrupt.

Statistics should stay in the board rooms.

Awetoebawt @ Nov 13th 2009 8:09PM

What happens in the board rooms, stays in the board rooms.

sonicspike41 @ Nov 13th 2009 9:15PM

That got me thinking...

CSI: Board Rooms anyone?

It won't be as awesome as Horatio Caine and his sunglasses, but I'm sure they could improvise.

Mr Khan @ Nov 13th 2009 9:44PM

These things have infinite repercussions, though. Sales determines what gets made in the future, and what doesn't get made. Though i agree that sales don't make the better console (as i was a Nintendo fanboy *starting* with the N64), their importance cannot be understated.

deaftly (PSN,LIVE,STEAM) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:35PM

Xbx 360 rulz

Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:42PM

i c wut u did thar.

Marco le Polo @ Nov 13th 2009 8:18PM

Tool!

edes @ Nov 13th 2009 8:29PM

ololoololololoololololol

CheeziePotato (ATDF) @ Nov 13th 2009 8:45PM

Nah that's ignorant

Awetoebawt @ Nov 13th 2009 9:17PM

I can't tell if this is apathetic, or pathetic.

Then again, either one will do.

Prof. Von Manifest (aka the caterpillar in your buttermilk) [PSN: Manifest37] @ Nov 13th 2009 7:35PM

Love the pic.

Reminds me of fat folks who buy mad snacks at the movie theater & top it off with a diet coke.

charlie b. @ Nov 13th 2009 7:45PM

SHUT UP AND PASS THE MILK DUDS

Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:53PM

XL DANG IT!!! XL!!!

useedems @ Nov 13th 2009 9:11PM

Hell yeah I wanna super size it, skinny boy.

sonicspike41 @ Nov 13th 2009 9:17PM

"Yeah, I'll take a large #1 sirloin burger combo, with curly fries, and a large diet coke. Also, could I get a slice of cheesecake with that?"

Edicius @ Nov 14th 2009 11:38AM

Well, to be fair, some people buy Diet Coke because they like the taste.

Darkfocus @ Nov 13th 2009 7:37PM

Hopes for new DS in 2010 :D

CzAr @ Nov 13th 2009 7:55PM

I want a new DS sku every 3months.

Awetoebawt @ Nov 13th 2009 8:11PM

DSi Quintuple XL confirmed; 8 new 16 megapixel cameras, no DS slot this time :(

KaBob799 @ Nov 14th 2009 1:41PM

That would be the DS Go

tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 13th 2009 7:38PM

I blame all of life's problems on casual gamers, makes things much easier!

Uncontrol @ Nov 13th 2009 7:39PM

i love when analysts finally figure out what fucking BLOG COMMENTERS have been saying for two years

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Nov 13th 2009 7:42PM

The funny part is that they're behind blog editors, the people who reply to blog posts, webcomic "artists," satirical video game reviewers, and the users of 4chan.

Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:46PM

Agreed. It's very well-known. Casual gamers are the reason for all of the low-quality coming out. I'm stating the obvious.

Jesus (PSN: Luttdawg) @ Nov 13th 2009 7:58PM

And what system do casual gamers flock to? I think we all know the answer. Enough said.

Meloche @ Nov 13th 2009 10:04PM

The PS2?

krizoitz @ Nov 13th 2009 8:04PM

That analysis makes no sense. Casual gamers aren't REPLACING hard core gamers, its not a zero sum game. If sales are still strong among the hard core, and then you ADD some sales among casual gamers, the numbers should go up. If the numbers go down, that means that hard core gamers are not buying as many games either.

Maybe sales are down because people don't have as much money. Maybe sales are down because fewer must get games came out in october. Or people are waiting for price drops/holiday sales/bundles etc. I'd believe those are more important than casual gamers magically causing everyone else to buy less.

Yet another analyst who doesn't have a clue. Must be a job requirement.

Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith-ATDF Co-Founder @ Nov 13th 2009 8:12PM

I think you're confused. They're saying the casual market is buying LESS than they were a year ago, which means the extra money is declining. That's all.

r.crisp @ Nov 13th 2009 8:15PM

I believe he's talking about a total downward trend in buying. IE, casuals and hardcores start off buying lots of games, hardcores continue to buy lots of games but casuals go back to sleeping with women and drinking in bars... or something.

So the total goes down. You might not want to be so aggresive when you're being wrong AND a douchebag

Arcaria @ Nov 14th 2009 8:44AM

If it's a job requirement as you say, I think you'd be a perfect candidate. Your reading comprehension is on a 2nd grade level.

Sweets @ Nov 14th 2009 10:45AM

@r.crisp:

I'm a hardcore gamer and I love sleeping with women and going to bars too. Not just the casual gamers.

holyice7 @ Nov 13th 2009 8:17PM

I have been. For years. Where were you guys?

Jesus (PSN: Luttdawg) @ Nov 13th 2009 8:28PM

I am by no means a spokesperson for core gamers but I consider myself one and I have no interest in motion controls, nor do my core gamer mates. I'm not opposed to them but the tech has got a long way to go before people like myself will use them. Thinking about my favourite games from the last few years, I just don't see how they could be worked in to be made enjoyable while still having the desired level of precision.

L3thal Interjection (XBL: BR41N4TT4Q) @ Nov 13th 2009 8:34PM

Here here. Well said.

Mr Khan @ Nov 13th 2009 9:48PM

That's the problem with your thinking, though. Motion controls have immense room to improve, these accuracy concerns are only short-term

B Nuts @ Nov 13th 2009 10:17PM

Mr Khan, I do agree with you that motion controls have a ways to go, and have a lot of untapped potential, that doesn't necessarily mean I have to be along for the all the growing pains along the way.

Jesus (PSN: Luttdawg) @ Nov 14th 2009 1:01AM

@Mr. Khan

There is nothing wrong with my thinking at all. I'm saying when they are at a level where core gamers like myself can play, we will. I'm acknowledging that they could improve in the future. But like I said, they've got a long way to go and I love the way B Nuts puts it, I won't be there for the growing pains either.

Prox @ Nov 14th 2009 11:03AM

I play games to relax. If I wanted to go through all the actual motions involved with playing basketball, I'd get off the couch and go play basketball.
Bottom line: For me, games are a way to relax and cool down. Motion controls call for way more work in that venue than I'm interested in.

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