We here at the Fanboy highly doubt that any of you have escaped the "Old People" phenomenon, by which Luddites of various ages, locked into their ways, miraculously pick up a Wiimote and slug it out in Wii Bowling. Many are so enthusiastic that they inquire as to the availability (answer: no) and price of this wonderous machine. But, in truth, how many are actually going to purchase one? Many with whom we've spoken have enjoyed the Wii, but still have difficulty fathoming a lifestyle in which the games are played so often as to warrant a 250 dollar purchase. What percent of Wii units sold will eventually go to this demographic, and is it large enough to push Nintendo to first place?Wii Warm Up: Those old folks
We here at the Fanboy highly doubt that any of you have escaped the "Old People" phenomenon, by which Luddites of various ages, locked into their ways, miraculously pick up a Wiimote and slug it out in Wii Bowling. Many are so enthusiastic that they inquire as to the availability (answer: no) and price of this wonderous machine. But, in truth, how many are actually going to purchase one? Many with whom we've spoken have enjoyed the Wii, but still have difficulty fathoming a lifestyle in which the games are played so often as to warrant a 250 dollar purchase. What percent of Wii units sold will eventually go to this demographic, and is it large enough to push Nintendo to first place?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-14-2007 @ 11:34AM
Andy Robertson said...
I think there will be a fare few purchased by silver-gamers, as I call them, to keep up with their kids and grandchildren. I think the messaging is also attractive to them. How many mothers, or mother in-laws would like a hot-line into their offspring's living space. Just send a message and a blue emergency light flashes to announce its arrival.
I also think the shortage of peripherals like the wii-mote and nun chuck are partly due to parents buying them so they can play when they visit their kids.
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1-14-2007 @ 3:27PM
Ethan Duffy said...
My grandparents want one, though my grandma really can't figure it out they sounded like they'd be happy to part with the cash. Well off though, I should add, which unfortunately is not the case for most pensioners.
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1-14-2007 @ 9:37PM
sam said...
We got my grandfather one for Christmas - he loves it!
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1-15-2007 @ 10:17AM
Mom said...
I have been out every weekend trying to find my very own Wii, especially since I got to play on my daughters. I (like every other searcher) have not been able to find one. I'm not quite the G-ma set yet (hint hint Alisha)but I really really really want a Wii!!!!!
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1-15-2007 @ 10:31AM
sracer said...
Everyone (including Nintendo) is going to be surprised at just how many seniors end up buying the Wii. Gaming may be secondary... but the ability to view photos from an SD card is a great feature. (many have digital cameras) The Weather Channel is another hook. (older people seem to be more concerned about the weather) The Internet Channel spells the death-knell for WebTV (yeah, those things are still around.)
There are plenty of seniors who only own a computer to be able to receive emails from their kids and grandkids, and may be a little surfing. With the Wii, they can do all that without the fear of contracting virii and spyware... or having the computer go casters-up.
The non-gaming features of the Wii are drawing a lot of attention from non-gamers. The Internet Channel is only a few weeks old (and still in test) and already people are leveraging the browser to do some things (like Media Center-like functionality).
I own both an Xbox 360 and a Wii... and both are "must have" consoles IMO. But "the little console that could" continues to impress me.
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