Well, yes...and no. They're all technically gaming consoles (though Sony is clearly more committed to the PS3 being a blu-ray player), so yes, they're all in the same space, and are therefore competing products. But at the same time, the Wii is a totally different concept/experience/strategy than the other two. And Nintendo has also said that they don't view the 360 and PS3 as competition, but this can be attributed to the fact that the Wii has a completely different target market. However it's secondary market is the same as the 360's and PS3's target market. The Wii may not be directly competing with the 360 and PS3, but it will still have an effect on their sales.
The way I see it, Microsoft is trying to downplay the Wii by saying that you can get a 360 and still have some money left over to get a Wii. This is also a strategy against the PS3, since (assuming certain things about the Wii's and 360's future pricing) you'll be able to buy both a 360 and a Wii for relatively the same cost of a PS3 (as has been said many times over). I think this is a good strategy for Microsoft. Let's say Mr. Jones has budgeted $600 for a next-gen gaming system (not including any extras or games) this Christmas for his family. He can:
1) Buy a PS3. This covers his own 'hardcore' needs, but leaves something to be desired from his wife and younger kids. He also misses out on the consistently fun Nintendo franchises as well as the 360 exclusives. He also loses points with the rest of the family because he bought something the majority of the family probably won't enjoy, and spent a lot of money doing it.
2) Buy a 360. Pretty much the same as #1. It satisfies his 'hardcore' side, but not everyone else. He still loses points with the family, but hasn't spent as much money doing it.
3) Buy a Wii. The wife and kids enjoy it, they have fun as a family, and Dad scores major points for both buying a fun-for-the-whole-family console and not spending a whole lot of money. He however sacrifices pleasing his 'hardcore' side.
4) Buy a 360 and a Wii. He covers all his bases. He gets 'hardcore' games as well as the Nintendo franchises, pleases the entire family, including himself, and since the wife and kids are happy, the amount of money he spent pales in comparison. He also gets access to over 2/3 of the available games, since most games will be written for both the 360 and PS3, if not all three consoles.
If you were Mr. Jones, with a wife and a few kids of varying ages, which would you choose? I know I'd be going with #4. #3 if I wanted to spend the extra on something special for the wife, and score major pu...er... points.
Slashdot Mirror
Well, yes...and no. They're all technically gaming consoles (though Sony is clearly more committed to the PS3 being a blu-ray player), so yes, they're all in the same space, and are therefore competing products. But at the same time, the Wii is a totally different concept/experience/strategy than the other two. And Nintendo has also said that they don't view the 360 and PS3 as competition, but this can be attributed to the fact that the Wii has a completely different target market. However it's secondary market is the same as the 360's and PS3's target market. The Wii may not be directly competing with the 360 and PS3, but it will still have an effect on their sales.
The way I see it, Microsoft is trying to downplay the Wii by saying that you can get a 360 and still have some money left over to get a Wii. This is also a strategy against the PS3, since (assuming certain things about the Wii's and 360's future pricing) you'll be able to buy both a 360 and a Wii for relatively the same cost of a PS3 (as has been said many times over). I think this is a good strategy for Microsoft. Let's say Mr. Jones has budgeted $600 for a next-gen gaming system (not including any extras or games) this Christmas for his family. He can:
1) Buy a PS3. This covers his own 'hardcore' needs, but leaves something to be desired from his wife and younger kids. He also misses out on the consistently fun Nintendo franchises as well as the 360 exclusives. He also loses points with the rest of the family because he bought something the majority of the family probably won't enjoy, and spent a lot of money doing it.
2) Buy a 360. Pretty much the same as #1. It satisfies his 'hardcore' side, but not everyone else. He still loses points with the family, but hasn't spent as much money doing it.
3) Buy a Wii. The wife and kids enjoy it, they have fun as a family, and Dad scores major points for both buying a fun-for-the-whole-family console and not spending a whole lot of money. He however sacrifices pleasing his 'hardcore' side.
4) Buy a 360 and a Wii. He covers all his bases. He gets 'hardcore' games as well as the Nintendo franchises, pleases the entire family, including himself, and since the wife and kids are happy, the amount of money he spent pales in comparison. He also gets access to over 2/3 of the available games, since most games will be written for both the 360 and PS3, if not all three consoles.
If you were Mr. Jones, with a wife and a few kids of varying ages, which would you choose? I know I'd be going with #4. #3 if I wanted to spend the extra on something special for the wife, and score major pu...er... points.