Wii usage low according to study

Swift19 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 11:41 AM

Nielsen Games recently conducted a study to find out how console usage varies in the U.S. among two age groups: 10-26 years old and above 26. Despite Nintendo's historical appeal with kids, it was actually Xbox 360 that reigned supreme in the younger demographic.

The survey, conducted April 2007 to February 2008, found that gamers in the 10-26 age group spent nearly 63 percent of their gaming time playing with Microsoft's console. Nintendo's Wii by comparison was played just 25 percent of the time, and Sony's PS3 was even lower at 12 percent. Average play sessions per day were fairly even for all three: 2.20 for the 360, 2.12 for the PS3, and 2.07 for the Wii.

The length of a play session was another matter, however. On the 360 and PS3, each play session lasted around 73 minutes, or 20 minutes more than on the Wii. Gamers apparently played their 360 almost 28 days a month, compared to the PS3 at 21 days a month and the Wii at just 19.66 days a month.

In the older crowd (ages 27 and up), Nielsen found that Wii usage moved up a bit. Nintendo's console was used 28 percent of the time. Interestingly, Sony's PS3 replaces the Xbox 360 as the most played in this older demographic with time spent at almost 52 percent compared to the 360's almost 20 percent.

Wii gamers in this older crowd also played fewer sessions in a day: 1.80. This group also spent less time playing the 360 than the PS3, but they played more 360 sessions each day (2.57) than PS3 (2.20). And not surprisingly, since the older group has less free time, the length of an average play session was shorter for all three consoles: 55 minutes on PS3, 52 minutes on 360, and 47 minutes on Wii. Nintendo's Wii was turned on only for 12 days a month, while the 360 was used around 22 days a month compared to 19 for PS3.

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looks like i wasn't alone in not using my Wii before selling it

Ol' Patty · 06-05-2008, 12:45 PM

I believe the 360's success in the frequency aspect has to do with Xbox Live. Many people are baited by things such as gamer scores and awards into playing longer and more frequently. Also, you are paying for Xbox live so there is more incentive to use it. I have no data to back myself up with, this is merely my opinion from personal experience.

If I had all three consoles(or any of the three for that matter) I would play the Wii the most from sheer enjoyment of the games that are released, PS3 a close second(especially recently since MGS4 will be released soon) and Xbox 360 last. I am not a fan of the 360 as a console. Anytime I have ever used one it has been a hassle, fiddling with Xbox live and signing in and all that. Also, there are not really any games for it that interest me. Halo 3 is probably the only 360 game that kept me coming back for more, and that is only on Xbox Live or with friends.

**Opunaya** · 06-05-2008, 12:58 PM

Plus, gamers are lazy. It's easier to sit for hours playing a game than jumping around...

**Kelley** · 06-05-2008, 01:05 PM

Pfft that was before all the better games came to the Wii. Favoritest gaming console EVAR! Now you can't find a wii most often. People were dumb to get rid of them.

**Opunaya** · 06-05-2008, 01:06 PM

I need to get a Wii...

**Kelley** · 06-05-2008, 01:10 PM

I want wii fit.....noone has any in stock.

**Opunaya** · 06-05-2008, 01:13 PM

I think there are some in stock over here. I'd be willing to pick you one up, if'n ya want and ship it to you or something.

**Kelley** · 06-05-2008, 01:15 PM

Nah I'll get one eventually. Maybe it'll go down in price a little.....probably not.

**Opunaya** · 06-05-2008, 01:20 PM

Yeah, in about a year or two...games rarely drop in price that quickly. Your best bet will to pick up a used copy.

Swift19 · 06-05-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelley

Pfft that was before all the better games came to the Wii. Favoritest gaming console EVAR! Now you can't find a wii most often. People were dumb to get rid of them.

Actually, this was after the newest Mario Kart is released. As for not finding the Wii, look for my thread on Nintendo deliberately holding back Wii's to create the look of high demand.

--------------- Added 05 Jun 2008 at 04:59 pm ---------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opunaya

Plus, gamers are lazy. It's easier to sit for hours playing a game than jumping around...

Have you ever considered that the games on PS3 and 360 are just generally better and more polished? The vast majority of Wii games out there have major control issues (I know, I've tried a lot of them) and if the game doesn't have good controls there isn't much to look forward to. You can't really go online (refer to a Penny Arcade comic on the online functionality for the 3 consoles) as the Wii doesn't offer many options. You can't add in your own music to the games and the graphics are like those of the XBOX.