Younger Gamers Prefer Xbox 360, Older Ones Prefer Ps3

[theFRANCHISE]

According to a recent study conducted by the Nielsen research group, younger gamers aged 10-26 spend more time playing the Xbox 360, while older gamers aged 27+ prefer the PlayStation 3, as reported by IGN. (link)

In essense, the study's purpose was to see how console preferences among the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii were spread out amongst age groups.

The study compiled average daily sessions, average session length, and average usage days per month, all used to calculate an approximate percentage of console minutes spent by gamers in each age group.

To generalize the study, the results show that the Xbox 360 appeals to today's youth, while the PS3 caters to a more discerning (i.e. sophisticated) audience, and the Wii falls squarely in the family-friendly demographic.

In terms of how each system's games and flagship titles are marketed, that sounds about right, in my opinion.

Based on your console preferences, do YOU fit the study's profile, given your age?

[ragnorok99]

I'm in the "younger" demographic. Xbox 360 has a better stick design, but other than that I prefer the Ps3 on all fronts.

I'm the only person my age I know who owns/prefers a Ps3 over a 360, though.

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm also in the "younger" demographic, but I prefer the PS3 to the Xbox 360 in EVERY way.

Even online play.

I'm sorry, but why should you have to pay to play online?

PlayStation Network offers pretty much the same content and level of service as Xbox Live, but for free. The only thing you pay for on PSN, obviously, is certain downloadable content, but that's to be expected.

And even though the $400 and $500 price tag seems steep for either of the two versions of the PS3 (40GB or 80GB), it's a bargain considering all that you're getting.

Blu-Ray/CD/DVD player (which, individually, costs anywhere from $300-$500), multiple USB ports, upgradeable hard drive, media streaming capabilities, built-in internet browser, Bluetooth device compatability, wireless internet connectivity, and media card slots (80GB model only).

As for the controller, the battery life for both the regular SIXAXIS and the DualShock 3 SIXAXIS is somewhat longer than the Xbox 360 controller, and they both operate wirelessly through Bluetooth technology, with the console itself able to support SEVEN controllers at once.

Plus, consider the PS3-exclusive titles: Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Tekken, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts...

Basically, if you're going based on the study alone, I should technically be 27+.

[Ravens_Pwn12]

because the younger gamers cant afford ps3

[Drkraven]

I'm old an I like the Wii (compared to you guys)! We actually got my dad who will be 70 in August a Wii, he loves it especially the sports games.

[theFRANCHISE]

because the younger gamers cant afford ps3

Well...a good portion of these people who buy video game consoles are likely 20+, since anyone under 20 without a job likely couldn't afford ANY of the three, to begin with.

That means a lot of the purchasing power is coming from parents, relatives, and generally older members of a household.

I mean, I'm 19, and I was able to buy my PS3 on my own because I also work part-time and had done a good enough job of SAVING that I was able to afford it shortly after I decided I wanted to get one.

But not everyone my age has a job, let alone has the willpower to save for anything.

Therefore, you have to take into account that maybe the actual users that fall into the Xbox 360's supposed demographic, aren't actually the ones BUYING the console.

And usually, if they're not the ones buying the console, that means the ones who ARE (again, parents, etc.) likely haven't done the type of research that the older gamers have when comparing consoles.

Otherwise, like I had said above, considering all that you're getting for your $400 or $500, the PS3 is TECHNICALLY the better bargain, if you're into video games and want to get more out of your system than just gaming.

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm old an I like the Wii (compared to you guys)! We actually got my dad who will be 70 in August a Wii, he loves it especially the sports games.

It's a strange phenomenon, but Nintendo has done a really good job of catering to families and people that don't consider themselves gamers.

To be honest, of the three systems, Nintendo has focused solely on just plain offering a FUN experience, period. There's nothing complex about the Wii, and that's what Wii owners like about it.

My brother and his family have a Wii, and other than going to the park or the local Y, that's all his kids look forward to every weekend. And their entire family plays TOGETHER. It's the closest thing to Family Game Night that I've ever seen, personally, and I only wish other video game companies would take notice.

[ragnorok99]

Plus, consider the PS3-exclusive titles: Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Tekken, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts...

That's probably the biggest advantage for me. I've been in numerous arguments with my Xbox-wielding friends about game selection--it's pretty even right now, but I feel the games coming down the pipe are going to push Ps3 over the top.

God of War III, FF13, MGS IV, Resistance 2 (which is going to have ridiculous online features)...Halo just doesn't do it for me in the face of those titles.

And yeah, the Blu-Ray player is a huge bonus.

[Sub-Zero]

I play the 360 and the Wii at equal intervals. currently im loving the hell out of Mario Kart, I've always loved that game as a kid!

[theFRANCHISE]

There's been an amendment to the survey in that link above.

Apparently, Nielsen had contacted IGN and notified them that the PS3 is actually LAST in ALL age groups, with the Wii still a distant second, regardless.

Link here.

Hmm...that throws off my assessment of the study entirely.

Instead, it seems as if the cost of the PS3 was probably the biggest turn-off, hence the huge disparity in numbers.

However, as I stated above, I still believe you get more bang for your buck with the PS3.

Keep in mind: the PS3 has yet to suffer a major recall or anything of the sort due to defects, unlike the Xbox 360's warranty-extending "Red Ring of Death."

Fact of the matter is, for the money I'm paying, I'd rather have a system that will last me and I won't have to continue to pay any subscriptions or anything for it, period.

That's why I prefer PSN to Xbox Live, and why I prefer PS3 to Xbox 360.

[JonM229]

There's been an amendment to the survey in that link above.

Apparently, Nielsen had contacted IGN and notified them that the PS3 is actually LAST in ALL age groups, with the Wii still a distant second, regardless.

Link here.

Hmm...that throws off my assessment of the study entirely.

Instead, it seems as if the cost of the PS3 was probably the biggest turn-off, hence the huge disparity in numbers.

However, as I stated above, I still believe you get more bang for your buck with the PS3.

Keep in mind: the PS3 has yet to suffer a major recall or anything of the sort due to defects, unlike the Xbox 360's warranty-extending "Red Ring of Death."

Fact of the matter is, for the money I'm paying, I'd rather have a system that will last me and I won't have to continue to pay any subscriptions or anything for it, period.

That's why I prefer PSN to Xbox Live, and why I prefer PS3 to Xbox 360.

The PS3 just got [profanity deleted] in the A!

[theFRANCHISE]

The PS3 just got [profanity deleted] in the A!

Majorly.

Well, that, or Bill Gates paid Nielsen off because he couldn't bear to see Microsoft play second fiddle to Sony in any sort of age group, period. Not after how the PS2 [profanity deleted] the original Xbox in the A before.

[Drkraven]

We have alway purchased Nintendo, ever since I bought the original game deck when I moved out in 1989. We have a PS2, my husband got it as a bonus at work, and my oldest son had a Game Gear from Sega when he was little. It was the first back lit system. I had also bought him a Sega Saturn which was a complete waste of money, then we got a Game Cube and I swore we would only get Nintendo.

[theFRANCHISE]

We have alway purchased Nintendo, ever since I bought the original game deck when I moved out in 1989. We have a PS2, my husband got it as a bonus at work, and my oldest son had a Game Gear from Sega when he was little. It was the first back lit system. I had also bought him a Sega Saturn which was a complete waste of money, then we got a Game Cube and I swore we would only get Nintendo.

Good plan.

Better to support a veteran in the industry like Nintendo since you'll KNOW what you're getting.

I only wish Sega hadn't stopped making consoles, otherwise, it'd be interesting to see how a fourth system would fare during this current generation's console war.

[DRayRaven]

I'm not into video games.

I did, however, look into getting a WII for my daughter. She is turning 6 next month. I was surprised at the price. We're talking arm and a leg territory here. Apparently, there's some kind of shortage or something. I won't be buying one now.

I was ambivalent about it to start with. I'm not sure I want to introduce her to video games, anyway. She's better off playing outside, reading a book, or spending time with her family. I already have a 17 year-old step-son whose a** is super-glued to the chair already. I don't need another one.

[theFRANCHISE]

I'm not into video games.

I did, however, look into getting a WII for my daughter. She is turning 6 next month. I was surprised at the price. We're talking arm and a leg territory here. Apparently, there's some kind of shortage or something. I won't be buying one now.

I was ambivalent about it to start with. I'm not sure I want to introduce her to video games, anyway. She's better off playing outside, reading a book, or spending time with her family. I already have a 17 year-old step-son whose a** is super-glued to the chair already. I don't need another one.

Well, in terms of physical activity, the Wii is certainly a better alternative than a kid sitting down on a couch all day. Still no substitute for actual exercise, but again, it's close enough (especially with the recent release of WiiFit) given the alternative.

I'll put it like this: as much as Family Game Night as come and gone in today's society, seeing my brother's family come together and play the Wii one night every weekend as a "reward" for the kids' week-long patience (they're not allowed to play on weekdays during the school year) is a sight to behold.

And I mean, the WHOLE family gets into it. Even my sister-in-law, and she was never big into video games. Even my little niece who hasn't even started kindergarten, and she's the girliest girly-girl I've ever seen.

The only real reason I bought a PlayStation 3 instead of a Wii is because I've had an interest in video games that's come and gone as I've gotten older, and it's only recently been awakened by the recent, mature titles that have impressed me with their intelligence and general "wow" factor. And frankly, the Wii doesn't appeal to my own personal interests when I'm gaming. To say it's "for kids" is somewhat of a generalization, but there are far too many titles for the Wii that just don't appeal to me as a 19-year-old college student.

I love the fact that the Wii is VERY family-friendly, and a majority of the titles available are family or group-oriented. It encourages social stimulation a bit more than the other consoles, and it's very user-friendly.

And the games themselves are VERY fun (and addicting) to play. Granted, that addiction is a bit overstated; to be honest, you'll be too PHYSICALLY tired from playing some of the games to actually play for "too long" (even the most hyper of children tire out).

Keep in mind, it's certainly NOT designed to be a virtual babysitter (as TV has sadly become), but it's a better, more structured distraction than your average electronic medium today.

[RavenSooner]

I have to agree with the price of the PS3 being the biggest turnoff.

I mean, you get a blue-ray player but the cost of the discs for that are pretty steep for teen/college-aged people.

I didn't get an original xbox until I played Halo 1...none of the multiplayer games on the ps2 had that kind of multiplayer environment that I'd encountered before.

In the dorms everyone would get on the Lan when halo 2 came out...so you could almost always find a game even if you didn't have xbox live.

EVERYONE player halo 2, so I've stuck with the 360 once halo 3 came out.

I've played Resistance and a few of the other games on the PS3 and there wasn't anything that would entice me to make a switch...yet.

Oh yeah, the PS3 commercials are loving creepy.

As opposed to the family friendly Wii...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SqI7SWx5Fg

...and the infamous Wii fit girl (may be NSFW, no nudity or anything...she's in her underclothes and it is on youtube)

The Wii is a lot of fun to play around with but the novelty wore off after a while.