View Full Version : Report: Gamers unaware of console functionality
Arsenal4Ever
08-08-2007, 18:30
<H4>According to a new usage report by consumer research group NPD, gamers are either unaware or apathetic to the non-gameplay features of next-gen consoles.
http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/news/images/128028-1-1.jpg Little Timmy was floored upon realizing his PS3 could get him to the internets
PS3 owners, the report says, are less likely than Xbox 360 owners to download demos and videos on their consoles due to unawareness. In addition, only 37 percent of PS3 owners are aware of backwards compatibility for PS1 and PS2 games. In contrast, a majority of PSP and DS owners are fully aware of what their handhelds are capable of.
The study also found that DS users are more likely to play games online than PSP users, and 360 users are more likely to play games online than PS3 and Wii users.
"This study verifies what many of us already know: features related to playing games are by far the most important to consumers of video game systems," said analyst Anita Frazier. "While systems' capabilities of providing owners with additional features may become more important in the future, currently the importance of these features and the awareness among consumers of these features is far from universal.
"To make headway in this next-gen race, manufacturers still need to be primarily concerned with the quality and entertainment value of the games themselves."
Dont be surpised why PS3 sales are not as high as wii, its people like him.</H4>
poematik14
08-08-2007, 18:56
There is a scary amount of technological illiteracy in general. Especially in America. Most people here dont know what a gigabyte is.
For example, I had to help my sister's freind shop for cameras. She didint know what a megapixel was, so I had to explain it to her. And yes, most kids have no idea about gaming, but they like the games. Thats why the Wii and DS are so hot. They are simple, and appeal to casual n00bs who cant tell the difference between Blu Ray and DVD if it hit them in the head.
supertight
08-08-2007, 18:58
I can believe this, if Sony could they would have a 8 minute commerical explaining all the ps3s functions then people would be informed better.
I can believe this, if Sony could they would have a 8 minute commerical explaining all the ps3s functions then people would be informed better.
people need to go to playb3yond.com and watch all of those videos twice then they will realize but even on youtube the people on that site still argue that those videos are all BS
Faceless
08-08-2007, 19:03
Here's a valid question. How many people were surveyed, what sex were they and what was the age group.
This survey fails if that information is not provided. I am not trying to stick up for the PS3 but I find it hard to believe that only 37% know of backwards compatibilty and other PS3 features.
On another note. Where was the survey conducted? Did they ask the parents of the child they were buying the PS3 for while they were in line at the store? My guess would be yes and that would certinly skew the results.
Idenowhereiam
08-08-2007, 19:06
yeah its kinda of hard trying to sell a ps3 to someone who has no idea what i'm talking about.. some still don't know wtf blu-ray is.. and you still get those people who are afraid to put their gaming system on their big tvs for fear that it might break it.. go figure..
mgillespie
08-08-2007, 19:08
I agree with this, there have been many arty PS3 commercials, but none showing games or what the PS3 is really capable of.
My neiboiur did not even know it had the SixAxis, and was talking about how revolutionary the Wii Remote was. He was shocked when I showed him the PS3 can do that too (ooh, and look at GT:HD).
Arsenal4Ever
08-08-2007, 19:09
its simple fact i cante belieeve people dont know jack **** about nothing even if there is a commerical, kids wont watch it, ps2 was appealing because all you do is slot in a disc and play. Sony is a bit dumb if you think logically the box has no age rating on it. Honestly ithik each ps3 should have a 16+ basic knowledge of related topics to games.
GarnetandBlack
08-08-2007, 19:11
There is a scary amount of technological illiteracy in general. Especially in America. Most people here dont know what a gigabyte is.
For example, I had to help my sister's freind shop for cameras. She didint know what a megapixel was, so I had to explain it to her. And yes, most kids have no idea about gaming, but they like the games. Thats why the Wii and DS are so hot. They are simple, and appeal to casual n00bs who cant tell the difference between Blu Ray and DVD if it hit them in the head.
Very well said!
I would add that not only are most people ignorant about the features their consoles (or other electronics) have, many of them don't care.
Consider this:
I have a friend that owns an Xbox 360. Last time I saw him, I asked him about his experience with his 360 (it hasn't bricked yet - lucky him), and the conversation ultimately led to me asking him what he thought about Xbox live. He didn't even know you could go online with the 360, but most telling was that he didn't seem too anxious to hook it up either.
He spends all of his time playing sports games (particularly Madden in franchise mode), and as long as his console does that, he's happy. Online? He could care less.
The thing is that the vast majority of gamers are of the casual type that don't surf gaming forums or try to educate themselves about the console they are about to buy. When a new console comes out, they evaluate whether the graphics look better than the previous generation, and then they look for their favorite games. Nothing else really matters to them.
LiQuiFiedArt
08-08-2007, 19:11
Here's a valid question. How many people were surveyed, what sex were they and what was the age group.
This is really important for the overall results of teh study.
BingBing
08-08-2007, 19:15
I can believe this my friend didn't know the ps3 had a browser or had motion sensing in the controller. his brother didn't even know it had a bluray player.
I can honestly say that sony's advertising department is the absolutely worse thing i have seen. They make porno's for TV ad's(litterly) ,wtf....
supertight
08-08-2007, 19:18
people need to go to playb3yond.com and watch all of those videos twice then they will realize but even on youtube the people on that site still argue that those videos are all BS
I know but It seems that it's too hard for people to do a little research on any product. Most people learn from what they see on TV.
Arsenal4Ever
08-08-2007, 19:22
thats why nintendo wii has high sales, people look out for 1)Cheapness, 2)what can it do
people dont know the ps3 has blu-ray drive,they dont know what blu-ray is all thet know is dvd or at the most a better version of dvd, peple dont now you can play ps1 and ps2 games on it, people dont know u can play many people around.
What amuses me the most is why people buy standard blu-raY players instead of ps3's(cheaper)
If peopleknew what the game industry was all about ps3 sales would have been about about 25million sold, because many people think its a simple games console which it is not. It is also fully customizable semi-computer and plays films, it even has a HDD which can be REPLACED which people still dont know, people dont even know the difference between HDD space and Memory.
I give up people think that standing their console will break it, People think that playing on HD will muck up their games. I give up once more, but the people in this world dont know jack even ifit was to save their own life.
Se7enwolf
08-08-2007, 19:30
I've always knew this stuff and have been saying that consumers dont know half the stuff the PS3 can do, Sony doesn't market it that way. They stick with games and blu-ray. Thats it.
it took forever trying to explain everything the PS3 could do to costumers.
Sephiroth7924
08-08-2007, 19:41
its simple fact i cante belieeve people dont know jack **** about nothing even if there is a commerical, kids wont watch it, ps2 was appealing because all you do is slot in a disc and play. Sony is a bit dumb if you think logically the box has no age rating on it. Honestly ithik each ps3 should have a 16+ basic knowledge of related topics to games.
I dis agree.It should have it as 13+.I am 13 and i know enough to take very good care of my consoles.Even when i got a ps2 i was treating it well.I think the teenagers could be right to let get the ps3.
MS is no better. I've been using Media Center since day one. I've never seen them advertise the amazing things you can do and how easy it is to use. They currently are way ahead of the PS3's "media center" functionality and they could capitalize on it, but they don't.
Idenowhereiam
08-08-2007, 19:45
i don't see why they don't air some of those video from playbeyond.com on tv.. i have this promotional video from sony playing at my job at GS and besides the WTF commercials theres some good ones explaining the cell and the need for blu-ray.. why not be smart and put those on tv
We would be very surprised to know how many people are not fully aware of the functionality of their DVD players, let alone PS3.
Real Gambler
08-08-2007, 20:38
- How could you not be aware that the PS3 can play video, when there's an icon in the XMB.
- But worst, how could you buy a $600 piece of hardware and not know what you can do with it!
janenba352
08-08-2007, 20:43
- How could you not be aware that the PS3 can play video, when there's an icon in the XMB.
- But worst, how could you buy a $600 piece of hardware and not know what you can do with it!
Americans are idiots. They dont look for additional features, they just want a device for a single purpose, any extra features they "discover" are bonuses.
There is a scary amount of technological illiteracy in general. Especially in America. Most people here dont know what a gigabyte is.
For example, I had to help my sister's freind shop for cameras. She didint know what a megapixel was, so I had to explain it to her. And yes, most kids have no idea about gaming, but they like the games. Thats why the Wii and DS are so hot. They are simple, and appeal to casual n00bs who cant tell the difference between Blu Ray and DVD if it hit them in the head.
dude you have no idea how true this is...for that a +rep for you...
Organic_Shadow
08-08-2007, 20:44
Consumers are just having a hard time coping with the fact that game devices are becoming more than just game devices. It's sad to think that there are so many parents out there thinking "PS3/360? $450/$500? For a GAME BOX? No way....show me where the PS2's are..."
Well I do have somewhat of an explanation for the lack of awarness for things online like Demos and Trailers and such.
During the Playstation 2 era, PS2 owners never had an Xbox Live service. So, going on to the next generation of, all Playstation owners were used to was just playing online. The PS2 online service didn't offer things that the Xbox360 does... like playing demos, or downloading trailers. So, I guess that kinda carried of the the next generation, were people just want to play games online as opposed to playing demos and downloading trailers.
I guess it's just that they're not as good hardcore gamers like us.
m9105826
08-08-2007, 20:57
lol, less people to clog up when new downloads come out.
the sad truth is: almost 100% of average consumers are mentally retarded. little timmys mom is more unaware of the product than timmy is.
I explain to (uneducated family members who come over) that it can do almost everything a PC can do... (pretty much EVERYthing a PC can do since we can run linux)
They are blown away... lol.
I believe this, my mates girlfriend's mom was telling me they was thinking about getting a Wii so her husband could play all the latest games, surf the internet & view camera photo's :|
I told her that PS3 has those features, plus she can upscale normal DVD's, Buy HD movies & view her photo's in really high quality on her HDTV
She didn't even what HD is let alone that her Samsung HDTV was a HDTV:|
seriously, ppl think the Wii & PS3 are the same
just one is more expensive because it's Sony
Mana Knight
08-08-2007, 21:05
Very true. Many I talk to complain about the PS3 because they only want a device to play games and nothing else. They rather have a separate device to: <br />
-View Photos <br />
-Listen to Music. <br />
-Watch...
skarekrow
08-08-2007, 21:15
im really beginning to hate little timmy.. what an ignorant kid, is it just me or does anyone else think hes going to commit suicide when he grows up because lifes too hard for him?
jakster4u
08-08-2007, 21:58
Well it doesn't help that playstation.com has hardly any helpful info for consumers. Most people just think, hey I have heard of the Wii maybe I will buy it, without any knowledge of the other systems. If Sony just put more into its advertising this holiday season the PS3 might have a chance of coming back into the light in America.
RichMacca
08-08-2007, 22:27
Some many people dont know of the potential of both the ps3 and the 360. I'v siad for a long time that Sony market has to put its arse in gesar and get the message across, real adverts with real explainations and real games shown, none of this crap thats been shown for the last year.
Can we get a link to this?
im really beginning to hate little timmy.. what an ignorant kid, is it just me or does anyone else think hes going to commit suicide when he grows up because lifes too hard for him?
Little timmy just bought the new Dashboard Confessionals CD... and he doesnt even know he can rip it using a PS3...
now he cuts himself.
skarekrow
08-09-2007, 04:35
Little timmy just bought the new Dashboard Confessionals CD... and he doesnt even know he can rip it using a PS3...
now he cuts himself.
:lol:
This had to be here otherwise ill end up with an infraction and we most certainly wouldnt want that or would we? :suspect:
This doesn't surprise me at all. People are dumb; nothing new about that. But human idiocy is not the only thing to blame. Sony and MS need to do a better job at educating the public, telling them what exactly these things do. People don't need to know the difference between XDR and GDDR3 RAM, but they do need to know that the PS3 can play Blu-Ray discs and the 360 connects to something called...duhhh...a PC.
Seriously how do you expect anyone to know what a ps3 does based on how they market. THEIR COMMERCIALS ARE TERRIBLE.
Average Wii perspective - The wii commercial shows that it can bring asians TO YOUR HOUSE and you'll have a great time swinging a stick around in front of your TV!
Average Ps3 perspective - With the PS3 you, sure it can float, but what else can it do? Other than scare children.
Einhander
08-09-2007, 05:42
If people are unaware of what the PS3 is capable of, it's Sony's own fault, alone. I would have every feature on the front of every PS3 box, and pointed out in every PS3 commercial. Oh wait, does PS3 even have commercials? Get my point?
GarnetandBlack
08-09-2007, 05:47
Average Wii perspective - The wii commercial shows that it can bring asians TO YOUR HOUSE and you'll have a great time swinging a stick around in front of your TV!
Maybe it is just the way I read it, but that is funny as ****e! It can bring Asians to your house, eh?
Oh, that's classic - or maybe it's just late and I'm a little punchy...
Either way, + rep for the laugh. :)
TheN1Armyguy
08-09-2007, 05:59
[b]
Dont be surpised why PS3 sales are not as high as wii, its people like him.</H4>
She can shut up! The PlayStation 3 has both great quality games and great quality features.
andy8784
08-09-2007, 10:57
I can believe this my friend didn't know the ps3 had a browser or had motion sensing in the controller. his brother didn't even know it had a bluray player.
I can honestly say that sony's advertising department is the absolutely worse thing i have seen. They make porno's for TV ad's(litterly) ,wtf....
C'mon Hectic, your complaining about Sony making their PS3 adverts into borderline porn ! :o:o:o
Seriously, most people probably don't have a clue what the PS3 does and if they are still willing to spend £400 on one then.....
The study also found that DS users are more likely to play games online than PSP users,
Firstly this statement is totally absolutly wrong.
I own a DS, and i know a lot of the main DS titles. There are more online games on PSP with more online useres at one time.
PSP games off my head with online play (not counting downloadable content like Lemmings)
Killzone
Socom
Twisted Metal
Medal of Honour
ATV: Off Road
Need For Speed: Most Wanted & Carbon
DS games off my head with online play:
Um...
Mario
Pokemon
Um...
Um...
Typical guy
08-09-2007, 13:09
I have a ds and know of no online games. I guess i will google it. I have a 360 and never play it online, download demos, or trailers and i have high speed internet. I would say most ppl do not want to play a console online with a bunch of brats that call them noobs because they are casual gamers. Most ppl dont have the free time to play games enough to get good. Losing all the time is not fun and neither is ppl calling you names for having a life outside of video games.
kryton101
08-09-2007, 13:27
This issue isn't specific to consoles. Most technology has lots of features. Video and DVD players have a huge range of functionality. 90% + of these features most people dont use. you just put in a disc and press play. Job done. All those menu options, freeze frames, timers, clocks etc are virtually never used by the vast majority of people. Most people are getting wise to this and so generally avoid overly techy things becasue they have too much complexity. The average PC is still very un-user friendly and required hours of invested time and ever increasing knowledge to use. We are still a long way off star trek stylee PC's where they just do what we want without error's, problem solving and reading manuals for hours. sigh......
Simplicity is not yet a key driver in the electronics market. Although I do believe that the recent surge of overly complicated devices will back fire on us all eventually. Too many highly complex devices, not enough time.
luckybus
08-09-2007, 13:35
it amazes me that people will pay A$1000 for a gaming console and still not know that the ps3 can browse the internet and how big their hard drive is:?
Like many of you, i spent months before buying my ps3 researching what features i would use and need.
i personally have had questions asked by n00b friends why there weren't any photos,music or videos loaded on their ps3 when the turned it on for the first time -__-
wasnt the reason sony hasnt put any commercials on tv is that they only wanted to appeal to the "hardcore gamer" market instead of the general public and casual gamers aka. wii players who would have little or no interest in paying a grand to play games once in a while
lb003g0676
08-09-2007, 14:20
I agree with this, there have been many arty PS3 commercials, but none showing games or what the PS3 is really capable of.
My neiboiur did not even know it had the SixAxis, and was talking about how revolutionary the Wii Remote was. He was shocked when I showed him the PS3 can do that too (ooh, and look at GT:HD).
Exactly, Eyetoy and sixaxis make wii look ridiculously stupid. But if PS3 had removed directional buttons and replaced it with sixaxis, they would have been called foolish.
Meh, I love my PS3 and as soon as wireless is setup for my computer, I am going on the inetrnet on myPS3,a nd I CAN'T wait.
- How could you not be aware that the PS3 can play video, when there's an icon in the XMB.
- But worst, how could you buy a $600 piece of hardware and not know what you can do with it!
But... but.. it happens.... Happens to me, happens to you, happens to everyone... Even the hardcore devs don't know what to do with a $600 piece of hardware and what they can do with it. ;)
The study also found that DS users are more likely to play games online than PSP users,
Firstly this statement is totally absolutly wrong.
I own a DS, and i know a lot of the main DS titles. There are more online games on PSP with more online useres at one time.
Argh read carefully.. Don't get mad too hastly... The original quote said DS users are more likely to play games online.
Just because YOU tend to play more PSP online games doesn't mean the above statement is totally absolutely wrong. That is, until you come up with an evidence that PSP users are more likely to play games online than DS owners. =p
"People, male or female, are more likely to adopt heterosexuality than homosexuality."
"Firstly the statement is totally absolutly wrong. I am a 'people' and I am homosexual and I can't think of anyone that is heterosexual nor will I ever be heterosexual."
See the analogy??
SolidSnakeUS
08-09-2007, 16:30
I think that people should be informed more on stuff like this. When they read about what something is, I feel the person should be given full details, and if they really have the time, try to use simple words to make it easier to understand what is in the details. Maybe this is why some people don't get the PS3?
I think that people should be informed more on stuff like this. When they read about what something is, I feel the person should be given full details, and if they really have the time, try to use simple words to make it easier to understand what is in the details. Maybe this is why some people don't get the PS3?
Awesome point.
I believe that PS3 is a very functional unit, I just do not agree 100% with the design of XMB that stemmed from PSP.
I still have trouble navigating through XMB. I mean not in a "uh oh where is my video section" kind of way, but the entire menu design is not very intuitive or natural.
A very important element in a unit such as PS3 and other high-tech, functional equipment need to incorporate a very transparent, easy to use interface that appeals to satisfy 99% of the population instead of satiating the need of 1% of tech-savvy sector of the population.
An example off the top of my head is:
currently in XMB it is hard for the user to navigate to a specific sub menu. If I wanted to change my network settings I would have to remember which general menu it is under and if I needed to go left or right from my current menu position, as well as having to scroll through each and every single element in the menu until I found the network settings. Same thing goes for trying to find an AVC file, it is hazy whether video would be to the left or right to music and pictures.
It could be argued that if one remembered the exact position of the specific menu element (for example, second from the left and the second last from the bottom) it would make XMB much easier to use, but then following the logic of this argument one could technically memorize everything else that needs to be memorized in order to make other interfaces more efficient...
Morganator
08-09-2007, 16:50
I have a ds and know of no online games. I guess i will google it. I have a 360 and never play it online, download demos, or trailers and i have high speed internet. I would say most ppl do not want to play a console online with a bunch of brats that call them noobs because they are casual gamers. Most ppl dont have the free time to play games enough to get good. Losing all the time is not fun and neither is ppl calling you names for having a life outside of video games.
I agree with this statement the most. I don't like playing online with a bunch of people who call everyone names and cheat or have no life outside of their hobby. Anyways, I'm glad I'm not one of those people who isn't aware of what their console can do. Chalk this one up to research. :DD :p
BubbaHotepUK
08-09-2007, 17:00
You know what, Sony could get people to realise what facilities the PS3 had by simply preloading it with a stack load of videos, music, and photos. As soon as people started moving the XMB, they'd see stuff that they'd then play.
When they've seen the PS3 play videos, heard it play music etc. they could then turn to a user friendly manual (currently non-existent) that tells them how to download their own videos, transfer music from CDs, copy digicam photos etc for storage on the PS3. When they've done that, they then tell their friends what a great little device they've got....
On an 'empty' PS3, all you get are icons that do nothing when you select them. How dumb is that?
se7enthsign
08-09-2007, 17:02
I think that this is especially the case with the PS3. I know people who have a PS3 and they look shocked when they see mine. They are like, "OMG, you can check your Myspace on here?", or "You can save movies to the hard drive?" Other PS3 owners constantly ask me, "Hey, can you make mine do that?" I currently have about 50 full movies on my hard drive and about a thousand mp3's and photos. I have the ubuntu linux setup with a dvd rip/convert program installed as well. I check email, jump on Yahoo Messenger, AIM or chat, or get directions with Mapquest. I've even used the PS3 to order pizza. And when it comes to movies of a more adult nature, the PS3 knows no equal, lol. I even use the PS3/PSP remote play combined with the Eyetoy to do home surveillance occasionally. I can check on the house with it anytime I am away. I can copy photos and home videos directly to the hard drive as well. I am one of those people who can't wait for the DVR functionality to arrive. The machine would almost be worth the money even if it didn't play games at all.
safersefiroth
08-09-2007, 17:14
i dont use ps3 for much but gaming and music so you dont need to know all the functions you could be simple minded like me and just have fun playing great games :D
Contrary to Microsoft's claims, it doesn't seem as if the HD Era is quite here yet. Although the big selling point of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 over cheaper systems like Wii is their high-definition graphics capabilities, not even people who have bought the consoles are getting the message.
Specifically, a new NPD report says that only 30% of Xbox 360 owners know it supports HD video output. That's not the percentage of people with HDTVs -- that's the percentage of people who are aware of the capability.
Ready for another? Only half of PlayStation 3 owners know that there's a Blu-Ray drive in their machine. And of that group, only half use it.
via 1up
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161833
I hope the article meant that half of the half of the people that use BD are BD movies.
mavsman4457
08-09-2007, 17:27
There is a scary amount of technological illiteracy in general. Especially in America. Most people here dont know what a gigabyte is.
For example, I had to help my sister's freind shop for cameras. She didint know what a megapixel was, so I had to explain it to her. And yes, most kids have no idea about gaming, but they like the games. Thats why the Wii and DS are so hot. They are simple, and appeal to casual n00bs who cant tell the difference between Blu Ray and DVD if it hit them in the head.
Hahaha well said. I like the way you think and repped.
Arsenal4Ever
08-09-2007, 17:35
Its sony's fault, they dont do adverts anways, when im watching cartoons(laugh if u must) they go to advert, and all they show is Nintendo wii adverts, the ps3 adverts are stupid becasue theres nothing to do withthe game or conosle, "this is living" so what people dont know what he consoles about.
Ladynaye
08-09-2007, 20:24
It's not that shocking to know how ignorant/stupid people are about technology in general, especially in America. My father still calls his computer a "cpu" or a "hard drive" and his hard drive "memory".
Makes me laugh every time too. And yes, I STILL correct him!!
gumionday
08-09-2007, 21:08
I call BS on this survery; without proper information how do we know they didn't poll a bunch of sixth graders, or their parents, both of which would probably not know this info. Even the new gamers age is getting younger and younger, this gaming industry is only here because of gamers that came before me and its people like me keeping this industry going. Cause before I had a job the only time i could get games was birthday and xmas, now I buy the games on release day during my lunch hour.
I don't think this survey was given to the right demographic
Novicegamer
08-09-2007, 21:20
I have been saying this for a while now and this study backs it up. People just don't care. A majority of gamers are casual gamers and get their console to play games. They don't care what it does beyond that. They may utilize a few of the extra features that their console has, but they don't buy the console for those extras.
People that post here are the hardcore fans and are a very small minority of overall gamers. Don't believe me? Then account for the popularity of the Wii. It's the preceived value of the Wii as compared to the 360 and PS3. Sony and MS can educate all they want, but the gamers want to game, and they want to do it for a reasonable price and are more than willing to forgo the cutting edge features.
Shadowstar
08-09-2007, 22:32
I dunno. I mean, I know all the features that my watch has, but it's a really simple piece of equipment. When you're talking about ALL the features of, say, my last VCR, there's probably a ton I didn't know because I wasn't going to read the manual for it all.
Web browsing on PS3 is mostly useless (that's why we have computers), but I'm surprised if so few people know about downloading demos and so on.