U.S. Video Game Console Online Shopping Demand

Saw an update from Compete (a company that tracks and analyzes online store searches to understand consumer demand). This time they’re focusing on the Elite SKU, and asking the question of whether there’s market demand for it. The whole article is interesting, so head over and take a read. But I’ll pull a couple of interesting charts.

The first shows that Wii continues to be most sought after console, though its launch numbers have come down (as would be expected). It also shows that PS3 demand is declining month to month (also confirmed by the latest NPD numbers). Makes it all the more likely we’ll be seeing a price cut this year. In general, all the platforms (including the 360) are holding relatively steady as we’d expect for spring months.

What’s more interesting to me is a chart showing online retail demand for the Elite system as compared to different 360 SKUs/bundles. Remember, the Elite isn’t even out yet, so this shows pre-order demand only – we’ll need to see how that translates into real sales once available.

Most interesting to me is that it appears the Elite may be driving incremental shoppers to 360. To quote:

Interestingly, the Elite launch has driven incremental shoppers to the 360 brand. Looking at the aggregated** total shoppers, there has apparently been very little overlap elite shoppers and bundle or “lesser system” shoppers.
** Aggregated 360 demand measures the total number of shoppers for a 360, regardless of overlap: If someone shopped both a 360 Elite and a Bundle, they would only be counted once.

Although we’ll have to see how many Elite purchasers are upgraders vs. people who have been waiting on the sidelines, the idea that the total market might be expanding is exciting. That’s good for everyone, whatever platform you might care to hang your hat on!

Related posts:

1. Analysis of Online Holiday Demand for Different Consoles
2. Nielsen Top 10 Video Game Console Usage List for 2008
3. Clarifying Thoughts on High Definition Game Rendering
4. More Comparison Video
5. Intel Talking to Console Vendors?