Publishers Targetting The 'Hardcore' Gamer?

pr0digal jenius · Jun 4, 2004, 11:33 PM

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Imagine an industry where your most loyal customers are also your biggest detractors. They can be abusive, demanding and are almost always impossible to please, yet without their blessing, you're as good as doomed.

Welcome to the gaming world.

Hardcore gamers only make up between 20-25 percent of the industry's annual software sales, but the buzz enthusiasts create can turn a moderate hit into a monster.

"If you can tap into a vein of interest that they have, then you've got a high probability of having a commercial success on your hands," said John Taylor, an analyst with Arcadia Research. "And if that spills into the mass market, then you've got an overwhelming success."

Need proof? Look no further than "Grand Theft Auto III". When Take Two (TTWO: Research, Estimates)'s game came on the scene, with a revolutionary style of play, core gamers liked what they saw – and they began talking. Before long, it was readily apparent that casual gamers were listening.
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Read More/Source: http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/04/comm...ming/index.htm

Jun 4, 2004, 11:33 PM	#1
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	Publishers Targetting The 'Hardcore' Gamer? NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Imagine an industry where your most loyal customers are also your biggest detractors. They can be abusive, demanding and are almost always impossible to please, yet without their blessing, you're as good as doomed. Welcome to the gaming world. Hardcore gamers only make up between 20-25 percent of the industry's annual software sales, but the buzz enthusiasts create can turn a moderate hit into a monster. "If you can tap into a vein of interest that they have, then you've got a high probability of having a commercial success on your hands," said John Taylor, an analyst with Arcadia Research. "And if that spills into the mass market, then you've got an overwhelming success." Need proof? Look no further than "Grand Theft Auto III". When Take Two (TTWO: Research, Estimates)'s game came on the scene, with a revolutionary style of play, core gamers liked what they saw – and they began talking. Before long, it was readily apparent that casual gamers were listening. _______________________ Read More/Source: http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/04/comm...ming/index.htm