High tablet sales blamed for poor handheld gaming device sales

starlight777

Zork Rules
Sep 12, 2013
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High tablet sales blamed for poor handheld gaming device sales
http://www.neowin.net/news/high-tablet-sales-blamed-for-poor-handheld-gaming-device-sales

The success of tablet sales could be responsible for poor handheld gaming sales, judging by a UK study.
Tablets are now the preferred portable gaming device for children, outperforming the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Vita. The Futuresource Consulting study reveals 44% of British kids aged between three and twelve own a tablet.
Out of the mix, a whopping 30% of the young tablet owners are aged between three and four. There is also a much higher likelihood of parents purchasing a tablet over a portable gaming console for their children. The preference of buying a Nexus, iPad or a Galaxy is twice as high compared to portable gaming devices.
Despite the amount of free apps on offer, the statistics show parents aren’t hesitant to spend money on apps either. 17% of parents surveyed spent more than £100 per year on apps.
The smartphone craze could also be contributing to poor handheld gaming device sales. 25% of all 9 to 10-year-olds own a smartphone. Almost half of 11 to 12-year-olds also own a handset. These figures are bad news for companies like Nintendo, who rely on sales of the handheld DS range for revenue. Disappointing Wii U sales combined with Sony's growing dominance has led to a drop in Nintendo's share prices.

Perhaps, the popularity of tablets could see the end of the handheld gaming device generation. There was one statistic that proved to be shocking, book reading remains the most popular activity among youths at 45%. It appears even the latest trends in technology cannot dethrone this classic pastime.
 
Makes sense in the long run.

Sony and Nintendo handhelds do have exclusive games from well known franchises. And it does cost only about $150-200 while a good tablet probably costs $300-500. However, that $300-500 tablet can not only be played by little Timmy for games, but it's also a distraction until Mom and Dad want to use it for surfing the net and whatnot.

So a parent thinking long term will just get a tablet and kill two birds with one stone.
 
Kids have better things to do than playing video games. Naughty parents not raising good kids.
 
I can only imagine how bad the Vita is doing out of the bunch. At least 3DS has it's market, as niche as it has become, but it's games chart which is very rare to see for the Vita. It goes to show that bigger productions for handheld games isn't necessarily the best of ideas. I'd imagine that's a risk for even tablet games.
 
It makes sense. Tablets are more diverse in terms of options, and can be used for many forms of entertainment. In the long run, it's a much better investment to pay $400 for a tablet, than $200 for a 3DS/Vita. Id personally rather have one of each, but discerning parents no doubt see it differently.
 
I definitely see this. People who play games on tablets/mobile devices are generally not "gamers" and aren't that excited about the next Zelda on the 3Ds. They probably don't even know about it. They just think they have the entire world of gaming at their fingertips.
 
I definitely see this. People who play games on tablets/mobile devices are generally not "gamers" and aren't that excited about the next Zelda on the 3Ds. They probably don't even know about it. They just think they have the entire world of gaming at their fingertips.

Exactly, "casuals" are not in the same demographic as "gamers", though tablets and dedicated mobile gaming devices compete in the same space.
 
Mobile games do not really hamper console or PC gaming, but to handheld it really is a direct hit.
The price of handheld games do not help either. Tablet just do more, much more. Dedicated handheld device will go the way of Typewriter.
 
This is why the PS Vita hasn't taken off. It's all about those mobile and tablet games. People who hardcore game buy consoles or the 3DS because it has a better library of games.