PS2 still holds highest attach ratio record within the past 8 years
The video game industry has gained an incredible amount of momentum this generation. This gen systems like the Wii have broadened the audience by bringing games that are even more mainstream accessible than before. However, to fully understand the performance of the current generation systems it never hurts to appreciate where gaming has been in the past.
I have been heavily engrossed with video games for ages and quite possibly before many of our readers were even born. Newcomers to the gaming fold usually don’t really appreciate or understand where the industry has been in the past. Recently, while cleaning out my Outlook I discovered some interesting email conversations I had nearly six years ago with a peer of mine.
The conversation revolved around the validity of a console’s attach rate. As a console’s user base increases it makes sense that the attach rate increase proportionally because of the cumulative effect. Existing owners who have purchased games in the past will continue to buy new games on top of new owners buying the new games as well.
So, if one system has a larger user base does it make sense to compare the attach ratio of another system with a smaller user base? The answer is simply no – because it would be like comparing apples to oranges.
I’ve actually seen users citing Xbox 360’s attach ratio as the highest in the history of gaming, which of course is quite naive. Believe it or not the PS2 at its peak achieved an attach ratio of 12.4 to 1 back in 2003. However, only two years after that, the attach ratio for the PS2 started dropping while the system was selling like hotcakes. As many of you may know the PS2 eventually went on to sell over 150 million units and still counting today.
Many analysts back then considered this phenomenon to be a good thing. The reason why the attach ratio dropped after peaking so high was because the PS2 successfully made the transition from hardcore to mainstream. I strongly suspect that Microsoft is gunning for a similar strategy, where the Xbox 360 will transition into a mainstream casual console like the Wii, which is not a bad plan at all according to history.
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27 Responses to “PS2 still holds highest attach ratio record within the past 8 years”
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May 18th, 2009
Gamernook – Where girls go to find guys who have no idea how to please them.
May 18th, 2009
Most definitely true. I was on GameStop the other day buying some PS2 games God of War and many other like Downhill Domination. PS2 has awesome games that’s why everyone loves buying games for it.
May 18th, 2009
Singlemuslim.com, a place where even Ivan gets responses.
May 18th, 2009
conjugalharmony.com
May 18th, 2009
This actually builds off of my last post, but it’s a fact that PS2 games > then Wii games. Given that the PS2’s user base is so high, and it actually continues to sell, it’s not that surprising.
I’ve been thinking about picking up cheap used copies of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. I want to get ready for ICO’s announcement next month.
May 18th, 2009
Harry, I’ll repost this here so you don’t miss it…
Lost planet 2:
psxextreme.com/ps3-news/5139.html
CNET is actually owned by CBS Interactive. CBS has partnered with M$, so they have a vested interest in the companies success. Given Cnet’s continued bias, it’s not hard to see.
May 18th, 2009
Barnabe, that’s the same quote that I googled which was from some guy at the Official Playstation magazine. That was not from Capcom. The only thing that Capcom have said was that they are developing for one platform at the moment.
And your response about Cnet is rather weak. First you say that they’re owned by Microsoft, then you say that their owner has a partnership with Microsoft (something I am having trouble finding evidence of).
May 18th, 2009
I think Barnabe means their partnership with MS Silverlight.
May 18th, 2009
That would be the partnership. True, it’s not 100% official just yet, but The Official PlayStation Magazine is a reliable source. Plus Capcom has been never really confirmed or denied the PS3 & PC versions. I’m guessing that there were probably greater forces at work like a timed exclusive deal, which maybe didn’t pan out. My guess is that they’re waiting for E3 to make it official and get the maximum exposure.
May 18th, 2009
“I have been heavily engrossed with video games for ages and quite possibly before many of our readers were even born. Newcomers to the gaming fold usually don’t really appreciate or understand where the industry has been in the past.”
Interesting…lets see how long most of us have been “gaming it up” for: I will start:
I was born in ‘82
but my first game system was both a Sega Master System and Nintend Entertainment System, these released around 1985, so no, i wasn’t 3 when i started playing.. The earliest games i remember playing were Simon’s Quest, Abadox, Bayou BIlly, Ikari Warriors, COntra, ALex Kidd, CHoplifter…i think the earliest game i played was 1988…so i will pick that year…i remember being 8-10 playing games…
So, yeah Jojo29, gaming since 1988-present
I was there for the 8bit wars, and glorious 16bit days as well 
If there is one thing that has changed is this: Games have either gotten way, WAY too easy to beat nowadays, or, i just have been playing so long im just that good
May 18th, 2009
Barnabe, I’ll repost this here so you don’t miss it:
CBS has partnered with Sony in the past, so what? Does this mean Sony is actually owned by Microsoft now (besides current gen console hardware sales and all)?
Regardless, even taking your argument for granted, it would seem kind of counterproductive to give the competition’s console a higher review, don’t you think?
Even if this was true it would be like a Microsoft version of David Manning and so transparent it would have been exposed by now.
Last I checked, NBC & MSNBC is “outright owned” by GE, not Microsoft.
BTW, “PSXextreme.com” sounds like a very non-biased and reputable source site (not).
May 19th, 2009
Oh I don’t know Charlie, PSXextreme.com sounds like they are fair in their opinions of other companies.
Barnabe, mate you might want to start considering toning down the trolling a little. Otherwise you’re going to begin getting treated like Ivan.
May 19th, 2009
I love PSXExtreme… I hate the fact that they give Microsoft too much credit sometimes which kind makes it pathetic.
http://myworld.ebay.com/ivan_psp/
May 19th, 2009
Carl, it’s a conspiracy I tells ya!
May 19th, 2009
PSXextreme is actually a very mature, and informed news source on the PS brand. There is no trashing of the competition there, just PS enthusiasts. It would be fair to assume that a site so obviously dedicated to one console brand would be biased and unfair, but for PSXextreme this just isn’t the case. It is not an US vs THEM site, it is wholly focused on the PS brand, and the industry as it relates to fans of the the playstation consoles.
May 19th, 2009
The main source was the Official PlayStation Magazine, which is very credible.
Also Wikipedia would like to have a word with you about NBC/MSNBC…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_Microsoft_Corporation
May 19th, 2009
LOL @ Wikipedia. Last month I was lambasted by you PS3 boys because I used a Wikipedia link. You all said that anyone can put anything on Wikipedia and it can’t be trusted. I think i’ll use the same defense on this occasion.
Or maybe I might use the Chewbakka defense? Why would a 7 foot wookie live on Endor with 3 foot Ewoks. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!
May 19th, 2009
Actually Wikipedia also lists General Electric as owning NBC… so I have no idea what the correct answer is. Maybe wikipedia isn’t such a great source.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_General_Electric
May 20th, 2009
MS is a shareholder. GE is the owner. Wikipedia is fine as a starting source, you just need to cross check the notes (the article’s sources) to ensure accuracy.
From your link, the only thing factually applicable found was, “Capcom has since confusingly refused to confirm on the record what Lost Planet 2 is coming out on,” which is hardly telling enough to say “Lost Planet 2 is confirmed for PS3!”. Lost Planet 2 may be coming to PS3 is a little bit more on the level with what was stated in your source.
May 20th, 2009
Sorry, that’s Chewbacca.
May 20th, 2009
We knew what you meant Harry. You never need to apologise to me.
May 20th, 2009
“Why would a 7 foot wookie live on Endor with 3 foot Ewoks.”
Because he’s a pedophile.
May 20th, 2009
I will not hear of such an allegation dear sir ….. I challenge you to a duel !!!!!
May 20th, 2009
*slaps CharlieB with a glove*
May 21st, 2009
High 5’s all round
May 22nd, 2009
Sorry, I had no idea you were related.
May 23rd, 2009
????