Wii is a glorified board-game, attach-rate is fine

I think on one hand the Wii has become the most expensive board game on Earth - it's the kind of thing that families will play at Christmas, and probably won't play again throughout the remainder of the year.

I expect Nintendo fanboys will vomit opinion out of every orifice about this quote, but my experience isn't really supporting a retort on it. I've come across more people being excited that they purchased a Wii than what they've actually played on the Wii.

My mother for example, randomly purchased a Wii 6 months ago, but has only played it a couple of times. Those times weren't even with my sister and me; they were with her side of the family during get-togethers. When I inquire to her friends about the Wii's they've purchased, they have more to say about what they did to get one than what they've played on it.

I've lived in my new house for 6 months and I haven't played the Wii even one time. the power cord has remained unplugged. I still have RE:UC, MP3, and a couple of other games to delve into, but the draw isn't there.

Events like those support the myth that the Wii's attach-rate sucks. Well, it doesn't. They fare better than the PS3 apparently!

At this point, I think the definition of a Wii gamer isn't congruent with our standard "gamer" perception. I think "casual gamer" is inappropriate even. I think many of those new to gaming consoles with their Wii's are more "entertainment seekers" than gamers at all. When I think casual gamers, I think those who frequent the stock Windows OS games, or Yahoo games, or the like. They game, but not with in-depth games. Wii owners seem to look more for a quick fix on occasion.

Regardless of gamer opinions, Nintendo is making their money. They are doing something right for themselves as a business. Are they doing something right for the industry? Not intentionally, that's for sure. We'll just have to see where they go from here.