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Gamers unaware of console functionality

Subzer0 | August 08, 2007 | News | Playstation 3 Wii 
According to a new usage report by consumer research group NPD, gamers are either unaware or apathetic to the non-gameplay features of next-gen consoles.
PS3 owners, the report says, are less likely than Xbox 360 owners to download demos and videos on their consoles due to unawareness. In addition, only 37 percent of PS3 owners are aware of backwards compatibility for PS1 and PS2 games. In contrast, a majority of PSP and DS owners are fully aware of what their handhelds are capable of.

The study also found that DS users are more likely to play games online than PSP users, and 360 users are more likely to play games online than PS3 and Wii users.

"This study verifies what many of us already know: features related to playing games are by far the most important to consumers of video game systems," said analyst Anita Frazier. "While systems' capabilities of providing owners with additional features may become more important in the future, currently the importance of these features and the awareness among consumers of these features is far from universal.

"To make headway in this next-gen race, manufacturers still need to be primarily concerned with the quality and entertainment value of the games themselves."
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  • 0 thumbs!
    huntyr | August 08, 2007
    I want my gaming console to make toast and coffee. 2 features I would always use!
    • 0 thumbs!
      sten mk II | August 09, 2007
      Why would you need that? While your patches ETC. are downloading you can walk two feet and make it lol.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Evanster 69 | August 08, 2007
    And butter the toast for you too. And it adds the cream and sugar automatically.
  • 0 thumbs!
    tallteen86 | August 08, 2007
    Eh, I'm part of the 37 percent of PS3 users, that:

    Backwards Compatability (put like, 35 hours into replaying Disgaea: Hour of Darkness)

    Not to mention, I also:

    Download Demos
    Download Game Videos
    Play games online
    Use the PS3 Internet Browser (such as now)...
  • 0 thumbs!
    BANDITO ATTACK | August 09, 2007
    "The study also found that DS users are more likely to play games online than PSP users"
    no shit, they got pokemon. :{
  • 0 thumbs!
    Capn Droid | August 09, 2007
    ^ No fricking duh? ^

    You have useless music and video features... we have teh PokeManz.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Seeker X | August 09, 2007
    XD

    Metal Gear Online + Liberation Online >>>>>> Pokemon
  • -3 thumbs!
    Final Blade | August 09, 2007
    Hmm i doubt most don't know anything about the functions of the console.
    • 0 thumbs!
      JJBDude | August 09, 2007
      Doesn't this article prove that high percentage of people do not know what their console is fully able of doing? PS3 Home's has had lots of negativity (so I have read, have not experienced it myself) so therefore users are probably unaware of what can be done because of the poor layout.
      • 0 thumbs!
        joshthegreat | August 09, 2007
        PS3's Home service has had a lot of negetivity? From who exactly? the Beta users who are currently loving it? The people who have only experienced the screenshots? To me, it looks utterly fantastic.
  • 0 thumbs!
    sten mk II | August 09, 2007
    I wouldn't call home utterly fantastic, at least not until I tried it.


    My friend's PS3, he didn't even know how to use the internet. I had to set it up for him and show him all the demos.
  • 0 thumbs!
    adamrpg | August 14, 2007
    I rarely use the other features anyway.Not that I don't know that their there.
  • 0 thumbs!
    tidus04 | August 16, 2007
    At least I am in the 37%. I am shocked with what is found here. Amazed to be perfectly honest and now understand why they have stupid adverts that are pointless advertising this now.

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