Next-Generation Console Gaming: Ipsos Insight Study Reveals Consumer Intentions and Preferences

TOKYO, September 22 - A recent study by Ipsos Insight has shed light on consumer intentions and preferences for next-generation video gaming consoles, including attitudes toward vibration feedback (or rumble) technology. The study, sponsored by Immersion Corporation, included 1,075 respondents aged 18 and older who both own a video game console and play games for more than four hours each week. The results highlight the importance that many active console gamers place on rumble/vibration feedback in their gaming experience across a wide range of game genres.

Key Takeaways:

• Almost three in four respondents (72 percent) agree that rumble/vibration feedback enhances their game experience in one or more ways.
• Players of a wide range of console game genres affirm vibration feedback as a very positive part of the gaming experience, with 71 percent of racing game players, 70 percent of action/adventure game players, and 69 percent of first-person shooter game players agreeing that rumble/vibration feedback is essential.
• A majority of gamers (61 percent) believe that vibration feedback is important in sports games.
• Over two-thirds of respondents (69 percent) consider rumble/vibration feedback an essential part of backward compatible console features.
• Microsoft may gain share in the next year at the expense of Sony among active console gamers, with 58 percent of respondents being disappointed with Sony's announcement that the PS3 controller will not support vibration feedback.
• More than four of every five gamers surveyed (83 percent) feel that it is "important" or "very important" that the new version of a video game console offer backward compatibility for video games made for the previous console version.
• When asked about the feature set they would like in a controller, assuming both motion/tilt sensing and rumble were technically feasible, respondents preferred the rumble feature or rumble with motion/tilt sensing on the PS3 (59 percent), Xbox 360 (52 percent), and Wii (44 percent) platforms.

Statistics:

• 72 percent of respondents agree that rumble/vibration feedback enhances their game experience.
• 71 percent of racing game players, 70 percent of action/adventure game players, and 69 percent of first-person shooter game players agree that rumble/vibration feedback is essential.
• 61 percent of gamers believe that vibration feedback is important in sports games.
• 82 percent of respondents believe that there will be third-party gamepad controllers that will support vibration feedback for the PS3 console system within the first year after its launch.
• 74 percent of respondents were not aware of Sony's announcement that the rumble/vibration feature will be removed from the new PS3 controller.
• 58 percent of respondents were disappointed with this news.
• 83 percent of gamers surveyed feel that it is "important" or "very important" that the new version of a video game console offer backward compatibility for video games made for the previous console version.

Sources:

• Ipsos Insight
• Immersion Corporation
• NPD Group
• Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
• Kyodo Public Relations