According to data gathered by Media Create, it seems that more older gamers are buying the Pokemon games than ever before.
This is what Media Create’s research has revealed. Examining the past Pokemon game sales, here’s a breakdown on whose market group primarily bought the games:
- Pokemon Diamond and Pearl (2006) – Sales were primarily from preschoolers and 1st to 6th graders.
- Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver (2009) – High Schoolers and 19 – 24 year olds.
- Pokemon Black and White (2010) – 19 – 24 year olds.
- Pokemon X and Y (2013) – College Students
- Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014) – Adults.
I have bought a Pokemon game at launch weeks since Heart Gold and Soul Silver. It was the perfect return to the series as it reintroduces me to regions I’m very familiar – Johto and Kanto. Then Black and White feels so fresh because, unlike previous Pokemon games, you can only catch 5th generation Pokemon up to a certain point. It was a reboot in the sense that a newbie does not need to catch up on everything that he might missed in past games.
If I think about it, I am also growing older – which implies that the very people who played the games in the past are still playing today. Thus the above data is true.
But how can GameFreak recapture the younger audience again?
ORAS is definitely targeted to older players for nostalgia’s sake. X and Y tried to be very accessible in such a way that it gave up story and content in favor of updated graphics. Black and White could have been a perfect introduction to younger players, but probably it’s content is also catered to adults.
I think the answer is probably to create content specifically targeted at the younger audience. If we think about it, Pokemon has always tried to appeal to all ages. Why not create a Pokemon game whose target are the kids? Of course sales will suffer but at least you are planting the seeds which will grow in the future. They will be the people who will buy Diamond and Pearl, when it reaches 10th anniversary. Most will not agree with me, but it’s just an idea that Game Freak can consider.
Let me hear your thoughts below! What do you Game Freak should do in order to encourage the younger players to play the Pokemon games?
Source:
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