Does changing colours of consoles have an effect on their sales?

[cliffbo]

i was just wondering what people actually thought about Nintendos and Sony's strategy of changing the colour of consoles to increase interest in the console... does it have an effect?

just to clarify. when i say 'console winner' i mean it shifts them better than anything else.

[masteratt]

For reasons I don't understand, it does seem to have a big effect.

My personal take on it is: I don't understand how anyone would be intrigued to buy a console because it's a different colour but I guess the 'new' and 'fresh' factor comes into place to sell it.

But the bumps we see in the sale numbers after a new pink DS or a red PSP or a white PS2 or whatever launches is just crazy.
This helps especially in Japan it seems.

It would be great to hear from someone who knows why new colours help SO much to sell the console/ handheld.

Just realised: why is this in the Wii section?

[cliffbo]

just out of interest:


Color Psychology
Do different colors affect your mood?
by David Johnson
Related Links


Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. It is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms?

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

Black

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.

White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.
Colors of the Flag

In the U.S. flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun's rays.

Food for Thought

While blue is one of the most popular colors it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html

and here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology

[TomTom456]

Big effect.

[masteratt]

@cliffbo:
Hmmmm, maybe maybe.

Good point to bring up and it's hard to say if it's the definite reason since it's mostly subconscious but there is no denying psychological association of colour is one of the factors.

In fact it might be THE factor.

[venomv]

I would say big factor, it could force people who are on the edge of buying into buying it because they like the "new color".

[cliffbo]

@cliffbo:
Hmmmm, maybe maybe.

Good point to bring up and it's hard to say if it's the definite reason since it's mostly subconscious but there is no denying psychological association of colour is one of the factors.

In fact it might be THE factor.

I would say big factor, it could force people who are on the edge of buying into buying it because they like the "new color".

i suppose taking it at a really basic level: Blue is for boys, Pink is for girls... and you build from there

[Phoenix]

I think people are impulsive creatures and easily swayed by things like colors, but at the same time game systems are expensive. They stop to think a little more, but you can't say colors don't have at least a noticeable impact on sales.

[venomv]

Well personnally it could (has) work for me, I will buy a PSP, it will probably be in March (So i can play FFVII:CC), but if Sony where to release the red PSP in the US I would be on that so quick.....

I would never buy a second system solely because a new color comes out, but I have heard of people doing that a few times.

[Shadow Voa]

Its just preferences, options are nice but not necessary.

[Unspoken]

It'll always have some effect.

Anything you do to a sales item, whether it be color, size, functionality, etc., will affect sales. Of course, the latter two boost sales more, but I know some people who would probably hold out for a black Wii.

[Mr. Coww]

Colors seem to effect the handheld market far more, more likely due to their lower cost and more personal nature. For example "MY DS is blue and yours sucks".
Some factors ive noticed that relate to this the buyers ego, ive talked to people that refuse to buy a Wii due to it being white. Which seems stupid since if your spending time looking at your system and not your tv your basicly a winner in the moron wars.
DUDE ... my power light is AWESOME...

[bobo_ess]

it would be cool if the wii came with different colours with it

[the poe collector]

I don't know. I voted for little effect since I've never bought a console because I liked the color. There was probably a nice spike in sales each time a new color was released, but I doubt that did much in the long run. The gamecube had 4 or 5 different colors and still ended up in last place, while the ps2 only had black for the longest time and was easily the winner.

[The Dude]

Diffrent colored consoles are useless as a two dollar hand job.

[cliffbo]

so what different effects do pastal colours have? i can see that primary colours such as the ruby red of PSP would catch the eye, but what about the more subtle colours? could it be something to do with fitting in with decor?

[Too Slow]

Not quite sure why. But there was this kid in my neighborhood who only bought consoles because they were appealing to his eyes. So yeah it could have a bit of an effect

[VG Aficionado]

Sure it has an effect although I'm not sure how much, and I'd say it depends on each case. Anyway, hardware designers usually introduce changes to reactivate sales, and this has been true with consoles for a long time now.

[woundingchaney]

I would imagine it has a limited effect.

[Viper]

Big effect in the capacity that it can double or triple sales from stagnation.

Even if the console is already in last place, it can have a massive burst in the sales vs itself prior to the new colors. In fact, that is where the most benefit may lie. If demand is already huge, as in the Wii, new colors wouldn't change sales rates at all.

[Zer0-Sum]

In Japan it does. The sales records prove it with out a doubt. Look at the sales of the new red PSP for example. It sold more than the Wii one week.

In America. Australia, or Europe? I would know if Sony and Nintendo gave us more color choices. Jerk wads..... :realmad:

[speed stick]

Yeah it for sure does in Japan. I noticed that with the DS color changes.

[Zer0-Sum]

Yeah it for sure does in Japan. I noticed that with the DS color changes.

Hells yes. I bet if they released a red or a blue PS3 sales would spike like crazy in Japan. Why doesn't Microsoft do it for the 360 in Japan? It would generate sales. Not many, but still it would be something.