There was a lot of news today about a video game release as the series Grand Theft Auto is having its 6th game in the series being released. The franchise is estimated to be worth over $8 billion which is crazy to think about. But what was fascinating I thought was the history of the game where it was originally intended to be on a Nintendo console. However, with its subject matter being very mature with violence and sexually suggestive content Nintendo in the past didn’t really want anything to do with it. So they went with the Sony PlayStation and the rest is history.
It makes you think when it comes to making a business such as within the entertainment industry is it better to just stick with one group of people in order to develop a certain type of image or is it better to cater to virtually everyone while letting them decide what is and isn’t appropriate for the household? Either way works of course. But in this example since nowadays even a company like Nintendo simply uses an industry standard age rating system was this huge mistake financially for the company?
In some ways I think it was as even if I saw this Grand Theft Auto game available for a Nintendo console that wouldn’t be the decisive reason not to purchase the system for kids knowing there are a lot of family friendly games to purchase. But one of the executives I can imagine thought otherwise where it’s probably like a politician where they feel their image is everything to attract certain demographics.
I am inclined to say if your product is a device or platform then it only makes sense to try and have as much variety as possible with a way to clearly inform people what is appropriate for say kids or adults. Specific products and services for those platforms and mediums are a different story.