Tablets have now overtaken 3DS as most popular children's gaming device in UK

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Goten4

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Data provided by Futuresource Consulting shows that tablets are now the gaming format of choice for children in the United Kingdom. For the first time they have overtaken the Nintendo 3DS as the most popular personal games device owned by children in the UK. A staggering 44% of UK children aged between three and twelve own a tablet. 30% of children aged three to four also own one. The report also says that tablets are the next thing that parents will purchase for their children, ahead of smartphones and dedicated handhelds.
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http://mynintendonews.com/2014/06/2...s-most-popular-childrens-gaming-device-in-uk/
 
No. This is not okay. This might anger some people from the UK, but those kids need to put their *squee* together! Also parents, but STILL!
 
In the same time, it was predictable. Tablets (both iPads and Android Tablets) were on the market for longer than the 3DS, and since that the kids want to do the same thing as their parents, who are on a smartphone, they get a tablet.

Though it's sad for the 3DS, we can't cry over her, since she still have awesome sales (43.3 M, as of June 14th, thanks vgchartz.com).
 
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Yeah, but you can't really classify tablets as gaming devices in my opinion. Whoever took the time to gather these stats has way too much time on their hands, since the result is so predictable. Besides, tablets have a large number of pointless knocked-together free games whereas Nintendo actually takes the time to make sure that its consoles' games come up to a standard (I'm not saying all games that make it on Nintendo consoles are great, but even the worst, most broken Nintendo-console game is better than the average smartphone/tablet game IMO).

My point in saying this is that no one buys tablets for the games, they're just a side-bonus to most people, and of course children who aren't gamers will go with tablets and be satisfied with Angry Birds and Flappy Bird and think that it makes them 'gamers' and their parents would also palm them off as they get to use the tablets themselves for actual stuff and the kids can download the infinite trash games that are free on the app stores so it'd cost them less - basically, these stats and this whole survey is pointless.
Though it's sad for the 3DS, we can't cry over her, since she still have awesome sales (43.3 M, as of June 14th, thanks vgchartz.com).
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And VGChartz is unreliable; the actual sales figures are higher. :p The 3DS is a highly successful console either way. :giggle:
 
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Yeah, but you can't really classify tablets as gaming devices in my opinion. Whoever took the time to gather these stats has way too much time on their hands, since the result is so predictable. Besides, tablets have a large number of pointless knocked-together free games whereas Nintendo actually takes the time to make sure that its consoles' games come up to a standard (I'm not saying all games that make it on Nintendo consoles are great, but even the worst, most broken Nintendo-console game is better than the average smartphone/tablet game IMO).

My point in saying this is that no one buys tablets for the games, they're just a side-bonus to most people, and of course children who aren't gamers will go with tablets and be satisfied with Angry Birds and Flappy Bird and think that it makes them 'gamers' and their parents would also palm them off as they get to use the tablets themselves for actual stuff and the kids can download the infinite trash games that are free on the app stores so it'd cost them less - basically, these stats and this whole survey is pointless.

And VGChartz is unreliable; the actual sales figures are higher. :p The 3DS is a highly successful console either way. :giggle:
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I agree. Tablets are meant for surfing the web, Skyping and being social. The 3DS has a purpose of gaming, and the games on it are sure high quality. Name me one game that is similar in quality to any game released by Nintendo. Emulators don't count.
 
See, Tablets aren't gaming devices. Really not sure why ever news outlet on earth calls them that.

Sure, they have little pick up and play games, but they don't have games you're going to spend months playing or anything, except maybe Clash of Clans and that's the only one I can think of. The only reasons kids use them more is because so many people put free games on the App Store that they don't have to ever buy any. 3DS or really any gaming device for that matter is going to win against free games.
 
I like tablets I'll be buying my own soon. I know lots of people disagree if it should be called a gaming device or not (probably not) but really there is quite a bit of actually good games ( clash of clans, pixle gun 3d, minecraft, asphalt8) for the most part you'll probably never get a game as good as a decent game on the 3ds but what can you expect for such a price difference. Although that's all true they have other qualities that make them so cool.
 
Well, that is shocking. A non gaming device doing better than an real gaming one? seriously? both are so very different from one another. I thought the 3DS was doing really well (as in lots and lots kids playing them) but I guess I was wrong. xD
 
The only reason people play tablets more that actual gaming devices is because in this generation, some of the more "high up" or "popular" kids think that 3ds's and other gaming products, (specifically Nintendo) are "childish" and "strange" causing all of the other kids to scramble to change their preferences and get different devices that are considered "cool".
 
  • #10
See, Tablets aren't gaming devices. Really not sure why ever news outlet on earth calls them that.

Sure, they have little pick up and play games, but they don't have games you're going to spend months playing or anything, except maybe Clash of Clans and that's the only one I can think of. The only reasons kids use them more is because so many people put free games on the App Store that they don't have to ever buy any. 3DS or really any gaming device for that matter is going to win against free games.
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They are designed for surfing the web and being social, and the games are a added bonus.
Exactly. There are many games like Dragon City, Candy Crush that you will spend time on for a long period of time. Parents don't want to go with the fuss of their children asking them to buy a new game every other day, so they buy them tablets instead. And games made by independent developers not working for a company will not be as good as a game made by an official company. eg: Nintendo.
 
  • #11
They are designed for surfing the web and being social, and the games are a added bonus.
Exactly. There are many games like Dragon City, Candy Crush that you will spend time on for a long period of time. Parents don't want to go with the fuss of their children asking them to buy a new game every other day, so they buy them tablets instead. And games made by independent developers not working for a company will not be as good as a game made by an official company. eg: Nintendo.
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Man, Ali you hit the nail on the head!
 
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  • #12
Well, that's sad. And I really wished to see what it was like with the Pokemon craze, but now we've just moved onto Flappy Bird and Candy Crush :( Not to say they are bad however, everyone has their opinions.
 
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  • #13
I have to say i have a tab and i play a lot with it and download a lot free 3d games like fifa on it
 
  • #14
Well, that's not a big surprise. Tablets have a much larger and better reach then handheld consoles. Tablets can also be used for gaming and numerous other activities, so no wonder they'd be the first choice for everyone, who doesn't care about Mario and friends. Well, tou can install some emulators and play Mario games on it too, lol.
 
  • #15
Tablets appeal to more casual audiences with the massive library of freeware that they have. The original DS was really the only kid-friendly portable gaming device on the market (bar PSP) so many people bought it. With smartphones and tablets being flooded with games now, a big part of that audience has moved on from dedicated gaming consoles. The 3DS is still doing really well though, so I think it's a testament to everyone who thinks mobile games will overtake handhelds anytime soon.
 
  • #16
This is no surprise to me. Because of the huge amount of free software a tablet can get, tablets are usually the start for a hand-held console. And yet, tablets are even meant to be a gaming-device. Like the above members said, tablets are meant for surfing the web, socializing with others, etc. The free games are like a bonus for buying a tablet. Also, parents don't want to fuss around buying a game for their kids every once in a while, so they buy them a tablet. The free software games the tablets aren't as good as the 3DS games though, because I don't see a game where you would be spending constant hours playing it. Also, the quality of the game on the 3DS is better, since they are usually developed by a company. With a company, workers could state their opinions to improve the game (or make it worse). Also, the workers would discuss what to do and have on the game, so they could perfect their game.

Anyways, the tablet isn't a gaming device. Sure there is a massive library of free games on the tablets, but a 3DS is a real gaming device, that have high quality, unlike the tablets. There is no point in this newsletter since tablets aren't a gaming device.
 
  • #17
This is sad but not really a surprise since from another forum I've been on I've heard Nintendo marketing has never really appealed in the UK. Even I know tablets have games that are worse than whatever the AVGN has played. It sounds sad but hey, that's their choice and fault for never knowing what "fun" is.
 
  • #18
Even though I live in the USA, I still don't like this because I honestly prefer 3DS's to tablets. Tablets do have a problem with drop down links on the internet which I hate. I just use a laptop or desktop. 3DS was not built for internet.
 
  • #19
Tablets do a lot more than gaming, so it sounds right that parents would look towards them if the kids aren't avid gamers. That being said, buying a tablet just for the games isn't right, 3DS' are more geared towards gaming and isn't the machine capable of more apps like browsing the internet as ianarceus said. If you want a tablet, you want several functions including f2p games (I assume). If you want a 3DS, you want the vast library full of Nintendo IPs and innovation in the system rather than a power machine (the Vita).
 
  • #20
Thats a little sad actually :( 3ds is way better than tablet games! You must all agree! If you don't your not a real Nintendo fan! The UK doesn't know that obviously :\ Nintendo do has to step up to the plate more for those UK kids! Because it seems like all around the world Nintendo is losing fans to tablets! Its terrible! Nintendo forever! 3DS is by far the best portable gaming system there is to play! Someone needs to inform the UK about that...
 
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