Matt Matthews, now at Gamasutra, is a graph fiend. If it's displayed as bars and/or pies, he's all over it. And he's all over some new NPD data, showing an improvement in the PS3's tie ratio.
The "Tie Ratio" is basically the ratio of games to consoles in the market. So if, say, the Xbox 360 has a tie ratio of 7.5, that means the average Xbox 360 owner has 7.5 games. With us?
OK. Matthews has gotten hold of new info from chart trackers The NPD Group, which reveals that the PlayStation 3 has just overtaken the Wii in terms of tie ratio. While the Wii had led the PS3 since both consoles launched, this lovely chart shows that, in the last six or so months, the PS3's attach rate has improved.
There are all kinds of reasons for this. Big Wii sales means new customers are affecting the average by owning only a handful of games. Slowing PS3 sales mean the opposite; that an established install base is just adding to their collection.
But still! Point is, if somebody pulls you up in the street, sticks a microphone in your face and asks - for $100 IN CASH - which console has a higher attach rate out of the PS3 and Wii, well, you'll be sorted.
Exclusive Analysis: Console Tie Ratios Reveal Market Dynamics [Gamasutra]