Nintendo targets new demographic via...Oprah?

Speaking at the recent Las Vegas DICE summit, Reggie Fils-Aime once again delved into Nintendo's ongoing philosophy of encouraging everyone in the family to play games. And yes, that includes dearest Grandmother who thinks there are people living inside the television. Reggie was adamant about pushing the industry to open itself up to new types of gamers in addition to the hardcore guys. To further that end, he mentioned that Nintendo is looking at advertising in spaces that aren't traditionally occupied by gamers. Marketing through Oprah and Ellen? Nintendo thinks that's the next step.

I can honestly see this working out for Nintendo. After investigating the story of a housewife struggling to overcome a Cosmo addiction, Oprah would surprise the audience by giving them all Revolution systems. Reggie would then promptly burst onto the stage, do several backflips, land on the couch and then, in true Tom Cruise fashion, violently assault her. He might even sneak in a comment like this one he shared at DICE:

"We have been able to drive the appeal of games to a whole new segment who typically would not pick up a game. Imagine a games company targeting 50- and 60-year-olds. Imagine games as a treadmill for the mind instead of a playground for violence."

If Fils-Aime is to be believed, hardcore gamers only make up 20% of the gamer market, leaving a massive 80% (our math skills are unmatched, as you can see) of people still up for grabs. If the Revolution managed to tap directly into that market (quite possible given the success of the DS), it would be very profitable indeed.