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Microsoft recently announced that it would broaden the customer base of the Xbox 360 by trying to appeal to the family demographic. Sony has also indicated that it would market the PS3 to a wider audience beyond hardcore gamers, by publishing more casual games and introducing Wii-like peripherals.

Obviously, Nintendo's success with its DS and Wii appear to be looming heavily over its competitors. So we asked Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities, Ed Barton of Screen Digest, and Billy Pidgeon of IDC:

Is it now becoming crucial for Microsoft to appeal to a wider demographic, in order to ensure the long-term survival of the Xbox 360?

Does Sony need to take a similar approach with the PS3?

Can either the 360 or PS3 stick to selling to the hardcore gamer first, and then pull in a wider audience once it has reached a critical mass in sales? This happened for the PS2, but can this strategy still work today?