For the sake of this argument, the casual gamer is this: Someone whose sole opinion of a game usually rides on the cover and title of the game they find in stores. They rely heavily on the opinions of others, especially store clerks and anyone who seems to be at all knowledgeable on games. They don’t listen to podcasts or stream video reviews. So, again, if you are reading this you are probably not a casual gamer.

Over a lunch conversation recently this question came up: Why does Nintendo focus so much on casual gamers? The topic was this year’s E3 and the strong, almost sole, aim of the company’s address was to the casual gaming market. What followed is now known as The Cat Analogy:

Casual gamers are like cats and hardcore gamers are their fierce canine rivals (by which we mean dogs. Woof). For years the gaming industry were dog people. Dogs are very loyal to their master or masters, and can be well trained to fight off or growl at anyone else who may cross their path. They will defend their master until the very end, usually regardless of whether or not they have been neglected or abused. In fact, it only strengthens their anti-social behaviour. As many Sega fans can tell you, having that kind of neglect can rise bad feelings in you, and only make you more aggressive towards other dogs and companies.

Getting off the sad subject of abused animals, the masters are mostly kind. They wave their trinkets and baubles towards the dogs who will happily stay loyal to them for the promise of things to play with. Some dogs are athletic, competing with Frisbees and tennis balls, while others are simply content to chew on treats and occasionally bones. This was the happy hardcore market.

When Sony and Microsoft decided to show off the best and biggest treats, Nintendo seemed to start losing out. They had the tried and true rope bones and rubber hamburgers, but these new companies had bigger, better toys and gradually the dogs realized who clearly loved them more.

Apparently, though, there were a lot of cats around, too. Tons. They didn’t care for the toys, the rubber balls or t-bones. No, they were content just lying around and waiting for someone to come to them. They weren’t in the mood to chase anyone. Nintendo saw the cats, and brought over something a little more simple. A piece of string, or something shiny, maybe a different kind of peripheral that got the cats interested. The other companies were too busy chasing the dogs and leading them around, surely the cats weren’t going to be as loyal or willing to give up their time. But more cats came, not spending a lot of time, but just enough to keep Nintendo busy while their dogs gradually realized they had stopped paying attention to them. Some still stay, yes, hoping for that day they’ll get thrown a bone. Even a scrap, really, and they’ll take it.

By the time Sony and Microsoft looked up, Nintendo had done the impossible. They had herded cats into a feline cloud on the power of a bit of string and yarn. They tried throwing their Frisbees, but the cats just ignored them, content to play with their string, take it away and then wander off.

So, you poor canines, be aware. Nintendo has found a market that suits them, that lets them operate outside of other companies in a strong way and that others are trying to mimic. They can’t stop giving the cats attention, because as soon as they stop dangling that string, they’ll move on to the next shiny object or toy mouse. They are more fickle, not loyal, and will move from place to place. Nintendo keeps petting the cat, because it knows the dog will be there if it needs to come home.

The thing we all need to be aware of is that this is not a bad thing for the market. The dogs still enjoy playing with the string and simple toys that Nintendo is offering right now, amid the frustration of wanting something a bit more. Having the variety is good for everyone, as it gives people a chance to share and interact in ways that weren’t really possible with the way that gaming was headed. While the canines still salivate for a bit more meat, we know that those toys are still available if we really want them. For those willing to wait, Nintendo still likes money and still knows that you’re there to catch the Frisbee when they are ready to throw it. Bade your time, and you’ll get your chance to play

Perhaps the great apocalypse will arrive sooner than we expected. As Bill Murray put it, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria, total harmony.