According to the latest update from Famitsu Xbox 360, a number of top Japanese developers are still
working hard on Xbox 360 titles. However, it will be some time before we enjoy the fruits of their labors. Capcom's
Dead Rising and Lost Planet: Extreme Condition should be released sometime this year, but its big
gun, Resident Evil 5, is barely underway. In addition, due to the work force required for next-gen
development, Capcom is likely to watch how consumer interest in the Xbox 360 grows (or doesn't) over the next year or
so before starting any new projects.While Konami hopes to invigorate Japanese interest in Microsoft's console, the company's interest in global expansion suggests that its next-gen titles will be geared towards North American and European consumers. Square Enix is also going global, releasing FFXI within the next few months in Europe for the first time. However, it will be well over a year before the acclaimed RPG-maker releases a new MMOG. Sega is also targeting North American and European gamers and plans to announce a number of new titles at E3. The company is also considering Virtua Fighter 5 and House of the Dead 4 for the 360.
In addition, AQ Interactive has a trio of large-scale titles in the works and is interested in taking on several smaller projects, barring the 360's success in Japan. Do we smell stalemate? If Japanese interest in the 360 won't grow without the necessary software, and if that necessary software won't be developed without consumer interest in the console, how is Microsoft gonna get anywhere in Japanese market? Still, North American and European consumers have a lot to look forward to, in time.
