Microsoft gives Xbox 360 a mulligan in Japan

by Alan Rose { Apr 2nd 2006 at 10:45PM }

You seldom get a second chance to make a good first impression, and game console launches are no exception. However, Microsoft is hoping the Xbox 360's one year head start has afforded them another opportunity to capture the mindset of Japanese gamers before the native heavyweights step into the ring.

At the end of June, Microsoft plans to relaunch the 360 in Japan, and it's easy to see why, given the current state of hardware sales in that market. The only platforms that the 360 is currently outselling are its predecessor and the original Game Boy Advance. There are no details regarding price reductions, special bundles, or new marketing campaigns for the 360, but more information is expected next week during a Microsoft press conference in Japan. Stay tuned.

Tags: xbox 360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Reaktorleak89 @ Apr 2nd 2006 10:54PM

Ahahahaha...ahh...jeez, this must be the most embarressing moment in Videogame History. What next, a re-relaunch after the Revolution and PS3 come out so they can say "Oops! Just kidding, heh-heh. The last year of sales didn't count."

mud truck @ Apr 2nd 2006 11:28PM

hahahahahahahaha The ps3 will kick its ass, the revo will kick its ass, it is kicking its own ass. stupid relaunch, like the japanese are going to be like " oh what is this... a new system... wow I must have it now".

the only way this thing is going to sell, is if they call it the i360 and stick and apple on it, or the ps360 and write that on the side with the spiderman font that playstation is using.

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHaaa...

Cowlix @ Apr 2nd 2006 11:56PM

Yeah right, like that's going to work...Right after E3 too...

wizard @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:14AM

MS should just forget about Japan altogether - and instead concentrate on the countries that do want the system - like the US and Australia!

Donutta @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:19AM

Do over, do over!! What are they, fucking 12? Seriously, it's not that anyone missed the launch, but that no one in Japan cares. I heard rumours that they're going to try a pack-in deal with Ghost Recon. Guh. Here's a little hint for you, MS: Japanese gamers don't like games like Ghost Recon. They want Japanese RPGs, dating sims, train driver sims, and anything with Gundam on the box. (Please, fanboys, take this humour with a dash of salt.) At the very least have the common sense to bundle the upcoming Blue Dragon with it.

Dumbasses. Not that I care; the Xbox's failure in Japan didn't stop it from having some of the most kick-ass games of last generation. :P

shadekh @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:46AM

#4, its not that easy. Japan is a major economy and a large market. Also, a lot of game developers are based in japan, which makes it an important market, as these companies would be less likely to bring new games to the x360 if it dosent have much of a market in Japan (its their home turf after all).

The reason for the x360's failure: not a single damn rpg 6 months after its launch (has enchant arms been released already?). Unlike the US, the people there have different tastes, and arent fps crazy (i mean the majority). The only game worth having for the x360 for the japanese is dead or alive. That isnt enough to sell an entire system.

boots @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:53AM

Dead or Alive was ironically dead (or dead) years ago when it never sold as good as Tekken, nor it bested Virtua Fighter's gameplay, let alone Soul Calibur, lol.

Anyway, how about launching every RPG in america first, and relaunch 360 in Japan a month before revo and PS3 go out with all these RPGs at the same time (and at an attractive price). That should give it some punch. Even if it doesn't have a Blu-ray drive (to the Japanese, that is or will be important).

Jago @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:14AM

Relaunching the system with westernized games isn't going to change everyones minds. Even tho Donutta is being a little on the sarcastic side, it is true that MS seems to think that having handful of japanese developers make 5 games for the system will make it sell.

Sure there is reason to get excited over games created by Hironobu Sakaguchi but when you rely on him a couple others to make games to draw in millions of people from one country, then that is pretty pathetic planning.

Donutta @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:17AM

#6: "Also, a lot of game developers are based in japan, which makes it an important market, as these companies would be less likely to bring new games to the x360 if it dosent have much of a market in Japan (its their home turf after all)."

That's a misconception. Japanese developers and publishers are going to look at the global market when determining whether or not to release a game on a certain system. The only time success in Japan would be a determining factor is when the game is only going to be released in Japan.

I believe there is a rather large misconception about how many Japanese games actually make it outside of Japan. Hell, we're not even getting some of the better-known ones that have a chance of selling in the West. Where is Tenchu for the PSP, for example?

GangWay @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:17AM

What do you guys know? Its not their gonna really think its a do over, Its more like they are gonna push it hard with new commercials and better games to win over some new customers. Sometimes yall make me wonder.

Dirk Dorkelson @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:21AM

To whoever asked. I'm pretty sure Enchant Arm has been out for a while. A few Japanese gamers I've seen on Xbox Live have it in their played games list, with achievements. And there's a review on Metacritic. Other than that, though, I don't think they have any RPGs out there, seeing as how Oblivion is the only RPG in the US market.

shadekh @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:26AM

Sakaguchi is great, and his titles are highly anticipiated, but on the horizon, i see only his two and echant arms, as titles most japanese will be ineterested in. Halo wont sell x360's, now would ghost recon. However, The ps3 will have a ton of rpg's, from SMT sequels, final fantasy, suikoden, shadow hearts, xenosaga, wild arms, y's, star ocean, tales etc etc. 3 games compared to the tons that will come for the ps3? No competetion.

And no, oblivion isnt the kind of rpg japanese want.

Its really no contest. How many people in the US would buy a system with only japanese "dating sims"? It would barely sell. Is it so hard to just look at teh same situation from the opposite viewpoint?

Branewalker @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:09AM

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: MS missed the boat when they let Sammy acquire Sega. Sure, there was a bit of negative publicity with the 1-up article comparing the 360 to the Dreamcast, but everyone who owned that system knows it was awesome, it just didn't do well commercially for a number of factors, most of which was due to a limited advertising budget--not a problem with Microsoft's checkbook.

Also, even if they were skeptical of the branding, who *wouldn't* buy a new system with the Sega branding? It would be an awesome marketing tool, especially for Gates's Gaijin in Japan.

Finally, barring all of that, listen up MS marketing boys, if any of you check out Joystiq: Get a trademark on 360-tan post-haste. She's your new mascot, don't go anywhere in Japan without her. If you don't have real culture, make some fake culture instead.

--Branewalker

ill trooper @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:14AM

It's worth trying, there are more games available now, and while obviously it can't _really_ be considered a 'relaunch,' as no one who cares is still going to think it's a new 'launch,' what they can do is revitalize stores, websites, and magazines with a whole new wave of enthusiasm, signage graphics, and energy. Other industries pull similar moves (auto, soda, beer) with new campaigns... To back down now and ease off would be admitting more lack of confidence than this 'relaunch' does.

Microsoft has the money, there's no real reason not to. And certainly kids on the internet typing 'MWAHAHAHAHAHA TEH OWNZORED' is not a good enough reason either.

Wheelie @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:15AM

Microsoft in Japan reminds me of the Doc in Indiana Jones. T

he lead-up: "He'll blend in, he'll dissapear, you'll never see him again!"

Cut to: "HELLO??!? DOES ANYONE SPEAK ANY ENGLISH!?"

I actually assume the Ghost Recon pack is an April Fool's joke.

Here in Australia, everybody wants a 360, kids are talking about it on trains.

Why do these corporate jokers who talk about global launches get to keep their jobs? Is upper management at these companies run by cults? Looking at the management crisis over at the Vista team in Microsoft and the entire Sony entertainment division, maybe. These freaks don't seem to know how capitalism and entertainment culture work, making billions by brute force alone.

Jago @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:34AM

"Microsoft has the money, there's no real reason not to."

Having all the money in the world doesn't mean something will be successful so saying that holds very LITTLE weight.

Major Nelson, durrrrr @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:49AM

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world's first bionic console. Xbox360 will be that console. Better than it was before. Better... stronger... faster.

The 6 billion dollar console.

Nah, not really. There must be some real corporate "geniuses" at Microsoft who like flushing cash down the toilet. Nothing short of packaging every xbox360 with some primary school girl's panties is gonna move that hunk o' junk in Japan.

epobirs @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:04AM

Building greater marketshare in Japan will always be important and worth the effort, so long as the expenditures are within reason.

True, Japanese developers consider the global market but in the process they all too often make too much effort to figure out what they'll like in Europe and the US instead of giving something that would do well in Japan a shot at all three regions. Many of the Xbox 360 titles coming from big Japanese publishers are good examples of this. They may be terrific games and sell well but the Xbox 360 audience will still feel underserved when it comes to some genres.

For this reason it will always be worth efforts to grow the Japanese base. The more a native Japanese developer, especially those sell solely to Japan/Asia and rely on licensees to localize and publish the game elsewhere, feels he has a shot a making a profit on a Xbox 360 project, then the more benefit to the platform everywhere. Microsoft doesn't need to be #1 in Japan, not even #2. They just need to offer a credible platform to developers considering their native market and what they can reap from foreign licensees.

The big question for me is whether one of those big RPGs will be ready in time for this secondary launch. If they have an exclusive must-have Japan-oriented RPG, that could do wonders for the installed base. Japan is notably a market where people will buy a system just to play a single game. This affected N64 sales a lot. The N64 would have a mini-boom when a title like Star Fox 64 appeared but eventually the effect faded whent he used console market got flooded with N64s. Still, each of those boomlets helped make the platform more attractive in terms of total numbers. The trick is to keep the flow of high value games constant enough to get the buyer to hold on to their machines instead of selling them. It was the severe gap between major hits that led to so many Japanese gamers buying and selling used N64s so often. Even three titles a year would do the trick, but four would be better. More would be better, of course, but in this instance we're concerned with how long a console can sit idle after the owner finishes the last big RPG before he'll feel the need to sell it.

don_sf @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:00AM

why dont we state the obvious, microsoft are getting worried about ps3 and rev. when the ps3 comes out its gonna dominate in all places, and you dont have to be a genious to figure that out.

if you a small developer right now it would be a difficult situation over xbox 180-360. if you make it for 180, then you will most likely not have backwards compatibility on the 360 (microsoft are cancelling it soon). or do you go for the 360 with a smaller user base less profits?

but if you look at something like the gba, its cheap to develope for and so many people have access to it through their ds, ds lite, gba micro, gba sp, gba. the situation in about a years time will be developers can still make ps2 and revolution games comfortably.

you just have to realise that people from the land of the rising sun dont want xbox for wot ever reason they have.

Logan @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:16AM

Honestly, one would think that Microsoft would be a little more wise in their production strategies while trying to enter a market that heavily focuses on and encourages the purchase of domestic goods. Japanese society will buy Japanese. It's a part of the culture that is likely to never fade away.

LaughingMan @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:19AM

Epobirs, I don't mean to rain on your parade. But this is really bad news for the 360. Really bad.

If trends continue, By year's end even by a liberal estimate and doubling the amount being sold, let's say 3k a week, 176k 360s would be on the market in Japan.

There is no way a Japanese studio is going to create an exlcusive, AAA title for a console with that userbase in Japan. No way. For an example, see the original Xbox and consider how many exclusive, amazing Japanese games existed for it and remember the original sold faster.

360 will continue to have great FPS games, tactical simulations, multiplatform titles. But there will be two AAA RPGs from Japan for the 360 - both of them from Sakaguchi - and then never again as they won't be that successful.

This happened exactly the same on the Dreamcast. You don't launch in japan without a great RPG and you make for damn certain you have a great soccer game for Europe. The Dreamcast never had the RPG it needed to succeed. Maybe I'm wrong and someone can correct me and tell me what enormously successful RPG was ever released for the DC in its first two years.

The Japanese media that we don't even see has to be writing this up as a flop.

Again, there's only one argument here - it's selling worse than the original. That has nothing to do with the great controller, online network, and capability of the 360.

Jason @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:23AM

The 360 will never strike the consumer as being next gen material once the PS3 and Rev come to market.

ill trooper @ Apr 3rd 2006 5:40AM

""Microsoft has the money, there's no real reason not to."

Having all the money in the world doesn't mean something will be successful so saying that holds very LITTLE weight."

Yeah, what I'm saying is that Microsoft has the money to TRY a relaunch, I'm not saying they can pay people to like it. Microsoft NEEDS to do this to make Japan take another look at the 360, and they have the resources to give it another shot. There's not really another chance before the PS3 hits Japan. If they sit still, a lot of gamers over there will probably keep waiting for the PS3 or Revo...

And we all know they might anyway, even with this relaunch.
Here in the states, the months just keep flying by with no 360s in the stores... They can almost start thinking about a relaunch HERE to wake up people that are still waiting.

Matthew @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:41AM

While I'm not a fan of the Xbox, it's so sad that people never give new ideas, systems and directions a chance. It's the same reason why people here will never try out a great Japanese game like Katamari Dynasty, Dragon Quest, Xenosaga, etc.

LaughingTarget @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:52AM

This is hardly "bad news". A relaunch is a nice tactical way of furthering console sales. Microsoft is targeting this timeframe likely because a number of RPG titles are being launched at the time.

Remember, Sony relaunched the PS2 numerous times, but that hardly meant they were in big trouble.

striderhayasa @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:23AM

Relaunch? Bad Idea. Microsoft has to "remind" gamers in Japan that the 360 is out by relaunching it? "Oh, just in case you forgot to get our shiny new 360 while buying that DS lite....here's a relaunch." Japan gamers are strict on first impressions. Once they decide that hardware is not worth the time then it's a done deal pretty much.

I agree with the points already made by #18 Laughing Man. No RPGs no chance. DC also died an early death because developers got lazy and ported a shitload of Ps1 games to it instead delivering original content. Let's not forget that. PS3 fans are not going to be swayed to buy a 360 for the same ol' ports. Make no mistake, if given a choice as to which console to develop for (if they both were out now) PS3 would have an advantage everywhere in the world based on name alone. MS has problems...

Jeff @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:29AM

"Remember, Sony relaunched the PS2 numerous times,"

I don't remember any of those times. Care to enlighten us?

You're not just talking about hardware revisions, are you? That's got nothing to do with a "relaunch", which is entirely a marketing thing.

striderhayasa @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:32AM

oh and to #21, PS2 is not a good example to support relaunching a console. Sony is the dominate force in the industry. Of course THEY could relaunch a console and get away with it. Just like Nintendo could release the DS Lite even though DS original sales were already through the roof. Microsoft is relaunching because they are in trouble in Japan. Without the Japanese market supporting them they are screwed. This just goes to show everyone, to win the race you can't just be a better Sony with a better PS2. 360 needs something distinct otherwise, what's the point?

Omega Xi @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:40AM

#18 What about Skies of Arcadia? I'm fairly sure it came out on the Dreamcast...

//Xi

Jason @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:52AM

The 360 and its so called hardcore fanbase still remains softer then kleenex tissue! Maybe they should take a spunge bath with bubbles while men carress their foreheads..... PS3 and Rev doesnt need stupid MTV overexposure to market their respected consoles.

MetaHuman @ Apr 3rd 2006 8:17AM

I think that maybe if 360 didn't rely so much on EA GAMES and a WORLD WAR II game and lame ports of GUN and Tony Hawk, no matter how good they are, that Japan might have done better.

EA could stand to offer Japan a little more too. Enough about 'mediocre' J-RPGs, they also like stuff like Baseball (see Famitsu's Top 100 list for proof). EA could make a baseball title designed for the Japanese and have it sell well, I don't know how much the Japanese understand MLB though.

Maybe since they think a "re-launch" is a good idea, maybe changing the hardware's look to fit the more Japanese audience (like a reverse of Famicom-to-NES) could help.

Zsavior @ Apr 3rd 2006 8:42AM

The problem with this relaunch is perception by the japanese consumer public on whether this console is worth buying or not. Not long after the xbox 360 launch Ms reported they would also start selling a peripheral attachment for it if I remember correctly it was a HD-DVD drive. When a random servey was taking of what the japanese thought about this, the peripheral discouraged them from buying even more because it was seen as MS selling them an incomplete system for a hefty price tag.

A relaunch in my opinion is not a good idea right now, because you spend marketing resoucres to premote the idea that the first launch wasn't the real thing. Microsoft will only drive home the belief that the system, is not complete and they are trying to scam them out of their money. MS is only going to send the message that if the japanese consumer waits they will get more and more, rather than adopting to it right away. Add to the fact that E3 is coming up and the PS3 and the Revolution will be showing alot more software and hardware this gives the japanese consumer alot more reason to really wait than it does for them to go out and pick up an xbox 360.

I have to admit I admire the consumers of japan compared to american counter parts. They are going to force MS to give them what they want or force them out of their market all together. As much as I love the fact that indi games are doing well and Games like Geometry Wars still have a home in the next GEN world, I don't believe that should be the basis for buying a Next Generation console system. I believe if the American consumer was as discriminative about the games and their console offerings as the japanese are MS launch would have been better. I also believe as of right now MS should forget about that launch and concetrate their marketing on current up coming titles that appeal to the japanese market. Give them a reason to buy and they will, continue to force home the idea that it is their loss and they will continue to ignore the XBOX 360.

The1 @ Apr 3rd 2006 8:53AM

You can say its games that are keeping MS out of Japan. However, that is a FLAT OUT LIE. The Japanese will only support a Japanese console.

Atari Kid @ Apr 3rd 2006 10:39AM

>>You can say its games that are keeping MS out of Japan. However, that is a FLAT OUT LIE. The Japanese will only support a Japanese console.

Not really. If the product is attractive, the Japanese will buy it. For instance the iPod is the market leader in Japan, much like the US, over the plethora of its domestic rivals.

Fact is Micrsoft didn't make games for the Japanese market, hence it didn't sell. Now imagine if a game company launched their system in the US with games for Japanese tastes only; three RPGS, a date-sim, and a soccer game. Think the system would sell well?

DIEGO @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:02AM

#31 sega was started by an american if you did not know that. as for DC rpg's skies of arcadia and grandia 2. this whole thing could be bad fo MS the 360's future isn't looking very bright.

viktualia @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:27AM

#31 You have got to be kidding. The reason they don't like the 360 couldn't be beause they don't like sports or FPS games, could it? Nah, they will play games they hate as long as it was made in Japan.

J3R3M4 @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:32AM

Micro$oft; I'm sorry to say this but Japan hates you. So all I have to say about that is "F%&K 'em." M$ needs to focus on the US, Canadian, Europe and Australian markets. We still have people here willing to line up to purchase a console. All we can hope for now is that more of the Japanese Game developers will start making more games for the 360.

epobirs @ Apr 3rd 2006 11:42AM

#19

Ain't my parade. It's Microsoft's.

So you're basically saying they should just give up? Great business strategy there!

The fact is that MS has two anticipated RPG tiles lined up and a few other items drawing interest, such as Ninety-Nine Nights. You have to start somewhere.

IS MS buying their way to recognition? Sure. But it makes far more sense to spend, say, $10 million on a mega deluxe RPG from a well known creator and a far lesser amount on a regional PR campaign than the reverse. You'll pick some strength in the user base each time. It doesn't matter if you never become dominant if you're progressively picking up more and more of the software support needed to reach the largest possible audience in the other regions.

That is the little detail you missed. A game like Blue Dragon should do good business in the US and Europe among RPG fans. After adding in localization costs the budget is still within reason for the high end and can easily be profitable on a global basis. It is already common for a large publisher to finance a big budget game that cannot make enough sales to be a success in its native territory but can do very well when taken as a worldwide release.

The big busget titles aren't the problem. So long as they're things that go over well everywhere it is perfectly good business to finance their Japanese developers. It is the small developers, who might create something only niche appeal outside of Japan for little publishers like Atlus, who need enough of an installed base to make the Xbox 360 worth their time.
You can invoke the Dreamcast all you like but that doesn't change the fact that Sega was mortally wounded as a company when Dreamcast was launched. It couldn't sustain any strategy to build more support for the platform. The PS2 anticipation was just a finishing blow knocking them from the hardware business. Even after that Sega the software company has done poorly in creating hits. It's now like they are a collection of niche developers under a collective brand name.

It isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened. The Sega Genesis did pretty badly in Japan. When it first appeared the Famicom was dominant and the PC Engine was the up and coming challenger. NEC had the #1 machine for a while in Japan until the SNES retook the throne. The best Sega could do was coming close to #2 on a few occasions toaward the end as NEC lost interest in aggressively staying in the console business. NEC's next machine was almost exclusively host to CD novels and was unknown in the West outside a few mentions in magazines and some import shops in the US.

Yet the PC Engine (aka Turbo Grafx) was a distant third at best in the US where Sega went head to head with Nintendo. From the perspective of US shoppers Sega had plenty of third party Japanese support but much of that existed solely because the small developers could make enough to sustain themselves in Japan as blue collar game makers. If they picked up a foreign licensee that was a bonus but a lot of those shooters went cheap. OFten they chose the Genesis for lack of better financed competition that allowed them to be not a big fish but at least a medium sized fish in a small pond.

Attracting that same class of developer in Japan for appealing to the native market is doable with a relatively small installed base. It is a symbiotic effect. So long as MS can find the right big busget projects for worldwide publishing the Japan base will continue to slowly grow with spurts for each of those big releases. As that happens the platform becomes more viable for small projects that would be lost in the crowd on PS3. These in turn further encourage growth and make the native profitability of those big projects easier to achieve. Those small developers measure success in tens of thousands of sales rather than hudreds of thousands and millions.

Microsoft almost got this the first time around but made the mistake of letting a risky MMORPG project be the flagship for the effort and ended up dropping it as it became mired in delays. True Fantasy Online would have been a great thing in combination with Xbox Live if it had been on track but it was a poor choice to lead their Japanese strategy. It was putting too much responsibilty on the shoulders of a single project. Just getting in on an MMORPG would have been better for entering that genre. As it worked out the Xbox got no real MMORPG entry even though it should have been THE console of the generation for that type of game. (FFXI was originally being developed for Xbox but was shifted to Xbox 360.)

It appears to me they've learned a bit from that episode. If they are really going to do this right there are more big RPGs in early development that are still to be announced. As I said before, once the releases start they have to be followed up in a timely fashion. If more titles are announced before the end of this year for release late in the following year, that will be a step in the right direction.

bladestar @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:02PM

I agree with 31, 33. I said it before and I say it again. Everyone one knows how proud Japanese are and how loyal they are to their country and companies. Do you know how devastating would be for Japan if an American company win the console war? No matter how much people try to hide the fact that they prefer a Japanese company to dominate the gamming industry over an American or any other nation. Is not all about the money for Japanese people. I am sure that Microsoft offered some of these publishers/developers a lot more money than they would make with SONY and they decline. Only we Americans bash American companies over foreign which is why almost everything is outsourced. Prejudice exist every where, I can't understand why some people are so stupid to think that is because of rpg games, or because Japanese people are different than everyone else in the world. Why is the 360 selling well everywhere else but Japan? How many RPG games PS had at launch? And please don't mention that Japanese people like Mac and ipods since there is no real Japanese alternatives (better/equal) when it comes to these products. Do you think is coincidence why so many Japanese publishers/developers (konami, capcom, etc) are avoiding making any games for the 360 when they can be making money now instead of waiting more than a year for the PS3? All these publishers are afraid their lead in the video game industry will be a thing of the past. The Xbox is no only an American company but it has the potential of reducing the stereotypical video game market where if is not Japanese then it sucks. If the 360 picks up all over the world then we will see more publishers/developers for countries other than Japan, and video games will not be equal to Japan.

SuiXide @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:03PM

Solution: Microsoft creates another branch of the company with a japaneese name. Renames the 360, gives it a new look, relaunces with 500 crappy RPG's and dating sims. Instant hit.

Too bad Sony's gonna have 'em beat in that department.

davewilly @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:36PM

I'm from Australia and was one of those who got a pre-order for the x360 but was disappointed by the console. It only took 10 minutes for my x360 to completely die and I had to get a replacement. I was also concern with the overall quality of the console as it seemed to have workmanship issue, it looks rushed and badly built. The number of games is also appalling, about 10 at most to choose from. If a relaunch means showing the x360 in a different light without the quality built and game genres to support it, it just gonna be seen as the same crap but a different smell. And beleive the Japanese are very picky when it comes to the overall quality of a product from a manufacturer perpective. To them fisrt appearance means a great deal.

SuicideNInja @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:48PM

"why dont we state the obvious, microsoft are getting worried about ps3 and rev. when the ps3 comes out its gonna dominate in all places, and you dont have to be a genious to figure that out."

But you have to be a "genius" to spell correctly and not have negative stars. Anyway, I have a hard time believing that the Revolution will outsell the Xbox 360. I'm excited about it and everything, but it just won't have the beef of the other two consoles, nor the same games available. The Revolution will take more effort to get into homes. As for myself, I'm only interested in Metroid Prime for it so far.

"if you a small developer right now it would be a difficult situation over xbox 180-360."

Small developers can use Xbox Live Arcade. It's easy and cheap for them to do so. Not to mention they can make a lot of money in it (Geometry Wars, Marble Blast Ultra, etc.). As far as BC, they won't be giving up on it any time soon because there is enough demand for it. Quit bashing a system you obviously don't know anything about.

I wish luck to Microsoft in Japan. If they could pull off decent numbers in that country, it will be commendable. Other than our disgusting metal music that gets over there, we could really use a product in their market. The 360 is a great piece of hardware, but as everyone says, they need the japanese-targeted games.

I see why the Sony fanboys are so insane. Sony has such a high school posture about their Playstation products, so it must be easy to identify with them. They seem to scream phrases like, "Look at me, I can do that, too!" or "I'm the best! Everything else sucks!" Phil Harrison never seems to have much interesting to say (of his own accord).

I really want Sony to start talking about actual games that aren't MGS4, Gran Turismo, or Killzone. And show them. I know I'll want a PS3 for something, but nothing that's been announced yet. Thankfully, E3 isn't too far away.

DigitalDept @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:52PM

#34 An excellent well placed point I agree completely

boots @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:08PM

"I agree with 31, 33. I said it before and I say it again. Everyone one knows how proud Japanese are and how loyal they are to their country and companies. Do you know how devastating would be for Japan if an American company win the console war?"

Just as it has been devastating for them to acquire iPods over PSPs, love McDonalds and MTV, and that Samsung has beaten Sony in several areas?

"No matter how much people try to hide the fact that they prefer a Japanese company to dominate the gamming industry over an American or any other nation."

And any American would prefer an American company to dominate, but that doesn't mean Japanese or American aren't objective.

"Is not all about the money for Japanese people. I am sure that Microsoft offered some of these publishers/developers a lot more money than they would make with SONY and they decline."

Prove that's not thin air you are talking about.

"Only we Americans bash American companies over foreign which is why almost everything is outsourced."

'Problems' like that in every country.

"Prejudice exist every where, I can't understand why some people are so stupid to think that is because of rpg games, or because Japanese people are different than everyone else in the world."

Uh, because there aren't any third person RPGs. It's almost time for you to realize that. It's not like the Japanese are "different", everyone's different. It just happens that they have a much different culture, being isolated in a small pacific island, and they are also one of the smartest nations in the world. For some reason they are much more technologically advanced than the west. Wake up.

"Why is the 360 selling well everywhere else but Japan?"

Read above.

"How many RPG games PS had at launch?

For that reason, PS1 didn't sell as well as it could have. N64 sold a lot more on its first day, despite the fact that it went out a lot later. Then Square switched allegiances, and the Japanese did also. So it's not like the Japanese buy Nintendo or Sony, they buy Square, and Square will hardly switch allegiances. Their games are huge and would probably need Blu-ray anyway; the price of the games in Japan (where they get most of their income from anyway) will not change much, if it does, because they sell for around 80-90 bucks anyway.

"And please don't mention that Japanese people like Mac and ipods since there is no real Japanese alternatives (better/equal) when it comes to these products."

There are MANY better/equal products, except iPod has made themselves an image almost impossible to beat. If Sony had added a touch-screen and/or a big hard drive on the PSP instead of focusing on stupid bullshit, then maybe they would have dethroned the iPod.

"Do you think is coincidence why so many Japanese publishers/developers (konami, capcom, etc) are avoiding making any games for the 360 when they can be making money now instead of waiting more than a year for the PS3?"

Uh, have you been living under a rock? Capcom is making so many 360 exclusives, that one wonders how much Microsoft had to pay them, or what did Sony have to make to alienate them, or if they are simply side-switching whores like they were with Nintendo and Sony back in the days. Same could apply to other japanese devs to a minor degree, but Capcom has been working really hard on 360 development (Lost Planet, Dead Rising among others as exclusives, and first Resident Evil for an Xbox, ever; hell, Street Fighter for XBLA).

"All these publishers are afraid their lead in the video game industry will be a thing of the past. The Xbox is no only an American company but it has the potential of reducing the stereotypical video game market where if is not Japanese then it sucks. If the 360 picks up all over the world then we will see more publishers/developers for countries other than Japan, and video games will not be equal to Japan."

That's obvious. Besides, if all american/western games sucked, then THQ, Activision, EA, 2K games, Ubisoft, etcetera would be bankrupt already.

MetaHuman @ Apr 3rd 2006 1:21PM

I don't think appealing to Japan has anything to do with having crappy RPGs.

Japan and America could have a lot of common interests *COUGH*JAPANLIKESBASEBALLALOT*COUGH*. The industry just needs to discover more of that. I'd think that it would be up to some company to explore THAT possibility rather than "Which country is the #1 force of the Industry?".

Admitting to the irony of the previous sentence, G4 is a large reason I don't want the US to dominate the market either. Especially over Japan. Anyways, I don't know why Japan can't be proud of their role in the industry, a storied history of successes and countless appeal with their products within the US and the rest of the world. If the US wants to truly dominate than it will need to find a way to appeal to BOTH.

bladestar @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:00PM

Why did I get a - star again? For expressing my opinion about why I think the 360 is not selling well in Japan? Now I am truly convinced joystiq is managed by a bunch of SONY, NINTENDO fanboys with the sole objective of bashing Microsoft and abuse the power of uhhh.. Giving -Stars to who ever speak his/her minds or have an opinion other than SONY and NINTENDO are the best! And don't even say I disrespected Japanese people by my comments, because I didn't see you giving any negative stars when all your fanboys were calling stupid and ignorant to the Australians just because of their positive response towards the 360. Ohh crap does this mean another -star for me? Put 10, since the stars simply mean ones abilities of one kissing your ass (star).

bandit @ Apr 3rd 2006 2:59PM

To anyone who doesnt believe the RPGS will sell a console in Japan, please read the top 100 greastest games in Japan and then come back and talk about what Japan wants. When over HALF of the greatest games are RPGs its not hard to see what a market wants. Ghost REcon? Screw that! Call of Duty? They lost F*$#ing WWII!!! Project Gotham Racing? The Japan market is more inclined to buy a game with tricked out Hondas then suped up Euro cars. Need for Speed Underground any one? Gotta say Idiotic to say the least. They need to be shoveling cash up Capcoms and Square-Enix's @$$ if they want more than an embarrassment in Japan. RPGs SELL there is no way around it. Its simple. Sell rpgs or have old stable franchises like Super Mario Bros. or Starfox. Neither of which the 360 has. I swear some of these guys are clueless and out of touch with gaming and culture. Anyway my rant to MS is to get there head out of their own @$$ before they really crap on themselves.

Spike @ Apr 3rd 2006 3:03PM

Many "japan-friendly" games will come soon. So MS wants to create a more positive environment for those titles to truly take off.

Here i have to stress something. Japanese buy consoles FOR THE GAMES. The brand loyalty in japan lies with the software not the hardware. Psone managed to surpass Saturn in japan because of Final Fantasy vii.
DS started to become a success with Nintendogs. There are many other examples but the fact remains, give the japanese a game they want, and they will buy your console. Even if it is for only one game, they are willing to jump on.
The original xbox had this kiler app in the form of DOA: volleyball. Thousands of otaku, got an xbox just to see the DOA ladies in bikini.

The first xbox only had the tecmo games, the 360 has tecmo, the sakaguchi games, 99 nights, heavy capcom support, and bandai with the anime tie-in Zegapain.
And those are in the immediate future.
One has to wonder, with all those games who cater to the japanese gamer, why does the 360 not seeing positive signs.
Because the perception the japanese has for the console is bad.
The original launch lacked DOA4 and that hurt the console's rep. Hardware cannot sell itself, it needs high quality games and region specific ones i might add.
If MS waited and launched in japan with Blue Dragon, they could had the impact the enjoyed in Australia with Oblivion.

BPMΩ @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:02PM

don_sf:
"why dont we state the obvious, microsoft are getting worried about ps3 and rev. when the ps3 comes out its gonna dominate in all places, and you dont have to be a genious to figure that out."
Because it ISN'T obvious. You cannot predict how the market will play out in the future. Will PS3 and Revolution do great? Will they do poorly? Who knows!

And stop calling the first Xbox "Xbox 180." That is not its name, and it never was.

Even though I don't like Xbox (Still don't own one, and don't yet plan on getting a 360), I do hope Microsoft can pull off a better show, for their sake. As competition is a good thing for the market. If they start to do better, it will encourage other companies to do better to compete.