Microsoft's Japan-only Blue Dragon bundle [update 1]
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Oct 7th 2006 at 8:10PM }
If you're wondering why us round-eyes ain't gonna see a price break on the Xbox 360 this holiday, Japan might have something to do with it.
See, Microsoft has put together this sweet, Japan-only Blue Dragon bundle that probably ain't gonna do much to enhance the company's bottom line (read: it's likely subsidized), but will (they hope) juice the 360's pitiable sales in that country.
For just ¥29,800 (approximately $252 at the time of this writing), Japanese gamers will walk off with a basic Xbox 360, the Blue Dragon game itself, a limited-edition faceplate (aren't they all?), and five Blue Dragon figurines, according to the fine folks over at Siliconera.
We've inserted images of the goods after the break.
[Update 1: Post comments have been locked as the bulk of comments posted were off-topic.]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
iaceduagain @ Oct 7th 2006 8:16PM
round-eyes? be a little more racist why dont you. Every culture is unique so just cause they're eyes aren't round like yours, you make some stupid racist comment like that. Get some class.
Hak Foo @ Oct 7th 2006 8:19PM
Yeah, I have to admit that is pretty offensive. (the round eyes comment, not the bundle)
_habit_ @ Oct 7th 2006 8:19PM
Is $252 a typo?
bandit @ Oct 7th 2006 8:21PM
just a hint "round-eyes" was likely a VERY poor choice of words. At this point you are either A) the worse possible writer or B) The most brillant business man/blogger on earth as Im sure this unexpected reference will surely drum up and enormous amount of hits and posts. Seriously, you MUST be PAID to start controversy.
phatmuther @ Oct 7th 2006 8:23PM
yeah, my god that seemed racist
Eric Von Shpeel @ Oct 7th 2006 8:24PM
good to see im not the only one who was shocked at such a fucking stupid comment
teehee @ Oct 7th 2006 8:28PM
some of yall really need to get the sand out of your vaginas. getting sparked off by a few small words?
_habit_ @ Oct 7th 2006 8:28PM
Shocked? Personally I'm not shocked, do I find it offensive? ... err well no.
Josh @ Oct 7th 2006 8:29PM
I agree with everyone else's opinion about the comment being discussed above me.
And _habit_ (#3), that is not a type. For about $250, you really do get all that. The price is really a bit lower, too, because of the weak yen, so a few months ago, it might have been $270 - $275 or so, I think.
But still, that's only about 5000 yen more than a Wii, without Wii Sports...Jeez.
Andy @ Oct 7th 2006 8:30PM
That comment was completely uncalled for. What were you thinking?
Monkeys @ Oct 7th 2006 8:33PM
Well, this post was by Vladimir Cole...you know the guy who pisses off 90% of Joystiq commentators.
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:30PM
As a Japanese-Chinese American, I am highly offended by this post's lack of sensitivity. Not only do you use an offensive racial slur that is considered antiquated by the civilized, you alienate American history by ignoring the fact that "we round-eyes" also include a vibrant immigrant history that Asians have contributed heavily towards.
If Summa's accidental Wii overhype was ripe enough firing, this one is also without any second thought or question. I hope joystiq takes into account the readership. By keeping this bigot as a commenter, you tell us that IBM processors are worth more than our collective historical and contemporary contributions.
retro @ Oct 7th 2006 11:04PM
"If you're wondering why us round-eyes ain't gonna see a price break on the Xbox 360 this holiday, Japan might have something to do with it."
Seriously, the above is a fantastic way to start out an article. On a racist, bigot website. Woops, that isn't supposed to be Joystiq, is it?
B33 @ Oct 7th 2006 8:37PM
You still need the hard drive regardless...
Max Payne @ Oct 7th 2006 8:35PM
What the fuck is wrong with you, Vlad?! Why don't you just die?! You hate life, you're miserable all the time, afraid to enjoy yourself even a little. Face it, you might as well be dead already. Do yourself a favor, give up!
_habit_ @ Oct 7th 2006 8:36PM
I thought the 360 core was $300 by itself?
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:38PM
Monkey,
That's no excuse for his insensitivity. He's a "professional" journalist that has a wide readership. His job standards bind him to professionalism that if violated, should justify canning. If someone on IGN or Engadget or CNN uses that term loosely, be it explicit or implicity, he would be fired immediately.
Once again, I cannot believe that some mainstream news source uses a term that brings up a two century history of explosive West vs East tensions.
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:41PM
Uh.."round eyes" refers to white people Mr.Angry Reader. And really, calm the fuck down. It was one comment, was kinda funny, and it's such a small thing. Let it go everybody.
ACE @ Oct 7th 2006 8:40PM
You would think that by now Joystiq would have written something on the announcement of Starwas Battlefront 3 for the 360. Must be a very slow news day.
Patrick @ Oct 7th 2006 8:39PM
Am i the only jealous one here? First Japan gets limited edition FF-DS-Lites and now this. Woohoo. No joy here =(
Xavier @ Oct 7th 2006 8:40PM
Yeah, describing a shape as spherical rather than non-spherical is so racist!
Grow up.
Ken C @ Oct 7th 2006 8:41PM
I just can't believe that someone out there views the world in such a bigoted manner, but also that they have the ability to use what I thought was a popular and respected site as a mouthpiece for their ignorance.
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:41PM
Angry Reader and Max Payne, calm the fuck down. It's ONE comment, Jesus Christ. It's barely anything. That's not even offensive. All asian people know their eyes are different than a caucasian person, so why the fuck are you getting so pissed?
Monkeys @ Oct 7th 2006 8:41PM
I was sarcastic.
Joystiq loves VC. All his posts are pretty stupid, yet it creates traffic - something Joystiq loves to point out to their advertisers. This Microsoft shill, remember, is the guy who attempted to sell us the idea that making profit is a bad thing (as though MS doesn't want to make a profit).
Thanks for the offensive and racist comment, VC. Joystiq/AOL are responsible too.
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:42PM
Xavier needs a history lesson.
He should check out the historical context of the term and then hopefully, he can see the significance of the term.
Also, if his logic follows, no one should be offended by the n word as well since well, it's not even a real word!
Perhaps he should do the growing up.
Sean @ Oct 7th 2006 8:43PM
Racial tensios aside, anyone else think this extremely attractive bundle at an extremely attractive price including a great game taht appeals to the tastes of Japan will finally boost 360 sales goin in Japan?
Ken C @ Oct 7th 2006 8:44PM
Cblake,
You must live in the United States of Causasians.
Ken C @ Oct 7th 2006 8:44PM
Caucasians.
William @ Oct 7th 2006 8:44PM
OMG ARE ALL OF YOU STUPID!? HE WAS MAKING FUN OF AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS, NOT JAPANESE!
"""If you're wondering why us round-eyes ain't gonna see a price break on the Xbox 360 this holiday, Japan might have something to do with it."""
The entire post is negative toward the USA. It was saying "round-eyes" USA, are gettin screwed by the lucky Japan as far as price cuts go.
Go watch Mind of Mencia people. You are overreacting like children. Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will always make me whine. That's what you guys are acting like. GROW UP. Its a joke. A JOKE. Generalizations are funny because they are often true, don't be so damn stingy. Japanese are smart, Americans are stupid. Whites have money, blacks don't. Most men in England are gay. LEARN TO LIVE AND HAVE FUN! Each "kind of people" can be made fun of.
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
MIND OF MENCIA
COMEDY CENTRAL
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:45PM
CBlake
"Round eyes" implies the supposed people with "non-round eyes".
I do think that you are holding a double standard. You, by using "fuck" come off as far angrier and less than calm.
Read my previous post. The historical context makes the word offensive. Why do you think people are riled up over the n word when it's not even a word.
Tom @ Oct 7th 2006 8:46PM
To all you political correctness advocates: please shut the hell up. This blog is about video games, not racism vs. non-racism. It doesn't matter. Everyone is a little racist, it's not the end of the world. It's not like he said "It's too bad those f***ing Japs didn't all die in Hiroshima". No, he didn't even say anything sterotyping Asian, but rather Americans. He said "round eyes", which is referring to whitey anyway, so whatever....
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:47PM
I live in Canada. And every fucking asian knows their eyes are different from other people's so why get so fucking mad? Oh, is it because a person who wasn't asian made that comment? Obviously. I think that is more racist. What would you do if an asian caleld you tiny eyes? You would laugh. Stop being a dick and calm down.
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:47PM
I live in Canada. And every fucking asian knows their eyes are different from other people's so why get so fucking mad? Oh, is it because a person who wasn't asian made that comment? Obviously. I think that is more racist. What would you do if an asian caleld you tiny eyes? You would laugh. Stop being a dick and calm down.
WTS Thicker Skin @ Oct 7th 2006 8:53PM
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA the video game web site hurt my feelings! WAAAAAAAAAAAA!
ACE @ Oct 7th 2006 8:49PM
Thank you for 10 minutes of pure amusement, Vlad!
For real you people need to get a life.
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:48PM
William,
I challenge you to use the n word jokingly right now. If you refuse, could you tell me why its usage is different?
This post does not make fun of Americans seeing how there is no negative connotation associated with "round-eyes". There is a negative undercurrent with the opposite though. That's the difference.
You reactionary conservatives really need to calm down and face the historical facts.
Also, I personally, am grateful for a media that reports the truth and is responsible to its obligations to diversity. Maybe it does go extreme at times but I prefer it to your alternative.
reguy @ Oct 7th 2006 8:50PM
i would just tell you guys to chill, im sure vc did not mean it to come off as racist. because of american errors of the past we now come down on anything thats not 100% PC.
*sigh*
Kid Chemical @ Oct 7th 2006 8:49PM
So any word if any kind of bundles are coming to the states?
I doubt we'll see something like five figures and a faceplate, but atleast one would encourage me to pre-order immediately.
Max Payne @ Oct 7th 2006 8:49PM
round eyes implies the opposite of slit eyes. Go up to an asian person and say "Hello Slit Eyes" and see if they smile and say hello back. I doubt it.
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:50PM
Actually, "round eyes" implies people WITH round eyes. And fuck is a common word that I use all the time. Stop overreacting.
Monkeys @ Oct 7th 2006 8:50PM
@Ken C
Respectable? Joystiq? Never has been since VC came back from his Microsoft stint. I am sure that was where he learnt his (lack of) manners and his bigoted views.
BTW, I know Orientals who has big round eyes. So whoever said that Asians all have thin eyes are dumb fucks. This is why this stereotype is so outdated.
Footlong! @ Oct 7th 2006 8:52PM
I think you people really are overeacting.
if anything, i took that joke as a sarcastic jab at ourselves. i think he was pseodo-referencing us from an outward persepctive of the, often but not always, finicky japanese consumers and their anti-american tastes. this article is geared towards their market after all.
seriously people, lighten up.
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:52PM
Tom,
Once again, the offense isn't the stereotyping, it's the history of the term and how it's been used to turn an entire populace against a race. You are right. This is a gaming blog. That's why statements like this should not exist in it. If the n word were used in this post, should we just ignore it?
Also, if "political correct advocates" shut up, where do you think the world would be?
Danny @ Oct 7th 2006 8:52PM
round eyes? you're just a dick man...
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:53PM
Thank you Mr.Footlong! It was a joke, accept it and move on.
Wulkar @ Oct 7th 2006 8:53PM
Bull.
i call shenanigans!! lest get our brooms.
CBlake @ Oct 7th 2006 8:55PM
Ok, Angry Gamer, watch this. Nigger. How many times a day do you hear that? It's in every rap song, and every black guy says it to the next one. It's something they say to eachother and we aren't supposed to say it, but they say it to themselves. Relax.
angry reader @ Oct 7th 2006 8:55PM
@CBlake
I did not realize you use "fuck" in a casual sort of way. It's sort of hard to tell over the internet. At any rate, my apologies.
I have trouble believing you though; are you telling me that when you read the post, the word "slit-eyes" didn't even cross your mind?
Get a life @ Oct 7th 2006 8:58PM
"As a Japanese-Chinese American, I am highly offended by this post's lack of sensitivity" And all the other responses that follow suit...
Boo Hoo... Its people like you that actually hinder social equality by ALWAYS getting offened and voicing rubbish comments like these. If your black, white, asian, indian, whatever... just accept it.. if you dont like being in a minority, piss off somewhere else where you wouldnt be. I get called "racist" slurs at times, but I dont care, I dish 'em back, have a laugh and move on. Build a fence and get over it.
PS. I hope those Blue Dragon figurines are sold not just in this bundle, they look sweet!!
ACE @ Oct 7th 2006 8:59PM
Do you people ever watch Mind of Mencia? Im guessing not. this is a very, very mild remark. I know it is offending, but do you guys start cussing and emailing comedy central evertime Mencia makes a racial remark? What if Vlad is racial, thats his opinion. I think we have established that it was a racial remark, so you people can go and take this argument elswhere. Some of us read this blog to read about VIDEO GAMES.