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Reader Comments (12)

Posted: Dec 7th 2006 5:58PM (Unverified) said

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Yes M$ needs Japan and Blue Dragon is a good start, a bit late but still good. Bigger Japan share = bigger support from nippon game developers = more games for XBOX360 worldwide = SONY losing shares = M$ dominating console world = less good games.... D'OH!
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 6:06PM (Unverified) said

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MS doesn't absolutely need to succeed in Japan to win the race this time around. Combined, the US and European markets are much larger.

Psychologically, MS needs to succeed in Japan to complete their legitimacy as a console manufacturer. Here in the US, the Xbox is a crazy success story, but in Japan, it's still seen as a minor player.

I think that in the short term, with Blue Dragon and other upcoming games, MS is set to begin building meaningful market share in Japan.

If the PS3 never catches up with the worldwide install base of the 360, the process will accelerate further as more and more Japanese developers are forced to take the 360 seriously.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 8:11PM icemorebutts said

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If they just bought out Konami and SquarEnix they would be set. I garentee nobody would look twice at the PS3 without MGS4 and FFXIII.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 6:40PM (Unverified) said

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I suppose Microsoft doesn't need Japan to come out on top. But Microsoft completely bombing in Japan kinda indicates the XBox 360 is not the universal entertainment hub Microsoft designed it to be. Or that Microsoft is somehow unable to tailor their product (and/or marketing message) to fit different markets.

The Nintendo Wii doesn't seem to be having a problem with that at all. It's selling everywhere. Same thing with the Nintendo DS.

I don't know. It kinda looks like Nintendo might actually be the comeback kid.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 6:42PM (Unverified) said

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They need this game but they will have to continue to push foward and this is an AWSOME start!!! Go MS!!!
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 7:16PM 6vx said

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Nintendo isn't the comeback kid. They've screwed themselves buy building into a niche.

If their next console isn't a dual screened walkie talkie wiimote compatible gyrocopter hat then they're screwed. They can't do a 'real' console anymore.

Which isn't a bad thing, because they're on their own and they're going to make tons of money in their new market. I'm just saying Sony and Microsoft dont have to worry about them ever again.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 8:16PM (Unverified) said

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When it comes down to it, the Xbox 360 is an American product trying to make strides in a country very loyal to its own products. Sorry to say, but it was doomed from the beginning. I really do hope that Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey help drive an increase in sales. I am so sick and tired of Sony B$.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 9:28PM (Unverified) said

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Wow blue dragon looks awesome, this is the first title I've seen that's actually excited* me.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 10:04PM (Unverified) said

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Japan is not xenophobic when it comes to their consumerism.

iPod, Levis, Coke, and various fast food franchises litter the consumer landscape of Japan, and they love the products despite their American pedigree.

The reason the 360 is/was failing in Japan was because Microsoft was not catering to the populace they were selling to. Making the Halo and Ninja Gaiden games half of the 360 backwards compatible list? Cancelling japanocentric titles like TFLO? This is why the xbox had no loyalty there.

Blue Dragon is a good start. Lets see if they can keep with it and build a foundation for the gamers of that country.
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Posted: Dec 7th 2006 11:48PM (Unverified) said

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Learn Japanese

> Playstation three = "Prey-stray-shun-shree"

> XBOX three sixty = "Eggz-boks-shree-sixtee"
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Posted: Dec 8th 2006 2:30PM JonahFalcon said

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I don't think Microsoft needs Japan, but I really want Blue Dragon.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2006 6:12PM (Unverified) said

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As long as xbox 360 is big in North America and Europe, who cares about aisans? Let them play wii. If America likes a game, the game will be big around the world, thats the way it will always be.
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