We may never understand Microsoft's Japanese marketing. "Do! do! do!" was a stretch, but this is just weird. At first glance, the video above appears to be nothing more than one of those self-promoting, vaguely voyeuristic videos you see on YouTube. If you don't speak Japanese -- and perhaps even if you do -- you would have no way of knowing the video is about Gears of War. "Whaaa?" you say, and we understand. The Japanese schoolgirl stereotype is about as far from Gears of War as is Hello Kitty. Still, it's sort of hypnotizing. Watch the video above (it's actually worth it) and then check out the next video after the break.
Is this what Hironobu Sakaguchi was talking about when he said the 360 needed better marketing in Japan?
Reader Comments (22)
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 11:55AM (Unverified) said
hella wierd, but hella awesome. i with american advertising was like that
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 11:54AM (Unverified) said
I'll admit I didn't see that coming. Scared the crap outta me.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 11:48AM (Unverified) said
Oh those Japanese girls in catholic skirts up to no good.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 12:30PM Magic Whiskey said
It'd make more sense if we could speak Japanese. At one point I made out 'kawaii' which means 'cute' so I don't think she's talking about anything related to Gears..but hell if I really know, right?
At least the Locust have good taste in women...
Reply
At least the Locust have good taste in women...
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 12:36PM (Unverified) said
First I was thinking WTF, then at the end it all made sense.. Not too bad actually.
Cheers! Here's to continued failure in Japan for the Xbox 360 or is it Xbox Elite 360 Super Ultra Mega?
Reply
Cheers! Here's to continued failure in Japan for the Xbox 360 or is it Xbox Elite 360 Super Ultra Mega?
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 12:43PM (Unverified) said
Felt it coming but it scared the crap out of me anyway...more please.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 1:26PM LiqwidZero said
The first one scared me, and the second made me laugh. I love it.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 1:37PM (Unverified) said
Totally awesome, and if you understand the Japanese, it made it that much better!
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 1:39PM (Unverified) said
I couldn't make it out clearly but in the first video she's talking about someone (the Locust guy?) wanting to become a shoe designer. Weird stuff.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 1:56PM (Unverified) said
WTF? Seriously? I'll never understand the Japanese! Those were both completely retarded.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 2:07PM (Unverified) said
I wonder who markets the 360 in Japan? Did they not hit up a traditional marketing agency and just pick a couple of random youtube freaks to do it?
IMO all the 360 ads in Japan have been trying too hard, although I'm hardly well placed to comment on the others as a) I am British, b) I live in the US, c) I have not seen any Japanese ads for the other consoles. So, ignore this comment as you see fit :)
Reply
IMO all the 360 ads in Japan have been trying too hard, although I'm hardly well placed to comment on the others as a) I am British, b) I live in the US, c) I have not seen any Japanese ads for the other consoles. So, ignore this comment as you see fit :)
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 2:13PM (Unverified) said
why dont they just show that, killer MAD WORLD video.
Reply
Posted: Mar 29th 2007 6:09PM (Unverified) said
Holly shit this thing scared the shit out of me!!
Reply
Posted: Mar 30th 2007 4:31PM Eryu said
The first video is the girl talking about how she loves shoes and wants to become a shoe designer... "when I just look at shoes they make me so HAPPY" maybe I will go to technical school and learn how... then she hears something in the closet... the rest, well no translation needed.
Second video, she is actually talking about what she found in the clost is under her bed now. She tries to convince it to come out.
It's lame even in Japanese... ugh.
Reply
Second video, she is actually talking about what she found in the clost is under her bed now. She tries to convince it to come out.
It's lame even in Japanese... ugh.
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
Dark Side 'Cause It Looks Cool: The Failings of Moral Choice in Games
Posted on Feb 10th 2012 7:45PM
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 221 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 161 comments
- Blizzard taking Valve to court over 'DOTA' trademark 115 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 107 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
