Newsflash Signup

Buy now at Zavvi.com
Microsoft

Microsoft: ‘360 is Japan’s best option’

Bookmark with Social network
Microsoft: ‘360 is Japan’s best option’

Major RPG releases will push console to one million sales milestone, says Xbox territory boss

Xbox Japan boss Takashi Sensui has called Xbox 360 the “best option” for Japanese consumers, despite the system’s minute installed base in the territory.

Sensui said that the release of upcoming major RPGs would help the 360 to continue its renaissance in the region – which saw its weekly sales overtake Wii for the first time in history this month, according to Enterbrain.

“We believe that the launch of big RPG titles for Xbox 360 in Japan is an important part of the road to success here. However, it is not everything,” he told Edge Online.

“The core of the Xbox 360 business is made up of three elements: great titles, the best online service and accessible hardware. Now we have all three elements firmly in place, we believe that Japanese consumers will see what we have to offer and agree that it is the best option available.”

Sensui pointed at the likes of Tales of Vesperia and Infinite Undiscovery to take the console to Microsoft’s target of one million sales.

Advertisement

“Sales have been in an upward trend in Japan recently and we intend to work hard to push this momentum forward moving into the holiday sales season,” he said. “As an initial milestone, we would like to hit the one million mark as soon as possible, and are continuing to work hard to get to this milestone and go beyond.”

PICTURE: EDGE

lol

posted by uHuRu Sep 23, 2008 at 5:12 pm
1
uHuRu

lol, just because they sold well in one week, they believe "360 is Japan's best option"? But I gotta give it to them for their persistence, consistency and perseverance.

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Re: lol

posted by commodore Sep 23, 2008 at 5:17 pm
2
commodore

I was thinkin the exact same thing....They have been in that region for like 3 years and haven't sold a million yet....They really need to STF^
They have one big ass problem when it comes to RPG's...The most wanted game (FF13) in Japan isn't gonna be on their system there....So ya they are screwed

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

oh

posted by Kura Sep 23, 2008 at 5:23 pm
3
Kura

Eh, I give them an A for effort. Just when I thought the 360 was all but dead in Japan. They go and show me otherwise. I hope they reach their 1million mark and beyond. Just because they seem to want it so bad. Persistence is the key to victory, as they say.I think.

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Re: oh

posted by Jimothy Sep 23, 2008 at 5:31 pm
4

I think they have every reason to be positive, In the last month or so they have outsold the PS3 in two weeks, Not just, but by a at least 10,000 consoles. Not that is going to make much impact, But MS have a reason to be optimistic, they nearly beat the Wii.

But when it comes down to it, Sony or Nintendo don't need to be worried too soon, They don't even have to promote anything and they sell shed loads in Japan. Brand Loyalty and all that :)

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Re: Re: oh

posted by Eight Ball Sep 23, 2008 at 7:50 pm
5
Eight Ball

But Japan likes consoles that work ?!

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Japanesa!

posted by MrBee Sep 23, 2008 at 9:13 pm
6

The cool thing about this generation is that the userbase is much larger than it was in the ps2 era and it is much more varied. Today it doesn't matter if one console sells more than another in either a week, or even an entire season because each userbase for each console is large enough to stay alive in the market.
A developer could pretty much decide to release a game exclusively on just one console, and it will sell very well because the audience is so large now. No matter what territory the console is in.
To think that last generation Japanese gamers would hardly ever even welcome anything xbox into their homes. Today japanese developers are choosing the 360 (with ff13 on the cards) and with gears of war hitting the japanese charts hard when it came out two years ago -- I would think that gears 2 will sell extremely well in Japan.
So, yes, I agree that the 360 is a good option, even if you are in Japan.
One thing you have to consider though is that each direction for each console is quite different. So every season will fluctuate for all the consoles because sometimes the market just demands something different. Notice how well sports and athletic titles sold on the wii during the olympics.. Perhaps this is the time of year for action games or 360 style games, then after christmas everyone will probably get back into Wii Fit again haha.

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Re: Japanesa!

posted by corndog Sep 26, 2008 at 2:56 am
7
corndog

It is not just one week. It is going on three straight weeks of 25,000 per week sales. At just that rate it will take a little less than 3 months to reach a million. Because there is 4.4 weeks per month. Expect to eat crow soon. Last remnant (a xbox exclusive and star Ocean anothe 360 exclusive are coming to Japan soon). And one of the final fantasy XIII games is not exclusive to the ps3 in Japan. Not to mention the next blue dragon, and more rpg's from Microsoft.

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Re: Re: Japanesa!

posted by corndog Sep 26, 2008 at 3:01 am
8
corndog

However this statment tells me they STILL DON'T really get it: “We believe that the launch of big RPG titles for Xbox 360 in Japan is an important part of the road to success here. However, it is not everything,”. Hello retard, look at dreamcast no rpg no system. Look at Genesis more rpg's caused it to lose in the end. Look at xbox(1) compared to ps2 not to mention n64 and gamecube. No rpg, lose in the end! RPG's mean everything, in Japan. It drags all other developers to your system. END OF STORY!!!

  • + 0 
  • - 0 
  • 0

Leave a Comment

Microsoft
MCV

ABOUT US

MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets

Intent media, Company number 03641099