Despite Japanese consumers giving it the cold shoulder for a long time, it would seem that the Xbox 360 is finally starting to gain some real ground in the territory. Square Enix has noticed this, and is more than ready to keep working on the system.
"There is a growing interest in Xbox 360 among Japanese users, due to the release of familiar titles, the increasing appeal of overseas titles, and the excellent reputation of the Xbox 360's network services," states Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto.
The quote comes from an Edge Online article detailing the Xbox 360's push into Japan and how it is finally starting to pay off. With the price cut and a handful of exclusives that have strong Japanese appeal, as well as shooters like Gears of War which have shown signs of popularity in the East, the 360 does have plenty of tools to gain market share.
The only thing it doesn't have is a Japanese company creating it. That's the only thing that will stop the console becoming a huge hit in Japan. A rather dismal portrait of Japanese society, really.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
10:05 AM on 11.26.2008
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Well I do want to see new japanese exclusives making the console even shinier, I am so fucking tired of Halo being some kind of mascot franchise, give them something cute and fun, Japan.
On the other side, the Japanese are really starting to lose me. The last game I really enjoyed that was made by a Japanese developer was Galaxy. Before that? I'm not even sure. Of course, I don't own any handhelds, so I guess I'm missing out there.
The World Ends With You, Phoenix Wright, TraceMemory, Hotel Dusk, DisgaeaDS, Contact, these are all japanese and gave me satisfaction.
damned RROD! and of course S-E is gonna talk big about the 360! I can't imagine all the $$$ microsoft dropped in S-E's table so they would make a 360 version for FFXIII (among other things).
i agree, the japanese are starting to lose me as well. The last time i bought a japanese made game was back in march when i picked up lost odyssey. I've only bought western games since. Keep in mind this wasn't a conscious decision to buy only western games, its just that there aren't too many interesting japanese games out for the 360.
But yet Famitsu gave Last Remnant a 38/40. Apparently, the Japanese like SE's shit offerings.
Sure, the japanese can be very loyal to their brands, but in an age were good product also come from the U.S or Korea (a lot of tvs), I think they will overcome their fears and try other stuff.
MS have just got a bit luckier too. Because of the global financial situation, a lot of countries are going into a recession, something japan only just recovered from and are now back in again. Therefore gamers in japan will be looking for cheaper game experiences. 360 has had a few price drops there while going up against PS3, and with the lure of foreign games, local japanese games and great online play and community, a 360 looks ever more attractive.
Most of what you read coming out of Konami, Capcom and Squeenix is the urgent need to increase their Western market share. MS is the market leader in the US and pretty much tied with Sony in Europe (HD Systems at least).
So, to me it ends up being a win win situation. Japanese developers get the tools and assistance they need from MS and MS gets penetration and respect in the Japanese world. Afterall, MS is willing to buy marketshare and they finally have an audience willing to listen.