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Microsoft Plans More Japan-Specific Xbox 2 Games
Thanks to Bloomberg.com for its report discussing Microsoft's plans to recruit local developers to help the Xbox 2 succeed in Japan. Norman Cheuk of Microsoft Japan indicates: "A lot of what we're doing today is to position ourselves. We're looking at the future generations where we'd like to be successful", though efforts to encourage more Japanese Xbox exclusives (following on from Tecmo's Dead Or Alive 3/Dead Or Alive Ultimate) have recently been stymied: "Capcom Co., Japan's third-biggest game maker, has turned down offers from Microsoft in recent months to help pay distribution and development costs in return for more exclusive games for the Xbox, said Kazuhiko Abe, head of Capcom's corporate strategy division, without giving details." Abe also stated Capcom "isn't interested in developing more" Xbox titles, simply saying: "There are no plans... It's just not profitable enough."
should just cut their losses in Japan. They didnt make a solid enough system, nor quirky, original games to sell in japan. Basically: just give up and try again with XBox 2.
In the U.S., a person who can only afford the hardware and games for one or two systems has a more difficult decision to make between the Big Three. While the PS2 does win in sheer size of its game library, the Gamecube and Xbox have better games in certain categories.
In Japan, where Sony and Nintendo have been household names for decades, it'll be much more difficult for an American company with a smaller game library to find a place in the market.
So unless Microsoft makes some shady exclusivity deals with a good number of developers over there, I just don't see Xbox [insert number here] doing well at all in Japan.
Is how many copy/paste operations a japanese software developer do while writing 1000 lines of code.
then you microsoft must purchase Square-Enix
and invest in Europe, the Japanese market isn't growing any more, as stated in previous article, so we can safely say that Xbox lost and it would take insane amounts of money to win it, on the other hand European market is still growing, EU as 500+ million people and lots of them aren't playing yet, and if they treat the EU market as they do the US they could win a market share. This would be easy because Sony treats EU market badly, prices are higher and games arrive later than US, so with a small effort from Microsoft the market share could rise. I understand that the EU market could be a little more complicated because of the different languages, but let's face it how hard is it to translate a game? Not much just prepare it advance to support different languages and get good translators, (don't hire any Portuguese because I prefer the games in English :)).
Abe also stated Capcom "isn't interested in developing more" Xbox titles, simply saying: "There are no plans... It's just not profitable enough."
Call me crazy, but maybe Capcom should try making xbox games for $50 instead of, you know, $200.
The Japanese video game market is in the dumps. Why on earth even try to compete in a contracting market?? They should pull out and try again when the market recovers.
I'm not entirely confident Microsoft can even come up with types of games that appeal to Japanese gamers. :)
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn
And then they try to pull "More" Japanese exclusive titles? COME ON!!! The Japenese market is one of the most saturated markets on Earth, game wise, and the bloody statistics show that not only are fewer games being sold there, but there is less interest in new titles than ever before. The only thing still alive over there are well established franchises and the "Quirky" games.
Now, I may be missing the point, but why in God's name are they trying to encourage a market in which one popular arcade title consists of sticking a plastic Finger up someone's digital ass? I think it would be appropriate if the game responded in English that's the only thing Japenese exclusive games are good for anyway - screwing over us.
Come on MS - Realize that if nothing else, simple xenophobia and the abosolute fear of something new - how many mega man games? - will prevent you from taking a controlling share in a dying market, and pump up Europe, as earlier suggested.
Physics is nothing like religion. If it was, we'd have an easier time trying to raise money!
Seriously! One reason for failing in Japan was the lack of uniquely Japanese content, such as so called dating sims (Ren Ai games), various board games, work sims, and the oddball title here or there (think of Seaman). In addition to the absence of Japanese style RPGs. The other reason was that the darn thing was just too big and ugly for Japanese tastes.
With a stable of local developers given a free hand to create games for the Japanese market and a redesigned console, they have a chance. Why is the Japanese market important? Well, even with game sales in decline there right now, it's still a lot of money on the table. Not only that, you can't really say you've been successful unless you can make it in Japan which in many ways is still the center of the video gaming universe. And that has implications for getting the best developers to write games for your platform which means more royalties for you.
So bring on the Dating Sims!
To the making of books there is no end, so let's get started
Does that mean more games with characters with blue hair, big eyes, bad dubbing, and disco clothes? And stories about being good to the earth?
They should cut their losses there. They think the more money they through at the problem, the better it will be. It isn't Iraq, it's Japan. Microsoft won't ever understand the market for niche games and dating sims that are so popular over there.
Are the going to get exclusive for Xbox2 Yoshinoya 2? That won't sell more systems.
Tried and failed. If they couldn't buy Square then, I very much doubt they could buy Squeeeeeenix now.
Rob
Don't codename the Xbox 2 the Manhattan Project. Codenaming the X-box "Project Midway" didn't help your situation in Japan.
Teenage Pee Party. Take the low road MS!
I find this a bit amusing, mainly because many games made in japan never make it to the us (as they would never sell), or the content is changes to suit the american palette (usually toned down).
:)
So, this make me wonder, are the games that get sold in japan going to be toned down american games, or perhaps the opposite,, they will be toned up with a lot more sex and violence. Dont forget the tentacles!
1.-DONT make fun of japanese business men in your E3 presentation video! (It doesnt work I've tried.) Sorry I dont have the link around.
2.-Get square enix to sign just picture this: Final Fantasy X... BX!
3.-Convince capcom to port megaman, viewtiful joe and DMC
4.-Change every single football game in development for dating sims and every FPS (except halo2) for RPGs replace blood and gore in adventure for cutesy hamsters, girls with eyes the size of the moon and hair every color of the rainbow and fuzzy critters that curiously enough can only pronounce their own wacky name.
5.-PROFIT! (maybe)
(Hehehehehe, Sorry I couldnt help myself)
Go ahead MOD my day!
More opinions here
Is to buy some japanese companies.
As cited, simply trying to get them to make xbox only games wont work, microsoft needs to actually buy someone in japan then they will have xbox-only japanese titles.
Perhaps Square Enix, they are HUGE in japan or something (something to do with some RPG series or something). Although I am sure that even if Microsoft threw every cent it has at buying them (square enix) out, they still wouldnt be able to do it (and not because they dont have enough money, no amount of money will overcome the 1000s of japanese bringing the country to a standstill with protests because they dont want square enix going to MS)