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."

Comments

Ummmm....

[TJ_Phazerhacki]

I posted in the earlier comment that mebbe Microsoft was the Last bastion of hope for american console gamers who dont know Japanese.

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.