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The New Japan 360 Plan

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the not-taking-it-lying-down dept.

Gamespot lays out Microsoft's new plan for the 360 in Japan. They're not taking the initial cool reception for their console lying down. Initiatives include new games, an emphasis on the Live system, and updates on ongoing projects that appeal to Japanese gamers. From the article: "Taking time out from development work on a clutch of Xbox 360-exclusive RPGs, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi gave a progress report on a number of projects underway at his Mistwalker development company. His first game, Blue Dragon, is on track for a 2006 release. Sakaguchi says the game is playable and his team is currently focused on game balance and presentation. Sakaguchi's second game, Lost Odyssey, is slated for a 2007 launch."

3 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. "New" Plan? by Kuukai · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How exactly is this different than their old plan? These games have been in development for a while, and they've been "planning to succeed in Japan" since Xbox 1...

    --
    Sendou Wave Kick!!
  2. Re:consumer nationalism by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I can't believe this guy is getting modded insightful.
    Japanese consumers preferred giving their money to Japanese companies (Sony & Nintendo).
    Which is why iPods are selling better in Japan over any other MP3 player, including Sony's. Or why German and French cars are very popular in Japan while American cars don't sell at all.

    If Americans gave up on their "oh, it's nationalism" excuse and actually tried to make products to fit the market instead of trying to shove it down their customers, they might actually be able to sell something.

  3. Re:consumer nationalism by wiggles · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Japanese consumers preferred giving their money to Japanese companies


    This has been proven an incorrect assumption by the success of the iPod. Japanese consumers prefer only the best whiz-bang product on the market, and by 'best', they mean 'what everyone else in Japan is buying'. In the US, Sony and Nintendo have approximately equal market share when it comes to the DS vs PSP, but in Japan it isn't even close -- DS is dominating, because 'everyone else is buying a DS'. It means that only the products that can capture the attention of the market will succeed in Japan. If Microsoft can give their console a foothold in Japan, the PS3 will never sell, just like Sony's mp3 player doesn't sell.