It's more about boosting 360 image and getting strong recognition in another genre IMHO that anything else.
I doubt it will drive a lot of 360 console sales, but it will probably drive some small spikes in US and Others.
SE will benefit in terms of additional sales in US / Others to 360 owners who would want the game but won't want to buy another console just for it.
No 360 in Japan is surprising, though, as it means that PS3 will get the big boost there (and that unless US suddenly goes crazy for FF the PS3 WW sales will be way larger than 360 for the game) and 360 will not gain much ground with local jRPG players.
I think this element indicates that MS (as they hinted themselves) are no longer going to try too hard in Japan anymore this gen. The likely returns are too small and they have obviously decided to focus on getting as much market share in US and Others as possible instead.
So its good for MS but it's not going to be monumental. In fact I still think that in terms of pure HW sales linked to the game the PS3 will benefit way more when the game drops in Japan exclusively on that console.
I guess the lack of 360 in Japan shows SE trying to balance the move. Applying the same logic of larger 360 install base in US/Others to Japan allows them to politely tell MS that their install base in Japan is too low to offer game there, allowing them to somewhat placate Sony that they won't lose benefits in Japan.
Overall though the game is just to damn far away right now. I'm sure in 1 month this news will have zero impact and it will all be about the games actually releasing (GoW2, RFOM2, etc) and what sales they drive.
The ironic thing is that by the time FF ships the very market as it exists now will have changed (perhaps a lot due to December 2008) and any assumptions we make now will go out the window.
Try to be reasonable... its easier than you think...
