Is Japan really essential?

[Joelcool7]

madskillz said:

Joelcool7 said:

Well the way I see it Microsoft could always out source the X-Box in Japan if they want to focus on other markets. I remember when Sega outsourced the Genesis I can't remember who too, but they gave the hardware rights to a third party to support the console! Microsoft could outsource the 360 to someone in Japan maybe Square-Enix or maybe a local hardware manufacturer. Then simply focus on software support for the region and allow a local company to give it a shot at making 360 a must buy!

Very interesting point. Would Japanese gamers bite at something that's just rebadged?

@ Pristine - you make a compelling argument - +1.

I don't know if they would bite more, but Microsoft could cut its losses by handing the 360 over to a third party manufacturer. A big company I would suggest Microsoft liscense the 360 to would be Sega Sammy, or maybe NamcoBandai. Both companies have created hardware in the past and have major pull in Japan. It would also incourage the japanese partner to produce exclusive content.

Or how about a non-gaming company. Maybe liscense the 360 to Toshiba or Phillips or another hardware manufacturer. Theirs plenty of partners who would likely jump at the chance to market the 360 in Japan. Best of all who better to sell a console to the japanese market then a Japanese manufacturer.

Also if Microsoft didn't want to out source hardware manufacturing they could build a Japanese subsiduary. Microsoft could purchase a couple japanese developers. Maybe Mystwalker and a couple other smaller studio's to help them build a Japanese user base. I remember when BlueDragon was released that the 360 momentarily become successful in Japan. Sure that faded as fast as BlueDragon did in the market place. But if Microsoft could get some more JRPG's and other Japanese titles exclusively on the 360 they could probubly become a moderate success!