Speaking from the US perspective, I can give a couple of big reasons why this is...
1: Unlike a good chunk of the rest of the world (specifically Japan, but also many parts of Europe as well), the general gaming populace isn't fiercely loyal to one specific console manufacturer or another here, nor do we shun entertainment companies who aren't based in our home country. We've gone from Atari to Nintendo, to briefly SEGA then back to Nintendo, then Sony and then Nintendo again, then M$ and for now back to Sony as console market share leaders over the past 30 years.
2: While the console industry was completely dominated by Japanese-developed games and consoles for nearly two decades, in the past gen the Xbox brand, especially 360, helped consoles branch out to more western style games that were traditionally only found on PC like online shooters, strategy and WRPGs. Since the PC / Windows platform was so popular in the west, especially in the US, having the Xbox / Xbox 360 as more living room friendly extensions of these platforms greatly increased the audience and appeal of traditionally PC-only titles and genres.
Also M$ may not have been the first to bring online gaming to consoles, but they were the first to get it right with their Xbox Live platform, and for a good portion of last gen XBL was a big selling point for the 360, and it was the lead platform for many of the biggest online titles like Halo and COD.
On 2/24/13, MB1025 said:
You know I was always wondering why no one ever used the dollar sign for $ony, but then I realized they have no money so it would be pointless.
