@Michael-5

You are right that Microsoft abandoned its exclusive JRPG strategy, but it was a strategy that didn't bare any real fruit for them. The Japanese market didn't reward them for their efforts even when the 360 had half a dozen exclusives, and the PS3 basically had none. The Japanese consumer still purchased far more PS3s per week, and like it or not it isn't a particularly important genre outside of Japan.

All companies have to respond to what the consumers want, and Japanese consumers didn't like those games enough to buy a 360 to play them, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Western audiences can easily live without them. Anyway Microsoft doesn't have to fund exclusives anymore, because the likes of Square have warmed up to the idea of developing for their platform. Don't get me wrong I had a lot of fun with those exclusives, but Microsoft probably did better by putting more effort into other genres that consumers would and have rewarded them for.

If you were them what would you do. Fund a game that will ten to fifteen thousand more 360s in Japan, or fund a game that might sell a million more 360s in the Western market. They tried it didn't work and they moved on, and to be honest I doubt that if they had twice as many exclusives in that genre that it would have done them any good. It is pretty obvious that there is a strong nationalism component to the situation.

That said I think Microsoft might make more headway in the future if their hardware itself becomes more appealing. The idea of full room immersion might create a better aesthetic, and Japanese consumers may be more accepting of the idea of playing games on a Microsoft console. If that happens Microsoft might get back in the game of funding more exclusives in that genre.

Regardless of the profitability of JRPG's on a Microsoft console. I was pointing out that the 360 in 2013 is marked as "the only box for premium entertainment." The quote the OP has it bolded himself.

I was just pointing out the irony since the 360 currently is a very one sided console, appealing specifically to American tastes. Not only is the 360 one sided, but Microsoft has shown a lack of interest in producing games which truely appeal to others. I mean with Rare under their wing, Microsoft could have produced an epic Banjo Kazooie or Perfect Dark game, but instead made some half ass crap which hurt the brand.

NextBox might be better at making games for all gamers, but even if Microsoft had a change of attitude and wnated to make different genres of games. They can't just suddenly produce games which compete with established Nintendo and Sony  products. A good example would be the Forza Series, Forza 1 didn't make GT fans switch over, and neither did Forza 2. It took 3 attemps for GT fans to even consider Forza a compeditor to GT, and a 4th attemp for them to take the franchise seriously.

Forza is a racing game, which appeals to Americans, and globally, but what about genres which aren't popular in the USA? If Microsoft keeps producing new domestic development studios, it will never be able to compete in other genres, even genres popular in the USA (Americans love Japanese Platformers)


I agree that it was smart for microsoft to cut ties with Japanese exclusives, but if you cut out potentially appealing games for 1.3rd the market it's pretty damn ironic that you say your system is for everyone. Microsoft does not have the attitude to develop games for other markets, let alone good games which make us forget about Sony and Nintendo. Still people want more then Multiplatform titles, people will prefer a WiiU or a PS4 for various genres (say platformer even) which Microsoft isn't good at developing.



I just hate it when one brand says they have it all, when they clearly don't. Be it games, cars, clothing, women, whatever. It's being ignorant, and shoiwng it, which deters me from your products.

Windows is huge worldwide, but it's not like Computer buyers have a choice. Microsoft and Apple entered the computer market before anyone else, and established themselves early on, making a monopoly. Microsoft and Apple are also two of the largest companies in the world, it's not like some larger company can just walk in and make an OS and get hardware manufacturers to build machines specific to that OS.

Microsoft could damage others by making good platformers, JRPG's and games MS hasn't traditionally made or bought exclusivity for, but I feel there they are a bit cocky about it (like Sony).

NextBox will probably be a good, all in one media system, but nothing beats my PC plugged into my TV. I really doubt it's the only box people need, especially when PS3/360 only recognized a limited list of file types, and were locked/limited in expanding that list. In terms of multi-media use, a PC or Android device will always be a lot better because the limitations of the hardware are user defined, and not manufacturer defined.

So, no matter how good of a multi-media device the next box because, I will not be impressed because I know MS will be greedy and charge a premium for various services, which either should be free, are cheaper by other means (legal means), or optimized better on other hardware (Facebook on PC is better then on console).

Breakdown time...

"ridiculous opinion"," PS3 fans", "bias"

Key words in your response.

1."ridiculous opinion": Look at my post and clarify where what I wrote was ridiculous besides saying it looked good, but I've never had to worry about Microsoft with multimedia. In fact, my biggest gripe with Sony (in other posts) is that they don't market and add flash and flare to their media like Microsoft. All I said was that I hope they have games to match the flashy multimedia aspects that they always seem to implement so well. I give credit where its due and your prying eyes want to read more into it than what is written.

2. " PS3 fans": Not once did I boast about Sony or any other competition to Microsoft, but rather their lack of focus on games.

3. "bias":  Where? Where? Tell me where there was bias? I think the idea is pretty cool, besides for people with epilepsy, maybe. 

There is a difference between bias and constructive criticism. Learn the difference and YOU stop acting like a paranoid Microsoft fanboy.

1. Obviously I'm referring to how you regularly crowbar a reminder you don't feel MS puts out good games. Don't play stupid, this wasn't even subtle. "I've never doubted Microsoft when it comes to entertainment pieces and multimedia, just games." You're a rabid Sony fan and you're always in MS threads spewing crap like this.

2. Like I told you in other threads, MS puts out games at par and arguagly better than Sony and NIntendo. They're plenty focused on games.  All of Sony's 2012 releases were bombs. Yet I don't hear your complaints about Sony's lack of focus on quality.

3. Your criticism is never contructive. You doubt their games...? Why? Because you personally don't enjoy them? Pretty much everything you say about MS is obnoxious, never constructive.

1. There you go seeing what you want to see again. you quoted me and still managed to stretch what I wrote into something worse than what it was. If you are reading what I am writing properly you would see what I WANT their games to be on par with their multimedia prowess which is relentless on a yearly basis.

2. That is your opinion. You cannot force me to believe it and I will not get into an "arguably better games than the competition" argument, because that will start a list war and that is where you will lose.

3. If you act like I am the only one to offer the same criticism, you are blind to the gaming media. What is constructive you huh? Acting like they are perfect? No.

Warning: Now take your paranoia and keep it to yourself before I get the mods to assess the situation. Unlike probably you an some others, I don't stealth report people without a warning. I want people to know when I do it. It's a little something called harassment.

I don't like how Microsoft is treating their core gamers...

Can you fix the title? XBOX 361, haptic controller, Wii U name and price, and more XBOX live teirs are just a couple of the things this "leak" got wrong. Maybe you should say "plans revealed 60ish% accurate so far.

1. Okay, lets pretend you weren't downplaying their games. And lets pretend you haven't done so in other threads. Perhaps their multimedia prowess only seems amazing because the competition is lackluster. Saying you want their games at par with their multimedia is ridiculous. Its apples and oranges.

2. The only list wars Sony is winning at the moment is quantity and most bombs.

I can say MS puts out arguably better games than Sony because Sony doesn't have anything that blows Halo, Forza, or Fable out of the water. I can argue that because I prefer those games over pretty much everything Sony puts out. You feel Sony puts out better games as if it were a fact. But when I play Sony games... I just don't understand the hype.

3. What is constructive to me? Well maybe some thoughts that aren't motivated by bias. I mean you really think saying MS's games should be at par with multimedia is useful criticism? That doesn't even make sense!

Fine, tell them I am harassing you. I don't care because I genuinely don't feel I am. This is a forum, its where people share thoughs with each other. If you share a thought don't be surprised if someone responds and questions you. I don't seek you out, coincidentally you always just seem to pop up in MS threads even though you clearly aren't a fan.

1. I am not pretending and I am not downplaying Microsofts games, they just don't put that much money into a game unless they know it can sell. They even admitted it. I guess that is an inconvenient truth, but again even they wouldn't disagree because they talked about the risk that comes with new IP's. Sure they'll start a gen with some, but they only leave the gen still with a full hand of titles and nothing more. Granted that means they are smart, but it also shows a lack of heart when it comes to taking risk to push gaming to a true next level. 

2. I don't need to argue that Microsoft has the best shooter, because thats all based on personal  taste. Personally speaking, I think Halo is one of the best shooters of all time, but thats where the buck stops on Microsofts first party. I like Forza, but I believe GT is the complete experience and for either you or me that can be subjective. Again...don't do list wars...you will lose when it comes to games Microsoft actually creates. You can bring Fable into this but I told everyone that even though Fable sold fairly well Lionhead would implode and the house of cards would fall on that disgrace of an RPG  because of the lack of ability to close in on bets made that they would revolutionize RPG's. They had people banking on a promise and now the top devs have left and Molyneux left the building. The first Fable made me say hello, but the second and third put a nail in the coffin of the promises made by that company.

3.When I say Microsofts games should be on par with their multimedia is the amount of money and effort Microsoft puts into their multimedia and acquiring other peoples apps and things they should put that into newer games, but I guess we'll see where the 360 failed there the 720 might definitely succeed, so i'll bite my tongue on that for now. Again, look at any E3 for the past three years, the biggest improvements to the Xbox are the multimedia sections. Microsoft has the multimedia foundation, Gears isn't going to last so I hope Black Tusk and the other core devs have something up their sleeve. Constuctive criticism is showing how a problem can be fixed efficiently and if you don't like that well you're seeing what you want to see. As I said before, go on any gaming site, when you look up Microsoft the majority of the games they show are multiplats and one or two exclusives per year. On the other consoles, it halfway or mostly exclusives. Their multimedia is top notch from a community perspective and the competition needs to keep their eyes peeled on the 720 when it is unveiled. 

Tell me, when I tell you that I believe what I am saying is true and you're misrepresenting my words why do you keep trying to force it down my throat that I am saying otherwise? Even when you quoted me it never helped your case. I want Microsoft to grow and evolve as a company, but more as a gaming company than a multimedia one. They've been great with multimedia since Windows, so they don't need a quiz to ace that test. Again, I like the illum room idea and you look past the fact that I think its cool just because I (as well as the gaming media) feel that Microsofts first party is shallow.