The funny thing is I was looking at some old IGN Xbox 360s articles to update one of my documents and I found this little gem:

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Square Enix Considers X360 for Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy

Microsoft's new console may get some big Japanese support.

by Anoop Gantayat

November 15, 2005 - A major shot in the next generation system wars could end up being fired at next year's E3. Reuters news service reveals today that Square Enix will solidify its plans for Dragon Quest IX and Final Fantasy XIII in time for the May show.

Square Enix President Yoichi Wada, in an interview conducted by Reuters on the 14th, disclosed to the news service that the possibility exists for Square Enix to offer the titles on both the X360 and PS3. "We plan on solidifying our plans by E3 to offer both on the PS3 and Xbox 360, or place both on just one [system]," Wada explained.

Getting the main numbered entries in the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series would be a major boost to Microsoft in Japan. Square Enix has previously announced that the Final Fantasy series will come to the PS3 but has not made any mention of Dragon Quest.

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2005 was obviously an interesting time. The DS vs. PSP was battle was still unclear in Japan and worldwide. HD vs. Blu Ray was somewhat unclear, and by extension PS3 vs. 360 was unclear. When DS vs. PSP was decided more quickly in Japan, with DS exploding from late 05' to late 07' in Japan its pretty clear that Square-Enix decided Dragon Quest IX would do gangbusters in Japan.

But I wonder what Sony did to convince Square-Enix to make Final Fantasy XIII a PS3 exclusive? Enterbrain was one of the only companies to predict that PS3 would start off somewhat slowly in Japan before it launched so I don't think Square-Enix was expecting PS3 to be under 3m in Japan in mid 2008.

Wow the same points have been made over and over.

NO Microsoft couldn't have added HD-DVD, the only reason they even have a chance is their lower price and their one year headstart. Surprisingly both the high price and the delayed start of the PS3 were due to BluRay inclusion and blue laser shortages.

And they wasted unknown amounts of money securing exclusive JRPGs for a console that is not sold in Japan. I don't think buying FFXIII would have been cost-effective especially since it will come out sometimes in the distant future. Let's see what it helps SONY.

TheSource said: The funny thing is I was looking at some old IGN Xbox 360s articles to update one of my documents and I found this little gem: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IGN » Games » Xbox 360 » News Square Enix Considers X360 for Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy Microsoft's new console may get some big Japanese support. by Anoop Gantayat November 15, 2005 - A major shot in the next generation system wars could end up being fired at next year's E3. Reuters news service reveals today that Square Enix will solidify its plans for Dragon Quest IX and Final Fantasy XIII in time for the May show. Square Enix President Yoichi Wada, in an interview conducted by Reuters on the 14th, disclosed to the news service that the possibility exists for Square Enix to offer the titles on both the X360 and PS3. "We plan on solidifying our plans by E3 to offer both on the PS3 and Xbox 360, or place both on just one [system]," Wada explained. Getting the main numbered entries in the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series would be a major boost to Microsoft in Japan. Square Enix has previously announced that the Final Fantasy series will come to the PS3 but has not made any mention of Dragon Quest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2005 was obviously an interesting time. The DS vs. PSP was battle was still unclear in Japan and worldwide. HD vs. Blu Ray was somewhat unclear, and by extension PS3 vs. 360 was unclear. When DS vs. PSP was decided more quickly in Japan, with DS exploding from late 05' to late 07' in Japan its pretty clear that Square-Enix decided Dragon Quest IX would do gangbusters in Japan. But I wonder what Sony did to convince Square-Enix to make Final Fantasy XIII a PS3 exclusive? Enterbrain was one of the only companies to predict that PS3 would start off somewhat slowly in Japan before it launched so I don't think Square-Enix was expecting PS3 to be under 3m in Japan in mid 2008.

I think SE knows that when best selling FF (FFVII & FFX) games were released in Japan the install base was just over 5 million. PS3 don't need to sell on the level of Wii to see the same level of sales like last couple of generations. By the time FFXIII will be released PS3 will reach 4 million with holiday sales and hype. And another "HUGE" bost after which will be 4-5 times bigger then MGS4 launch.

Wow, you completely forgot everything.

There was a $299 XBOX 360 called the core model.

Initially as well, and sony announced the 500/600 ps3, did it crush them? No

MGS4 didnt boost sales, sure because increasing PS3 sales over 150k world wide is no boost.

Leo-J, take your blinders off - the $500/$600 pricetag was the worst-recieved piece of Sony news that has hit them since they've been in the console market. Their console sales pre-drop were atrocious. You can't change that.

first thing they should have done was make a console that didnt brake down every 4 months that would be helpfull

I agree with stickball.

But I think in the fall of 2007, Microsoft agenda was not so much to destroy Sony but to become profitable. Every moves they have taken since then has been to maximized the bottom line. I think 360 for them has exceed their expectation already as far as success ... compare to the first Xbox, the 360 is far more successful.

I totally agree about their 1st party studio. Again, i think their new strategy is to maximize profit and rely on 3rd party for software and thus reduced the cost associated with producting games. May be we will see some change this year and next with them pushing for more casual space.