I did not compare the PS3's RPGs to the Xbox360s and heck it wasn't even the purpose of the thread. The whole point was to take a look at Microsofts RPG strategy this year.

The main question is - can and will Microsoft expand the potential market for the Xbox360 with these RPGs/JRPGs?

Another side point is this - will the current userbase be satisfied with these offerings?

It doesn't matter that the Xbox360 is currently in last place in Japan/Europe or if a PS3 or Wii game outsells these games, because the point is whether or not its succeeding/will succeed or fail.

Fair expectations seem to go out the window when people feel the inexplicable need to justify their console of choice.

too soon to tell..... lets let the holiday season pass.

Seems like it isn't obvious for you, so I'll have to say it explicitely.

It matters that games (specifically JRPG) on PS3 or Wii outsell these games (JRPG) on XB36, because they give you exactly the answers you need to your 2 questions:

main question: MS can't expand the potential market for XB360 with these JRPG, as they're actually shrinking these markets (lower profile games in the same series sell higher on other consoles, while the higher profile game on XB360 sell less).

side point: doubtful, put possible. You'll know that when FFXIII is released.

I know we're talking 2008 but FFXIII is a big point, it is their real hope for making their console the stand out RPG console, if they can get it released in Japan on 360 as well they can get a serious footing and the whole JRPG plan to get into other markets will work, if not I think the plan will be an almost failure as they only seem to please a few japanese fans and mostly please the american market that already has the system and a lot of MS's games.

For MS, modest success but I don't believe it has (so far) been anything to get excited about.

However I'd say it's been mixed for the games. ToV would probably have sold more on another platform for example.

Realistically it hasn't yet made any great difference in Japan. Best result so far is a spike that briefly took 360 past the mediocre sales of PS3 and still left it miles behind Wii and potential console sales in the region.

Had MS secured FF as a true multi-platform with a Japan release I'd say a definite success, but without that I think the results will remain mixed at best in Japan, particularly as (belatedly) the PS3 starts to get its own RPGs out.

In US I'd say its had the most impact - but arguably that's where MS needs help the least.

Amazing analysis.  The game would have sold better on a platform with a larger userbase.  I wish I had some sort of prize for you.

This is the problem some people seem to have.  Certain people seem to get the idea that the Playstation (J)RPG fanbase was made from thin air.  However,  the RPG fanbase on the Playstation brand wasn't that large until FFVII came out.  A similar thing is happening with the 360 if you look at the sales of Lost Odyssey.  Even so, ToV has quite a few things going against it in terms of the chances of getting LO-like popularity.

That's not the point Mr Sac.  The point is that without MS paying for it games like ToV wouldn't be exclusive as the install base doesn't warrant it, and with the small pike 360 got its not looking likely to gain enough Japanese install base to warrant other titles without paying for them either.

This nonetheless helps MS as they are looking for an improvement, but for the actual games they're selling less than their potential which I don't think is good.

Why not read in context rather than highlight something out of context?

You do realise theres a fairly decent JRPG fanbase in the U.S as well?

Furthermore it helps to win/keep the hardcore gamers who want a lot of different content for their systems.

Lastly JRPG games are a good synergy with the RPG fanbase which Microsoft seems intent on winning over at the moment.