Well i'm gonna have to agree wtih Moore just because Sony is a Japanese company, and has absolutely dominated Japan the last 2 generations, especially with PS2. This might be one of those right message, wrong messanger type of stories though.

 The last eight months make it pretty clear Sony knows fuck-all about the market and how to advertise to Japan.

It seems like the most prevalent response in this topic for the "against" side is "Well Microsoft doesn't sell shit in Japan, who are they to say Sony's plan is collapsing?"  Fact of the matter is, Moore has stated, quite openly, that Microsoft is not doing well in Japan.  It's never done well in Japan.  But, it's doing better in Japan than it did last time.

Besides, do you have to own a record label to say some other artist's music is poor?  It doesn't matter who said Sony was doing poorly, it's still true.  They are doing pitifully in Japan, in comparison to the Wii, in comparison to the PS2, even in comparison to the Xbox 360. 

Avinash_Tyagi said:

>>I don't think anyone expected the 360 to be anything but number three in Japan as far as the home consoles go, but Sony has been dominant for two gens over there, and to have them fall so far, so fast, has been a surprise, the PS3 is not selling even remotely well only doing about twice as many sales as the 360, and will likely never be able to catch up to the Wii in Japan, this is very damaging to the PS3's chances since it isn't doing that well in NA or Europe either.<<

What you are saying is totally true, but the angle I find missing in this overall story is that the 360 has been "punched in the gut" just as hard by the Wii (worldwide). The only difference is the XBOX brand has significantly less of a distance to fall. {smiley}

Let's use a sports analogy here:

Imagine a team that has won the league championship two years in a row.  Now in the third year, they are playing terribly, making stupid decisions and generally playing well below the expectations of their fans, not to mention themselves.  The team that finished second the last two years is now playing very well and has a substantial (if not insurmountable) lead in the standings.  Meanwhile, the perennial loser is still in last place.

Who is having the more disappointing season?  The team in last place?  Or the former champion that is faltering?

The last place team sucks.  You know it, I know it and they know it.  But that's what they expected.  The former champion had higher expectations and therefore has greater disappointment.

That's pretty much my feelings: Right message, wrong messenger.

If MS can figure out how to get there sales up in Japan Sony is doomed. The thing is Sony is trying to do so much right now I don't think they can really focus. If they don't have a great TGS we can expect more of the same as far as software sales go. They should thank the heavens the PS2 is still selling.

Although I agree with what Moore is saying, I still think it is funny that he sidestepped the question by takeing a shot at Sony. I think a better response the the question (and one that I would have respected more) should have been along the lines of,

"We believe that Japan is very importent in the global console race. That is why we are putting great efforts into the Japanese market with the XBox 360. We have recently released great RPG games such Blue Dragon, which is on pace to become the best Selling XBox game of all time on an XBox system in Japan, and Trusty Bell. We have also released a great racing game in Forza 2 in an effort to complement our Japanese consumers. Because of games like these and and our comintmint to the Japanese consumer, the XBox360 is on pace to increase the market share in Japan over what the previous consoles marketshare was. While it is true that we are not where we would like to be right now in terms of market share right now. We are endevouring to become compeditive in the Japanese market just as we are in every other region. We look forward to the day when an XBox system can go toe to toe with Sony and Nintendo on their own turf."

I would have more respect for that answer.

 Oh, no doubt, the Wii has basically shocked the gaming world with its success, but like you said MS has never been in first place in the console market, I think MS would be happy as long as Sony ends up in third even if they lose to Ninty, part of the reason MS got into the market was to protect itself from Sony, I think MS just wants Sony to lose, and doesn't care if it loses to Ninty.

Microsoft business is crumbling in Europe ,almost non-existant in Japan and in North America they are selling each month less consoles that the prior one .I dont think they are anybody to say someones else business is "crumbling " .What happens Moore ,do you see defeat so close that you have to turn into a Nintendo supporter only to extract some revenge from the ones you cant support are beating you ?

I agree with peter moore, Sony needs to be worried about ps3 sales, nintendo is taking over japan. Sony is losing japan, they need a price cut on that ps3.