By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Microsoft - Is Japan really essential?

madskillz on 23 July 2009
badgenome said:
Carl2291 said:
johnsobas said:
Yet another reason would be if Microsoft wants to get into handhelds like they say they do

I may be wrong on this... but isn't the Zune HD going to be a kind of MS handheld?

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure they ruled out making it a gaming device, at least for the moment.

Yeah, after the Xbox losses and the EDD division losing some 130B this quarter, I think they are shelving plans for a handheld.



Around the Network
badgenome on 23 July 2009
madskillz said:
badgenome said:
Carl2291 said:
johnsobas said:
Yet another reason would be if Microsoft wants to get into handhelds like they say they do

I may be wrong on this... but isn't the Zune HD going to be a kind of MS handheld?

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure they ruled out making it a gaming device, at least for the moment.

Yeah, after the Xbox losses and the EDD division losing some 130B this quarter, I think they are shelving plans for a handheld.

Yeah, I get the feeling Kim is blowing smoke even by saying that they'll do it when the time is right. The time won't be right for a very long time, and they have their hands full supporting even the 360/GFW.



Adobo on 23 July 2009

why not include those Canadians eh? grrrr



Pristine20 on 23 July 2009
madskillz said:
Pristine20 said:
Japan is essential for some 3rd party support. The Japanese gaming companies may have lost lots of footing but they still make a lot of games people love to play. It's best to have a console with an international audience to gain their favor. It would be odd for them to make games that their own people (who can probably appreciate their games best) can't play.

But, here's my point. The Western world enjoys RPGs and that's fine. Having some Japanese-based devs is cool too. I know if folks want a console that's not sold in their region, they'll just import it. (Onna76 comes to mind) I don't see with such a low return, instead of wasting money there, why not use the funds to lower the price in areas where the comp is close between MS and Sony?

@ NJ5: I'm talking about leaving consoles only - end all marketing schemes, staff and the like and just leave. To sell 8,000 consoles in a month in that country is just a waste. It costs $$$$$ for folks to market products, to promote them, and to have a base of operations in Japan. Why court an unwilling victim? How is getting a bigger marketshare in Japan so necessary? Eliminate Japan and the 360 would still be outselling the PS3 or about even.

Onna76 may be a special case. I'm play games more that the vast majority of people on the planet and I've never imported a single game in my life. One of the reasons some JP gamers are buying the 360 at all is because of its price, others bought it because it has games in their language. I'll have to say that the 360 would have next to nothing imports from Japanese gamers if it was unavailable in stores.

It may just be a culture thing but I seriously think that M$ pulling out of Japan would put them out of favor of most JP devs and the 360 would become the original xbox again: shooters, WRPGs and sports would clog the library and it would lose it's status in the eyes of many western games as well.



"Dr. Tenma, according to you, lives are equal. That's why I live today. But you must have realised it by now...the only thing people are equal in is death"---Johann Liebert (MONSTER)

"WAR is a racket. It always has been.

It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives"---Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler

Joelcool7 on 23 July 2009

Well the way I see it Microsoft could always out source the X-Box in Japan if they want to focus on other markets. I remember when Sega outsourced the Genesis I can't remember who too, but they gave the hardware rights to a third party to support the console! Microsoft could outsource the 360 to someone in Japan maybe Square-Enix or maybe a local hardware manufacturer. Then simply focus on software support for the region and allow a local company to give it a shot at making 360 a must buy!



-JC7

"In God We Trust - In Games We Play " - Joel Reimer

 

Around the Network
madskillz on 24 July 2009
Joelcool7 said:

Well the way I see it Microsoft could always out source the X-Box in Japan if they want to focus on other markets. I remember when Sega outsourced the Genesis I can't remember who too, but they gave the hardware rights to a third party to support the console! Microsoft could outsource the 360 to someone in Japan maybe Square-Enix or maybe a local hardware manufacturer. Then simply focus on software support for the region and allow a local company to give it a shot at making 360 a must buy!

Very interesting point. Would Japanese gamers bite at something that's just rebadged?

@ Pristine - you make a compelling argument - +1.



numonex on 24 July 2009
badgenome said:


We have a winner

Zizzla_Rachet on 24 July 2009

Ninty and Sony yes.....For MS..It's more of having Japanese games coming to the console...so to build a Japanese install base and appease nerds that buy JRPGS



 



waron on 24 July 2009

wow at some people, just wow.

MS not giving a fuck about japan - say goodbye to huge part of games(if not most of them) from japanese developers. just look how first xbox ended.



Aion on 24 July 2009

No they should pay more attention somewhere else or make a handheld.



 

   PROUD MEMBER OF THE PLAYSTATION 3 : RPG FAN CLUB