Throwing money into the wind: Xbox v. Japan

[Ryos]

I'm usually not one to beat a dead horse, but I have to wonder when Microsoft will finally give up on the Japanese market and focus its efforts elsewhere (in other words, just about every other remotely affluent country). The brief article I came across cemented Microsoft's seemingly futile attempts at swaying Japanese gamers: "Since the Xbox launch in Japan in February 2002, the system has sold only 450,000 units. In an attempt to combat poor sales and a small software catalog, Microsoft has plans for a new line of Japanese Xbox games titled "Xbox World Collection." The games will be existing American and European Xbox games officially imported to Japan with bargain prices but no Japanese language localization or translation."

Okay, Microsoft has a terrible installation base in Japan, so much so that the DREAMCAST fared better there. Sending a bunch of untranslated, practically unworked titles to make the software line look more impressive is silly. Joe Ichiro isn't going to bother with games he may or may not have the ability to read, especially when most of this Xbox World Collection would comprise of genres that appeal to few Japanese (much of the reason Microsoft couldn't establish a foothold in the Japanese market in the first place!).

Time to throw up a white flag in Japan? For Microsoft, I'd say one is long overdue.

[dogulation000]

Throw up the flag? Well, for one thing, it's due to bad planning on Microsoft. They expected a immediate and good response; what they got was a small response. Microsoft didn't even attempt to have a load of must have games for Japanese gamers. But I don't blame them for stop making a base in Japan. If they attempt to focus on the USA, that's all console makers should start out. Solidify an extremely good base and then expand. Apparently, even if they are second place in the console wars in the USA, they are still very far from Sony. Until they can close that gap in the USA, I don't see much reason for attempting to make a base in Japan.

[Regulus]

Despite making several mistakes like these, I still fell that M$ will be the next SEGA/Nintendo after the 2 companies die. (Shut up.....I really believe this).

[Strider]

maybe they should just try making and selling some online strategy games or rpgs in korea... they like pcs there, maybe theyll like microsoft products

I really dont think its a matter of Microsoft trying to get the japanese market at this point. I think Microsoft is actually trying to show the japanese market that they will not give up on them.

I'm not sure how the asian culture feels about persistence. But I can say that if they continue to try and support the console there. It might look better for them come next go around.

Japan has been noted to harbor bad feelings for those who release console. And Dont Support it. (IE Sega) So maybe thats what they are doing.

Tho I dunno how well non translated games will look.

[Tori-Yama]

I don't think that the japnese really care about plattforms or games of other countries. I guess the only use for the Xbox in japan is if they want to realize games with higher requirements wich the PS2 can't conform (like Steel Battalion) But thats just my guess.

[Boltzmann]

Microsoft has poor titles for the japanese market, and the popularity of the PS2 makes it even worse for them.
They're in a lose-lose situation in Japan.

[Hanamichi]

And Japanese prefer to support their own products anyway.

[Kaiser Sigma]

Yes and no... first of all MS isn't losing anything, let's face it millions must mean nothing to them when they have so much funds to spend.
Second, MS is a bussiness company if they were at real loss they would be the first ones to withdraw...
Third and most important of all, if 2 years ago you'd ask someone if MS would make a place for themselves on the gamemarket the answer (including me) would have been a firm NO. Is that the reality ? I think not, not only they made a place for themselves, they are also above the GC on lots of places (excluding jp, of course). So, ca you say for sure that MS won't succeed sooner or later ? Methinks not... you know what thay say, "if at first you don't succeed then try, try again".
And luckily to back up my point MS will keep trying for a long while

[Exodus]

no translations? assuming they're not no-story action games, this doesn't sound like too good an idea. the fact that its a reduced price doesn't quite add up either. i'm surprised they don't just throw it in babelfish real quick and patch the games with a new translation.

[RZetlin]

Even before the Xbox was released, a lot of gamers knew that Japan would be tough to sell.

The failure of the 3DO should have sent siginals to the Microsoft execs that they should put more time and energy to carefully market the Xbox to the Japanese consumers.

[Exodus]

well, they may not be putting time or effort, but they are putting money into it.

[Kaiser Sigma]

Hey give them time... sooner or later they are bound to learn how things works... besides, putting money is pretty much what most of what video games companies do nowadays...

[Razor Blade]

Time is money. Although Microsoft has tons they are loosing more money in Japan than making it. But they are new. But you can also say that about Sony but look at them.

[Exodus]

well, both akready have strong ground worldwide. you're making MS sound like a new little company thats making a little console. they're all familiar with MS. problem is, MS is going at it the lazy way.

[Taisen]

Of course, it would be irresponsible of me to make any sweeping generalizations about such alarge group of people, but ALL Japanese people have three characteristics: they "speak" English, they dress very nicely, and they're short.

MS has enough money; that ain't the problem. But it's still not gonna work.

maybe they should just try making and selling some online strategy games or rpgs in korea... they like pcs there, maybe theyll like microsoft products

yeah, go korea ...I like their stuff

[Exodus]

KOF Online maybe?

that's one

[Exodus]

you've ditched that game i assume?