the state of: Xbox360 in Japan

[sabre2922]

From Next-gen http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5910&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=1


Forza Motorsports, Microsoft's epic dynamo of a racing simulation, received a brilliant and deserved platinum score of 9, 9, 9, 9 from Famitsu. How well did the game sell, then? Well, according to this week's charts, it debuted at #25, selling 9,870 copies. Next week will see it drop off the chart, probably forever.
Though the PlayStation 3 might not be a dynamo just yet, its presence in Japanese retail is downright monolithic. Three 52-inch, beautiful Sony Bravia X series 1080p HD screens in every major electronics store in the country, with gorgeous demos of the bland games drawing frothing crowds, who stand around staring, numb, like kids on Christmas. And there's the Xbox in the corner -- at one of the largest games shops in Akihabara, Xbox games are located in the pornography aisle, far from the games -- with a dusty, beat up Samsung LCD, the picture squeezed and compressed because no one at Microsoft thought it was a good idea to send retail staff a memo with instructions for how to flip the "HD" switch on the component cable. Demos of Forza 2 rage on in milky SD on silky HD monitors. It's frighteningly careless.
Ninja Gaiden is a nice game, one which the gamers of Japan would have probably loved if it had ever been released in Japan. (It was on this system called an Xbox many years ago, though no one seems to know what an Xbox is.) So it's getting a second chance on PS3, just as Biohazard 4 is getting a third chance on the Nintendo Wii. With each successive release of Biohazard 4, the audience has doubled or tripled. And say what you will about the PS3's sales overall -- it's still kicking the Xbox's ass. (in Japan)

[theMot]

Yeah same old same old.

You'll find going back though gaming history nothing from the states has ever sold well in Japan. Look at the varying models of Atari's, commodores, Amigas, PC (gaming), sinclairs, etc. All success in their markets all bombed in Japan.

None of those systems needed the support of the Japanese to attract AAA titles from american, ozzie and european developers and the 360 will be the same as has already been proven.

[norkusa]

I never really understood why Xbox does so bad in Japan. It sells well in the rest of the world and they are plenty of good games for it. Are the Japanese just dicks and refuse to touch anything American, no matter how good it is?

[ubersaurus]

I never really understood why Xbox does so bad in Japan. It sells well in the rest of the world and they are plenty of good games for it. Are the Japanese just dicks and refuse to touch anything American, no matter how good it is?

Everything I've heard from the japanese was that it doesn't have very many games that appeal to Japanese tastes, and also the marketing is GOD AWFUL.

[PallarAndersVisa]

Why bother posting this? We know how poor the Xbox does in that small country, and we know how poor the PS3 does in this huge country of USA.

[diskoboy]

NO console developed outside Japan has ever succeded in there.

Not one.

The Japanese view anything not made by them as garbage. It's sad, but true... You can try and flood this console with as many RPG's as you want - it still won't help.

[segagamer4life]

NO console developed outside Japan has ever succeded in there.

Not one.

The Japanese view anything not made by them as garbage. It's sad, but true... You can try and flood this console with as many RPG's as you want - it still won't help.



sad, but true, those damn japanese...... LOL

[TurboGenesis]

Pretty soon (more like now) everything is going to be Chinese. Then what everyone goin do?!?!

Made in China. - Look at ANYTHING made today.....

[ubersaurus]

NO console developed outside Japan has ever succeded in there.

Not one.

The Japanese view anything not made by them as garbage. It's sad, but true... You can try and flood this console with as many RPG's as you want - it still won't help.

To be fair, the jaguar and 3DO didn't exactly set the world on fire in the US, either.

And the Odyssey 2, Intellivision, Atari 2600 consoles came out the same time as the Famicom in Japan, and you can't possibly tell me they could compete against a machine that much their technological superior that was priced at about the same level.

Really the original xbox was the first US game console to be worth a damn in decades, so it's not like we have much history to draw back on. If the japanese don't like it because the marketing makes no sense at best and is insulting at worst, than I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

[norkusa]

What's so bad about the Japanese marketing? Is it just off target, or is it completely non-existant.

[Damaramu]

:deadhorse:

On the subject of this topic:

Tell us something we don't know already.

You'd think MS would get their shit together in Japan and woo some big developers. Come on, they've got the bucks so why not use them? Score some exclusives! Change up your marketing campaign. And for Crom's sake, make sure retailers aren't gonna pigeon hole your displays.

[monkeysuit]

Whoa, whoa, whoa...you're telling me that Microsoft's "Do! Do! Do!" campaign wasn't successful? That's so...surprising.

[sabre2922]

:deadhorse:

On the subject of this topic:

Tell us something we don't know already.

You'd think MS would get their shit together in Japan and woo some big developers. Come on, they've got the bucks so why not use them? Score some exclusives! Change up your marketing campaign. And for Crom's sake, make sure retailers aren't gonna pigeon hole your displays.

Damn and these remarks from my favorite forum:hail:

I never stated that this was anything NEW.

I thought what was most interesting was the fact that they put the 360 games in the same section as thier porn ROFL

[CartCollector]

I thought what was most interesting was the fact that they put the 360 games in the same section as thier porn

Well, for the DOA series it makes sense...

[Richter Belmount]

Maybe we can get japanese games still for xbox 360 , if microsoft invested more in microsoft japan.

[Snapple]

Change the label and tell them it's a Super DS or something.

[ubersaurus]

What's so bad about the Japanese marketing? Is it just off target, or is it completely non-existant.

It exists, but it's largely nonsensical. I mean, check out this big campaign:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4tv0TaVPs

Even in a country known for stupid commercials, that's bad.

[ProgrammingAce]

Ask apple how the iPod is selling in japan, then tell me american products can't sell there.

[CartCollector]

The thing with Apple is that they potray themselves as the minority product. Microsoft, however, potrays themself as the majority product, when they're not (for example, look at the stampede of people - are the Japanese really running out in droves to get 360s?). People get turned off by this reality disconnect. Watch the first commercial here - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PysRX8DQp0) do you think this would actually happen? I think the kid at the end would more likely say "What's an Adam?" than "Really?"
A better strategy for Microsoft in Japan would be to adopt the Apple technique for once and do comparison commercials, where the 360's better qualities (price, selection of games, reliable online network) are shown off compared to the PS3's, rather than having some metrosexual boy band chant "Do! Do! Do!"

[Neo Rasa]

Microsoft's mistake is that BLINX was the offiical XBox mascot in Japan.

If they plan to put a third XBox system out in Japan though they still have a long way to go. Blue Dragon actually did cause a spike in sales, so I would argue that putting more Japanese RPGs/games in general on the system will help, just slowly.

[hezeuschrist]

The Japanese view anything not made by them as garbage. It's sad, but true... You can try and flood this console with as many RPG's as you want - it still won't help.

Seriously, when are people going to stop spouting this rampant nonsense? In the sake of the game world, yes, they've been hesitant to adopt the American based product, not because it's bad, it's just not something that appeals to them.

Why don't we get the yearly train simulators and anime porn games over here? There's no mass market appeal for them, so they don't bother. I would say Microsoft shouldn't bother, but that niche market of Otaku (or whatever the hell they're called) in the states is a pretty important market to secure stateside.

The fact is, if Microsoft wanted the Xbox to be a hit in Japan, it would be. They have more than enough money to throw at it, but they've been in the red for 6 solid years in the Xbox division and it's just not worth it to them to try and secure that market... yet. And it may never be worth it.

But you know what? The Xbox 360 is hands down my favorite console of all time, even over the beloved SNES of my golden gaming days. I live in America, where it reigns with authority and support for the aspects I care about. I don't live in Japan, and so I don't really give a shit if it does well there or not, and I'll certainly never believe the fact that it's produced by an American company is it's hindering factor.

American Music, American Cinema, American Soda, the Apple iPod... all major examples of brands that have deeply penetrated (heh) the Japanese market to be wildly popular. Microsoft just doesn't care to spend the money to do so with the Xbox.

[Steve W]

One reason the iPod has done so well in Japan is because of it's cuteness factor, especially the Nano. And the Japanese obsession for things that are tiny.

The Japanese have always been fairly xenophobic. They've historically been an isolationist country, and they're not that used to foreigners even today. They believe that any non-Japanese console is inherently inferior. Nothing that can be done about it, it's just their culture.

Here's an article about English teachers living in Japan. The last part tells about how Westerners are stared at and treated very strangely, like nobody wanting to sit next to them on a bus or train.
http://otakubooty.bootyproject.org/show_article.asp?id_article=5628

[Snapple]

It's not that Americans don't want anime porn games. It's that most of them have two cents' worth of production values coupled with an outrageous pricetag.

Er... not that I know anything about that stuff.

[norkusa]

The Japanese have always been fairly xenophobic. They've historically been an isolationist country, and they're not that used to foreigners even today.

I can believe that. One of the first things my Japanese roommate in college asked me was how many guns I owned. He was totally surprised when I said I didn't have any. He thought all americans owned at least 1 gun.

No wonder they're afraid of foreigners. They think we're all strapped.

[exit]

As stated before, they love everything small (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McOd7mJ6co8) in Japan, the smaller the better. So if they just release a really small 360 they'll strike gold.


Watch the first commercial here - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PysRX8DQp0) do you think this would actually happen? I think the kid at the end would more likely say "What's an Adam?" than "Really?"


I love how as the announcer says the computer comes complete, "monitor not included" pops up at the same time. Also, I want to punch that girl in the Colecovision commercial in the face. When will advertisers realize that smart ass little kids aren't cute, they're annoying.

[RugalSizzler]

Ask apple how the iPod is selling in japan, then tell me american products can't sell there.

In the workplace many people Imac and I computers to do there work. A great example is the Sega Saturn and the current use of technology to animate works.

[RugalSizzler]

He thought all americans owned at least 1 gun.



That is funny. Back when I was on PSO on the GCN I had a conversation with a
20+ woman and she asked me that same question and I repied with the reverse of that question ( you can pretty much guess what I asked her. )

Good I miss PSO and how we had culture exchange up till all the Japanese thought that all people from the west was cheaters and they had that fobe thing growing. I mean come on now.

I even got to see Japanese Cheaters too on that note. It was so funny to be in a room filled with people sweating the Oiga flow sword. Still I probably deserved the BSOD for terrorizing there games at the timeROFL



Er... not that I know anything about that stuff.

Play Grandia and think about how long it takes to animate all those expressions. Honestly I still don't get how they animate that stuff on PC. I know it is not FMV either.



I never really understood why Xbox does so bad in Japan.

All X-box has is FPS and nobody likes FPS since all you can do is look around and kill kill kill. There is also Japanese games we will never see in the USA along with the fact the games are below the belt just like USA.

[diskoboy]

And the Japanese obsession for things that are tiny.

LOL LOL

I'm sorry... You can't tell me that's not funny!!

[Lord_Magus]

Ok, time to set some of this "Japanese people don't like foreign products" ignorance straight. I'm currently residing in Kyoto, and the impression I've received of the Japanese people is actually quite the opposite. Not only do they not despise foreign products/people, but they actually have an unusual fascination for them.

99.9% of the Japanese people I've met have actually been very modest and humble about their culture and themselves, and most of them stare at me with awe when I tell them I'm from Australia - as if I came from another planet or something. When I tell them I came to Japan to work as a games programmer, they usually look at me with disbelief, and ask me what is so special about Japan and why the hell anyone would want to come here in the first place. Perhaps older generations are indeed a little(?) xenophobic, but this is rapidly changing and the younger people here are *very* open to western culture and its people.

Now, on the topic of the 360, I've been asking around myself to see why it isn't doing so well here. Most of the younger Japanese don't even consider it as an option, simply because they aren't aware of what it has to offer. It's not only a matter of proper marketing, but mostly a matter of having something worth marketing, and other than Blue Dragon I can't see anything else for the 360 that would be a huge success in Japan. One major factor is that PC gaming isn't really that big here, and subsequently, the (mostly) PC-type games out for the 360 aren't appealing enough to the average Japanese gamer. I haven't met many people who know of popular PC games such as Deus Ex, Unreal, Half Life, Command and Conquer etc... This simply isn't the country for these types of games, and as a result, the sales of the 360 suffer.

It's the same situation if you'd imagine Nintendo/Sony bringing out a new console in the west which only offers quirky Japanese games - sure, some of the more open-minded gamers would definitely find it appealing, but overall, it would be an inevitable mass market failure.

[j_factor]

I don't think you can blame xenophobia for the Xboxes's lack of fortune in Japan. It's true that no Western-designed system has ever been popular there, but none of them were ever in any position to be. Atari's old consoles were downright rare in Japan, and I don't think Intellivision or Colecovision were ever released there. And can you really blame them for not buying the Jaguar in droves? Other Western systems have had severe issues preventing their success in the Japanese market, like how N-Gage was only made as a GSM phone and GSM isn't commonly used in Japan. Xbox and 360 have simply never had the right marketing or the right games to really appeal to the Japanese market. Actually, I'm told Xbox's Japanese sales never surpassed 3DO's (which was also an American system) -- so clearly, it's something other than anti-American sentiment preventing Xbox from being a success in Japan. It seems to me that Microsoft isn't really trying.

[smork]

Yay! More discussion on the hoary old topic of "The Japanese don't like it; they must hate Americans". I guess every failure of an American product overseas is due to xenophobia.

[WanganRunner]

NO console developed outside Japan has ever succeded in there.

Not one.

The Japanese view anything not made by them as garbage. It's sad, but true... You can try and flood this console with as many RPG's as you want - it still won't help.

It's true that no American console has ever succeeded in Japan, but it isn't because the Japanese view anything not made by them as garbage.

A previous poster was correct in that the Xbox(s) have failed because they don't have games that appeal to Japanese tastes and they aren't marketed correctly.

First and foremost, you can't waltz into the Japanese market with a first person shooter and expect it to sell systems, this was the biggest problem they had with the original Xbox. NO ONE CARES about Halo or Gears of War in Japan, they just don't play FPS.

Secondly, I don't know why it's a surprise that Forza isn't selling. The Japanese would rather play GT4, because it has all the eleventy billion versions of Skylines, Sunny's, and 180sx's that they want to drive in-game. They don't care if you can drive the Enzo or not, they want JDM cars, and GT4 has JDM cars.

Furthermore, given that the Xbox has neither the mainline Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy franchises on it, it'll never compete with another similar system that does.

If you made Dragon Quest a 360 exclusive for the next 2 games, it'd sell in droves in Japan.



There also aren't enough "quirky" 360 games. Where are the hentai dating sims, the train simulations, the wacky puzzle games, etc....? This stuff is regarded as a joke in the US but it DRIVES the Japanese gaming market.

The only way a US console will ever succeed in Japan is to get the big RPG's as EXCLUSIVES. That will sell systems and then the other content will follow (i.e. the weird stuff).

Forza and Halo won't sell systems there.


EDIT: When I was in Japan, I didn't experience any Japanese being unfriendly to me because I was American, but rather quite the opposite. Everyone wanted to talk to me and go out for drinks or whatever, I felt like the king of the world. Americans who are getting the cold shoulder in Japan are probably doing something wrong or offensive.

[Griking]

HERE'S (http://www.ohmibod.com/) the reason that the i-Pod is so popular in Japan.

[sabre2922]

HERE'S (http://www.ohmibod.com/) the reason that the i-Pod is so popular in Japan.


HA now thats FUNNY

"feel the music"

[jajaja]

Why bother posting this? We know how poor the Xbox does in that small country, and we know how poor the PS3 does in this huge country of USA.

According to Wikipeida it lives over 127 million people in Japan, its not exactly a small country, by population atleast.

[ubersaurus]

Gears of War sold relatively well in Japan. I read somewhere that a lot of japanese get motion sickness playing first person shooters, and have no such problem with 3rd person games like GOW. As a result, pretty much if you owned a 360, you picked up that game.