Utada Hikaru in bed w/ Gates (Sayonara Nintendo)

[GaijinPunch]

http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~japangaming/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4829#4829


Bilingual J-pop idol Utada Hikaru who's been known to enjoy 'Touching' will reportedly be dissing Nintendo for the next generation of consoles and be jumping on the Bill Gates bandwagon, says MSN-Mainichi Interactive News (http://www.mainichi-msn.co.jp/it/game/news/20050510org00m300050000c.html). She, along with other Hollywood dingbats such as Ashley Simpson, and Alissa Milano are reported to be in the upcoming MTV special which will be hosted by Frodo.

Utada's website even has a "Sorry, Nintendo" section on it. In case you hadn't picked up on it yet, she endorsed the Nintendo DS, unfortunately by touching the screen, and not herself. Sounds like most Japanese chics to me -- no clue what she wants.

Unconfirmed reports say that Nintendo is preliminarily debating whether to produce an awful OS to run on home PCs as a counter to stealing Ms. Utada.


So now Microsoft has done a direct strike on both Sony and Nintendo by my count.

[TheRedEye]

That is the most unbiased news source ever.

[GaijinPunch]

Mainichi is actually a very reliable news source. They are a proper newspaper in Japan, so they're not just going to blow hot air out like some fucked up game news page like Sp0nge.

[Aussie2B]

Even Utada Hikaru can't save XBox in Japan.

[TheRedEye]

Wait wait, I have a better reply:

THE DEMISE OF NINTENDO IS NEARLY UPON US

[GaijinPunch]

Even Utada Hikaru can't save XBox in Japan.

She can't, but they're showing promise. They lifted old what's-his-name that created teh FF games, and they've apparently also gotten Namco to jump on board. We've not seen what the other guys are planning yet, but M$ is already bringing out the big guns.

[shvnsth]

Even Utada Hikaru can't save XBox in Japan.

She can't, but they're showing promise. They lifted old what's-his-name that created teh FF games, and they've apparently also gotten Namco to jump on board. We've not seen what the other guys are planning yet, but M$ is already bringing out the big guns.

i wouldn't say that guy is a big gun in japan. i think a big gun is not so much a person, but a series. rare was a "big gun", and they got fucked up so bad their games are pornographic. if they got ff exclusive or dragon warrior exclusive, the japs might care. but i think that a guy who is past his prime is not a big gun.

[SuperNES]

wow im playing one of her songs right now. wow, it really sucks. *changes to the killers* which reminds me, the killers are playing at the XBox 360's unveiling. :rocker:

[GaijinPunch]

i think a big gun is not so much a person, but a series.

None of them are 'big guns' in the whole picture. There is no one 'entity' that will make the system... unless maybe Sony or Nintendo themselves joined them. But a lot of little guns will make a difference. I'm the furthest thing from an Xbox fanboy... I only have 5-6 games for the damn thing. I'm just saying, Microsoft is putting forth more than just a little effort to win over "the japs". Perhaps they'll do some things to win over the spics, gooks, and chinks next.


wow im playing one of her songs right now. wow, it really sucks. *changes to the killers* which reminds me, the killers are playing at the XBox 360's unveiling. :rocker:

Indeed, they are, and yes I think her music sucks too. :) Then again, I will probably think the killers are crap too, but have never heard their stuff.

To anyone that wants to cane me for my racial slurs, read up a couple of posts.

[joshnickerson]

Wow. I really don't care. LOL

[Daniel Thomas]

So I guess this means Microsoft will start selling 50 Xboxes a week in Japan, as opposed to the current 30.

[goatdan]

Yeah. I'm sorry, but can anyone say over-reaction? There are more than one celebrity that can go around and promote a product, and one celebrity telling people to buy the Xbox does not equal automatic Microsoft domination.

That's as crazy as saying that a certain NBA game will sell the best forever because Michael Jordan was going to endorse it. Something tells me people are going to say, "Oh, Jordan likes this game... hunh. I wonder why?" but not run out and buy it if they hear it sucks.

[Push Upstairs]

Only one thing distubed me about this...the mention of Ashley Simpson.

I wasn't aware people still cared about her? (Did they ever)


Now Alissa Milano...well...i wonder if her "attitude" towards video games has changed much since "Mario on Ice" LOL


Jason Bateman: I'm the Video Prince! LOL LOL LOL LOL

[petewhitley]

Wow. I really don't care. LOL

Sure, because you don't live in Japan and Utada Hikaru isn't one of your cultural icons.


Yeah. I'm sorry, but can anyone say over-reaction? There are more than one celebrity that can go around and promote a product, and one celebrity telling people to buy the Xbox does not equal automatic Microsoft domination.

That's as crazy as saying that a certain NBA game will sell the best forever because Michael Jordan was going to endorse it. Something tells me people are going to say, "Oh, Jordan likes this game... hunh. I wonder why?" but not run out and buy it if they hear it sucks.

I think it's something of an overreaction, but celebrities do help sell product. Where would Nike be without Mike? Still rich and famous, but surely somewhat less so. Utada Hikaru is an absolute icon in Japan, and her endorsement will lend some killer publicity to the Xbox over there (where the cult of celebrity is arguably even stronger than it is here).

[SoulBlazer]

How come I've never heard of her? Is she good looking, at least? Pics? :D

I think Microsoft is just trying to build up their image and reputation for when they launch the XBox 360 in Japan. One of the reasons I love the XBox the most of my current gaming systems is because it's so AMERICAN. American console by a American company with American aimed games. Of COURSE it's not going to do very well in Japan without a lot of changes.

But MS has always seemed willing to take losses with the XBox and learn from the experience and gain market share and improve image and reputation so that with their next system they can take a shot at knocking Sony out of Number one spot and making sure Nintendo stays down as well. Launching the system early (if the reports of coming out this Christmas are true) will help.

[GaijinPunch]

Who's over-reacting? You guys are taking this post out of context. I'm not saying that the Xbox will necessarily do better b/c of this. Just saying, M$ is taking pretty huge steps and this is pretty big victory for them. It's not going to make it any worse, is it?


and one celebrity telling people to buy the Xbox does not equal automatic Microsoft domination.

Nobody is saying that but you. But if endorsements don't work, then why do companies pay such big dollars for them? Keep in mind though that Japan may be only country in the world where people blindly imitate and buy products that their favorite moron on TV is endorsing MORE than the US... and a lot more at that.

If nothing else, this is about as good of a bitchslap as you can get in the gaming world.


at least? Pics?

Yes, she's not bad to look at. Follow the link in the original post I made. There's a very recent pic of her there. She's changed her appearance a bit. She's even got some albums coming out in the US... mainly dance remixes though. Her father (and maybe mother) are producers in Japan, so she is very much a man-made superstar.

[goatdan]

I think it's something of an overreaction, but celebrities do help sell product. Where would Nike be without Mike? Still rich and famous, but surely somewhat less so. Utada Hikaru is an absolute icon in Japan, and her endorsement will lend some killer publicity to the Xbox over there (where the cult of celebrity is arguably even stronger than it is here).

I wasn't denying that celebrities help sell products, in fact with this quote -- "Oh, Jordan likes this game... hunh. I wonder why?" -- I was trying to illustrate the point that it will interest people if celebrities are involved, but that doesn't guarantee a purchase.

I think that the Xbox could have Utada Hikaru, Icharo, Godzilla, and ten other huge Japanese stars push it right now, and it probably still wouldn't be that big of a deal. Microsoft needs games that will appeal to Japanese gamers, not celebrity endorsements...


Who's over-reacting? You guys are taking this post out of context. I'm not saying that the Xbox will necessarily do better b/c of this. Just saying, M$ is taking pretty huge steps and this is pretty big victory for them. It's not going to make it any worse, is it?

In your original post, you said "So now Microsoft has done a direct strike on both Sony and Nintendo by my count." That has nothing to do with Microsoft not necessarily doing better because of this?



and one celebrity telling people to buy the Xbox does not equal automatic Microsoft domination.

Nobody is saying that but you. But if endorsements don't work, then why do companies pay such big dollars for them? Keep in mind though that Japan may be only country in the world where people blindly imitate and buy products that their favorite moron on TV is endorsing MORE than the US... and a lot more at that.

Read your quote in the original post then... It sure makes it sound like this is some HUGE deal that will make or break the Xbox versus Sony and Nintendo in this next round.

And where the heck was it where I was pointing out how this is much to do about nothing where I claimed that her moving to the Xbox would claim total domination? You're putting words in my mouth, and I don't appreciate that.


If nothing else, this is about as good of a bitchslap as you can get in the gaming world.

Um.... no. Microsoft getting Squarenix to bring Final Fantasy to the Xbox 2 exclusively would be a slap. EA not developing Madden for the Revolution would be a slap (that I expect we'll see...). Rockstar deciding that they won't port any more titles to the Xbox would be a slap.

A celebrity spokesperson jumping ship to promote a different product? To me, that just sounds like the new company is offering them more money.

[Fuyukaze]

To me it sounds like buisness as usual. With the sales that Microsoft has had in Japan, they are simply trying to beef up their public marketing by getting names Japanese and American consumers recognize. They simply offered the right amount to them. I agree that Microsoft should get better games but I dont see where this is any kind of attack to be disgusted with. If they had tried musscling their way into an exclusive deal with any major retail chains, that would be different. As is, its nothing to be surprised, shocked, or disgusted by.

[GaijinPunch]

and it probably still wouldn't be that big of a deal. Microsoft needs games that will appeal to Japanese gamers, not celebrity endorsements...

I think it's pretty evident they're working on that.


"So now Microsoft has done a direct strike on both Sony and Nintendo by my count." That has nothing to do with Microsoft not necessarily doing better because of this?

Just a fact. They nicked old what's his name from the FF series (sorry, I don't masturbate to FF...forgot his name) and now this. Just saying, those are some pretty big pimp-slaps. Didn't Sony dominate over Nintendo by taking 3rd party support away from them?


Read your quote in the original post then... It sure makes it sound like this is some HUGE deal that will make or break the Xbox versus Sony and Nintendo in this next round.

I know very well what it says. Your imagination must've taken off. Just stating that this is a pretty "in your face" move. The bitch even put a little "I'm sorry Nintendo" portion on her webpage. I didn't say it would sell Xbox's. I think both Nintendo and Microsoft have their work cut out for them. People are label whores... especially when it comes to games. But in a world where tripe sells millions of copies, who knows WTF will happen.


And where the heck was it where I was pointing out how this is much to do about nothing where I claimed that her moving to the Xbox would claim total domination? You're putting words in my mouth, and I don't appreciate that.

I'm completely confused by the sentence, except for the putting words into your mouth... which is kind of impossible on a forum where you quote people, no? You said "one celebrity does not equal automatic domination". Nobody mentioned that before -- you brought it up.


Rockstar deciding that they won't port any more titles to the Xbox would be a slap.

And where would the world be then?



A celebrity spokesperson jumping ship to promote a different product? To me, that just sounds like the new company is offering them more money.

And the other things you mentioned wouldn't be? The next gen hasn't started yet... that's the point and Microsoft is making moves. That's all I'm saying. I'm not a system whore in the least...especially this gen. My favorite system is the Saturn for God's sake.

[goatdan]

Just a fact. They nicked old what's his name from the FF series (sorry, I don't masturbate to FF...forgot his name) and now this. Just saying, those are some pretty big pimp-slaps. Didn't Sony dominate over Nintendo by taking 3rd party support away from them?

Yes. But I guess I don't understand... how is Utada Hikaru 3rd party support?


I know very well what it says. Your imagination must've taken off. Just stating that this is a pretty "in your face" move. The bitch even put a little "I'm sorry Nintendo" portion on her webpage. I didn't say it would sell Xbox's. I think both Nintendo and Microsoft have their work cut out for them. People are label whores... especially when it comes to games. But in a world where tripe sells millions of copies, who knows WTF will happen.

You quoted a very biased sounding report and then had stated that this was a direct strike. I'm sorry, but I don't feel that a celebrity endorsement is a direct strike on a gaming company.


I'm completely confused by the sentence, except for the putting words into your mouth... which is kind of impossible on a forum where you quote people, no? You said "one celebrity does not equal automatic domination". Nobody mentioned that before -- you brought it up.

Okay, thanks for the literal definition -- how about instead of "words into my mouth" I can say "You changed the meaning of the words in my post." Does that make sense to you?

I said that because you made strange quotes like "She can't, but [Microsoft is] showing promise," which, in my opinion, is giving a celebrity endorsement far too much credit for doing anything. If you had quoted my entire sentance, it would have read:


There are more than one celebrity that can go around and promote a product, and one celebrity telling people to buy the Xbox does not equal automatic Microsoft domination.

That means that I do not think that one celebrity will do much of anything for the Xbox. You chimed in and said:


Nobody is saying "one celebrity telling people to buy the Xbox does not equal automatic Microsoft domination" but you.

In the place of the word "that" I filled in my quote that you were talking about. Now, when my original full sentance quote has anything to do with how it was stated in your post, I'll understand what you're talking about. Until then, please don't quote me out of context at least.



Rockstar deciding that they won't port any more titles to the Xbox would be a slap.

And where would the world be then?

Um... The fact that there are versions of the Grand Theft Auto series that are better graphically than the PS2 counterparts has sold a lot of those games... I think that if Rockstar didn't make games for the Xbox 2, it would hurt Microsoft in the US greatly.

I'm not talking about content. I'm talking about business. And no matter if you like the games or not, the Grand Theft series is HUGE, and the fact that the games arrive on the Xbox at all is a HUGE bonus for Microsoft. Losing that support would really, really hurt them in the future.



A celebrity spokesperson jumping ship to promote a different product? To me, that just sounds like the new company is offering them more money.

And the other things you mentioned wouldn't be?

The other things that I mentioned would also be, but would have a much more direct impact on gaming consumers in my opinion. Endorsements can help certain products a ton, but for video games especially I think you need to deliver the product right now to get people to care.

The other things would be MUCH bigger slaps to any other company than this is.


The next gen hasn't started yet... that's the point and Microsoft is making moves. That's all I'm saying. I'm not a system whore in the least...especially this gen. My favorite system is the Saturn for God's sake.

Of course Microsoft is making moves. I just think, and it probably comes from how goofy that article is written, that this will have very little to do with the impending success or failure of the Xbox in Japan. I mean, an "article" that says something like, "unfortunately by touching the screen, and not herself" is supposed to make me really amazed by Microsoft's moves? It just sounds crazy to me.

And I didn't say and I don't think you're trying to push an agenda about Microsoft winning or anything like that. It just seems strange that any article would be so worked up about any celebrity.

Before anyone posts about what a big celebrity this is, I just want to raise this point -- no matter how big a celebrity is, they are best at selling the items they are the most associated with -- basketball players with shoes (since they have to always wear them) for instance is a good fit. Taking one of these same icons and teaming them up with something not in what their known for isn't nearly as impressive.

To me, this news is akin to someone posting that Microsoft had signed Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Metallica and Britney Spears to a contract to help promote the next Xbox. Basically, that's nice... but it doesn't change what games come out for a system, and in Japan especially that is what makes or breaks a system.

[GaijinPunch]

Sorry dude. I think you've blown this way out of proportion. This is a pretty big deal, but nobody said anything about scales tilting except for you. The fact that you said "this won't do anything for Microsoft" does not change the fact that nobody but you made mention about it. M$ would likely not have gone after her if Nintendo didn't have her. That's all I was pointing out. I'm pretty sure most people understand that.

Hikaru Utada is a bit of a special case though, in that she doesn't endorse everything like other J-pop hos. Just a year or so ago she made her first TV talk show appearance in like 5 years... endorsements and appearances low = guarantee high. This alone was pretty big news in Japan, so you can imagine what this is like. The fact that she promoted any video game in the first place is was a pretty big deal, but to jump ship and go to a competitor is even better news.

And again... I have no clue what Mainichi Daily's biasedness has to do with the report. It's not really anything to be biased about. She's promoting the Xbox. End of story.

[petewhitley]

Before anyone posts about what a big celebrity this is, I just want to raise this point -- no matter how big a celebrity is, they are best at selling the items they are the most associated with -- basketball players with shoes (since they have to always wear them) for instance is a good fit. Taking one of these same icons and teaming them up with something not in what their known for isn't nearly as impressive.

To me, this news is akin to someone posting that Microsoft had signed Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Metallica and Britney Spears to a contract to help promote the next Xbox. Basically, that's nice... but it doesn't change what games come out for a system, and in Japan especially that is what makes or breaks a system.

While you're right Dan that this isn't as big of news as say, making the Final Fantasy series an Xbox exclusive, in Japan celebrity endorsements mean quite a bit more than they do here in the States. It would be a mistake to equate this endorsement to that of an American pop-star promoting the Xbox 360 here. It does mean more than that over there. Not enough to shatter the earth, but it's pretty big news for the Japanese gaming industry.

[SoulBlazer]

It still comes down to a 'that's nice, but.....' thing. If MS wants to do well in Japan they need JAPANESE games. They are taking steps in the right direction to make that happen, but a major coup like Dan mentioned is what is REALLY needed. At the same time, MS wants to increase their base in the US and Europe. Personaly, I love to see more 'American' games and I know a lot of my friends feel the same way.....if MS can walk this fine line and do this and conquer both countries, they can beat the pants off Sony.

[Kroogah]

That is the most unbiased news source ever.

You are my hero. Wanna play Katamari Damacy?