Survey says: Japanese want more info on next-gen systems

[njiska]

I stumbled across this today and it's kind of an interesting read.

Article (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/news_6135833.html)

I'll break down the Stats for you so it's easier to read.

Big Point of Interesting Gaming:
- 66.3% The Next Gen
- 7.8% The Industry's Restructing and Mergers
- 6.0% Handhelds
- 2.6% Censorship and Restrictions
- 16.8% Other

Biggest Challenge Currently Facing the Market
- 22.6% Industry Stuck in a Rut
- 10.9% The High Price of Games
- 9.4% Rising Development Costs
- 57.1% Other

What Game Have You Enjoyed the Most?
- 175 Votes Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
- 166 Votes Final Fantasy VII
- 152 Votes Final Fantasy X
- 126 Votes Dragon Quest VIII
- 113 Votes Kingdom Hearts
- 68 Votes Biohazard (Resident Evil) 4
- 38 Votes (14th Place) Super Mario Bros.

Are You Playing Less Then You Use to?
- 57.4% Yes (A busy Schedule is the biggest culprit followed by lack of fun games and then lack of money)

Which Next Gen System are you looking to buy?
- 63.2% PS3
- 36% Revolution
- 23.9% Xbox 360

From Next-Gen.biz (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1331&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=0):

Reasons For Buying Xbox 360

Among the people who want to buy the X360, 82.2%m say they like the controller, while 53.9% like the console’s features. Only 36% say they'll buy the machine because of the launch line-up. Nobody liked the face-plate.

- 82.2%: I like the controller
- 53.9%: I like the console’s features
- 41.9%: I like the idea pf a removable HDD
- 36.4%: I like the line-up
- 23.7%: retro compatibility with the Xbox
- 21.3%: I like the design of the console
- 12.9%: I find it affordable
- 12.7%: I like the network feature
- 17.8%: etc

Reasons for NOT buying Xbox 360

It seems that Japanese consumers who don't like Xbox 360, have simply taken against the very idea, Just under 50% said they "just don't like it". A similar number rejected the launch-line-up. 36% thought it too expensive.


- 49.3%: from the beginning, I don’t like it
- 49.1%: the line-up is not interesting
- 36.3%: it is way too expensive
- 24.1%: I won’t switch from the Xbox to the X360
- 14.2%: not interested in the console’s features
- 12.2%: I don’t like its design
- 10.7%: I doubt about the Xbox retro compatibility
- 9.3%: I don’t like the controller
- 4.9%: I don’t care about the removable HDD
- 3.9%: I don’t care about the network
- 2.2%: I don’t care about the face plate


Reasons for 'wait and see' on Xbox 360

Among undecided consumers, the biggest factor is games followed by price.

- 81%: I would like to wait to see what kind of games will come to the X360.
- 53.1%: I would consider buying a X360 if its price is lowered.
- 21.9%: I believe the X360 will not be really retro compatible with the Xbox
- 8.1%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 4.1%: I would like to see what kind of face plate will be released later

PLAYSTATION 3

In comparison to Xbox 360, 63.2% of consumers absolutely want to buy PS3 with only 5% rejecting it out of hand. 30% want to wait.

Reasons For Buying PlayStation 3

- 70.4%: I like its features
- 61%: I like the line-up
- 58.6%: I like the retro compatibility
- 18.7%: I like its design
- 6.2%: I like the controller
- 5.5%: I like the color variations
- 10%: etc

Reasons for NOT buying PS3

- 54.9%: it does not bring anything new to the PS2
- 43.1%: its price has not yet been announced
- 32.4%: I don’t like the controller
- 31.4%: I fear about the level of retro compatibility
- 30.4%: I don’t like its design
- 28.4%: from the beginning I did not want to buy one
- 19.6%: the date of the launch is still unknown
- 13.7%: I don’t care its features
- 6.9%: I don’t care about its color variations
- 42.2%: etc

Reasons to 'wait and see' on PS3

- 76.9%: I would like to wait to see what kind of games will come to the PS3.
- 65%: I would like to know its price first.
- 40.1%: I don’t fully understand all its features.
- 22.1%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 16.7%: I would like to know its launch date first
- 14.9%: I find its design not very appealing
- 2.6%: I don’t find its color variations very attractive
- 20%: etc

NINTENDO REVOLUTION

Are you interested in acquiring the Revolution?

- Yes I will: 36%
- Absolutely not: 10.4%
- Not for the moment: 40.6%
- I don’t care: 13%

Reasons to buy Revolution

- 80%: I like its download plans
- 42%: I like the Nintendo Wi-Fi feature
- 41.7%: I like the controller’s features
- 40.9%: I like its features
- 37.1%: I like the controller’s design
- 33.2%: I like its design
- 20.6%: etc

Reasons to NOT buy Revolution

- 53.4%: from the beginning I did not want to buy one
- 32.4%: no games have been shown yet
- 24%: I don’t like the controller’s design
- 22.5%: I don’t care about its features
- 16.2%: I don’t see what it is going to bring
- 14.2%: the price is unknown yet
- 12.7%: I don’t like its design
- 12.3%: I don’t like the controller’s features
- 11.8%: the date of the launch is still unknown
- 9.3%: I don’t care about its download service
- 5.4%: I don’t care about its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 17.2%: etc

'Wait and see'

- 72%: I don’t fully understand its features
- 60.6%: I would like to know its price first.
- 49.3%: I would like to know its price first
- 34.3%: I don’t fully understand its download service
- 22.7%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 21.9%: I don’t fully understand its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 21.8%: I don’t think the console’s final design has been revealed yet
- 17.3%: I would like the know when the console will be launched

Opinions on Controller

- 45.6%: it looks very amazing
- 29.7%: it looks very uneasy to use
- 25.1%: I like its design
- 24.2%: I prefer standard controllers
- 19.1%: I like its color variations
- 16.5%: it looks very easy to use
- 16.4%: I don’t fully understand it yet
- 12.7%: I hate its design
- 9.3%: I don’t care about it
- 3.5%: I don’t like its color variations

-------------------------------------------------------

I know that's a lot of information but i found it kind of interesting. It's nice to know that the Japanese are worried about the industry getting stuck in the rut and it's also refreshing to know that they're really interested in the next gen too. It's nice to know that even though our gaming cultures are vastly different we're concerned about the same thing.

There are some things in the stats that kind of suprise me. For instance the reasons for not wanting a Revolution. 53.4% not wating the system right from the start is really suprising.

I know alot of you don't get the point of statistical post like this, but i know some of you do and if you're like me you should find these stats intriguing. It's good information for those who care. So if you're just gonna complain about not getting the point, please don't post. Thanks.

[Cmtz]

23.9% for xbox? Really? In Japan? The country on the other side of the world? Are you sure? 23.9? Isn't that number a bit too high?

[Xizer]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

[Leo_A]

A typical Xizer post. lol

[badinsults]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

You are a fucking idiot. The Japanese have embrased western culture. They dress like us. They listen to western music. They watch western movies. The reason the Xbox failed in japan was due to poor quality, marketing, and game selection.

[zerohero]

I like this, and it seems as though they agree on basically the same things we do when it comes to Xbox 360.

[njiska]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

You are a fucking idiot. The Japanese have embrased western culture. They dress like us. They listen to western music. They watch western movies. The reason the Xbox failed in japan was due to poor quality, marketing, and game selection.

Evan you are 100% right about Xizer being a fucking idiot, but i have to disagree with you about the Xbox. It didn't fail because of poor quality. Marketing and Game selection yes, they murdered it in Japan, but it was a well built machine (thopson drive excluded, but to be fair the PS2 had similar problems on a grander scale).

It was just too damn big and ugly however, for japanese taste and that also killed it.

[Xizer]

My Halo Xbox is absolutely beautiful compared to the ugly, generic black PS2. The Xbox is not ugly.

[njiska]

My Halo Xbox is absolutely beautiful compared to the ugly, generic black PS2. The Xbox is not ugly.

Are you Japanese?

[badinsults]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

You are a fucking idiot. The Japanese have embrased western culture. They dress like us. They listen to western music. They watch western movies. The reason the Xbox failed in japan was due to poor quality, marketing, and game selection.

Evan you are 100% right about Xizer being a fucking idiot, but i have to disagree with you about the Xbox. It didn't fail because of poor quality. Marketing and Game selection yes, they murdered it in Japan, but it was a well built machine (thopson drive excluded, but to be fair the PS2 had similar problems on a grander scale).

It was just too damn big and ugly however, for japanese taste and that also killed it.

I disagree. If the xbox had good marketing, it surely would have succeeded. It gained a bad reputation early on, and Microsoft did nothing to stop it. It is much the same here with the Gamecube's perception of being a "kiddie" console. I mean, the Gamecube probably has the same proportion of kiddie vs mature games as the other consoles, but marketing is key. Remember, people are stupid, they fall for marketing, and the Japanese are no exception.

[MegaManFan]

Taking the neutral POV here (as an admitted Japanophile who lives in Nebraska) I think the initial launch of the X-Box definitely left the populace there non-plussed. I remember that they had to take out ads with Bill Gates holding up a smaller controller comparing it to the size of a fast food sandwich or some such, just because the Japanese hated the excessively bulky controller originally packed in (and for that matter so did I). They did try to cash in later by offering some special limited edition systems that are all the rage there in PS2 and GameBoy Advance systems, but I think it was a case of too little too late. Microsoft has a chance to get it right the second time around though, and make more of a dent in their otherwise Sony and Nintendo dominated market. Japan has always been a niche unto itself though - after all the PC Engine was huge there and the TurboGrafx here (much as I love the system) hardly made a dent.

[njiska]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

You are a fucking idiot. The Japanese have embrased western culture. They dress like us. They listen to western music. They watch western movies. The reason the Xbox failed in japan was due to poor quality, marketing, and game selection.

Evan you are 100% right about Xizer being a fucking idiot, but i have to disagree with you about the Xbox. It didn't fail because of poor quality. Marketing and Game selection yes, they murdered it in Japan, but it was a well built machine (thopson drive excluded, but to be fair the PS2 had similar problems on a grander scale).

It was just too damn big and ugly however, for japanese taste and that also killed it.

I disagree. If the xbox had good marketing, it surely would have succeeded. It gained a bad reputation early on, and Microsoft did nothing to stop it. It is much the same here with the Gamecube's perception of being a "kiddie" console. I mean, the Gamecube probably has the same proportion of kiddie vs mature games as the other consoles, but marketing is key. Remember, people are stupid, they fall for marketing, and the Japanese are no exception.

Evan i agreed with you that it did have poor marketing. I disputed your claim of the console being of poor quality.

due to poor quality, marketing, and game selection.

Prehaps that comma is causing us trouble.

[badinsults]

I seem to recall there being lots of problems with cds being scratched in Japanese Xboxes. Instead of doing the smart marketing thing, MS refused to fix the error. Therefore they got a bad reputation. I don't think that the Xbox 360 will fail if they do not make such stupid marketing errors.

[KingCobra]

That's really close to the way I feel in alot of those's percentages :eek 2:

I think much of that is going to be pretty close next gen for alot of us outside of the Japanese hating Xbox overall.

That was a cool read IMO.

[Diatribal Deity]

Bottom Line:

Japan = shrinking market
Rest of World = growing market

Chance of American product being successful in Japan without blue eyes and blond hair = 0

[Promophile]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

or maybe its because, i donno, Microsoft had up until recently totally ignored the differences in Japanese tastes when it comes to games? Here's a newsflash for you, most Japanese don't hump every single FPS that comes out like most people here in the US do. Can you think of any notable REAL RPGs that have been released on X-box? I sure can't. The only thing that comes close is Fable.

Not to mention that Microsoft has also commited many faux pas in how they run their Japanese branch. When the X-box started underperforming in Japan they decided to fire like half their staff. This made headlines in Japan because it just doesn't happen in Japan. Unlike the US in Japan There is company loyality, and its not uncommon for someone to spend their entire career at one company.

So yeah. Bad marketing, bad game selection, and bad PR. I can see why the X-box 360 is leaving a bad taste in many consumers mouths.

[Yamazaki]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

You are a fucking idiot. The Japanese have embrased western culture. They dress like us. They listen to western music. They watch western movies. The reason the Xbox failed in japan was due to poor quality, marketing, and game selection.


Woha! Ever been to Japan or lived there for a couple of years? Believe me, Japan is partly a highly evolved definition of racism!

[GarrettCRW]

Woha! Ever been to Japan or lived there for a couple of years? Believe me, Japan is partly a highly evolved definition of racism!

Compared to, oh, the United States, this claim is a bit silly. Calling the Japanese racists simply because they refuse to buy products from idiotic American corporations that fail to adapt to the market is utterly ridiculous, regardless of how much time you've lived in Japan.

[Zubiac666]

Woha! Ever been to Japan or lived there for a couple of years? Believe me, Japan is partly a highly evolved definition of racism!

Compared to, oh, the United States, this claim is a bit silly. Calling the Japanese racists simply because they refuse to buy products from idiotic American corporations that fail to adapt to the market is utterly ridiculous, regardless of how much time you've lived in Japan.

indeed. Thank god japan is the last bastion against microsofts way to monopolize the console-business too.

After they saw Steve Balmer dancing they must have thought:"NO!Godzilla again!"

it is only microsoft's fault....noone else.

[alec006]

Dosent really surprize me,Japan is the video game giant so they want the info.

[diskoboy]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

[njiska]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

[diskoboy]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

That may be - but they don't have a problem stealing our industries and making them their own. It started with the automobile industry, then electronics, now video games. The Japanese think most items made by the west are crap. I don't think they're really racist. Closed minded would probably be a better description.

[njiska]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

That may be - but they don't have a problem stealing our industries and making them their own. It started with the automobile industry, then electronics, now video games. The Japanese think most items made by the west are crap. I don't think they're really racist. Closed minded would probably be a better description.

Fair enough.

[petewhitley]

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

Having lived in Japan as a foreigner, I would say that there is an undercurrent of xenophobia, which at times expresses itself in definitively racist ways (remember that just because the Japanese embrace western culture, does not mean other cultures and people are as accepted). Wikipedia has an accurate article about that HERE. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_issues_in_Japan) Having said that, xenophobia and/or racism had little to do with the Xbox failing in Japan. Microsoft did not do enough to release games targeting the Japanese market, something they are apparently trying to remedy with the Xbox 360.

[Promophile]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

That may be - but they don't have a problem stealing our industries and making them their own. It started with the automobile industry, then electronics, now video games. The Japanese think most items made by the west are crap. I don't think they're really racist. Closed minded would probably be a better description.

Actually it started with toys and novelty items (soon after WWII), then cameras and small electronics, then cars, then videogames. I wouldn't say the Japanese are too much more xenophoic then your average US red state dweller.

[njiska]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

That may be - but they don't have a problem stealing our industries and making them their own. It started with the automobile industry, then electronics, now video games. The Japanese think most items made by the west are crap. I don't think they're really racist. Closed minded would probably be a better description.

Actually it started with toys and novelty items (soon after WWII), then cameras and small electronics, then cars, then videogames. I wouldn't say the Japanese are too much more xenophoic then your average US red state dweller.

To be fair they did start "stealing" those industries while they were being occupied. Considering the country was under western rule it's no suprise they helped bring western industry there. As for the Red States dweller's well, "They took are jobs!" LOL

[poloplayr]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

I think you're confusing nationalist with racist, you dumb f**k.

Second, from a business/marketing perspective it's a very valid reason. The public simply has not been "sold" to the idea. They don't like it. Why a consumer does not like a product may as difficult to explain as to why they like another one.

[poloplayr]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad I'm the only person who has noticed that. ANY game or console that is not developed in Japan is guaranteed to flop there. What's the deal with that?

I was gonna even post a topic about that, but I was afraid I would start a flame war on accident.

The Japanese are Xenophobic, not racist. They do embrace western culture (largely due to our occupation following WWII), but they still choose Japan first. It is a predujce, but it's not Racism.

Xenophobia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobic)
Racism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

That may be - but they don't have a problem stealing our industries and making them their own. It started with the automobile industry, then electronics, now video games. The Japanese think most items made by the west are crap. I don't think they're really racist. Closed minded would probably be a better description.

Please explain your use of the word 'stealing'? Or do you mean beating the most competition-focused nation on earth?

[sabre2922]

This doesn't really say anything we don't already know. And apparently half the Japanese population are racists, because they don't like the Xbox 360 since it is a foreign console. They certainly couldn't come up with a better reason why they don't like it...

I think you're confusing nationalist with racist, you dumb f**k.

Second, from a business/marketing perspective it's a very valid reason. The public simply has not been "sold" to the idea. They don't like it. Why a consumer does not like a product may as difficult to explain as to why they like another one.

Your right polo player ;)

Also the Japanese are NOT racist about %99 percent of them are beyond that just as any truly intelligent person is beyond racism.

One more thing IMO IF anyone has the right to be racist it is the Japanese (and American Indians of course) hell the U.S. dropped 2 thats TWO freaking Atom bombs on them at Nagasaki and Hiroshima and Hiroshima was a civilian target with basically no military value whatsoever.

But thats getting into dangerous waters and is just ASKING for a flame war plus off-topic so I digress.

[AMG]

Those are some interesting stats. Pretty cool overview of what the market in Japan is feeling.