X-Box's success in Japan

[azazela31]

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=popvox&id=212

Decide for yourself.

[designated_GM3R]

"I have PlayStation 2 already, therefore, I don't feel any necessity to have another game machine. I haven't heard any of my friends talking about Xbox either."
That struck a chord with me. If the XBox does not have the same effect as the Playstation 2 did with children, teens, and adults alike in Japan a la the relay system - "Did you hear about [console of preference here]? Its gonna be awesome!" - then Microsoft has some loose ends to tie up with the Japanese consumers. He literally has to shove the product in their faces with a sideorder of viable and fascinating software. Its pretty much evident that Microsoft isn't playing their cards correctly in the East siiiiide.

"If there is good software for Xbox, I'll buy it. Some people might say they won't buy it because they already have PlayStation 2, but I think Xbox will be quite different."
The most rational statement of them all. Hell, atleast he's being fair and quite honest.

[azazela31]

""I have PlayStation 2 already, therefore, I don't feel any necessity to have another game machine. I haven't heard any of my friends talking about Xbox either"

What pisses me of in this statement is that he is also excluding the GCN!! But no wonder the GCN and X-Box will/are selling like crap compared to the PS2.

[designated_GM3R]

I guess its first come, first serve with the Japanese.

[azazela31]

Originally posted by designated_GM3R
I guess its first come, first serve with the Japanese.

f I had the $$$ to afford 3 systems I would buy only one. I tend to consetrate on buying games. I'd rather have 1 system with 15+ games than 3 systems with 3 games each.

So I kind of agree with him, but such a cheap as system as GCN!! Hell why not.

[Xantar]

Actually, a lot of those people said "I don't play TV games" which leads me to believe that this isn't really representative. The majority of Americans don't play videogames, after all, so if you sampled the general population in the U.S., you'd think that Playstation2 would be doing horribly.

That said, nobody stated his intention to buy an XBox, and that is definitely worrisome. Not surprising, but still worrisome. If this sample is representative, then XBox doesn't have a chance of beating out either the GameCube or the PS2 (at least some Japanese stated an interest in the GameCube).

But once again, that doesn't exactly surprise me.

[Joeiss]

Haha... One of their names sounded like that Japanese guy from 1080 Snowboarding.

And, this is not totally random. As I learned from business class, you have to interview all types of people at all types of times. So I say, meh. All of this to me is a crock of crap

:lol:

[Professor S]

If the XBox is mildly successful in japan I will be surprised because:

1) The PS2 has a very big head start

But most importantly

2) The XBox is an American product. You ever see any Japanese tooling around in a Chevy? Nope. You ever hear about how great RCA TV's sell in Japan? Nope. If there is an alternative Japanese product in the same genre, nationalistic Japanese won't have much interest.

[azazela31]

Originally posted by The Strangler

2) The XBox is an American product. You ever see any Japanese tooling around in a Chevy? Nope. You ever hear about how great RCA TV's sell in Japan? Nope. If there is an alternative Japanese product in the same genre, nationalistic Japanese won't have much interest.


You know what?... X-Box is made for America. Let's face it...

Europe, they would perfer to get the X-Box but the high price 480 Euros (price of 2 GCNs in Europe) will kill it. PS2's amazing price and choose of games will make it the leading console here. Although GCN is a very good choice too because of it's low price.

Japan... if GCN is doing so bad here I don't exactly expect the X-Box to surpass it.

America... X-Box's hometown and were it will most likely be on a par with the GCN. But the shortage of GCNs is letting the X-Box take a lead, but that won't last long. When there will be a steady supply of GCNs, it will most likely outsell the X-Box due to it's low price.

PS2 will sell the best out of all 3 consoles in all markets, pretty sad that it's such a weak system.

[Notorious_1]

I remember being at a Xbox forum when the GC launched in Japan. Everyone was laughing and saying that the GC sucked and was going down. Phrases like "GC is doing horrible" were very funny to Xbox fanboys for some reason. They laughed because Nintendo only released 450,000 hardware units on launch day saying they had low standards......it's all comming back to bite them in the @ss......:p

[azazela31]

Originally posted by Notorious_1
it's all comming back to bite them in the @ss......:p

The X-Box is going to be in a world of pain in Japan when Mario Sunshine, Resident Evil, Star Fox, Eternal Darkness come out.

I just hope Microsoft doesn't start buying companies.

[designated_GM3R]

The XBox still has South Korea... :lol:

[azazela31]

Originally posted by designated_GM3R
The XBox still has South Korea... :lol:

With all the piracy there they'd wish they hadn't.

[Professor S]

Well, lets see what happens.

Remember, when Microsoft wants something to happen, it usually happens. Japan will be a tough road to hoe, though.

[azazela31]

Originally posted by The Strangler
Well, lets see what happens.

Remember, when Microsoft wants something to happen, it usually happens. Japan will be a tough road to hoe, though.


Really doesn't matter what company it is, because if they start pushing the X-Box in Japan and waste a lot of money, believe me they'll stop if they won't make a profit.

Sales shouldn't have a big impact upon the X-Box's third support, but it might miss out a few important games but non the less they won't lose much if it flops in Japan.

Personaly I would pick up a X-Box here in Europe but nobody seems to give a damn and at the price of twice the GCN's Europeans feel ripped of.

On a hardware level I don't want/need the hard-drive. It's basicly uselless... for me at least.

1.rip songs?? I got a Hi-Fi next to my TV.
2. Saves?? I'm not getting a consoles wothout a memory cards.

As for the broadband I wish they made a 56k add on. (97% of Europe uses 56k modem). Not because they can't afford it but because it's not avliable.

As for online gaming, it's way OVERHYPED. First Person Shooter play rather much like crap on a console (yes I thinking of not getting Metriod becuase controllers are so damn inferior to mouse and keyboard)

RPGs are have the most potential out of all the games to make online gaming happen.

[Angrist]

It would be funny if nobody waited in line to get an X-Box :D

[azazela31]

Originally posted by Angrist
It would be funny if nobody waited in line to get an X-Box :D

Imagine a video gaming shop in the middle of Tokyo. Early morning

I somehow can't imagine more than 2 hardcore gamers waiting for the X-Box to launch.

People who own all 3 systems simply don't have a life.


EDIT:

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/354/354339p1.html


February 22, 2002 - According to a report by the Mainichi Shimbun, SCE is considering a further cut to the price of the PlayStation 2 console in Japan. If taken, the move would be an attempt to undercut the recently-released Xbox even further, and possibly match the price of the Gamecube.

Currently, PlayStation 2 is priced at 29,800 yen in Japan (around $230), while the GameCube is down at 25,000 yen (about $200) and the Xbox is launching at a hefty 34,800 yen ($270 or so). A cut in the price of PS2 would probably place it at or around the Gamecube's price point -- SCE claims to be considering a price which "even children could reach

If such a price cut does come to pass in Japan, we will be sure to bring the news to you as soon as possible


So much for GCN's and X-Box's success. Looks like they are both going to do like sh!t in Japan.

[Professor S]

posted by Azazela

"1.rip songs?? I got a Hi-Fi next to my TV.
2. Saves?? I'm not getting a consoles wothout a memory cards."

If you think thats the only uses for the HD, you really haven't done your research. The fact it there are games coming out for the XBox that simply cannot be played on any other system because it has a Hard Drive.

As for memory cards, if you compare the cost of the Gamecube plus the amount of memory cards you will need (they have very little memory and cost a ton) the price of the systems are almost the same, if not making the XBox a better buy.

Ripping songs is a HUGE feature. Playing your Hi-Fi while playing agamne ain't the same thing as having the music completely interactive with your gaming experience. Imagine playing a wrstling game and choosing your own music for your CAW? That will be be fantastic.

The advantages that the XBox has on the other consoles have only barely been explored by a few developers. I think we will all be surprised in the next 2 years with the games that will be coming out for that system.

[azazela31]

Originally posted by The Strangler
posted by Azazela

"1.rip songs?? I got a Hi-Fi next to my TV.
2. Saves?? I'm not getting a consoles wothout a memory cards."

If you think thats the only uses for the HD, you really haven't done your research. The fact it there are games coming out for the XBox that simply cannot be played on any other system because it has a Hard Drive.

As for memory cards, if you compare the cost of the Gamecube plus the amount of memory cards you will need (they have very little memory and cost a ton) the price of the systems are almost the same, if not making the XBox a better buy.

Ripping songs is a HUGE feature. Playing your Hi-Fi while playing agamne ain't the same thing as having the music completely interactive with your gaming experience. Imagine playing a wrstling game and choosing your own music for your CAW? That will be be fantastic.

The advantages that the XBox has on the other consoles have only barely been explored by a few developers. I think we will all be surprised in the next 2 years with the games that will be coming out for that system.


As a future X-Box owner (yes I made up my mind to get the X-Box here in May) I still have to disagree.


*puts on X-Box fanby mask*

Gaycube sucks!! It's damn pink!! Purple dildo with a handle for extra comfort!! j/k

*get serious*

IMO the HD is totally useless... except the abilities given to developers to expand there games (allows to save many stats, level etc.)

Main reason I'm getting the Box is because of Jet Set Radio Future... and it has lots of games that appeal to me... ohhh well.

[Revival]

Originally posted by azazela31
Gaycube sucks!! It's damn pink!! Purple dildo with a handle for extra comfort!!
LMAO! That's some funny s**t right there!

[azazela31]

Originally posted by Shooter

LMAO! That's some funny s**t right there!

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

fanboys...

[Revival]

I'm not a fanboy.. I mean, I have an NGC, and not an Xbox.. but I like to see people bash all the consoles.. especiall fanboys, like you were acting like one.. so funny :D

[azazela31]

Originally posted by Shooter
I'm not a fanboy.. I mean, I have an NGC, and not an Xbox.. but I like to see people bash all the consoles.. especiall fanboys, like you were acting like one.. so funny :D

Yeah I'm a good fanboy:D

[Professor S]

I will repeat one more time:

If you think the HD is completely useless beyond saving stats and game saves, YOU HAVEN'T DONE YOUR RESEARCH.

And Azazela, I wasn't bashing the Gamecube, I was pointing out FACT. Nintendo's memory cards ARE expensive and AREN'T very big (I believe they are half the memory of the PS2 memory cards, but I could be off on that) So I think that the XBox is worth the extra $100 considering how much money you will save on memory cards over GC and the PS2. I use a lot of memory cards, especially on wrestling games.

I'm getting a Gamecube once Wrestlemania X8 comes out, so there's no reason why I should want to bash it.

[azazela31]

Originally posted by The Strangler
I will repeat one more time:

If you think the HD is completely useless beyond saving stats and game saves, YOU HAVEN'T DONE YOUR RESEARCH.

And Azazela, I wasn't bashing the Gamecube, I was pointing out FACT. Nintendo's memory cards ARE expensive and AREN'T very big (I believe they are half the memory of the PS2 memory cards, but I could be off on that) So I think that the XBox is worth the extra $100 considering how much money you will save on memory cards over GC and the PS2. I use a lot of memory cards, especially on wrestling games.

I'm getting a Gamecube once Wrestlemania X8 comes out, so there's no reason why I should want to bash it.



I never fill up my memory card (mainly becuse I hate sport titles).

But ripping music might be nice, but it's nothing big.

Let's just say it depends on the person and his expectations/needs from a gaming machine.

[Professor S]

I was talking about in game uses for the HD. I believe that Project Ego simply can't be played on another system because of the lack of a HD.

Plus, I always had my PSX memory bards getting corrupted constantly. A HD should help aleviate this problem. Then again that might just get corrupted:p I don't thin that will happen as easily as it does to a memory card though.