Microsoft unleashes new Xbox in Japan to lukewarm reaction

[Teuthida]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051210...rmicrosoftxbox

But despite its early market entry, consumers Saturday appeared muted in their enthusiasm in contrast to the excitement generated at the console's US debut on November 22.

Only some 10 people were in line when a central Tokyo outlet of the Bic Camera consumer electronics chain opened its Xbox sales counter at 7:00 am.

Customer reactions "are a bit subdued," a senior store official said, adding that fewer than 50 consoles were sold in the first two hours.

"It's not going to be a big hit in Japan," said 26-year-old Kentaro Okamoto, one of the first Xbox 360 buyers. "I buy every new game console... but normally Japanese customers only buy a machine when it's made by Sony or Nintendo."

Hard-core gamers overlap with heavy computer users and many of them have a negative image of Microsoft's Windows software because of its price, lack of after-sales support and unstable operating system, he said.

"Microsoft needs to make enormous efforts to overtake its Japanese competitors," Okamoto said.

Another buyer, Mayuko Taniguchi, 28, said she knew she was in a minority of Japanese consumers who would buy the Microsoft console.

"I think many people would rather wait for PlayStation 3 or Revolution," she said.

[Jonbo298]

Doesn't surprise me its reaction wasnt "OMGWTFBBQ" as the US was

[Neo]

What surprises me is that Microsoft thought the results would be different this time around when they changed almost nothing with regards to their gaming philosophy.

[GameMaster]

Isn't the only reason Japanese gamers rejct it is because the company did not originate in Asia?

[MuGen]

No.... there are vast reasons...

Majority of Japanese gamers have a grown loyalty to the Nintendo and Sony brand. Microsoft has only been in this industry for one generation and Xbox 360 is their second offering. Also the Xbox 360's games don't appeal to Japanese gamers...

Being an Asian myself I can tell what asian gamers play most of... which are RPG's, Party games, and Adventure games...... which is what Sony and Nintendo offer to Japanese gamers....

For Sony theres their Final Fantasies, Katamari Damacy, Jak, and Ratchet games...
For Nintendo theres their Zelda, Mario Party, Super Smash bro's games..

Microsoft's launch lineup for the Asian market does not exactly quell Japanese gamers desires. I can't remember the last time Japan had a tailgate party for football...
************************

This is why I like Sony. Their marketing strategy in a recent interview with PSM magazine outlined that the reason they are looking towards a Spring 2006 release is because they are allowing the developers to create a launch lineup that would be available to all regions and that would appeal to the regions. Kaz Hirai told PSM that he's not worried about Microsoft's early release and that the PS3's launch would be worth the wait.

[Neo]

They also have a negative impression of MS in general. They think of an operating system which has numerous bugs and an original xbox which scratched discs. Plus the whole "giant PC" approach just isn't the style of Japanese gamers.

[Ginkasa]

Originally Posted by Sony

Being an Asian myself I can tell what asian gamers play most of... which are RPG's, Party games, and Adventure games...... which is what Sony and Nintendo offer to Japanese gamers....

I don't mean this negatively or anything...

But are you really an Asian, or a North American of Asian descent?


/me shrugs and walks away