Japanese people line up for 360, yeah, Hell just froze (Blue Dragon)

[Midnite]

from the-magicbox.com:
Famitsu reported that over 180 people were lined up in front of the Yodobashi Camera store in Akihabara, Japan, waiting to purchase Mistwalker's Xbox 360 RPG Blue Dragon. 40 TV stations and newspaper reporters were present before the game went on sale at 9AM. Microsoft has shipped 200,000 copies of the game.


http://www.dengekionline.com/data/news/2006/12/7/image/15500_n20061207_02_bd03.jpg
http://www.dengekionline.com/data/news/2006/12/7/image/15500_n20061207_02_bd05.jpg
http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/12/07/h-103_64096_bd005.jpg.jpg

Wow, good job Mistwalker, I look forward to playing it when it hits the states.

[mykevermin]

何んですか！？！？！？！

EDIT: The signs in the first pic say that the Blue Dragon combo pack is a Core System. What the hell?

[Javery]

Wow - this is awesome news. Hopefully MS will start selling other games in Japan like Gears, Viva Pinata and Lost Planet now that some systems are getting sold. I mean you might as well give the other games a try since you own the system, right?

[mykevermin]

They have Viva Pinata advertised on the Japanese XBL (it's called "Atsumare! Pinata," or "Gather! Pinata" for the Engrish version), and Lost Planet is evidence of Capcom's support for the 360 - it would blow my mind to think it isn't coming out in Japan.

Now, Gears...as good as it is, FPS are as popular in Japan as dating sims are in the States, so I dunno that it will be a system seller (though it's sure to be released).

[CheapyD]

何んですか！？！？！？！

EDIT: The signs in the first pic say that the Blue Dragon combo pack is a Core System. What the hell?

そですね！

It is a core system.

Also, they could have just ordered it on Amazon Japan...still in stock:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000IYEYK0/

[Javery]

Lost Planet is definitely getting released in Japan - actually about a month before we are getting it. I think (hope) Gears of War would appeal to a "non-FPS-lovin" person. It's third person for the most part and it's a ton of fun once you get the hang of it.

[ryanbph]

I hope this game is good

[Midnite]

I heard Gears is getting the "Adult" based rating in Japan. I did read somewhere a month or 2 ago at some event in Japan there was a wait to play Gears of War. Hopefully GoW and Lost Planet sell well.

[Mookyjooky]

Awesome, good for MS. In my opinion, the Xbox 360 is the best console ever designed (Not talking about games, or selection, just the promise in the infrastructure, GUI and overall horsepower of the machine.) and the 360 really has a lot of possiblity. With everything integrated into one, and the massive headstart on the compitition... I think the 360 could have a chance to be the leader this Gen, and with the Japanese getting into it now, it could be a possiblity.

[Midnite]

I hope this game is good

Famitsu did give the game a 37/40.

[RedvsBlue]

Famitsu did give the game a 37/40.

Famitsu has lost all credibility... (http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928385.asp?q=gundam)

[Midnite]

That's because it's a Gundam game. I've seen lots of high reviews for Anime based games in Japan. Also, look at there review score DOAX2, much higher then the US scores have been.

But finally there is a JRPG on the 360 that the Japanese actually care about, I don't think Enchant Arms got good reviews in Japan.

[Monsta Mack]

Whoa!

[icruise]

I've got a copy of Blue Dragon coming to me from Play Asia (yes, I have a Japanese 360). Looking forward to it.

[Vinny]

Now, Gears...as good as it is, FPS are as popular in Japan as dating sims are in the States, so I dunno that it will be a system seller (though it's sure to be released).

Gears of War is not an FPS...:-P

But seriously, this is amazing. Amazing! I've been excited for Blue Dragon because of it having some of the members form the Chrono Trigger team (artist and composer, I think) but haven't really followed it too much.

[Z-Saber]

Haven't heard a lick about Blue Dragon except for the notable staff members. In other words, I'm sold before I know any details.

[LinkinPrime]

http://revmike.us/Flying%20Pig.jpg

That's just crazy, but damn good news for MS and us.

[bobo2k4]

Now only if Metal Gear 4 joins the fray....

[Puffa469]

Wow - this is awesome news. Hopefully MS will start selling other games in Japan like Gears, Viva Pinata and Lost Planet now that some systems are getting sold. I mean you might as well give the other games a try since you own the system, right?

I think a more likely scenario is alot of used 360 core systems hitting the Japanese market in oh..say about 2-3 weeks.

[Z-Saber]

I think a more likely scenario is alot of used 360 core systems hitting the Japanese market in oh..say about 2-3 weeks.What, are the Japanese loaded enough that they can purchase a console and game, play it for a few weeks, and then sell it back for about half of what they paid and not feal cheated? That doesn't seem worth it at all.

[bobo2k4]

They are probably going to hold on to it till more PS3s come out. Blue Dragon is giving 360 a boost but we all know they got Sony on their minds.

[nintendokid]

I think a more likely scenario is alot of used 360 core systems hitting the Japanese market in oh..say about 2-3 weeks.

A lazy comment. Don't you know that it is illegal to resell used games (hardware and software) in Japan? You don't know what you are talking about. Did you know that there was a time when all Americans believed that Japanese automobiles were shit and was going to go out of business in North America?

[icruise]

A lazy comment. Don't you know that it is illegal to resell used games (hardware and software) in Japan?
Uh, what? That should come as a surprise to all of the many stores selling used games and consoles in Japan.

[Zoglog]

man that's just brilliant, MS did something right in selling the core system with this game. Now they're gonna make major bank on accessories like the Wii is doing. Smart move.

btw

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155686

in the box


Man with this game + The Idol M@ster + Lost Planet and lost odessey, looks like MS is finally gonna picking up steam in Japan.

Hell they might even learn to embrace Gears of War too

[depascal22]

Well, this is good news for Microsoft.

I'm hoping some of these people in Japan actually play around with the hardware a little bit and grow to love it. The good thing thing is that even if these flood the market, someone's going to buy them or get them as gifts. This was a good way for Microsoft to get consoles out of the stores and into people's homes.

[PyroGamer]

A lazy comment. Don't you know that it is illegal to resell used games (hardware and software) in Japan?
Seeing as CheapyD is constantly talking about used videogame stores (he bought his Wii from one), I don't think you know what you're talking about.

[Zoglog]

Seeing as CheapyD is constantly talking about used videogame stores (he bought his Wii from one), I don't think you know what you're talking about.

I'm guessing he got confused with the recent law that passed last year in akihabara that said you can't resell VERY old electronics due to power saftey hazards.........

Dont you love how people convolute facts ;0

[Blitz]

I think a more likely scenario is alot of used 360 core systems hitting the Japanese market in oh..say about 2-3 weeks.

Yeah, all 50 of them.

[deadite76]

I've got a copy of Blue Dragon coming to me from Play Asia (yes, I have a Japanese 360). Looking forward to it.

Looking forward to your opinions of it.

[itachiitachi]

A lazy comment. Don't you know that it is illegal to resell used games (hardware and software) in Japan? You don't know what you are talking about.
What are you talking about? There are game shops full of used games and systems in Japan. I saw used 360's for $200.

[nintendokid]

I meant to say "will" possibly in the near future geez

[Javery]

What, are the Japanese loaded enough that they can purchase a console and game, play it for a few weeks, and then sell it back for about half of what they paid and not feal cheated? That doesn't seem worth it at all.

I agree. I bet a few will sell back their systems but with Microsoft's promise of more games made by Japanese developers (Lost Planet) and the shortage of the PS3 I would think people would at least hold onto the 360 for a little while.

[guinaevere]

Famitsu has lost all credibility... (http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928385.asp?q=gundam)It deserved that rating, friend.

btw

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155686

in the boxThanks for the link. Seeing the figure pictures eased my desire to import one. If they were better quality then maaaaaaaaaybe.

[Zoglog]

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/japan-gets-its-rpg-blue-dragon-launches-219977.php

Geeee Funny how Kotaku reports there are no lines =p Suprise Suprise.
They should just change their name to Nintendoblog

[Apossum]

they really went all out with this game...most of all, that whole package is only $259. Lucky bastards.

[seanr1221]

Wow good job Microsoft and Mystwalker. :)

[Zoglog]

they really went all out with this game...most of all, that whole package is only $259. Lucky bastards.

heh I still wouldnt get the core at that price.

Game = $59 or so, so core for $200.

I'd want to add on a HD that's $100
Then a wireless controller, $40 at least

You're still up to 340, and then if you want HD, which I would hope you would want with a 360, you gotta buy one of the HD cables (component or VGA) which is at least $30.

I hate the core, but it's so sweet for MS

the only time the core might be worth it is if MS actually released a larger size HD, or you for some reason what a HD console without a HDTV.

[Spades22]

Wow thats nutssss... I wonder if this game will be fun. The Dragon idea looks lame to me, but we'll see...

[Midnite]

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/japan-gets-its-rpg-blue-dragon-launches-219977.php

Geeee Funny how Kotaku reports there are no lines =p Suprise Suprise.
They should just change their name to Nintendoblog

Kotaku is not always the best source for gaming news.

Do I think Blue Dragon is going to save the 360, not really. Blue Dragon is selling, that pic from my first post is from a release party or something (around 180-200 people reported). Most people at other game shops are lining up for Yakuza 2 and a new Gundam game. I think Blue Dragon will be in the top 5 in sales for Japan and quickly drop off.

It's Japan, if it's not Japanese don't buy it kind of attitude.

[Puffa469]

A lazy comment. Don't you know that it is illegal to resell used games (hardware and software) in Japan? You don't know what you are talking about. Did you know that there was a time when all Americans believed that Japanese automobiles were shit and was going to go out of business in North America?

I'd reply to this but Im too lazy... plus I cant write in idiot so you wouldnt understand.

[epobirs]

A lazy comment. Don't you know that it is illegal to resell used games (hardware and software) in Japan? You don't know what you are talking about. Did you know that there was a time when all Americans believed that Japanese automobiles were shit and was going to go out of business in North America?

That hasn't been true for over a decade. Nintendo sponsored the legislation but it only made it a few years before being overturned.

[Roufuss]

Who gives a shit if the Japanese are digging on the 360 or not... all of my favorite games this November came from US / European developers, and it sure as hell wasn't the Japanese that helped Gears of War crack 1 million sales so quickly.

It would be nice to get some Japanese developer support, but the 360 is doing just fine in terms of games without it, imo.

[nintendokid]

Who gives a shit if the Japanese are digging on the 360 or not... all of my favorite games this November came from US / European developers, and it sure as hell wasn't the Japanese that helped Gears of War crack 1 million sales so quickly.

It would be nice to get some Japanese developer support, but the 360 is doing just fine in terms of games without it, imo.

Yeah, you said it right. If any company can step up to the mat and on its first try, is able to go toe-to-toe with Nintendo (as seen with last gen's Nintendo vs XBOX war for 2nd place), that company is OK.

[epobirs]

heh I still wouldnt get the core at that price.

Game = $59 or so, so core for $200.

I'd want to add on a HD that's $100
Then a wireless controller, $40 at least

You're still up to 340, and then if you want HD, which I would hope you would want with a 360, you gotta buy one of the HD cables (component or VGA) which is at least $30.

I hate the core, but it's so sweet for MS

the only time the core might be worth it is if MS actually released a larger size HD, or you for some reason what a HD console without a HDTV.

You hate the Core System? What, did it run over your dof or something?

I've seen this expreseed many time but never for any rational reason. For some reason there are people who take it a a personal afront that others might find the Core sufficient for getting started.

Wireless controllers are less of a draw in Japan where smaller screens and shorter viewing distances are common compared to the US. This is frequently dictated by very small apartments. I thought working class Manhatten apartments were tiny until I spent a few days in Tokyo.

[Skylander7]

Now only if Metal Gear 4 joins the fray....

The Quarterman in EGM recently wrote in his editorial that supposedly Konami is "forcing" Kojima to develop a 360 version.

The days of console exclusives for third parties are really beginning to become numbered. With development costs so high, you're only limiting your sales potential by remaining exclusive to a specific hardware.

For example.. I'd think that selling a game such as Call of Duty 3 on the PS3 only would virtually be suicide. With the 360's user base numbering upwards of 8 million, and the number of PS3 owners not even reaching a million.. c'mon... it just isn't feasible.

[itspaidgasterblaster]

I thought that North America has only 3 million of user base and only about 2 million in USA. I read that on Game Informer on the December issue i think.

[SpikeSpiegel]

Microsoft should just forget about Japan. A

[zewone]

That's because it's a Gundam game. I've seen lots of high reviews for Anime based games in Japan. Also, look at there review score DOAX2, much higher then the US scores have been.

But finally there is a JRPG on the 360 that the Japanese actually care about, I don't think Enchant Arms got good reviews in Japan.
I thought it was common knowledge that Famistu "sells" their reviews. Some dude who use to work there was talking about it somewhere. :lol: Sorry for not having links.

[terribledeli]

Is it really surprising a game designed for the Japanese market by one of most recognized Japanese developers is going to sell well to said market, even on a badly received console?

I'm more interested in a US announcement. Hopefully domestic interest on the Japanese launch will cause them to announce something soon.

[VAD3R or Fro]

Wow... Microsoft actully did something impossible! O-O

[VanillaGorilla]

Now hurry the hell up and translate the game to English and get it out here. There hasn't been a decent RPG released since March (FF games don't count).

[icruise]

I meant to say "will" possibly in the near future geez
That's also not true. There was talk about outlawing the sale of vintage electronics (we're talking stuff that's 10+ years old) but they abandoned the idea. Plus, it was never going to apply to games -- just electronics. It's OK to make a mistake, but calling someone else lazy when you are the one that's wrong? Not so nice.


It's Japan, if it's not Japanese don't buy it kind of attitude.

I've heard a lot of people say this to try and explain why the Xbox doesn't do well in Japan, but honestly, nothing could be further from the truth. If you've spent any time in Japan, you'd know that they have an almost unhealthy affection for foreign things. The reason the Xbox doesn't do well is simply that it doesn't have the kind of games most Japanese people like. Blue Dragon is definitely a step in the right direction, but if it'll take more than one game to make the system a success.

[Z-Saber]

but if it'll take more than one game to make the system a success.Then the PS3 is screwed.

[depascal22]

Then the PS3 is screwed.

Fortunately for Sony, the Japanese public will buy the PS3 because.....well, I don't know exactly why, but they'll buy it and they'll love it. And they'll look down their noses at an "inferior" American product. I mean, American car companies have been trying to crack the Japanese market for decades now and they've barely made a dent. It's kind of crazy to ask the Japanese to support an American console that has games that pretty much cater to the American market. This is definately the right step in the right direction but it's not gonna be easy competing with Nintendo and Sony overseas.

[ryanbph]

I thought that North America has only 3 million of user base and only about 2 million in USA. I read that on Game Informer on the December issue i think.

iirc it was 2.9 mill in usa households as of either aug/sept

[Sarang01]

Then the PS3 is screwed.

You are joking right? VF5, MGS4 and that RPG from Level 5 are just a few with more that will come down the pipe I'm sure.
In terms of who made the comment about the Japanese not liking anything that's NOT Japanese explain to me how iPod is supposedly a big seller there as well as Dancemania selling well and making all kinds of versions of it.
Icruise understands what's up though I don't know about "Idolmaster" though I'll admit the music is catchy. I wish it was a design your J-Pop singer from the ground up, with clothes, hair color, music style, etc. Being able to add music from a USB device would be great.
Oh and I'll be getting the Asian version of "Blue Dragon" soon enough. I'm hoping it's subbed, but if not I'll deal with it. If not I'll hope to be consoled by MS being stupid enough to make the US version dubbed with subtitles nowhere to be found, COUGHN3COUGH.

[Roufuss]

Fortunately for Sony, the Japanese public will buy the PS3 because.....well, I don't know exactly why, but they'll buy it and they'll love it. And they'll look down their noses at an "inferior" American product. I mean, American car companies have been trying to crack the Japanese market for decades now and they've barely made a dent. It's kind of crazy to ask the Japanese to support an American console that has games that pretty much cater to the American market. This is definately the right step in the right direction but it's not gonna be easy competing with Nintendo and Sony overseas.

Then fuck them, don't even worry about Japan.

I wish MS would stop wasting so many damn resources trying to convert a country that couldn't care less about them. How about they focus some of that effort over in the US and Europe where people actually CARE about the 360?

You're right, Japanese people just look down on the 360 for the most part, yet MS just pours so much effort into trying to get them. I wish they would just stop caring, because the system obviously dosen't need Japanese games to be a success in the US.

It's ok, I'll gladly take Gears of War and Rainbow Six Vegas over shitty Gundam game number 2024, and boring cliche RPG number 2033.

I guess I just don't get why people buy a 360 and then expect a plethora of Japanese games for it, or why MS keeps thinking that one day Japan will just change its mind. Maybe one day the Japanese will all just grow a fondness for FPS's.

[Rei no Otaku]

Now hurry the hell up and translate the game to English and get it out here. There hasn't been a decent RPG released since March (FF games don't count).
Tales of the Abyss came out in October, so that statement is incorrect. Unless you mean just 360 games. Then I apologize.

Also I guess I'm the only one not excited about this game. Considering how I don't think Sakaguchi is god, and the FF series has never been that great. Now if Level 5 or the Tales team announced a RPG for the 360 I'd be all over it.

[Sarang01]

Tales of the Abyss came out in October, so that statement is incorrect. Unless you mean just 360 games. Then I apologize.

Also I guess I'm the only one not excited about this game. Considering how I don't think Sakaguchi is god, and the FF series has never been that great. Now if Level 5 or the Tales team announced a RPG for the 360 I'd be all over it.

What about the Namco RPG?

[62t]

I you are talking about Eternal Sonata, it is made by Tri-Crescendo. Tri-Crescendo is made up of former Tri-Ace member. Tri-Ace, if you remember made up of Wolfteam member. Wolfteam worked on Tales of Phantasia and later split into tales studio

[sonicfreak5]

microsoft will never give up, will they?

[Apossum]

microsoft will never give up, will they?


nope. especially not now with this small victory.

[Rei no Otaku]

I you are talking about Eternal Sonata, it is made by Tri-Crescendo. Tri-Crescendo is made up of former Tri-Ace member. Tri-Ace, if you remember made up of Wolfteam member. Wolfteam worked on Tales of Phantasia and later split into tales studio
I forgot about this game. And isn't that the team that made Baten Kaitos?

[62t]

I forgot about this game. And isn't that the team that made Baten Kaitos?
They work on the games with Monolith Soft

[VanillaGorilla]

Tales of the Abyss came out in October, so that statement is incorrect. Unless you mean just 360 games. Then I apologize.

Also I guess I'm the only one not excited about this game. Considering how I don't think Sakaguchi is god, and the FF series has never been that great. Now if Level 5 or the Tales team announced a RPG for the 360 I'd be all over it.Tales of the Abyss doesn't count either. There hasn't been a GOOD RPG released in the US, for any console, since Shadow Hearts: FTNW back in March.

[62t]

Tales of the Abyss doesn't count either. There hasn't been a GOOD RPG released in the US, for any console, since Shadow Hearts: FTNW back in March.
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, Devil Summoner, Baten Kaitos Origins, Xenosaga 3, Disagea 2, Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny, Steambot Chronicles, and metal saga

[Zoglog]

Tales of the Abyss doesn't count either. There hasn't been a GOOD RPG released in the US, for any console, since Shadow Hearts: FTNW back in March.

That's like saying there hasn't een a GOOD FPS released since Quake 3. Sure i'm inclined to think so, but i'm not arrogant enough to push that onto other people =p.

[jrutz]

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, Devil Summoner, Baten Kaitos Origins, Xenosaga 3, Disagea 2, Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny, Steambot Chronicles, and metal saga

FFXII ? Maybe?

[Javery]

MS can't quit trying to succeed in Japan - there are too many large third parties there that also happen to make games that Americans/Europeans love. They have to change the perception of the Xbox brand in Japan.

[Badgun]

I heard Gears is getting the "Adult" based rating in Japan. I did read somewhere a month or 2 ago at some event in Japan there was a wait to play Gears of War. Hopefully GoW and Lost Planet sell well.

While us Americans can usually be appeased by a 5-6 hour game if it promises good multiplayer, I think the Japanese expect to get a little more bang for their yen when they drop it on a game. Epic should be ashamed of themselves for hyping GoW so much and have it be so short.

[Rei no Otaku]

Tales of the Abyss doesn't count either. There hasn't been a GOOD RPG released in the US, for any console, since Shadow Hearts: FTNW back in March.
The fact that you called FtNW a good RPG makes your entire post moot.

[mykevermin]

While us Americans can usually be appeased by a 5-6 hour game if it promises good multiplayer, I think the Japanese expect to get a little more bang for their yen when they drop it on a game. Epic should be ashamed of themselves for hyping GoW so much and have it be so short.

If you've ever played a shooter with a 30-hour single player campaign, by all means, let me know what that is.

Vanilla Gorilla seems to have been on a troll-roll last night, given his post on this page, and elsewhere. Classy.

[thrustbucket]

Epic should be ashamed of themselves for hyping GoW so much and have it be so short.

Yeah I am sure they are crying their eyes out in shame as they roll around in swimming pools of money. "Oh lord why did we make the game so short?! What is our problems! We can't accept all this money!"

[Roufuss]

MS can't quit trying to succeed in Japan - there are too many large third parties there that also happen to make games that Americans/Europeans love. They have to change the perception of the Xbox brand in Japan.

But American / European companies are making the games Americans / Europeans love though.... we don't need the Japanese.

I don't think any 360 owner is crying their eyes out we're not getting Final Fantasy or Metal Gear Solid. It would be nice, but be honest, the lack of Japanese support isn't going to break the 360, at all.

I still say fuck Japan.. they don't like the 360, they don't like MS, take all of those resources they are WASTING and use it to further improve their image in the US.

And to whoever said Gears of War is short, isn't it about 8 hours long, multiple difficulty levels, an awesome online mode? Like Myke said, I'd like to see the FPS that is 35 hours long.

[itachiitachi]

Is there any estimate on how many systems sold since the release of blue dragon?

[mykevermin]

But American / European companies are making the games Americans / Europeans love though.... we don't need the Japanese.

I don't think any 360 owner is crying their eyes out we're not getting Final Fantasy or Metal Gear Solid. It would be nice, but be honest, the lack of Japanese support isn't going to break the 360, at all.

I still say fuck Japan.. they don't like the 360, they don't like MS, take all of those resources they are WASTING and use it to further improve their image in the US.

And to whoever said Gears of War is short, isn't it about 8 hours long, multiple difficulty levels, an awesome online mode? Like Myke said, I'd like to see the FPS that is 35 hours long.

To be fair, I don't think anyone will accuse Microsoft of scant promotions for the 360 in the US.

If I have any beef at all, it's the price of the 360 over there relative to here. That's just the market at work, however, and indicative of what MS is willing to do to get a foothold in the marketplace in Japan.

The 360 has some amazing games, but ports (such as MGS4) won't matter in Japan - that gives American owners of 360s a reason not to buy a PS3, but it doesn't give incentive to own a 360 for someone in Japan.

Mistwalker is a major acquisition for them - it's essentially Square-Enix's most well-known names without the official title. The franchise is different, and I look forward to hearing that BD is an amazing game.

We can say "fuck Japan" all we want, but we what would we lack if we didn't have Japan? Dead Rising, Blue Dragon, Lost Planet, whatever those two fucking sexy-looking RPGs were from E3 are, and lots of other titles (Castlevania: SOTN on XBLA) come to mind. We may have some of them, but eventually developers will say "MS has no intention of getting into the Japanese marketplace, so let's not make something that will only sell in the US and Europe." MS and developers are trying to succeed in Japan, and seem to be failing.

http://www.the-magicbox.com/gaming.htm

Now, if you look down that page, you'll see that Sony already has 150% as many PS3s sold as 360s. That's pathetic. MS will always be in third place (or worse, if you include PS2 sales and handhelds). But to drop out entirely is to wish death upon your console division, IMO.

My essential question is this: what has happened with regard to MS' promotion of the 360 in Japan that has harmed us, as gamers? If nothing, what is there to be upset about?

The only thing I can think of is the "Square-Enix announces support for the 360!" news. This became "here, have this 4 year-old hunk of shit" Final Fantasy XI. That's a self-fulfilling prophecy, IMO. I can't imagine that a single soul bought a 360 because of that game, and Sylpheed doesn't look like it will sell any consoles either. SE has gone on record claiming it wants to balance support for all three consoles, but that's a line of bullshit in the end. They'll give the Wii something unique and mediocre, and rely on the PS3 as the cash cow. That SE is bullshitting me and you into thinking it will support all three consoles equally is what burns me; and that's SE's fault, not Microsoft's.

"Oh lord why did we make the game so short?! What is our problems! We can't accept all this money!"

Toki from Dethklok works for Epic games?

[Roufuss]

To be fair, I don't think anyone will accuse Microsoft of scant promotions for the 360 in the US.


I have a feeling we're going to see Japan get the special treatment again this gen, just like with the Xbox. Remember all those special Xbox's Japan got, and we didn't get shit? Now they are getting special Blue Dragon 360's (is it any different than a regular 360?) and I doubt we'll ever see that. Why don't they start giving US some special edition 360's? I guess because we already support the company.


If I have any beef at all, it's the price of the 360 over there relative to here. That's just the market at work, however, and indicative of what MS is willing to do to get a foothold in the marketplace in Japan.

Can't argue there.


The 360 has some amazing games, but ports (such as MGS4) won't matter in Japan - that gives American owners of 360s a reason not to buy a PS3, but it doesn't give incentive to own a 360 for someone in Japan.

I would imagine it's the same, if MGS 4 was announced on the 360 people in Japan would much rather buy that extremely cheaper 360 you just mentioned in the last paragraph. Or maybe they wouldn't. I don't know, Japan is weird.


Mistwalker is a major acquisition for them - it's essentially Square-Enix's most well-known names without the official title. The franchise is different, and I look forward to hearing that BD is an amazing game.


Maybe I'm just jaded, but I see Blue Dragon not doing well in the US at all... I think it's hitting a different target audience that aren't 360 gamers for the most part. I'd like to be wrong, though. I think most 360 gamers just want the next big adrenaline rushed game, since that's what sells for the most part.


We can say "fuck Japan" all we want, but we what would we lack if we didn't have Japan? Dead Rising, Blue Dragon, Lost Planet, whatever those two fucking sexy-looking RPGs were from E3 are, and lots of other titles (Castlevania: SOTN on XBLA) come to mind. We may have some of them, but eventually developers will say "MS has no intention of getting into the Japanese marketplace, so let's not make something that will only sell in the US and Europe." MS and developers are trying to succeed in Japan, and seem to be failing.

Long paragraph :lol: Dead Rising and Lost Planet were made in Japan, yes, but they definitely have that US feel. I remember Capcom being surprised Dead Rising was a runaway success in the US... how did it do in Japan? I think Capcom is one of the few Japanese companies who understand they can make games for the 360 and have them be a runaway success in the states, regardless if the Japanese people hate the system or not. Capcom just sees things as $$$, and they see the 360 as a potential source of $$$. Capcom has pretty much said "Hey, MS may suck in Japan but lets make stuff that will still sell a shit ton in the US". Dead Rising is proof of that... Lost Planet is going to sell great as well.

I can't explain SOTN on XBLA, but Konami was always an MS supporter.


http://www.the-magicbox.com/gaming.htm

Now, if you look down that page, you'll see that Sony already has 150% as many PS3s sold as 360s. That's pathetic. MS will always be in third place (or worse, if you include PS2 sales and handhelds). But to drop out entirely is to wish death upon your console division, IMO.

I don't think MS dropping out of Japan will be death on their console division. The PC industry has ALWAYS done well and that's with BARELY any Japanese support. Even if MS dropped out of Japan, there is still a ton of American / European developers willing to support them (shit, probably still Capcom and Tecmo too). Look at some of the hottest selling 360 titles this winter: Gears of War, Rainbow Six Vegas, Viva Pinata. Then look at alot of past hot 360 titles: Oblivion, GRAW, Saints Row. What about future hot 360 titles? GTA IV, Halo 3.
If Japanese support dropped off the map completely, only a small fraction of 360 owners would care.


My essential question is this: what has happened with regard to MS' promotion of the 360 in Japan that has harmed us, as gamers? If nothing, what is there to be upset about?


I suppose nothing, but MS is so desperately trying to latch onto Japanese support but they never do a good job... just seems like a waste of resources, imo, since no developer is ever going to give MS an exclusive system seller because they will NEVER move out of third place, just because of Japanese bias.


The only thing I can think of is the "Square-Enix announces support for the 360!" news. This became "here, have this 4 year-old hunk of shit" Final Fantasy XI. That's a self-fulfilling prophecy, IMO. I can't imagine that a single soul bought a 360 because of that game, and Sylpheed doesn't look like it will sell any consoles either. SE has gone on record claiming it wants to balance support for all three consoles, but that's a line of bullshit in the end. They'll give the Wii something unique and mediocre, and rely on the PS3 as the cash cow. That SE is bullshitting me and you into thinking it will support all three consoles equally is what burns me; and that's SE's fault, not Microsoft's.


SE is full of shit. That's all I've got to say about that.

[Zoglog]

when It comes to games like this I really wish MS included in the HD-DVD Drive, but they did launch pretty damn early so it's to be expected. but with the added space we could have Dual Language tracks (for us that prefer Japanese Voices) and no disc swapping. Oh well D:

and SE is full of shit, that's why they practically banished this dood (because of the FF movie) and he went off to make his own studio

[mykevermin]

and SE is full of shit, that's why they practically banished this dood (because of the FF movie) and he went off to make his own studio

huh?

Roufuss, I agree with many of your points - what's selling the 360 right now are not titles that are "Japanese" enough (based on prior buying preferences). Perhaps what MS needs are those JPN games that sell well there (simple series? anime titles?) that won't see the light of day here.

The Blue Dragon bundle is a regular ol' boring *core* system, with the game only (1 version of the bundle) and w/ the game, a BD faceplate, and some figurines (the "LE" bundle). Funny thing about that faceplate, it makes me wonder if we'll ever see "exclusive" consoles (such as the crystal white Panzer Dragoon Xbox, or others) - when the major cosmetic change is available for any and all consoles, there is no impetus to make such a drastic change. Besides, every goddamned console company puts out *oodles* more exclusive consoles in Japan than in the states. D'you wanna buy a pumpkin orange GC though?

[thrustbucket]

I am mildly interested in Blue Dragon, but coming on 3 DVD'S means it must have an awful lot of FMV. I think my interest in watching movies 2/3 of a game waned after FFVII.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Expanding the Japanese audience also expands the American audience as well. I believe Guitar Hero is the ONLY game in my entire collection that comes from a developer outside of Japan. I'm interested in Blue Dragon, and if there were a few games like it, I might consider buying a core system to play them.

[Midnite]

MS needs Japan, without Japan gamers loose support from studios like Capcom. Most developers are still skeptical of the PS3, Koei announced that 2 of there exclusive PS3 titles will be released on the 360 as well and as Namco announced last week companies need to sell 500,000 units to break even on software with the PS3.

If MS can get more Japanese support it could mean gamers that have a 360 will see more games that normally would appear on the Playstation (Metal Gear, Tekken, Final Fantasy, Soul Calibur, etc). I honestly would love to see Virtua Fighter 5, Tekken 5, and Metal Gear end up on 360. Hell, Tekken with Live would be awesome.

We are kind of seeing this now with the Smackdown vs Raw game. Instead of THQ making a Wrestlemania game for the 360, they are just making there best selling wrestling game multiplatform. About damn time if you ask me.

[Roufuss]

MS needs Japan, without Japan gamers loose support from studios like Capcom.

Doubtful. Capcom now sees that there is a ton of money to be made on the 360 whether the Japanese buy it or not. I remember the one guy who made Dead Rising was surprised the game sold so hotly in the US and pledged more US support.

Lost Planet is going to be another one that will blow up in the US but I doubt most of the Japanese will care.

Capcom sees things as $$$ and they will go wherever the money is.

And yea, Namco should pull their head out of the ass and put up Tekken w/ Live play, but they are stubborn and stupid. If Gears of War can sell 1 million worldwide in 2 weeks (most of which has to be US / European sales), Tekken with Live play would crack that # as well. Namco announced it needs to sell 500,000 copies of Ridge Racer 7 to break even, which it won't, not in a million years, but still no mention of a 360 port. Namco is very Japan-centric, I believe... I can't think of anything they've put on the 360 yet that was a big deal.

Myke, I actually did want an orange GC ;)

[zewone]

what has happened with regard to MS' promotion of the 360 in Japan that has harmed us, as gamers? If nothing, what is there to be upset about?
The only thing that comes to mind is at launch, when you couldn't find them here in the states, and they were just sitting on shelves in Japan. That pissed me off. But that was only for about the first 4 months, so it's no longer a issue.

[Rei no Otaku]

Lost Planet is going to be another one that will blow up in the US but I doubt most of the Japanese will care.
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/capcom/kotaku-magu-famitsu-hearts-lost-planet-220327.php

Maybe that will help them care. We can hope...

[Dr Mario Kart]

Namco would never let their main fighting franchises be online simply because they cater to the fighting community, and they are not satisfied with the state of online gaming enough to do this.

Go to Soulcalibur.com or TekkenZaibatsu or whatever the VF forum is, and mention that the games should be online. Go ahead.

We'd need games with a consistent lag of well under one frame before they'd even consider it.

[Midnite]

And yea, Namco should pull their head out of the ass and put up Tekken w/ Live play, but they are stubborn and stupid. If Gears of War can sell 1 million worldwide in 2 weeks (most of which has to be US / European sales), Tekken with Live play would crack that # as well. Namco announced it needs to sell 500,000 copies of Ridge Racer 7 to break even, which it won't, not in a million years, but still no mention of a 360 port. Namco is very Japan-centric, I believe... I can't think of anything they've put on the 360 yet that was a big deal.



I doubt will see RR7 on 360 since it's technically 6 with a new coat of paint. I played 7 over my friends place last weekend and only came across 2 new tracks. All the other ones were from the 360 or PSP versions of the game. Also I thought the 360 courses looked better, the 2 that weren't on the 360 actually looked better then the other courses.

[mykevermin]

The only thing that comes to mind is at launch, when you couldn't find them here in the states, and they were just sitting on shelves in Japan. That pissed me off. But that was only for about the first 4 months, so it's no longer a issue.

That's a fair greivance.

[Sarang01]

Maybe I'm just jaded, but I see Blue Dragon not doing well in the US at all... I think it's hitting a different target audience that aren't 360 gamers for the most part. I'd like to be wrong, though. I think most 360 gamers just want the next big adrenaline rushed game, since that's what sells for the most part.

The PC industry has ALWAYS done well and that's with BARELY any Japanese support.

I suppose nothing, but MS is so desperately trying to latch onto Japanese support but they never do a good job... just seems like a waste of resources, imo, since no developer is ever going to give MS an exclusive system seller because they will NEVER move out of third place, just because of Japanese bias.


If "Blue Dragon" doesn't do well here it's because they hadn't built up the audience interested in it on the 360 in the first place.
As an RPG fan I bought the original XBox hoping to see some great looking one's coming from it and was quite disappointed after playing the drek that is Morrowind and the disappointment that was Sudeki. Keep in mind I'm a J-RPG fan mainly so it had been a constant disappointment and source of frustration when Tenerezza, a typical turn based RPG and SMT IX were turned down for being published over here.
Then I heard the people behind Shikigami No Shiro wanted to bring it over here for a budget price of $15-20 as well as giving it variety, what with it being a shmp and none over here at the time and even now as well. Guess what happened? MS turned them down and it was a JAPANESE product. There's the saying that you don't look a gifthorse in the mouth. I think this especially applies with this example. I even heard MS was offered Dragon Quest by Enix and rejected it, how stupid is that? Any first time consolemaker, especially a Gaijin one in a place like Japan, should be grateful to get any Japanese 3rd party help offered. MS' brazen attitude that they wanted SE the most and most other Japanese 3rd parties should piss off, at least in some of the examples stated above, didn't help them much.
So going further with that having MS shower you with attention when you're a place like Japan is like a kid with Down's Syndrome trying to please well. He's trying but clearly doesn't know exactly what to do. In fact, to extrapolate further I'd say MS must've hired Sega's US marketing division to tell them how to cater to the Japanese market.
All this being said I think "Blue Dragon" is a step in the right direction, with getting an exclusive from Mistwalker and I hope they seal em' up for this entire generation if they're smart.
Now in further regards to "Sudeki" I think MS should give Climax another go and get the JAPANESE division tp make them an exclusive game. In fact they should go so far as to revoke Climax's contract and forcibly get their money back if they do anything past hiring Climax UK for consultation work.
Now I think one place MS totally ignored that would've been a gold mine would've been going to a select few Japanese PC developers and courting them for the genre's that were mainly empty on the XBox: RPG's, shmps, etc. Shit I'm sure Nihon Falcom would've been easy to get to place Y's on the XBox and MS may have gotten another Tecmo on their hands.
As for Roufuss saying fuck Japan realize that if it WASN'T for Japan the video game industry, at least console, perhaps even PC, wouldn't be where it is today. Remember back in the day how much VGA monitors even cost so if your game was VGA most likely you were sol playing it on one based on the cost. So at that time the NES may have had worse graphics but the display was better. Now it seems PC's are easy to trump consoles and the monitors are quite affordable but remember it wasn't always that way.
Now commenting on your matter of the 360 going PC, yeah I want an extremely shitty selection of good games for my 360. Rather, this seems to be the state of the PC industry now though keep in mind I'm an Adventure and Lucasarts fan mainly when it comes to PC. And before you try to say I'm not Old School I played Duke Nukem back when it was a side-scroller.
Mariokart nailed my opinion on it pretty much but I have a wider selection of Western games than him that I like which might surprise some people here. I LIKE Oblivion, Syberia and some others as well as I don't think PGR3 is bad and I'm willing to try GOW. My concerns about GOW are not the game itself.
As for your comments on SE and Myke's sometimes this shit can turn out good for us. I know a guy who likes Sylpheed and says it reminds him of the old Wing Commander games on PC. Sometimes the games not intended to be blockbusters can end up some of our little favorites.

[Brak]

Not surprised in the least.

[likeaphoenixignition]

Microsoft needs to hire Japanese based companies to create games that appeal to the Japanese if they want it to survive.

[nintendokid]

Microsoft needs to hire Japanese based companies to create games that appeal to the Japanese if they want it to survive.

Correction: thrive. 8-)

It's gonna take more than one or two games. Just look at Ninja Gaiden. I know Itagaki and Co. are happy with the success of DOA, DOA Xtreme, and Ninja Gaiden here in the states and Europe. But it didn't sway even a fraction of the Japanese gamers.

[zerolens]

End of 2005 Xbox sold around 2 million in Japan/Asia, PS2 around 22 million. 20 million gamers is A LOT and it's a market MS wants and possibly needs. Not to mention making the 360 a good all around console with a variety of games. PS3 is getting most of the stuff 360 gets (Call of Duty, GTA4, EA games, etc.) Your regular mainstream stuff, then add in the large amount of Japanese titles it will get then you potentially have another PS2-like selection of games.

Not everything is going multiplatform. People like me that like Japanese games will suck it up and buy a PS3 to get those games. People who have played all the Final Fantasy games and are loyal to the series will suck it up and pay. How many people who would pay $60 for FF13 are jumping ship to 360 and are going to sit back and hope and pray it gets ported over? Japan sales are in the bag because a 360 version would be worthless in Japan, which leaves NA and Europe. SE wondering if long-time Final Fantasy fans are only buying a 360? Not likely IMO.

If one console stands out like PS1 and PS2 did then multiplatform games won't be as common as people think. With the Wii and PS3 being so different in graphics I think you're going to see a bunch of niche Japanese games being exclusive to one console. Had 360 put on a good showing you could see that game offered on both, but not going to happen at this rate. You'll see PC games going to 360 more. Wii will have a ton of exclusive games IMO. I'm not convinced of this most everything going multiplatform stuff.

And it's people like Roufuss of why I don't buy a 360. I keep hearing it and I honestly believe he represents the majority of 360 owners. Why on earth would someone who likes Japanese games buy a 360 when the fanbase is like him? Companies like Square, Atlus, etc. will realize it and guess what? The games go elsewhere. I go where the games go.

[Sarang01]

Ok on the comment with the 3 DVD's it better be the game itself and not FMV's. Also to be fair a game can take a least a full DVD datawise without FMV's. This case in point is shown by Shenmue and Shenmue 2 which each needed 4 GD's a piece.

[Rei no Otaku]

Why on earth would someone who likes Japanese games buy a 360 when the fanbase is like him?
Huh? I own a 360, and I love it. And I love Japanese games. Remember how Roufuss mentioned Gundam game 2045? Well I'm the fanboy who owns Gundam games 2035-2044 already, and will continue to buy them. What the hell does the 360s fanbase have to do with my enjoyment of it?

And frankly, as much as I love my Tales games or my Onimushas, I'm far more excited for games like Mass Effect and Lost Planet than I am for another generic Final Fantasy game (not to say I won't buy it of course). Believe it or not, you can like both Japanese and Western games.

[Roufuss]

And it's people like Roufuss of why I don't buy a 360. I keep hearing it and I honestly believe he represents the majority of 360 owners. Why on earth would someone who likes Japanese games buy a 360 when the fanbase is like him? Companies like Square, Atlus, etc. will realize it and guess what? The games go elsewhere. I go where the games go.

So do I chief, but buying a 360 for Japanese games is a stupid idea. Buy a 360 because there are good games, buy it because you can't wait to play something like Mass Effect (like Rei did), but don't buy it hoping that somehow a shitton of Japanese developers are all of a sudden going to flock to the system en masse.

My PS2 handles my dose of Japanese games just fine, my 360 handles my US / European games just fine.

I do not hate Japan (I like to over-exaggerate my posts sometimes) but one of the major comments always thrown at the 360 is that it "has a lack of Japanese games" like it's some kind of bad thing... it has alot of GREAT games that just don't happen to be Japanese.

The only reason I mentioned Gundam is that the new PS3 Japanese Gundam game seems to be pretty shitty judging by reviews, yet the Japanese probably bought it in droves. I'd rather have an awesome game than another game that costs by on a Japanese license just to satisfy the Japanophile inside some 360 owners.

I mean, I'll just re-iterate your question back at you... Why on Earth would someone buy a 360 if they liked Japanese games?

Answer: They wouldn't, not unless they wanted a ton of great US / European games.

The whole point of everything I've posted is that the 360 is doing just fine without a ton of Japanese support (the only main developers I can think of are Capcom and Tecmo, who, like I said, like $$$ and they see that now in the 360 in other regions), so I just wish Microsoft would pull the plug and let it go.

Hell, so far, Blue Dragon is barely even getting hyped up over here, and I'd be really surprised if MS put forward a huge campaign for it. Yet we're already seeing commercials for Halo 3 a year in advance and GTA IV made waves throughout MS's press conference at E3.

[Sarang01]

So do I chief, but buying a 360 for Japanese games is a stupid idea. Buy a 360 because there are good games, buy it because you can't wait to play something like Mass Effect (like Rei did), but don't buy it hoping that somehow a shitton of Japanese developers are all of a sudden going to flock to the system en masse.

My PS2 handles my dose of Japanese games just fine, my 360 handles my US / European games just fine.

I do not hate Japan (I like to over-exaggerate my posts sometimes) but one of the major comments always thrown at the 360 is that it "has a lack of Japanese games" like it's some kind of bad thing... it has alot of GREAT games that just don't happen to be Japanese.

The only reason I mentioned Gundam is that the new PS3 Japanese Gundam game seems to be pretty shitty judging by reviews, yet the Japanese probably bought it in droves. I'd rather have an awesome game than another game that costs by on a Japanese license just to satisfy the Japanophile inside some 360 owners.

I mean, I'll just re-iterate your question back at you... Why on Earth would someone buy a 360 if they liked Japanese games?

Answer: They wouldn't, not unless they wanted a ton of great US / European games.

The whole point of everything I've posted is that the 360 is doing just fine without a ton of Japanese support (the only main developers I can think of are Capcom and Tecmo, who, like I said, like $$$ and they see that now in the 360 in other regions), so I just wish Microsoft would pull the plug and let it go.

Hell, so far, Blue Dragon is barely even getting hyped up over here, and I'd be really surprised if MS put forward a huge campaign for it. Yet we're already seeing commercials for Halo 3 a year in advance and GTA IV made waves throughout MS's press conference at E3.

Yeah well to be fair I'm sure there's some license that sells like pancakes here and is complete shit, at least in terms of updates, COUGHMaddenCOUGH. However Japan does suffer from major shitty Anime game syndrome. You'd think they would've learned like most Americans did about movie licensed games being shit overall. One of the few games that cracked that mold was Goldeneye and "Ducktales" was an early licensed property that was good. "Enter the Matrix" had the chance and the gameplay system is fun except the driving is pretty mundane but the problem there is it's "Matrix Reloaded" with two different characters and almost none of their missions are completely. Add to the fact that pilotting some or ALL of the tunnel level is buggy as all get out.
Anyway I as well am looking forward to "Mass Effect" because the acting looks good and it LOOKS to be like a movie, which I mean as a compliment.

I will even acknowledge it has some good games. One's which come to mind are Oblivion, Condemned, RRX isn't bad, PGR3 and COD2 is pretty intense. Ridge Racer 6 has an idiotic nitrous system which I feel should be yanked from the game. Quake 4 isn't bad but it's a typical FPS. GOW I hear ravings about so I'll probably pick up down the line.

[icruise]

I mean, I'll just re-iterate your question back at you... Why on Earth would someone buy a 360 if they liked Japanese games?
They wouldn't, and that's the problem. By not having Japanese games, MS is losing out on both the Japanese market and the segment of the gamer population that likes Japanese-style games. Most people are not going to be buying multiple game systems. They are going to buy one, and if it's a choice between a system that seems to have a little of everything (what the PS3 will be like if it follows in the footsteps of the PS2) or a system that skews toward one particular demographic (Western gamers who like FPS games in particular) then they're probably going to go for the PS3.

[Roufuss]

They wouldn't, and that's the problem. By not having Japanese games, MS is losing out on both the Japanese market and the segment of the gamer population that likes Japanese-style games. Most people are not going to be buying multiple game systems. They are going to buy one, and if it's a choice between a system that seems to have a little of everything (what the PS3 will be like if it follows in the footsteps of the PS2) or a system that skews toward one particular demographic (Western gamers who like FPS games in particular) then they're probably going to go for the PS3.

There is alot of gamers out there who own a PS2 for Madden and GTA... the 360 is also appealing to those people, since they are getting better looking versions of Madden and GTA with online play and downloads. Those same people also probably happen to be big fans of Halo.

MS is in a lucky spot where they have created a mega franchise in the US, similar to how Final Fantasy is received in Japan. I mean, Gears of War broke 1 million sales easily... Halo 3 will have 5 times that hype. MS put all their eggs in one basket, yes, but when the basket is a cultural phenomeon (can't spell it, sorry) they can do that.

Gears of War + the future Halo 3 are enough to snag any casual gamer. Ask any casual gamer, who make up the majority of game buying, what they play these days and you'll hear "Uh.. Madden (any sports game)... GTA (any sandbox game)... and uh... Halo, Halo is kick ass" There is a reason MS is riding the Halo 3 hype train a year early, and espically during Monday Night Football.

I'd go so far as to wager the people who make their decisions based on games coming from Japan are probably more into gaming than most and probably will end up buying multiple systems.

[hiccupleftovers]

While us Americans can usually be appeased by a 5-6 hour game if it promises good multiplayer, I think the Japanese expect to get a little more bang for their yen when they drop it on a game. Epic should be ashamed of themselves for hyping GoW so much and have it be so short.

Umm...you do know that it wasn't epic that hyped the game. Epic hardly hyped it at all really outside of previewing it to magazines and the commercials. Most of the hype came from us users. We basically set the ball rolling on this game and it has been phenomenal. Really nothing to complain about at all. Try playing the game on Hard or Insane mode.

[nintendokid]

You guys do realize that monopoly is dangerous, right?

[hiccupleftovers]

Gears of War is not an FPS...:-P

But seriously, this is amazing. Amazing! I've been excited for Blue Dragon because of it having some of the members form the Chrono Trigger team (artist and composer, I think) but haven't really followed it too much.

Same here. I'm going to look into it heavily now and make it perhaps my first RPG purchase for 360.

[hiccupleftovers]

Doubtful. Capcom now sees that there is a ton of money to be made on the 360 whether the Japanese buy it or not. I remember the one guy who made Dead Rising was surprised the game sold so hotly in the US and pledged more US support.

Lost Planet is going to be another one that will blow up in the US but I doubt most of the Japanese will care.

Capcom sees things as $$$ and they will go wherever the money is.

And yea, Namco should pull their head out of the ass and put up Tekken w/ Live play, but they are stubborn and stupid. If Gears of War can sell 1 million worldwide in 2 weeks (most of which has to be US / European sales), Tekken with Live play would crack that # as well. Namco announced it needs to sell 500,000 copies of Ridge Racer 7 to break even, which it won't, not in a million years, but still no mention of a 360 port. Namco is very Japan-centric, I believe... I can't think of anything they've put on the 360 yet that was a big deal.

Myke, I actually did want an orange GC ;)

Oh please oh please oh please put Tekken on 360 with Live and a joystick. i'd pay $70 for this and wouldn't mind and would do it with a huge:D on my face.

Namco would never let their main fighting franchises be online simply because they cater to the fighting community, and they are not satisfied with the state of online gaming enough to do this.

Go to Soulcalibur.com or TekkenZaibatsu or whatever the VF forum is, and mention that the games should be online. Go ahead.

We'd need games with a consistent lag of well under one frame before they'd even consider it.

If they wanted to and put some real effort into it than it could be done. Even Itagaki at least tried. I'm sure that Namco could it pull it off some way. Hell, regardless of Live I wish that they port over or put Tekken on Xbox and don't fucking stiff us like they did by putting Tekken 5: DR solely on PSP. I swear that game gets the most out of my PSP.

[hiccupleftovers]

You guys do realize that monopoly is dangerous, right?

What the hell have you been spewing about this entire thread? Every single post of your is pretty much nonsensical. You do understand that under the current conditions that the hardware side of the video game market is actually an oligopoly? And not only that, but no one competitor has held anyone from coming into the video game hardware market? Just look at how Nokia (big name company) was apart of it at one point and the same with the Gizmodo (small name stupid company).

[Roufuss]

If they wanted to and put some real effort into it than it could be done. Even Itagaki at least tried. I'm sure that Namco could it pull it off some way. Hell, regardless of Live I wish that they port over or put Tekken on Xbox and don't fucking stiff us like they did by putting Tekken 5: DR solely on PSP. I swear that game gets the most out of my PSP.

With arcades all but dead in the US, but still alive in Japan, I think it'll take the arcade market in Japan to pretty much die before developers start seriously looking at online play.

Because seriously, the only people I have to play fighters with around here are my sucky ass friends who blow at them. I'd love to get online with Tekken and play some REAL competition.

[hiccupleftovers]

With arcades all but dead in the US, but still alive in Japan, I think it'll take the arcade market in Japan to pretty much die before developers start seriously looking at online play.

Because seriously, the only people I have to play fighters with around here are my sucky ass friends who blow at them. I'd love to get online with Tekken and play some REAL competition.

Around here we still have arcades, but the barely manage to thrive. They get some new games in, but it's mostly older ones. Still, I used to play Soul Calibur II non-stop at the arcade and had great competition at the various arcades by me. Was in a league and had built up multiple characters to 2000+ wins and only 200 losses. But slowly my competition began to die off and most people stopped playing it and moved on. It took forever for SCIII to be released at an arcade here and they cut out Conquest mode which basically partially killed the game for me and my compatriots. Not only that, but the price was far higher than SCII's of one quarter so we sort of gave up on it. It really sucks to since I would love SCII/III competition.

The most competition I have gotten out of Tekken 5/DR is by one person who was excellent at the game and the only time I have actually come across any. After that, it's solely me and my PSP on the go.

[zerolens]

Huh? I own a 360, and I love it. And I love Japanese games. Remember how Roufuss mentioned Gundam game 2045? Well I'm the fanboy who owns Gundam games 2035-2044 already, and will continue to buy them. What the hell does the 360s fanbase have to do with my enjoyment of it?

And frankly, as much as I love my Tales games or my Onimushas, I'm far more excited for games like Mass Effect and Lost Planet than I am for another generic Final Fantasy game (not to say I won't buy it of course). Believe it or not, you can like both Japanese and Western games.

I didn't say you can't like both Japanese and Western games. The simple fact is the 360 is selling horribly in Japan. A 4 week old PS3 outsells a 360 that's been out a year? Where do you think all those niche Japanese games are going? Not to the 360 that's for sure.

And the fanbase matters because if the majority of Xbox gamers don't care for the games I like (Dragon Quest, Suikoden, Japanese horror games like Clock Tower, Haunting Ground, etc.) then what's the point in getting that console?

[Rei no Otaku]

And the fanbase matters because if the majority of Xbox gamers don't care for the games I like (Dragon Quest, Suikoden, Japanese horror games like Clock Tower, Haunting Ground, etc.) then what's the point in getting that console?
I still fail to see what the fanbase has to do with your enjoyment of the console. Most of the PS2's fanbase sure didn't like Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Z Gundam. Did that stop me from enjoying the game? I think what you're trying to say is that if a console doesn't get the games you like then you shouldn't buy it, which is very true. The way your previous post was worded made it sound like you were saying "I don't like Roufuss' or other 360 owners' attitudes, so I'm not buying a 360!"

Also I never touched on how the 360 was doing in Japan. Why'd you mention that O.o

[zerolens]

So do I chief, but buying a 360 for Japanese games is a stupid idea. Buy a 360 because there are good games, buy it because you can't wait to play something like Mass Effect (like Rei did), but don't buy it hoping that somehow a shitton of Japanese developers are all of a sudden going to flock to the system en masse.

My PS2 handles my dose of Japanese games just fine, my 360 handles my US / European games just fine.

I do not hate Japan (I like to over-exaggerate my posts sometimes) but one of the major comments always thrown at the 360 is that it "has a lack of Japanese games" like it's some kind of bad thing... it has alot of GREAT games that just don't happen to be Japanese.

The only reason I mentioned Gundam is that the new PS3 Japanese Gundam game seems to be pretty shitty judging by reviews, yet the Japanese probably bought it in droves. I'd rather have an awesome game than another game that costs by on a Japanese license just to satisfy the Japanophile inside some 360 owners.

I mean, I'll just re-iterate your question back at you... Why on Earth would someone buy a 360 if they liked Japanese games?

Answer: They wouldn't, not unless they wanted a ton of great US / European games.

The whole point of everything I've posted is that the 360 is doing just fine without a ton of Japanese support (the only main developers I can think of are Capcom and Tecmo, who, like I said, like $$$ and they see that now in the 360 in other regions), so I just wish Microsoft would pull the plug and let it go.

Hell, so far, Blue Dragon is barely even getting hyped up over here, and I'd be really surprised if MS put forward a huge campaign for it. Yet we're already seeing commercials for Halo 3 a year in advance and GTA IV made waves throughout MS's press conference at E3.

But this kind of attitude will never put the 360 in the same league as the NES, PS1, and PS2. I don't think you realize how much trouble Sony would have been in had it lost FF13 to another console. Had it happened JRPG fans would have been left wondering what console to get. Most people can't afford multiple consoles, you have to go with what suits you best. SE has taken the plunge and at least for this go around will support PS3 pretty heavily. Combine this kind of support and bad sales for 360 in Japan a person like me knows what console they have to look at.

If DQ9 goes to PS3 then Sony has it in the bag. Wii can still do very well, but PS3 will be far from a failure in Japan. 360 getting third there is a given at this point, now they have to hope they can pull it off in NA and Europe.

[zerolens]

I still fail to see what the fanbase has to do with your enjoyment of the console. Most of the PS2's fanbase sure didn't like Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Z Gundam. Did that stop me from enjoying the game? I think what you're trying to say is that if a console doesn't get the games you like then you shouldn't buy it, which is very true. The way your previous post was worded made it sound like you were saying "I don't like Roufuss' or other 360 owners' attitudes, so I'm not buying a 360!"

Also I never touched on how the 360 was doing in Japan. Why'd you mention that O.o

If the majority of the fanbase doesn't like game X (which I happen to like) the majority of 360 owners naturally won't buy the game, thus the company goes elsewhere with those types of games. Then I'm stuck with a console that doesn't have the games I like. So yes the fanbase effects my enjoyment of the console.

It has nothing to do with Roufuss personally, I do think he represents the majority of Xbox owners though. They get way more excited over Gears of War and Halo (I wouldn't pay $20 in the bargain bin for those games) vs. Blue Dragon or Enchanted Arms which I would pay $40 or so each for.

And this topic is about Blue Dragon, Japanese buying 360's, etc. What's wrong with me bringing up the 360's performance in Japan since that's what the topic is about? You're in the wrong topic if you don't want to hear about such things.

[Apossum]

Namco would never let their main fighting franchises be online simply because they cater to the fighting community, and they are not satisfied with the state of online gaming enough to do this.

Go to Soulcalibur.com or TekkenZaibatsu or whatever the VF forum is, and mention that the games should be online. Go ahead.

We'd need games with a consistent lag of well under one frame before they'd even consider it.


that's nice that people are hardcore and all but there's an even larger number of people who don't care about lag that would buy it anyway. I'm pretty sure the DoA series has consistently outsold VF, Soul Calibur and Tekken, especially since it went online with Ultimate. There's a market there and it can only get bigger as more people buy the 360 (or the PS3, once it sells a lot and if they decide to go for Sony's DIY online system.) Just saying that if they see a large enough market, they'll put the game online regardless.


Sure, you'd get flamed for saying a 3D fighting game should go online, but every single person on those forums would buy an online version of Tekken 6, Soul Calibur 4 or VF5 in a second. the game wouldn't be up to tournament standards, but they'd buy it anyway.

[Rei no Otaku]

I'm pretty sure the DoA series has consistently outsold VF, Soul Calibur and Tekken, especially since it went online with Ultimate.
I really don't want to be a jerk, but I'm going to have to ask for some proof on this. Especially when it comes to Tekken and Soul Calibur.
And this topic is about Blue Dragon, Japanese buying 360's, etc. What's wrong with me bringing up the 360's performance in Japan since that's what the topic is about? You're in the wrong topic if you don't want to hear about such things.
No problem. Was just wondering why you mentioned it while quoting my post. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

[Apossum]

I really don't want to be a jerk, but I'm going to have to ask for some proof on this. Especially when it comes to Tekken and Soul Calibur.




nevermind, I'll shut up now! I thought I had seen good numbers for DoA, but it looks like I'm wrong. according to themagicbox they shipped a million copies of 4 as of last month, and 895,000 copies of DoA3 were sold in the U.S. as of 2004. I'm sure international sales put it over a million though. Not sure about Ultimate.

Looking around the web, it looks like all the other games have done well. Tekken 5 sold 1.4 million in the U.S. as of August and 300,000 in Japan as of last December, according to wikipedia. It's hard to say with Sc2, since no one specifies whether they mean a single version or if they're talking about all 3. I don't think SC3 did all that well though.

Couldn't find anything about VF.


that shuts me up about sales :)

but I still think it's obvious that Sega and Namco would put their games online if they saw the demand.

[Sarang01]

If the majority of the fanbase doesn't like game X (which I happen to like) the majority of 360 owners naturally won't buy the game, thus the company goes elsewhere with those types of games. Then I'm stuck with a console that doesn't have the games I like. So yes the fanbase effects my enjoyment of the console.

It has nothing to do with Roufuss personally, I do think he represents the majority of Xbox owners though. They get way more excited over Gears of War and Halo (I wouldn't pay $20 in the bargain bin for those games) vs. Blue Dragon or Enchanted Arms which I would pay $40 or so each for.

And this topic is about Blue Dragon, Japanese buying 360's, etc. What's wrong with me bringing up the 360's performance in Japan since that's what the topic is about? You're in the wrong topic if you don't want to hear about such things.

I agree about most XBox owners getting more excited over Halo and GOW than Suikoden and a few other which I find to be a shame. GOW I won't judge since I haven't played it yet to judge the story but while Halo's isn't bad stuff like SMT Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga are a LOT deeper plotwise and Suikoden might be interesting to most people for Historical reasons.
All that being said I think it's a shame you wouldn't give GOW a try since to my knowledge the gameplay is definitely different than Halo. Granted it's a shooter but it's decidedly in 3rd person which affects the gameplay. I could understand if you just won't pay full price for it since it's suppose to be so short. Me? I was glad I never bought ZOE because it was terribly short for the money I felt and the cliffhanger was just the icing on the cake to piss me off.
Your comment about DQ8, well I think you couldn't be further from the truth. Based on what Namco said if EnixSquare aren't complete morons they will put it exclusively on the Wii because of the lower development cost, pricing structure and # of copies they have to sell to turn a profit as well. Yes we know it will sell big in Japan but how much more profit could they reap from people who won't pay $60 for it on the PS3 but will pay $50 on the Wii as well as the extra profit the lower development costs will yield as I note above. If they don't decide to put it exclusively on the Wii I wouldn't be surprised if it's released a month or two LATER on the PS3. Regardless I would find it a waste to put it on PS3 since DQ was never big on graphics in the first place. You can look at DQVII's graphics to see that CLEARLY.

[zerolens]

That was DQ7, a game brought very late in the PS1 era. It was only Enix then as well, since they merged with Square and having Level 5 help out graphics have improved a lot. Maybe SE cares more about graphics for it now. With all the work being put into the White Engine and learning the ins and outs of the PS3, I think you'll see a lot of games from SE put out for the PS3.

I think the launch price of PS3 vs. PS2 in Japan is something like $80 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I don't think the memory card is factored into the price of that PS2 either. Here there is around a $200 difference vs. US PS2 launch, there the PS3 is less than $100 difference I think. After the price cut I don't think Japan will mind the PS3 price too much.

Also SE runs the risk of splitting it's fanbase. Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy have always gone to the same console right? That was even before the merge, I don't see why now they would decide to split the games up in different consoles and force too many people to buy multiple consoles.

As far as lower development costs or whatever, then they could easily do it for PS2 in that case if graphics aren't an issue. There's tens of millions of PS2's already out there, and PS3 owners could probably play it as well. Much more potential in sales.

Wii will do great in Japan, but I think PS3 will as well IMO. It's a matter of time before we find out which console does better there though. US and Europe is still up in the air as well.

[Sarang01]

That was DQ7, a game brought very late in the PS1 era. It was only Enix then as well, since they merged with Square and having Level 5 help out graphics have improved a lot. Maybe SE cares more about graphics for it now. With all the work being put into the White Engine and learning the ins and outs of the PS3, I think you'll see a lot of games from SE put out for the PS3.

I think the launch price of PS3 vs. PS2 in Japan is something like $80 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I don't think the memory card is factored into the price of that PS2 either. Here there is around a $200 difference vs. US PS2 launch, there the PS3 is less than $100 difference I think. After the price cut I don't think Japan will mind the PS3 price too much.

Also SE runs the risk of splitting it's fanbase. Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy have always gone to the same console right? That was even before the merge, I don't see why now they would decide to split the games up in different consoles and force too many people to buy multiple consoles.

As far as lower development costs or whatever, then they could easily do it for PS2 in that case if graphics aren't an issue. There's tens of millions of PS2's already out there, and PS3 owners could probably play it as well. Much more potential in sales.

Wii will do great in Japan, but I think PS3 will as well IMO. It's a matter of time before we find out which console does better there though. US and Europe is still up in the air as well.

First you and I both know that's not gonna happen, putting it on the PS2. And splitting it's fanbase? That's a joke right? Japanese people would BUY a Wii regardless and not complain if FFXIII is on the PS3. They DON'T care. And while the enhanced graphics garned higher sales than expected in the U.S. note how quickly they price dropped it, had sales on it even. I don't think the extra time in development for PS3 would be worth it to EnixSquare in terms of the extra profit they MIGHT yield from the U.S. FFXIII U.S. and perhaps even Japanese expect high level graphics.
To shine the light further on your fanbase comment are you referring to the U.S. fans? If you are I truly doubt DQVIII created a substantial fanbase and even one that ties in heavily with the FF one. If so that would be a terrible thing since most of them would unequivocally say DQVIII was the best one ever made, perhaps even after playing all the previous one's.

[Midnite]

Sure, you'd get flamed for saying a 3D fighting game should go online, but every single person on those forums would buy an online version of Tekken 6, Soul Calibur 4 or VF5 in a second. the game wouldn't be up to tournament standards, but they'd buy it anyway.

I would buy those except for maybe Soul Calibur, if they had online. Online play is the "new arcade" if you think about it. With a majority of arcades here in Maryland gone it's kind of hard to get any good competition. I bought most of SNKs fighters just for the fact of online play for Xbox and have a grand old time playing UMK3 over Live.

Hell, even my brother who hates MK games with a passion plays on Live just because it's competition.

It's stupid not to put these games online. I've heard that Sega is against VF going online because of lag but DoA and MK both went online and those were fun. Tekken online would be a huge draw if it went online either with PS3 or 360. Now that Namco has confirmed Tekken 5 DR on PS3 BUT still no online. Namco would see better sales of this game on 360 with Live support or even PS2 without online play.

[depascal22]

Sorry ahead of time if this offends anyone.

Ever notice how Asians don't want to play with the rest of the world? You could join an Asian room in DOA Ultimate and that room would be all chatty and fun until you said something in English. Then you could hear the crickets come out. So why would any Japanese company come out with another Live enabled fighter that Japan won't embrace? If Virtua Fighter or Tekken bombed in Japan because of the online play, there might not be any more iterations of our beloved franchises.

[zerolens]

First you and I both know that's not gonna happen, putting it on the PS2. And splitting it's fanbase? That's a joke right? Japanese people would BUY a Wii regardless and not complain if FFXIII is on the PS3. They DON'T care. And while the enhanced graphics garned higher sales than expected in the U.S. note how quickly they price dropped it, had sales on it even. I don't think the extra time in development for PS3 would be worth it to EnixSquare in terms of the extra profit they MIGHT yield from the U.S. FFXIII U.S. and perhaps even Japanese expect high level graphics.
To shine the light further on your fanbase comment are you referring to the U.S. fans? If you are I truly doubt DQVIII created a substantial fanbase and even one that ties in heavily with the FF one. If so that would be a terrible thing since most of them would unequivocally say DQVIII was the best one ever made, perhaps even after playing all the previous one's.

End of 2005 hardware sales

Japan/Asia

PS2 - 22.8 million

Gamecube - 3.9 million

This is clearly a sign that most people aren't buying multiple consoles. Just because it's Nintendo doesn't mean it automatically sells. DQ9 would obviously bump up Wii sales, but most people like myself prefer to buy one console. I would hate for DQ9 to go to Wii, not because I'm loyal to Sony, but because I'm put into a situation where I might have to buy a console for one game or do without it. I would much rather put that money into PS3 games or a 360 console.

Dragon Quest is a very basic game, the motion controller brings nothing to that game. If PS2 has all the turn-based games what is the point in putting DQ8 on the Gamecube? If PS3 does the same thing again and offers all the turn-based games what's the point in putting it on the Wii? I like turn-based so I bought a PS2.

And DQ8 sold around 400,000-500,000 in NA. Quick price drops or not, that's hardly a failure.

[Roufuss]

And DQ8 sold around 400,000-500,000 in NA. Quick price drops or not, that's hardly a failure.

DQ 8 was called a failure by Square Enix themselves.. someone high up in the company made mention in an interview that they were "disappointed" in DQ 8's sales in America.

[willardhaven]

It would be great if the 360 became this generation's PS2... This is a step in that direction, but I don't know if that could ever happen.

[icruise]

I think the launch price of PS3 vs. PS2 in Japan is something like $80 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I don't think the memory card is factored into the price of that PS2 either. Here there is around a $200 difference vs. US PS2 launch, there the PS3 is less than $100 difference I think. After the price cut I don't think Japan will mind the PS3 price too much.
After the price cut on the 20GB model, the difference between the 20GB PS3 and the PS2 is 10,000 yen (so yes, around $85). The difference with the 60GB model is 20,000 yen, or around $170.

In the US, the PS2 debuted at $299, so it's a difference of $200-$300 depending on the unit you choose.

Ever notice how Asians don't want to play with the rest of the world? You could join an Asian room in DOA Ultimate and that room would be all chatty and fun until you said something in English. Then you could hear the crickets come out. So why would any Japanese company come out with another Live enabled fighter that Japan won't embrace? If Virtua Fighter or Tekken bombed in Japan because of the online play, there might not be any more iterations of our beloved franchises.

So let me get this straight, you are playing with a bunch of Japanese players and start speaking English to them and you think that because they don't respond they are xenophobic or something? Did it ever occur to you that they simply don't speak English very well (or at all).

[Midnite]

DQ 8 was called a failure by Square Enix themselves.. someone high up in the company made mention in an interview that they were "disappointed" in DQ 8's sales in America.

They should have called it Final Fantasy, then it would have been a million + seller in the US. In Japan DQ>FF, everywhere else FF>DQ. I had friends that bought Dirge of Cerebus or whatever it's called because it was Final Fantasy yet I told them to check out Dragon Quest and they laughed at me.

[Sarang01]

DQ 8 was called a failure by Square Enix themselves.. someone high up in the company made mention in an interview that they were "disappointed" in DQ 8's sales in America.

Thank you Roufuss for helping verify it will probably be on Wii.

Zero there's no breaking of a fanbase in Japan with FF and DQ being on different systems. Dragon Quest is a system seller which means it doesn't matter WHAT system it goes to or what the userbase of that respective system is. In fact the big concern is making sure you have enough systems on hand to satisfy demand.
Look at RE4 for GC, people BOUGHT a GC for it and the #'s surpassed what Capcom expected.
edit: It's not about the motion controller, it's about the dev. costs Zero.

[zerolens]

By your logic SE is already morons for putting Final Fantasy 13 on PS3. The series is a system seller to a lot of people, put it on the console that's cheapest to develop for and call it a day. They didn't. Most people here talk how the PS3 costs too much and how people will wait a long time before they buy one, if ever, or until they can afford it. You can bet they are spending big money on FF13 and putting a lot manpower and effort into it and the White Engine. Guess what? It's going to the PS3 and they are spending big money on FF13.

Also by your logic DQ9 is a system seller and Japanese will buy it no matter the console, since SE has no problem putting FF13 on PS3 why not DQ9 on the PS3? 360 so far is getting an old game in FF11 and that shooter game, Wii is getting spin-offs of DQ and FF. PS3 has already picked up one main game (the true system seller) in FF13, why is it DQ won't necessarily follow FF13 to the same console?

Bottomline your guess is as good as mine, but the main Final Fantasy and DQ games have not only had a history of going to the same console, but SE has already proven it's willing to spend extra money on a game and not go the cheapest possible way. Final Fantasy is not small potatoes in Japan so don't even go there, hardly nothing compares to DQ in Japan but FF13 is not leftovers there or anywhere else in the world.

Also why would someone like Nippon Ichi who is not known for their graphics go for the PS3 with Makai Wars? If Square is pushing their major games on PS3 then it's in their best interest to make sure Japanese are picking up the PS3. What better way than putting DQ9 on it? Japanese now own the hardware to buy FF13 and other White Engine games.

The numbers I showed prove most people are NOT buying multiple consoles. With the high cost of developing PS3 games and the higher cost of the console itself, why not put DQ9 on it to make sure the console sells? You can't sell FF13 if people aren't buying the hardware.

[fraggedbylaggers]

I hope they sell that faceplate in the US...

[blackjaw]

I hope they sell that faceplate in the US...

I agree

[Sarang01]

By your logic SE is already morons for putting Final Fantasy 13 on PS3. The series is a system seller to a lot of people, put it on the console that's cheapest to develop for and call it a day.

Also by your logic DQ9 is a system seller and Japanese will buy it no matter the console, since SE has no problem putting FF13 on PS3 why not DQ9 on the PS3?

Also why would someone like Nippon Ichi who is not known for their graphics go for the PS3 with Makai Wars? If Square is pushing their major games on PS3 then it's in their best interest to make sure Japanese are picking up the PS3. What better way than putting DQ9 on it? Japanese now own the hardware to buy FF13 and other White Engine games.



You don't get it. The FF example you're trying to apply in terms of systems doesn't work because of the style of the games. Final Fantasy, ever since 7, has relied on a showy presentation which wowed a whole set of people new to the FF universe here and now makes up the bulk of the crowd that plays Final Fantasy games in the U.S. That being said it's expected of Square to create the most aesthetically pleasing product they can, hence the most high tech system at the time, the choices being the PS3 or 360 and you know how the Japanese feel towards Gaijin product when it comes to their gaming. Honestly I don't know if the Japanese would care as much but I'm sure the GameFAQ tools that go gaga over FF7 would bitch. You need to understand both games are different and focus on different aspects respectively.
I understand what you mean about product placement but regardless if they split them up accordingly the Japanese WILL buy both, that's where I think you're mistaken.
Nippon Ichi I think may go with where the wind is blowing at the time and has a real shot of migrating to the Wii or even the 360. Personally I think it would be a shame if MS missed this opportunity to gain an additional source of revenue. Frankly Atlus and Nippon Ichi fans eat all their new stuff up. Word of advice after "Blue Dragon" comes out, MS or Nippon Ichi release "Spectral Force 3" translated a month or two after.

[zerolens]

Props to you sarang, you were right on. DQ9 has been announced today for the DS. The game is simply about money apparently. I don't like handhelds and don't want to play on a small screen so that's pretty much it for me as far as DQ goes.

[Sarang01]

Well right company, wrong console. The news totally caught me by surprise.

[62t]

Square is only disappointed at DQ8 because they had high expectation. They shipped out 1 million copies and only sold 400,000 copies. The game is good enough to reach GH, only RPGs like .hack part 1, Dark Cloud, FFX, FFX-2, KH, KH2, the Xenosagas and Star Ocean is able to do.

[depascal22]

So let me get this straight, you are playing with a bunch of Japanese players and start speaking English to them and you think that because they don't respond they are xenophobic or something? Did it ever occur to you that they simply don't speak English very well (or at all).

No, no, no. I know the difference between someone not understanding my english but still wanting to prove their skills and out and out hate because I'm American. When there's nothing but silence and then someone says, "Get out, American.", I equate that with xenophobia. I've played with people from all over the world but I'll say it again, Asians tend to be more xenophobic. I'm sincerely hoping that they can drop the anti-Americanism and just enjoy games regardless of who developed the game or who is playing with them.

[Roufuss]

No, no, no. I know the difference between someone not understanding my english but still wanting to prove their skills and out and out hate because I'm American. When there's nothing but silence and then someone says, "Get out, American.", I equate that with xenophobia. I've played with people from all over the world but I'll say it again, Asians tend to be more xenophobic. I'm sincerely hoping that they can drop the anti-Americanism and just enjoy games regardless of who developed the game or who is playing with them.

I know EXACTLY where you are coming from... back when FFXI first launched, very very few Japanese players would play with US players.

I had to quit the game because the only time I could play was 3 am my time, and the only people on would be a ton of Japanese. It was impossible to find a group when all I heard was "NO AMERICANS" or "WE DONT PLAY US" and they would go out of their way to avoid grouping with me.

[nintendokid]

No, no, no. I know the difference between someone not understanding my english but still wanting to prove their skills and out and out hate because I'm American. When there's nothing but silence and then someone says, "Get out, American.", I equate that with xenophobia. I've played with people from all over the world but I'll say it again, Asians tend to be more xenophobic. I'm sincerely hoping that they can drop the anti-Americanism and just enjoy games regardless of who developed the game or who is playing with them.

So do you know Japanese language? How did you know they were Japanese and not Chinese/Taiwanese, Korean, or Thai? These countries have easy access to the XBOX360. When you say "Asian", you have to specify exactly and provide proof because you don't want to be branded as the xenophobe instead.

[depascal22]

So do you know Japanese language? How did you know they were Japanese and not Chinese/Taiwanese, Korean, or Thai? These countries have easy access to the XBOX360. When you say "Asian", you have to specify exactly and provide proof because you don't want to be branded as the xenophobe instead.

I didn't know exactly which language they spoke. That's why I said Asian instead of Japanese, Korean, etc. You can brand me as a xenophobe all you want but I said nothing xenophobic. Maybe I'm being a little stereotypical but even Roufuss has said that he knows what I'm talking about. As adults, we should be able to discuss these issues without one side coming out and name calling. You demand proof but offer none of your own.

The fact of the matter is that Asians support Asian businesses and very little else. The only American things that the Asians seem to tolerate is rap/pop music and movies. If you're not the Wu-Tang Clan, you're not going to be able to play online with Asians.

Now you could go and say that I'm racist and xenophobic but the fact is that I've TRIED to play with Asians. I've gone out of my way to play them in DOA and KOF but they don't want me to play with them. How am I being xenophobic? I'd like to test my fighting game skills against the vaunted Japanese but they won't even give me the chance. I could see if it was a couple guys here and there that didn't want to play anyone that wasn't Asian, but I've NEVER played any Asian on Xbox Live. Is this coincidence?

You say you want proof and all that nonsense? Go look at the sales figures. The 360 was outsold in Japan by the friggin GBA. The GBA! Why would anyone look at a great system and say, "You know what? I need another Game boy Advance SP!" It's ridiculous that an entire country would crap all over a system because it's made in America.

[bugg33]

I could see if it was a couple guys here and there that didn't want to play anyone that wasn't Asian, but I've NEVER played any Asian on Xbox Live. Is this coincidence?
No it's not. Also, all 128,000,000 people of Japan hate you. Along with the 1.3 billion in China. Don't bother trying to play with us "Asians" again.

[nintendokid]

No it's not. Also, all 128,000,000 people of Japan hate you. Along with the 1.3 billion in China. Don't bother trying to play with us "Asians" again.

Ok. You are an embarassment.


Now you could go and say that I'm racist and xenophobic but the fact is that I've TRIED to play with Asians. I've gone out of my way to play them in DOA and KOF but they don't want me to play with them. How am I being xenophobic? I'd like to test my fighting game skills against the vaunted Japanese but they won't even give me the chance.

Chances are, they were not Japanese. They won't even touch a fighting game if there is any lag disadvantage.

[depascal22]

Chances are, they were not Japanese. They won't even touch a fighting game if there is any lag disadvantage.

KOF Neowave and 02/03 are some of the least laggy games around. It doesn't matter which game it is, there is always resistance to playing with Americans. Hopefully, the 360 will be better but the original Xbox Live was no multinational utopia.

[Pylis]

The only online games I've ever played with Asians are DOA4 and DOA:U, but I've never had any problems. I've taken shit from the French, though.

[Roufuss]

KOF Neowave and 02/03 are some of the least laggy games around. It doesn't matter which game it is, there is always resistance to playing with Americans. Hopefully, the 360 will be better but the original Xbox Live was no multinational utopia.

See: FFXI

I've also seen it in World of Warcraft where the asian players are very... standoffish and just keep to their small cliques.

[icruise]

The fact of the matter is that Asians support Asian businesses and very little else. The only American things that the Asians seem to tolerate is rap/pop music and movies. If you're not the Wu-Tang Clan, you're not going to be able to play online with Asians.

Bullshit, at least as far as Japan is concerned. I have lived in Japan for 5 years and I speak Japanese, so I think I know a little bit about the matter. I have NEVER had anyone behave to me in the way you are suggesting. However, I do know that most Japanese people are very uncomfortable with the idea of speaking in English (even though they study it in school, they have very little in the way of communication skills). I've played online games with Japanese people (D&D online for example) and it was almost funny how relieved they would be when they found out I spoke Japanese.

In general, Japanese people LOVE the US and in fact they import all kinds of things, like food, clothes, music, movies, books (in translation, of course) and more. If Japanese people don't buy games from the US, it's simply because Japanese games appeal to them more. And don't forget that foreign games usually get sub-standard localization in Japan (http://kotaku.com/gaming/localization/localization-curse-cuts-both-ways-221065.php).


I could see if it was a couple guys here and there that didn't want to play anyone that wasn't Asian, but I've NEVER played any Asian on Xbox Live. Is this coincidence?
I find that hard to believe, considering that I see Japanese people on there quite a bit (you can tell from the user name in many cases). Are you using Xbox Live at a time of day when Asian people are likely to be using it (late night-early morning in the US)?


You say you want proof and all that nonsense? Go look at the sales figures. The 360 was outsold in Japan by the friggin GBA. The GBA! Why would anyone look at a great system and say, "You know what? I need another Game boy Advance SP!" It's ridiculous that an entire country would crap all over a system because it's made in America.
Let me let you in on a little secret. The GBA outsold the Xbox 360 in America as well! (http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12410/November-Video-Game-Sales-Data-The-Facts/). The Xbox 360 sold 511,000 units in November. The GBA sold 641,000 units. I suppose Americans are anti-American as well? It couldn't be that the systems are totally different, with wildly different prices and target audiences, could it?

[nintendokid]

depascal, you gotta look at it this way: America is THE most heterogenous and most acceptable of other people. Sure, it's still rocky and we've got illegal aliens, racial profiling, discrimination, etc., but it's still ten times better than anywhere else in the world. The point is that other cultures are not so comfortable with the idea of heterogeneity yet eventhough they may not be discriminatory or a supreme nationalist. That's why you and I are willing to throw down with anyone while someone else may feel more comfortable playing with their "own kind".

Let's not be too quick to jump to conclusions because I've been in games where a whole room full of Americans are talking smack to the 2-3 persons who are speaking French, telling them to STFU and speak English.

[dserafin1986]

Who gives a shit if the Japanese are digging on the 360 or not... all of my favorite games this November came from US / European developers, and it sure as hell wasn't the Japanese that helped Gears of War crack 1 million sales so quickly.

It would be nice to get some Japanese developer support, but the 360 is doing just fine in terms of games without it, imo.

Agreed...It's not like the olden days where every hot game was developed in Japan...I hope the system catches on, but am a realist...Just like the Turboduo/PC Engine was never hot over here...That's just the way it goes sometimes.

[thrustbucket]

I am just really curious what it would take to make the 360 become "hot" in Japan. Obviously the Japanese are far different culturally when it comes to supporting the home-town tech.

But I just really really wonder what it would take statistically to make the 360 become super hot there. Square goes exclusive? Capcom goes exclusive?

Even if the 360 had EVERY PS3 exclusive, and cost half the price of the PS3, I still don't think that would be enough to make it popular. That's how bad I think it is. I seriously think the Japanese would perfer to stick with their DS and not buy a next gen if the PS3 became abysmal.

[dserafin1986]

It will sadly never catch on in Japan...The japanese market it just different than ours...It always has been...I think Microsoft is coming to grips with that...I doubt that a US console maker will ever own the Japanese market

[thrustbucket]

It will sadly never catch on in Japan...The japanese market it just different than ours...It always has been...I think Microsoft is coming to grips with that...I doubt that a US console maker will ever own the Japanese market

Seriously?


Come on, anyone..... come up with a scenario, no matter how unrealistic or fanciful, that you think would make the 360 succeed in Japan.

[ryanbph]

merging with nintendo

[Midnite]

I know EXACTLY where you are coming from... back when FFXI first launched, very very few Japanese players would play with US players.

I had to quit the game because the only time I could play was 3 am my time, and the only people on would be a ton of Japanese. It was impossible to find a group when all I heard was "NO AMERICANS" or "WE DONT PLAY US" and they would go out of their way to avoid grouping with me.

They've warmed up a bit but still don't like grouping with English speakers, now you'll see messages like "Please use the auto-translate function" or "I understand a little." It's still hard to get a Japanese player to go on missions but at least they are starting to party with English speakers.

[Chacrana]

depascal, you gotta look at it this way: America is THE most heterogenous and most acceptable of other people. Sure, it's still rocky and we've got illegal aliens, racial profiling, discrimination, etc., but it's still ten times better than anywhere else in the world. The point is that other cultures are not so comfortable with the idea of heterogeneity yet eventhough they may not be discriminatory or a supreme nationalist. That's why you and I are willing to throw down with anyone while someone else may feel more comfortable playing with their "own kind".

Let's not be too quick to jump to conclusions because I've been in games where a whole room full of Americans are talking smack to the 2-3 persons who are speaking French, telling them to STFU and speak English.

We're also the country that the rest of the world hates because we ignore the fact that we're not the only country out there. We're pretty bad.

[depascal22]

depascal, you gotta look at it this way: America is THE most heterogenous and most acceptable of other people. Sure, it's still rocky and we've got illegal aliens, racial profiling, discrimination, etc., but it's still ten times better than anywhere else in the world. The point is that other cultures are not so comfortable with the idea of heterogeneity yet eventhough they may not be discriminatory or a supreme nationalist. That's why you and I are willing to throw down with anyone while someone else may feel more comfortable playing with their "own kind".

Let's not be too quick to jump to conclusions because I've been in games where a whole room full of Americans are talking smack to the 2-3 persons who are speaking French, telling them to STFU and speak English.

You and icruise make very good points. I may have been overly stereotypical but that's just my experience so far.

[depascal22]

They've warmed up a bit but still don't like grouping with English speakers, now you'll see messages like "Please use the auto-translate function" or "I understand a little." It's still hard to get a Japanese player to go on missions but at least they are starting to party with English speakers.

From what I've noticed, Xbox Live is much better in this way than it was at the beginning. Maybe times are changing for the better.

[Noodle Pirate!]

I find it outragious that you guys are so astonished that asians dont want to play with americans. I dont even want to play on live with my fellow racist/bigot/screaming/white trash talking xboxlive bretheren. Why is it so hard to accept that others dont enjoy listening to that as well?

Sure you have a few civilized people off of cag, but on the whole, I wont use my mic on online games because I cant stand to hear the people Im playing with. It's not surprising that other nationalites don't want to hear or play with it either.
Don't think they hate you as a person, they dont know you. They do however know what the majority of us are like and choose not to play with us. Why take the chance when its just safer not to play with any of us.
Try to see it from their standpoint.

[s3v3n777]

I find it outragious that you guys are so astonished that asians dont want to play with americans. I dont even want to play on live with my fellow racist/bigot/screaming/white trash talking xboxlive bretheren. Why is it so hard to accept that others dont enjoy listening to that as well?

Sure you have a few civilized people off of cag, but on the whole, I wont use my mic on online games because I cant stand to hear the people Im playing with. It's not surprising that other nationalites don't want to hear or play with it either.
Don't think they hate you as a person, they dont know you. They do however know what the majority of us are like and choose not to play with us. Why take the chance when its just safer not to play with any of us.
Try to see it from their standpoint.

Yep. I'm with you on most of that. I can't stand playing GOW and some little white kid is trying to talk ghetto slang. As a former teacher, it makes me sad for America's future. I also hate when some idiot starts talking useless stupidities or singing (If you can call it that) in the game. I gave up on the mic except when I'm on a good squad and working as a team.