Xbox 360 launch looking even bleaker in Japan

[shipwreck]

The Japanese Xbox 360 release schedule has taken another blow with the delay of another home-grown title. In a double whammy of bad news, N3: Ninety-Nine Nights has also been delayed. Originally planned for release on January 26, the game will now hit retail in the spring.

This comes on the heels of the news that Enchant-ARM got pushed back from a launch title and is now scheduled to release in January.

I don't think this is how Microsoft wanted to start off over there.

[anubis20]

The XBOX 360 should not be coming out at this time, Microsoft should have waited until the Spring of 06. Its happening everywere, many games are getting delayed because developers have not had any time to work on the games. The games that we are getting feel rushed

[shipwreck]

The XBOX 360 should not be coming out at this time, Microsoft should have waited until the Spring of 06. Its happening everywere, many games are getting delayed because developers have not had any time to work on the games. The games that we are getting feel rushed

I don't know about that. I think the 360 has a perfectly acceptable launch lineup in the U.S. I'm anxiously looking forward to playing several of the games and I think it was the perfect time for Microsoft to release for the strategy they are going for.

[Scorch]

I also feel that the US launch is very acceptable, and actually one of the best launch lineups in recent memory. N64 had.. what, two games? Super Mario and Pilotwings.. Dreamcast had.. come on memory, don't fail me now.. Ready 2 Rumble.. Sonic Adventure.. maybe Jet Set Radio? The PS2 had Madden '01, Fantavision.. Tekken Tag Tournament.. and I think maybe 2 or 3 more.. MS is rolling out of the gate with several sports titles, two original titles (Condemned and Kameo), a sequel to one of the highest rated games of all time, sequels to great franchises (PGR3 and DOA4).. yeah, I think they have a great launch lineup here.

[shipwreck]

Scorch, you kind of forgot Soul Calibur on the DC launch list, but yeah I agree on all your points.

[Kayden]

Twisted Metal Black was an awesome launch title.

Atleast, I think it was a launch title, it was the first game I got.

[j.elles]

XBOX 360 should be delayed until they have a game that is SURE to attract the japanese audience. An RPG specifically. That is pretty much the genre down there. Like FPS or GTA clones are down here.

[mykevermin]

Anything short of leaving it on people's doorsteps is a bad idea for MS to market in Japan.

They really should have turned their focus away from a global launch, because that seems to be doing a lot more harm than good.

[chickenhawk]

I think the launch lineup is fine, but I do think that in general the new consoles are coming too early. The fact that MS's it coming first results in them getting the most flack. I think my backlog though is clouding my judgement since I am not yet ready for a new console. Hell, I just got the Xbox about 6 months ago. Condemned is calling to me though...that game looks pretty sweet.

[psychobrawler]

It's interesting that people are still moaning about the launch line up. I can see the huge RPG whole created by ES:O's delay, but I'm not that big on RPG's, so I don't mind. In all, I'm looking forward to playing 6 or the 18 day one titles (PGR3, PDZ, Kameo, Condemned, CoD2, and Quake IV). I agree with Scorch, that I've never had more than a game or two I've been interested in at launch. I think they're off to a great start.

As far as marketing in Japan, without DOA4 or any RPG, they'd have been better off allocating those consoles to the U.S. and the UK where demand is much higher. I think they'd do better moving more and generating more hype and a larger base, and then drop it in Japan in the spring when games like ESO, DOA4, FFXI, and N3 are available. A marketing tag like join the 10 million other 360 gamers and a Japanese launch line up that includes those titles would create a lot more buzz than a system they don't want to play and an occasional game that would sell making it's way to the market.

[ryanbph]

while it isn't a great lineup for the japan launch, they did fine without a having any japanese consumer support last time. Yes, if they want to seriously compete with sony, they need to get a firm footing in the japanese market. They have stated that halo 3 will launch when the ps3 launches here stateside, it would make sense for them to secure some solid japanese titles to come out in japan when the ps3 launches.

[spoo]

It's interesting that people are still moaning about the launch line up. I can see the huge RPG whole created by ES:O's delay, but I'm not that big on RPG's, so I don't mind. In all, I'm looking forward to playing 6 or the 18 day one titles (PGR3, PDZ, Kameo, Condemned, CoD2, and Quake IV). I agree with Scorch, that I've never had more than a game or two I've been interested in at launch. I think they're off to a great start.

As far as marketing in Japan, without DOA4 or any RPG, they'd have been better off allocating those consoles to the U.S. and the UK where demand is much higher. I think they'd do better moving more and generating more hype and a larger base, and then drop it in Japan in the spring when games like ESO, DOA4, FFXI, and N3 are available. A marketing tag like join the 10 million other 360 gamers and a Japanese launch line up that includes those titles would create a lot more buzz than a system they don't want to play and an occasional game that would sell making it's way to the market.

The 360 comes with a free FFXI beta what more could the JP want?

[Zoglog]

delayed in Japan? maybe. Not here. We're looking at a pretty solid lineup here.

The delay of 99 nights is a bit dissapointing to me. I hope the US release isn't far behind.

[j.elles]

If there smart they will launch in Japan when they have a at least 3 games that are good and popular Japanese games. Other then RPG's it's Anime games like Gundam and Jump SuperStars, and sim games like animal crossing, or farming, dating, life and other wierd things. Thats what sells well in Japan. It seems the only company that has a lot of games that do really well here and there is Nintendo.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

They really should have turned their focus away from a global launch, because that seems to be doing a lot more harm than good.

I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

North America is getting almost everything they want and were expecting at launch. The biggest exceptions are Ghost Recon and Oblivion. DOA 4 coming in two weeks late isn't a huge deal. Not many gamers would have purchased a 360 based on that.

The Japanese gaming press is going to overanalyze any little failure on the 360 and blow it up an order of magnitude. They really should have given the system 3-6 more months in Japan just so some of these titles would have been guaranteed. Of course had they done that the dirty gaijin company would be breaking their promises to the Nipponese market and well, it's hard to imagine the 360 could fail any worse than the original Xbox.

The global launch will never be done again, that's for damn sure.

[brendan424]

North America is getting almost everything they want and were expecting at launch. The biggest exceptions are Ghost Recon and Oblivion. DOA 4 coming in two weeks late isn't a huge deal. Not many gamers would have purchased a 360 based on that.


Actually DOA4 is the only reason I'm getting an xbox360 near launch. DOA3 was the only reason I purchased an xbox at launch as well.

[neudog]

Who cares if Japan doesn't like it. Not everyone is into dating sims, RPG's, and kiddiesque anime games; nothing against the Japanese or fans abroad. I believe that the Japanese public falls victim to what many have here and that is "fanboyism". Granted everyone doesn't have the cash for all systems and particullarly in Japan size is an issue. If they don't want violent games like GTA, Condemed, Saint's Row, etc. that is fine we all have our specific tastes. I just wish they would give it a chance like the ol' saying goes "you got to try everything at least once". As long as MS keeps putting out great systems and software I am there reguardless if someone thousands of miles doesn't want it. What is ironic about all of this is the U.S. accepted Nintendo and that is what began the revolution of gaming in North America. You would think that Japan could give MS a shot especially with the future titles from SquareEnix and other Japanese developers.

[VanillaGorilla]

I also feel that the US launch is very acceptable, and actually one of the best launch lineups in recent memory. N64 had.. what, two games? Super Mario and Pilotwings.. Dreamcast had.. come on memory, don't fail me now.. Ready 2 Rumble.. Sonic Adventure.. maybe Jet Set Radio? The PS2 had Madden '01, Fantavision.. Tekken Tag Tournament.. and I think maybe 2 or 3 more.. MS is rolling out of the gate with several sports titles, two original titles (Condemned and Kameo), a sequel to one of the highest rated games of all time, sequels to great franchises (PGR3 and DOA4).. yeah, I think they have a great launch lineup here.

I agree with this guy. In comparions to the N64, Dreamcast, PS2, Gamecube and Xbox, the Xbox 360 easily has what you could call a "Great" launch lineup. Gamespot has reviewed three games for the 360 so far. Average score? 8.6, which is very, very good. Oh, and Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham 3, Madden 360, and Condemned haven't even been reviewed yet. Plus, you have to give the 360 a couple more bonus launch points, since it's the first console with REAL online gameplay right out of the box, with free downloadable game demos to boot.

[zewone]

Twisted Metal Black was an awesome launch title.

Atleast, I think it was a launch title, it was the first game I got.
Except it wasn't a launch title, stupid.

[mykevermin]

Who cares if Japan doesn't like it. Not everyone is into dating sims, RPG's, and kiddiesque anime games; nothing against the Japanese or fans abroad. I believe that the Japanese public falls victim to what many have here and that is "fanboyism". Granted everyone doesn't have the cash for all systems and particullarly in Japan size is an issue. If they don't want violent games like GTA, Condemed, Saint's Row, etc. that is fine we all have our specific tastes. I just wish they would give it a chance like the ol' saying goes "you got to try everything at least once". As long as MS keeps putting out great systems and software I am there reguardless if someone thousands of miles doesn't want it. What is ironic about all of this is the U.S. accepted Nintendo and that is what began the revolution of gaming in North America. You would think that Japan could give MS a shot especially with the future titles from SquareEnix and other Japanese developers.

Good thing you aren't controlling MS marketing money.

Xbox 360: PLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE!

BTW, the goddamned word is "XENOPHOBIA." Not "fanboyism."

[dios]

Except it wasn't a launch title, stupid.

read the part where he says at least " I THINK " it was a launch title, smartass.

[zewone]

read the part where he says at least " I THINK " it was a launch title, smartass.
First off, this guy is just an elitist 360 troll.

Second off, fuck you. Don't ever call me names again.

[Apossum]

I'm surprised that more launch games didn't get delayed. People didn't get final dev kits until late september...i think.

[Zoglog]

First off, this guy is just an elitist 360 troll.

Second off, fuck you. Don't ever call me names again.

Except it wasn't a launch title, stupid.


Nice doublestandard you got going there ASSMUNCH

[zewone]

Nice doublestandard you got going there ASSMUNCH
When did I ever say I have to follow the rules, you dumb-fucking ugly?

[Zoglog]

When did I ever say I have to follow the rules, you dumb-fucking ugly?

http://zoglog.clearlyseen.net/random/internets.jpg

congrats on your enhanced epeen lol

[zewone]

Thanks. I'm pretty proud of it.

[neudog]

BTW, the goddamned word is "XENOPHOBIA." Not "fanboyism."

I'm sorry did I offend you. Let me guess you're one of three things, 1) Fanboy (SONY), 2) Live in Japan, or 3) Play too many of the listed titles. The only reason MS even markets their is because of the $$$$, not the people in general. Now I know in buisness you go where the money is, but if the Japanese don't want it then stop forcing it on them. Focus on making a system that can be marketed towards countries that want you e.g. U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, etc. As you can see Japan is only loyal to what pertains to their culture. First it was Nintendo, then they all grew up and saw what SONY had and now they're on that bandwagon until the next "Giant" emerges. Loyalty good, Bandwagon loyalty sux.

[mykevermin]

I'm sorry did I offend you. Let me guess you're one of three things, 1) Fanboy (SONY), 2) Live in Japan, or 3) Play too many of the listed titles. The only reason MS even markets their is because of the $$$$, not the people in general. Now I know in buisness you go where the money is, but if the Japanese don't want it then stop forcing it on them. Focus on making a system that can be marketed towards countries that want you e.g. U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, etc. As you can see Japan is only loyal to what pertains to their culture. First it was Nintendo, then they all grew up and saw what SONY had and now they're on that bandwagon until the next "Giant" emerges. Loyalty good, Bandwagon loyalty sux.

When I grind my coffee in the morning, I do not put it in the "spinning noise machine," but I do put it in the grinder.

When I have had too much to drink, I am not feeling "spinny mcdoodle," but I am feeling "drunk."

If I hear a bark, it is not the "hairy small non-gnome horse creature" trying to get my attention, but it is the "dog."

In the end, what you are mistaking for my "brand loyalty" is actually a grasp of the English language.