Does Microsoft really need Japan! Great Read!

It's been generally known for a while that Microsoft has had trouble selling game systems in Japan, first with the Xbox and now with even slower sales of the Xbox 360. Analyst Robert Ehrenberg harps on this fact in a repetitive analysis claiming that the Xbox brand in a "bomb" that is dragging down the company.

We don't buy it. While it's true that Japan still holds the spiritual center of the industry for many gamers, we don't necessarily agree with Ehrenberg's conclusion that "success in the Japanese market is a key determinant of success in the worldwide market." The Japanese market for home systems has actually been sizably smaller than the European and American markets for at least the past two generations. And while the best-selling systems in Japan tend to also do well elsewhere, success in Japan does not necessarily lead to success in the rest of the world -- see the tepid worldwide reaction to the hot-in-Japan Saturn and Dreamcast as evidence.

But Ehrenberg's logic really fails when he claims that a weak Japanese start means that key developers will be unwilling to support the system. Healthy 360 support from the likes of Capcom, Namco, Sega and Sakaguchi's MistWalker studio shows that Japanese companies are considering the 360's global footprint in their worldwide distribution plans. Maybe Japanese game buyers aren't important as long as Japanese companies and the rest of the world are on board.

Ehrenberg also asserts that Microsoft should dump the Xbox because it has so far failed to make them money. This neglects the long term value of the branding and cachet that Microsoft is slowly but surely building as a major part of the gaming universe. That kind of branding is invaluable. Just look at Star Wars -- three crappy prequels weren't enough to truly dilute the value of the hot property.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/20/does-microsoft-need-japan-to-succeed/

I didn't think the Star Wars prequels were crappy at all (besides Jar Jar Binks)

I didn't think the Star Wars prequels were crappy at all (besides Jar Jar Binks)

 

Nike_Air

the first two were crap, the third was decent, the classics were amazing 

[QUOTE="Nike_Air"]

I didn't think the Star Wars prequels were crappy at all (besides Jar Jar Binks)

 

_en1gma_

the first two were crap, the third was decent, the classics were amazing 

[QUOTE="_en1gma_"][QUOTE="Nike_Air"]

I didn't think the Star Wars prequels were crappy at all (besides Jar Jar Binks)

 

Fusible

the first two were crap, the third was decent, the classics were amazing

the acting just wasnt too good and the noooooooooooooooooooo! part ruined the dramatic ending  lol

but damn the classics are probably me favorite movies ever, theyre so good the prequels just arent worth it except maybe the third one

Redux?_en1gma_

well of course cows are going to say they need japan because they know theres no way microsoft can win in japan.lawlessx

It's been generally known for a while that Microsoft has had trouble selling game systems in Japan, first with the Xbox and now with even slower sales of the Xbox 360. Analyst Robert Ehrenberg harps on this fact in a repetitive analysis claiming that the Xbox brand in a "bomb" that is dragging down the company.

We don't buy it. While it's true that Japan still holds the spiritual center of the industry for many gamers, we don't necessarily agree with Ehrenberg's conclusion that "success in the Japanese market is a key determinant of success in the worldwide market." The Japanese market for home systems has actually been sizably smaller than the European and American markets for at least the past two generations. And while the best-selling systems in Japan tend to also do well elsewhere, success in Japan does not necessarily lead to success in the rest of the world -- see the tepid worldwide reaction to the hot-in-Japan Saturn and Dreamcast as evidence.

But Ehrenberg's logic really fails when he claims that a weak Japanese start means that key developers will be unwilling to support the system. Healthy 360 support from the likes of Capcom, Namco, Sega and Sakaguchi's MistWalker studio shows that Japanese companies are considering the 360's global footprint in their worldwide distribution plans. Maybe Japanese game buyers aren't important as long as Japanese companies and the rest of the world are on board.

Ehrenberg also asserts that Microsoft should dump the Xbox because it has so far failed to make them money. This neglects the long term value of the branding and cachet that Microsoft is slowly but surely building as a major part of the gaming universe. That kind of branding is invaluable. Just look at Star Wars -- three crappy prequels weren't enough to truly dilute the value of the hot property.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/20/does-microsoft-need-japan-to-succeed/

Fusible

Japan is sorta like a landmark you would want to get during a war, it doesnt have any strategic advantages but it does increase moral and image of how the war is going. So if MS was to take Japan by storm and win it over it would no doubt help the 360 in multiple ways even if the market their isnt as huge as the rest of the world.

[QUOTE="_en1gma_"]Redux?Fusible

oh yeah.  that didnt bother me, it was all about the acting and story for me, so.. the new effects and whatnot wasnt really noticeable for me

[QUOTE="lawlessx"]well of course cows are going to say they need japan because they know theres no way microsoft can win in japan.linufinu

I love how some lemmings diss the japanese market all the time. Guess what? one of the reasons why 360 is failing is the lack of japanese third party support and japanese games are still prefered by gamers and critics worlwide.fierro316

MS is growing a lot in Japanese support, its the market share where they are failing the most in, but even that is growing a tad bit.

Anyway Japan isnt something that you absolutly need to win but yes it does help.

what about capcom?

lost planet, Dead rising

besides xbox is a western console and ps3 and wii are eastern theres no wonder theres a culture clash

Americans should just take the Japanese approach

and not buy the PS3, since they won't pick up 360s.

Then we will see which market is more important.

[QUOTE="fierro316"]I love how some lemmings diss the japanese market all the time. Guess what? one of the reasons why 360 is failing is the lack of japanese third party support and japanese games are still prefered by gamers and critics worlwide.justforlotr2004

MS is growing a lot in Japanese support, its the market share where they are failing the most in, but even that is growing a tad bit.

Anyway Japan isnt something that you absolutly need to win but yes it does help.

[QUOTE="linufinu"][QUOTE="lawlessx"]well of course cows are going to say they need japan because they know theres no way microsoft can win in japan.Fusible

fusible please tell me what on earth that is in your picture?doodlebug01206

[QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="linufinu"][QUOTE="lawlessx"]well of course cows are going to say they need japan because they know theres no way microsoft can win in japan.linufinu

Gotta go with cheap labor and quality parts

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

[QUOTE="linufinu"][QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="linufinu"][QUOTE="lawlessx"]well of course cows are going to say they need japan because they know theres no way microsoft can win in japan.Fusible

It isn't like Japan isn't capable of having a bigger breakout than NA and Europe.  The DS is selling more in Japan than anywhere else.  It's not as pointless to make the point as you're making it out to be.  There has never been a console that has completely failed in Japan, yet managed to succeed in the worldwide market.  It's not necessarily impossible, but I would say the odds are as slim as Kate Bosworth. 

The 360 is not in good shape to win this generation any way you twist the data.

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

i_like_pizza

[QUOTE="i_like_pizza"]

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

Fusible

If convinved was a word, you might be able to use the "roll" emoticon.

Until it's a word, I would advise that you stop thinking you are smarter than you really are.

He's speaking in PR language.

He's trying to downplay the poor Japanese sales and how it affects the Xbox brands TOTAL world wide sales (and therefore the #1 spot) by saying success in Japan does not determine success in other regions.

Does MS need Japan for the Xbox to be a "success"?  No. Of course not.  Does MS need Japan for the Xbox to be popular in NA or Europe?  No.

Does MS need Japan if they ever want to be the #1 console?  Most definitely.

This guy is spinning.

So he neglects to mention that Sony is losing over 200 bucks on every PS3MCGSMB

[QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="i_like_pizza"]

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

i_like_pizza

If convinved was a word, you might be able to use the "roll" emoticon.

Until it's a word, I would advise that you stop thinking you are smarter than you really are.

[QUOTE="i_like_pizza"][QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="i_like_pizza"]

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

Fusible

If convinved was a word, you might be able to use the "roll" emoticon.

Until it's a word, I would advise that you stop thinking you are smarter than you really are.

Thanks for giving me my failing grade, "professor." 

Read my second post.

[QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="i_like_pizza"]

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

i_like_pizza

If convinved was a word, you might be able to use the "roll" emoticon.

Until it's a word, I would advise that you stop thinking you are smarter than you really are.

Just so your clear, i'm not taking sides here.

[QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="i_like_pizza"][QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="i_like_pizza"]

The answer to the topic's question is "Yes." 

i_like_pizza

If convinved was a word, you might be able to use the "roll" emoticon.

Until it's a word, I would advise that you stop thinking you are smarter than you really are.

Thanks for giving me my failing grade, "professor." 

Read my second post.

I read it, and it doesn't have any ground to sit on.

Also I believe Blu-Ray will be our next format.

Nintendo will win this gen.

MS second, and Sony 3'rd.

Sony has brought a great product, for those of us who know about latest, and the greatest. But for the mianstream, seen a $600 tag will throw them off more than a $400, or a $250 one. Mainstream consumer doesn't care much about this stuff. They care about "how much is it going to cost me". So does it need Japan to be succesful. NO!

[QUOTE="Fusible"][QUOTE="_en1gma_"][QUOTE="Nike_Air"]

I didn't think the Star Wars prequels were crappy at all (besides Jar Jar Binks)

 

_en1gma_

the first two were crap, the third was decent, the classics were amazing

the acting just wasnt too good and the noooooooooooooooooooo! part ruined the dramatic ending lol

but damn the classics are probably me favorite movies ever, theyre so good the prequels just arent worth it except maybe the third one

you cant possibly think mark hammil is a good actor in the star wars movies ????

ep 4 was boring as hell empire stirkes back was badass and i love return of the jedi, but aside from phatom menace the prequel trilogy is pretty good. i belive the acting alot more in them then the orginals.

although no one can compare to harrison ford. 

So what exactly does Japaneses gamers want to play? It seems to me that the 360 lacks much besides shooters ( Which is starting to become true to me, Mass Effect has guns, Fable 2 now has guns but old ones, and Bioshock, guns...) Maybe a pokemon game?...nah it would never happen...Hermitkermit

I'm sorry Yoda... But my point was what can 360 do to turn the tides or at least get its console some recognition among Japanese gamers?

I'm sorry Yoda... But my point was what can 360 do to turn the tides or at least get its console some recognition among Japanese gamers?

Hermitkermit

It'll never happen. Even if all of Nintendo games were on the XBox 360 Japanese gamer wouldn't buy it. They just don't want an American game console. Period. I don't even think it has anything to do with the games. American games like Crash Bandicoot series & NFS series sold pretty well in Japan on PS2. Yes simular games on XBox or XBox 360 sold like crap, so I don't really think it's the games.