Perhaps size does matter

[tongue_of_colicab]

Both size and price matter in Japan more than anywhere else, I think, but by far the most important issue here is the price / sales curve. I think the PS3 is at the foot of that hill, and the Wii has been launched closer to the top.

However, some part at least is due to Nintendo having captured the hearths and minds of Japanese with the DS, much more thoroughly so than in other regions even.

DS is pretty much owning Europe too, not as bad as Japan but selling 250k a week isnt even close to funny anymore.

Anyway I agree on the price, not so much on the size though. If you put it up vertically, how much more space does it needs than a ps2? not that much. Even if japanese homes arnt very big I doubt they'll make a problem about a couple of square centimeters. Especially since you put your console close to your tv anyway so you waste very little ''living space'' if any at all.

And even if size matterd, I doubt sony could do something about it. You got a console with alot of fast and hot parts, not only do you need a bigger board because they put more on it (along with HDD space etc) you also need a nice big cooling system to keep it running, wich takes up alot of space. I think ps3 is about as small as sony could make it without having to spend even more money on making the chips more efficient and better cooling.

 

[Nesh]

Anyway I agree on the price, not so much on the size though. If you put it up vertically, how much more space does it needs than a ps2? not that much. Even if japanese homes arnt very big I doubt they'll make a problem about a couple of square centimeters. Especially since you put your console close to your tv anyway so you waste very little ''living space'' if any at all.

From personal experience with multiple cultures (Indians, Arabs, Turkish etc) its COMPLETELY wrong to judge other cultures and how they view things based on our view. You cant imagine how many differences we have in perception and logic.

The PS3 takes space even if you put it vertically. Its taller than the PS2, and wider. Put it on a shelve and it will stick out....if the height lets it to fit in ofcourse.

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

Im not judging anyone. I'm just saying that I cant imagen size is the desicive factor. If that was the case GC should've sold alot better than the ps2 in Japan. it might be a reason to pull someone over the line not buying a ps3 among other factors (price, games), but not the reason I think. If ps3 was 300 euro and alot of AAA games for Japan, do you think they would still not buy it because of its size?

 

[dobwal]

From personal experience with multiple cultures (Indians, Arabs, Turkish etc) its COMPLETELY wrong to judge other cultures and how they view things based on our view. You cant imagine how many differences we have in perception and logic.

The PS3 takes space even if you put it vertically. Its taller than the PS2, and wider. Put it on a shelve and it will stick out....if the height lets it to fit in ofcourse.

I don't think he is judging other cultures, just that the opinion, that a few additional square centimeters is a pertinent factor in Japan on why the PS3 isn't selling well in relation to the PS2, is flawed.

Its not like console size has ever been a major factor in determining market leader in japan.

 

[Nesh]

No no I didnt mean he judged other cultures as in criticize. You misunerstood me. I meant that trying to understand how others think in accordance to how our perception was formed may not lead towards correct conclusions. As humasn we tend to use our attributes to understand others which is not always correct.

Just for the sake of the arguement lets bring a very amusing example: in our cultures we think that bodies like Lopez's, Angelina Jolie's, Beyonce's etc are great and we cant imagine a woman the size of a hippo in the same bed with us. This is natural right? I mean....the man's brain is designed to respond to sexy well balanced bodies....right?

Well someowhere in Afrika there is a race whereas a woman with such a body is repulsive and they will close her in a room and feed her until she becomes "sexy"

Cultures and ways of living are sometimes so different that what we find illogical may be logical for others and the opposite.

So in our effort to understand whether size is important in Japan most likely from our perspective we will think that it is unimportant for them and they wont care much. Why should they anyways? But in reality they might care much more than we imagine beause perceptions are so different.

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

Just for the sake of the arguement lets bring a very amusing example: in our cultures we think that bodies like Lopez's, Angelina Jolie's, Beyonce's etc are great and we cant imagine a woman the size of a hippo in the same bed with us. This is natural right? I mean....the man's brain is designed to respond to sexy well balanced bodies....right?

Just because tv etc tell me to like that it doesnt mean I actually like that. Jlo has a fat ass and I honestly cant name one thing that I like about Jolie's body.

Just because you and I are not culture X or raised like culture X doesnt mean that its impossible for us to relate to them. We might never become like them but we can still relate to them. Take your example of the fat african woman. I dont like that, but if the males there say they like that because to them that mean the woman is healty or whatever I'd be able to understand that because my choice in woman might also not be what others preffer (and it isnt).

 

[Nesh]

Just because tv etc tell me to like that it doesnt mean I actually like that. Jlo has a fat ass and I honestly cant name one thing that I like about Jolie's body.

Just because you and I are not culture X or raised like culture X doesnt mean that its impossible for us to relate to them. We might never become like them but we can still relate to them. Take your example of the fat african woman. I dont like that, but if the males there say they like that because to them that mean the woman is healty or whatever I'd be able to understand that because my choice in woman might also not be what others preffer (and it isnt).

Ok you took it towards a more personalized level on which I can also agree.

I brought a more generalized example though because culture is more general. I was trrying to pass the point I was trying to make early through that example

 

[DJ12]

For me, there is a difference between a huge fugly box and the PS3.

It looks smart and well designed.

 

[PatrickL]

If japaneses households are so small, you have to wonder why the wiimote is so popular? Thousands of broken arms and legs I guess

 

[Nesh]

If japaneses households are so small, you have to wonder why the wiimote is so popular? Thousands of broken arms and legs I guess

Well Japanese work lots of hours in an extremely competive working enviroment especially in the big cities (according to what I read). Because of this they spend the majority of their time in work and home (thats why the term Otaku). They dont have enough time to spend on activities such as sports or spend time with pets (need lots of dedication).

Probably thats why it was the country where tamagocthi's and robot pets such as Aibo appeared. And probably thats why in Japan videogames became so popular. They are easier to spend time with.

Wii brings a cheap small device into their housholds which might also be partially a substitude to sports.

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

Isnt the term otaku used for nerds? like someone who is addicted to anime, games etc? and not for someone who works?

I wouldnt know about their working invorment, I read this blog about a guy who works there and he says they basically work long hours, but dont get alot of work done. Maybe Inifficent Can shed some light on these matters?

 

[zed]

Well Japanese work lots of hours in an extremely competive working enviroment especially in the big cities (according to what I read). Because of this they spend the majority of their time in work and home (thats why the term Otaku). They dont have enough time to spend on activities such as sports or spend time with pets (need lots of dedication).

WTF!!! (thus toilet cleaner A is against tcB in a comp to see who is the best toiletcleaner. that is truly a cat eat mouse/cheese society.
at the end of the day in japan coolness dictates (like in the west to a degree)
at the moment cool is wii, ps3 is geek, xb360 (silence) , size isnt important, price aint also,
repeat after me
coolness is all
coolness is all
coolness is all
everybody ( welcome to the free market )

 

[archangelmorph]

Just for the sake of the arguement lets bring a very amusing example: in our cultures we think that bodies like Lopez's, Angelina Jolie's, Beyonce's etc are great and we cant imagine a woman the size of a hippo in the same bed with us. This is natural right? I mean....the man's brain is designed to respond to sexy well balanced bodies....right?

Well someowhere in Afrika there is a race whereas a woman with such a body is repulsive and they will close her in a room and feed her until she becomes "sexy"

I nearly fell out of my chair when I read this!!

In actual fact the "race" you're referring to is not a "race" in itself but a tribe from my country of origin (Nigeria)..
Also to clarify:-

- They don't consider slim women to be "repulsive" at all and in fact it's expected of them when they are young (upto mid 20s)

- The a woman is only given the weight increase treatment when she's ready to marry so it's more of a marital tradition (rooted in very old and redundant logic since the country's way of life has changed considerably over the years..)

- The motivation isn't to make her "sexy" but for reasons relating to functional aspects of the role of the wife in the traditional culture of the tribe..

- Since things have changed considerably over the years this tradition is no longer emphasized or practised other than by a very select few.. However the social stigma of "big" women being more desirable wives is still quite prevalent across the country as a whole (not only because of this tradition though..)

Still it would be interesting to know where you heard about it..?

/ Sorry for derailling the thread..

 

[Nesh]

I nearly fell out of my chair when I read this!!

In actual fact the "race" you're referring to is not a "race" in itself but a tribe from my country of origin (Nigeria)..
Also to clarify:-

- They don't consider slim women to be "repulsive" at all and in fact it's expected of them when they are young (upto mid 20s)

- The a woman is only given the weight increase treatment when she's ready to marry so it's more of a marital tradition (rooted in very old and redundant logic since the country's way of life has changed considerably over the years..)

- The motivation isn't to make her "sexy" but for reasons relating to functional aspects of the role of the wife in the traditional culture of the tribe..

- Since things have changed considerably over the years this tradition is no longer emphasized or practised other than by a very select few.. However the social stigma of "big" women being more desirable wives is still quite prevalent across the country as a whole (not only because of this tradition though..)

Still it would be interesting to know where you heard about it..?

/ Sorry for derailling the thread..

Well you know the details better

Yeah I ment a tribe I just couldnt find the right word sorry for that

I think it was a documentary. Dont take my posts word for word I was only trying to pass the point. When I said "sexy" I didnt mean it that way.its obvious that the ideal women is characterized by different qualities in each culture which is formed by different situations that what I was pointing at. Thanks for providing the details though but your better explanation also fairs well for providing an example of how different we see things and work in each culture

 

[Nesh]

Isnt the term otaku used for nerds? like someone who is addicted to anime, games etc? and not for someone who works?

I wouldnt know about their working invorment, I read this blog about a guy who works there and he says they basically work long hours, but dont get alot of work done. Maybe Inifficent Can shed some light on these matters?

Yeah it is. Unfortunately its hard not to make generalizations sometimes so sorry for that

 

[StefanS]

Hugely off-topic. Closed.