XBox 360 launched in Japan

[Johnny Awesome]

It will depend a lot on the games. Blue Dragon and Lost Odysee will really have to turn heads to have an impact on X360 sales. It's possible though. Seaman for Dreamcast went on to sell over 500,000 units and revived the DC in Japan for a time. I don't expect the X360 to sell more than a million units in Japan, but I don't expect it to sell less than that either.

 

[Mr. Hanky]

Point is by the end of this year there should be quite a few good games(Lost Planet, Chromehounds, Blue Dragon, N3, Renko So Ronde(?), Rumble Roses, Dead Rising and more), and really if there is any chance we'll have to wait and see.

You forgot to add that this is yet another sign that the WW launch including Jpn was unnecessary. Jpn could have been delayed by a full year and the result would have been much the same, if not better (since you got these "must have" titles actually coming out when the console launches).

 

[drpepper]

I wouldn't count Rumble Roses as a console pusher. I don't recall it doing well at all on the ps2

 

[scooby_dooby]

You forgot to add that this is yet another sign that the WW launch including Jpn was unnecessary. Jpn could have been delayed by a full year and the result would have been much the same, if not better (since you got these "must have" titles actually coming out when the console launches).

Well I pretty much agree. Although I wouldn't call it unnecessary but rather poorly implemented.

The WW launch including Japan could've been a great strategy had they pulled it off, and by that I mean a strong launch lineup of diverse japanese games and a bonafide system seller.

The way they implented it, with no solid launch titles it was a failure, and in hindsight they almost certainly should have waited until this summer or fall.

I guess MS's logic was that they would get on shelves as soon as possible, and get some degree of public awareness. I think waiting for a launch with strong titles to generate some real hype would've been a better strategy. They also say they wanted to send a 'message' that they considered Japan equal to the west, but obviously that message fell on deaf ears and was probably a dumb idea.

Anyways, I think it's way too early to write it off. 360's strong WW install base should draw alot of support from japanese developers looking to release titles in 06/07.

 

[mckmas8808]

I personally will keep posting the Xbox 360 numbers (along with the other consoles and handhelds) for a few more years. Why not? The thread title is "Xbox 360 launched in Japan" right?

And like others have said certain members here stated that games like DOA4, NNN, Enchanted Arms, etc. would pick up the sales. So why not see if they were actually right? *shurgs*

 

[Serenity Painted Death]

Can someone give me a compelling reason why Japanese gamers will buy Blue Dragon over the next Square-Enix offering? In large quantities? Enough to buy a console for? There is no compelling reason. At most these games can bring the 360 up to par with Xbox, which, btw, would not be a victory.

Furthermore, by the time all the Mistwalker games are out, 360 won't be the only next gen system on the market. Between the DS, Revolution, and PS3.... ugh? It is only going to get worse, not better.

DOA4 spiked sales 5k for a week then they flatlined again. Stunning.

I just hope MS brings more of the japanese developed games over to N.A./Europe. Though I'm not particularly interested, supposedly NNN will be localized. I'm sure the Mistwalker games will be as well. I don't think (or at least haven't heard) that EM will be.

 

[scooby_dooby]

I personally will keep posting the Xbox 360 numbers (along with the other consoles and handhelds) for a few more years. Why not? The thread title is "Xbox 360 launched in Japan" right?

Why not is right, I know I'm curious. I just know what the point is of over-analysing these early numbers.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Can someone give me a compelling reason why Japanese gamers will buy Blue Dragon over the next Square-Enix offering? In large quantities? Enough to buy a console for? There is no compelling reason. At most these games can bring the 360 up to par with Xbox, which, btw, would not be a victory.

Furthermore, by the time all the Mistwalker games are out, 360 won't be the only next gen system on the market. Between the DS, Revolution, and PS3.... ugh? It is only going to get worse, not better.

DOA4 spiked sales 5k for a week then they flatlined again. Stunning.

I just hope MS brings more of the japanese developed games over to N.A./Europe. Though I'm not particularly interested, supposedly NNN will be localized. I'm sure the Mistwalker games will be as well. I don't think (or at least haven't heard) that EM will be.

Maybe it will be a better game? Maybe SE's next-gen offering won't be out for 2 or 3 years?

Also it shouldn't be a shocker that a machine dubbed "Team Ninja Box" didn't recieve a huge boost in sales from yet another DOA game. They need a multitude of new exciting games if it's going to sell.

 

[Mr. Hanky]

Why not is right, I know I'm curious. I just know what the point is of over-analysing these early numbers.

This is "over-analysing" to you???

I can't imagine what you'd call it if he went ahead to tie any convenient causality to it and base a wide-sweeping, yet noncommittal, discussion point around it, like others will do around here at the drop of a hat...

I'd say he is simply reporting the stats, exactly as one should- nothing more, nothing less. Go figure...

 

[scooby_dooby]

This is "over-analysing" to you???

I can't imagine what you'd call it if he went ahead to tie any convenient causality to it and base a wide-sweeping, yet noncommittal, discussion point around it, like others will do around here at the drop of a hat...

I'd say he is simply reporting the stats, exactly as one should- nothing more, nothing less. Go figure...

Overanalysing would be to try and form any type of conclusion at this stage. For example:
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showpost.php?p=709281&postcount=630

 

[Mr. Hanky]

...and this is to indicate what?

Someone says, "I think...", constitutes overanalysis?

What "conclusion" is being drawn in the excerpt you linked???

Are you not on record, specifically, claiming that the release of certain games will turn the fortunes of X360 in Jpn?

Looks like you have alluded to nobody other than yourself as being an overanalyzer at this board.

 

[Guden Oden]

I just hope MS brings more of the japanese developed games over to N.A./Europe. Though I'm not particularly interested, supposedly NNN will be localized. I'm sure the Mistwalker games will be as well. I don't think (or at least haven't heard) that EM will be.

Why wouldn't they bring them over? Surely the devs will want to try and recoup devcosts at least, if not try and make a profit. Japanese games typically sell much better in the west than western games do in japan, so there's zero reason not to do it. Especially considering the 360's unspectacular sales so far in japan.

I can't imagine devs not wanting to have a shot at making more money than they can just by a japanese release. That's like, inconcievable, because I don't suppose MS pays them for sales they DON'T make...

I don't want to sound negative about the 360 in japan because I still think it's too early to say anything for sure, but I can't believe interest amongst japanese devs would increase by only releasing their games in japan and make unspectacular, if not outright abysmal sales from them... Then again, maybe software attachment rate is high with the 360, considering the relative lack of titles.

 

[Mr. Hanky]

...and "bundles"?

 

[scooby_dooby]

...and this is to indicate what?

Someone says, "I think...", constitutes overanalysis?

What "conclusion" is being drawn in the excerpt you linked???

Are you not on record, specifically, claiming that the release of certain games will turn the fortunes of X360 in Jpn?

Looks like you have alluded to nobody other than yourself as being an overanalyzer at this board.

nope I'm on the record as saying lets wait and see ...but nice try.

ANY statement that these early numbers indicate the 360 has failed in japan, or can never be a success is so ridiculously premature it doesn't need me to explain why. It is overanalysing the #'s, whether or not you preface your statements with "i think" is irrelevant, what do you think analysing is? "360 will never be a success" is a pretty definite 'conclusion'! LOL...and these early numbers are simply insufficient to make that conlusion.

We should simply take them as they are, bad numbers. Not a sign of inevitable failure.

I don't know why you feel the need to defend that point of view when it's obviously nonsense, but of course you once again side with your 'camp' congratulations...

 

[Mr. Hanky]

It is overanalysing the #'s, whether or not you preface your statements with "i think" is irrelevant, what do you think analysing is?

It will be quite entertaining watching you live up to your own criteria, now that you have managed to articulate it.

The preface "I think" is exactly what it sounds like- it's an opinion, not a conclusion, not an analysis.

So here's to you to following your own rules...aaaaaaand go!

 

[one]

nope I'm on the record as saying lets wait and see ...but nice try.

ANY statement that these early numbers indicate the 360 has failed in japan, or can never be a success is so ridiculously premature it doesn't need me to explain why. It is overanalysing the #'s, whether or not you preface your statements with "i think" is irrelevant, what do you think analysing is? "360 will never be a success" is a pretty definite 'conclusion'! LOL...and these early numbers are simply insufficient to make that conlusion.

We should simply take them as they are, bad numbers. Not a sign of inevitable failure.

I don't know why you feel the need to defend that point of view when it's obviously nonsense, but of course you once again side with your 'camp' congratulations...

Making a conclusion and making a forecast based on probability are 2 different things and people on this thread know that well but you somehow try to assume otherwise and try to replace/derail the issue apparently, which is nonsense.

Now, for those with vested interests, they can't just do braindead 'wait and see' unless they are really big players with abundant cash to burn. Publishers/developers and retailers have to decide where they invest their development/shelf space resources by watching various forecasts. In this case forecasts can be self-fulfilling.
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showpost.php?p=690145&postcount=15

 

[Nicked]

Drawing conclusions from 2 months of sales data from the system itself, historical platform sales data on console sales (both Xbox brand and otherwise), surveys and common sense; cannot be called overanalyzing, IMO.

 

[scooby_dooby]

It's simple, when no signifigant games have been released in the last 2 months, the numbers are basically irrelevant. We're at the same point as we were 2 months ago, there's nothing to discuss.

To come in now, and start drawing new conclusions from the recent numbers is pointless and a waste of time. Oh look...no new games have come out and it's STILL not selling...well gee I'm so surprised...

 

[randycat99]

It's simple, when no signifigant games have been released in the last 2 months, the numbers are basically irrelevant. We're at the same point as we were 2 months ago, there's nothing to discuss.

Not "irrelevant", but a substantiated baseline from which to compare later changes. It is understandable how you would prefer to not even acknowledge the numbers, in the meantime. Let us not confuse simple monitoring of trends for somebody's attempts at denial.

To come in now, and start drawing new conclusions from the recent numbers is pointless and a waste of time.

What new conclusions have been made here? What are you referring to?

Oh look...no new games have come out and it's STILL not selling...well gee I'm so surprised...

You are now confusing "conclusion" with acknowledgement. Just give it up, already. You are simply ill-equipped to contribute to this discussion.

 

[scooby_dooby]

WHen there actually is something to discuss I'll be here.

And for the 12th time, I agree with the keeping track of the numbers, just not the steady stream of stupid '360 is teh d00med' comments, that seem to come every time we get a 2-week update.