Xbox 360 to Launch on Nov. 22

[J_Saint]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/15/t...9285a6183eb229&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

 

[pso]

Xbox 360 Launch dates

"Tokyo—Fueling global anticipation for the arrival of its powerful new video game and entertainment system, Microsoft® today announced that Xbox 360™ will arrive on store shelves Tuesday, November 22 in North America, Friday, December 2 in Europe, and Saturday, December 10 in Japan. "

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/2005/0914-xbox360launchdates.htm

According to 1up, Japan gets one SKU with everything for only $350.....

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143730

 

[J_Saint]

Right off, the US launch date. We've speculated Microsoft would aim for a Thanksgiving launch and we were right; Xbox 360 will arrive Tuesday, November 22, just two days ahead of the holiday. Surprisingly enough, the company's keeping on track with their worldwide roll out; the machine will hit Europe on December 2, Japan on December 11.

In addition to confirming a launch price of 37,900 YEN (almost $350 USD) for Xbox 360, Microsoft's predictably avoiding a dual SKU launch in the land of the rising sun. Japan will receive one version of Xbox 360 loaded with the removable 20GB HD, wireless controller, an media remote control, an headset, an ethernet cable, batteries and a component HD-AV cable.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143730

 

[Bad_Boy]

funny how that worked out

in japan, the psp had 2 skus, usa got 1. (the bigger one)
in usa, the 360 has 2 skus, japan gets 1. (the bigger one)

its probably just me lol

 

[Inane_Dork]

Seems like MS is serious about growing their Japanese marketshare. It's hard to please one group without ticking off another group though, isn't it?

 

[J_Saint]

So does this mean that Japanese games can require the HDD since all systems will include one?

 

[Sonic]

I merged these two topics. Just though I'd let you guys know.

 

[pso]

So does this mean that Japanese games can require the HDD since all systems will include one?

I guess so. Japanese developers got their wish, a standard HDD with the 360. I wish MS would have done the same in the states....

 

[Mefisutoferesu]

If that's the case that's gonna be a pain in the ... butt for US releases of Japanese games. Buy an HDD to play Japanese games. Hopefully, they'll just avoid the HDD all together.

 

[pso]

If that's the case that's gonna be a pain in the ... butt for US releases of Japanese games. Buy an HDD to play Japanese games. Hopefully, they'll just avoid the HDD all together.

Correct, it sucks for anybody in NA that has the core SKU.

 

[Deepak]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050915...C1wyZVU.3QA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3cjE0b2MwBHNlYwM3Mzg-

"Microsoft has already begun producing "millions of units" at three facilities in southern China, Reid said....."

 

[pso]

I think MS gave in into the 1 SKU + HDD for Japan because of Square complaining about the HDD not being standard for FFXI. Probably, Square told MS, "no standard HDD, no future FFXIII for the 360."

 

[-NakedZ-]

If that's the case that's gonna be a pain in the ... butt for US releases of Japanese games. Buy an HDD to play Japanese games. Hopefully, they'll just avoid the HDD all together.

They could always modify it (games that take advantage of the HDD) for US release. But then again, that would require more additional resources, time and money. Which equals to longer wait time for US date. I have to wait and see what MS have to say. I'm a little (just a lil) confuse.

- Z

 

[doob]

So if i understood correctly...
MS launches its base console in japan with a HDD included.
uhmm...[wondering]
Sony launches its base console with an HDD included in the USA.
uhmm...

Europe, Africa etc... get screwed up our a$$'s.[/wondering]

Screw consoles for good. Ill stick with PCs.

 

[pipo]

From ^^^ that article:

'Microsoft also is selling a scaled-back version, dubbed "Xbox 360 Core System," for $299.99 in North America and 299.99 euros in Europe. But David Reid, director of platform marketing for Xbox, said the company had decided there wouldn't be enough demand to immediately launch that cheaper system in Japan.'

I'm not surprised at all...

 

[Sis]

I guess so. Japanese developers got their wish, a standard HDD with the 360. I wish MS would have done the same in the states....

MS and many devs have stated many times that developers cannot rely on the hard drive being there. I fail to see why it matters if the initial Japanese SKU contains a hard drive when MS has told the developers that they may and most likely will have a SKU without a HDD.

.Sis

 

[-NakedZ-]

Maybe this is MS saying "Hey look, we are special treating the Japanese gamers more than the Americans," to please them. MS needs this as the Xbox brand [in Japan] is not even on par with Sony's or Nintendo's popularity this gen. I guess this is, in business perspective, understanable. I would've been more surprise if they announce higher price tag. Heck, they may even offer Xbox Live Gold trial of some sort.

- Z

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Interesting that the Japanese get a better deal than the US. Normally they pay over the odds, but this time round they're getting the hardware cheaper. Definitely a push for the Japanese market. I wonder if they'll get that 8% interest figure up with this announcement?

 

[one]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050915...C1wyZVU.3QA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3cjE0b2MwBHNlYwM3Mzg-

"Microsoft has already begun producing "millions of units" at three facilities in southern China, Reid said....."

hxxp://ruliweb4.dreamwiz.com/ruliboard/gup/img_link5/2690_2.jpg
hxxp://ruliweb4.dreamwiz.com/ruliboard/gup/img_link5/2690.jpg

EDIT: direct linking doesn't work for those images so copy & paste these URLs

BTW, the package contains an AC adaptor, so it's confirmed that Xbox 360 doesn't contain a power supply unit in its casing.

 

[Guden Oden]

BTW, the package contains an AC adaptor, so it's confirmed that Xbox 360 doesn't contain a power supply unit in its casing.

Oh for fook's sakes...! That totally blows.