Xbox 360 will launch in Japan this December
- Thread starter PatrickL
- Start date
PatrickL said:
It was discussed that meeting demand for a simultaneous launch in 3 territories would have been very tough. There's just too many of us and too little units at launch. So, instead of leaving millions of gamers waiting outside a shop, they'll just take it easy, one territory at the time, so at least we know when it's more likely that we get one. There's gonna be shortages anyway, even without a worldwide launch, just imagine if that wasn't the case.
Joe DeFuria
Legend
Yes, MS has said from the beginning that "world-wide launch" means the three major terrirories (Us, Europe, Japan) within a couple months of each other.
So, I expect these three regions to be "launched" before the end of the year. After that, other regions will follow in '06...
So, I expect these three regions to be "launched" before the end of the year. After that, other regions will follow in '06...
I would expect europe getting the units 2 weeks after us . So if nov 15 is correct it would be usa the 15th , europe the the end of the month or firstweek of dec (just in time for the holiday ) and japan at the end of the month (who really is going to buy it there ? )
Though there was a slip up during gamestops last confrence call with the managers talking about october . So we may have an earlier launch
Though there was a slip up during gamestops last confrence call with the managers talking about october . So we may have an earlier launch
JacksBleedingEyes
Regular
Are they really launching so soon.
I'm not ready to buy another console.
I'm not ready to buy another console.
JacksBleedingEyes said:
No one's gonna come to your house forcing you to buy one at gunpoint...
Johnny Awesome
Veteran
I think MS likes the PR of launching in all three regions within a month or two window, knowing that 75% of the interest will come from the US, 20% from Europe and 5% from Japan. That way they can put out 2 million units (1.5mil, 400,000, and 100,000 respectively) and get the ball rolling. They know internally that Japan is a lost cause against Sony, but they hope to go toe-to-toe in Europe and beat them in North America. All IMO, for course.
Hey, here's that pricing quote from CnVG I was talking about! There's Peter Moore saying it 'won't be 479 Euros like last time'. Hopefully this'll buck the trend of inflated EU prices 
mckmas8808
Legend
At least they're confident. Japan is surely not going to belong to MS. They have to get through Nintendo first.
MS can never win Japan but if they can get 25 percent market share that would be a huge triumph. It's possible. Europe is important but the crown jewel of business will remain North America. A console can bomb everywhere else but if its #1 in NA it will have a profitable life. Europe is almost the same exept localiztion keeps it from being as profitable.
Thing is, MS has a good amount of Japanese Heavy Weight developers to develop for them.....
*Gestures towards Sakaguchi
If theres any void Microsoft needs to fill, its the complete lack of RPGs on the system. Thing is..the common consensu with Xbox players (I apologize for generalizing, but i've noticed this reaction from alot of Xbox users) is totall and complete hatred towards JRPG (Japanese Role Playing Games). They seem to really dislike the storyline oriented games and opt for more open ended Western Games. Sakaguchi and his Lost Odyssey may be a force to be wrecken with. Hell...it one of my most anticipated for the 360.
*Gestures towards Sakaguchi
If theres any void Microsoft needs to fill, its the complete lack of RPGs on the system. Thing is..the common consensu with Xbox players (I apologize for generalizing, but i've noticed this reaction from alot of Xbox users) is totall and complete hatred towards JRPG (Japanese Role Playing Games). They seem to really dislike the storyline oriented games and opt for more open ended Western Games. Sakaguchi and his Lost Odyssey may be a force to be wrecken with. Hell...it one of my most anticipated for the 360.
passby said:
I hardly call it "screwed". Unless of course you consider the PS3 launch "screwed" with the Halo3 launch, which I'm sure you don't.
I do think the X360 will have a rough ride in Japan, but MS have come leaps and bounds since the first Xbox launch. And we all know that competition is a great thing - it's about time somebody was nipping at Sony's heels with any reasonable threat.
