Xbox 360 will launch in Japan this December

[shortround]

As popular as Halo is, it hasn't become a cultural symbol to the population - yet.

I have to disagree. If there is one game I know any casual, North American gamer will recognize the name of, it is Halo. I'd say more casual gamers know Halo than even Counter-Strike at this point.

Seriously - all the kids who bought the Xbox for nothing but sports games also have Halo.

I'd say the only game more of a cultural symbol is definitely Grand Theft Auto.

Zelda is up there, but it's really a market that doesn't hit home with as many casual gamers.

 

[PARANOiA]

As popular as Halo is, it hasn't become a cultural symbol to the population - yet.

Wasn't the Halo2 launch the most popular and successful game launch ever? Or was that just the most successful in North America/Europe/Australia?

And I personally think that "series" as you refer them (western countries call them "brands" ) are just as prevalent in North America, and Halo is XBox's shining light.

I personally feel that FFXII (for PS2) will have less of an impact than Halo3 (for next gen). I'd be very surprised if the fifth Final Fantasy game for the system moved a decent number of PS2's from shelves. I mean, if you didn't have one yet, what were they waiting for???

Anyway, let's agree to disagree on the Jap launch issue. No point derailing the thread.

 

[passby]

Ah, but you speak about it's popularity among 'gamers'. By 'cultural symbol' I refer to awareness within the 'population'. That's children, salarymen, housewives, grandparents... Not everyone plays it. But almost everyone is aware.

 

[PARANOiA]

Ah, but you speak about it's popularity among 'gamers'. By 'cultural symbol' I refer to awareness within the 'population'. That's children, salarymen, housewives, grandparents... Not everyone plays it. But almost everyone is aware.

Gamers pay the bills... non gamers don't.

 

[passby]

Gamers pay the bills... non gamers don't.

My point is that even non-gamers there will pay the bills... for DQ and FF.

When X-2 launched, TV media went to the streets, picked a random lady, and had the reply 'gomen ne, I just had my second child last month. I'll definitely pick it up soon!'

That is the standard for 'cultural phenomenon'.

 

[Almasy]

Wasn't the Halo2 launch the most popular and successful game launch ever? Or was that just the most successful in North America/Europe/Australia?

Maybe, however GTA:SA still sold much more than Halo 2 at the end of the day. Thing is, FF and DQ are things that have now been embedded in japanese culture and have the actual capability to draw attention away from a system launch.

Unlike Halo, those two games are important enough to actually turn the tides of an entire market. Nintendo, still on its prime, recieved an enormous blow the moment both FF and DQ went to Sony. I just don´t think Halo has that kind of leverage, at least not yet.

 

[BlueTsunami]

Wasn't the Halo2 launch the most popular and successful game launch ever? Or was that just the most successful in North America/Europe/Australia?

Maybe, however GTA:SA still sold much more than Halo 2 at the end of the day. Thing is, FF and DQ are things that have now been embedded in japanese culture and have the actual capability to draw attention away from a system launch.

Unlike Halo, those two games are important enough to actually turn the tides of an entire market. Nintendo, still on its prime, recieved an enormous blow the moment both FF and DQ went to Sony. I just don´t think Halo has that kind of leverage, at least not yet.

Thats just the thing...HALO seems to grab the attention of people who are most likely already XBox gamers. FF and DQ has the ability to pull gamers from all three consoles.....

 

[Inane_Dork]

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.

No, I think he's right. Wrong reasoning, but right conclusion. The X360 launch is screwed because it's the X360 launch. Even with no competition, it cannot win.

 

[passby]

I am sorry if I sounded too harsh in my posts.

What I like to suggest is - the X360 launch be strategically timed to avoid a FF launch.

 

[Sean*O]

You think Japan will ever tire of FF and DQ?

 

[Almasy]

Has the US ever gotten tired of the endless wave of recicled FPS?

 

[mckmas8808]

Has the US ever gotten tired of the endless wave of recicled FPS?

I think we are starting to get tired of WWII games though. Pick another war.

 

[blakjedi]

I think that most Americans who love FF, fancy themselves to be Japanese otakus of some sort dating back to the release of FFVII (which I disliked). This was the main fan base of the Playstation who werent sports (Madden) fans.

I think there has definitely been a move away from Japanese manga/anime type storytelling amongst North American gamers toward western themes... thus the sales of GTA, Madden and Halo will continue to grow in this territory while FF will decline.. DQ is not an issue in the western world imho.

 

[BlueTsunami]

I think that most Americans who love FF, fancy themselves to be Japanese otakus of some sort dating back to the release of FFVII (which I disliked). This was the main fan base of the Playstation who werent sports (Madden) fans.

I think there has definitely been a move away from Japanese manga/anime type storytelling amongst North American gamers toward western themes... thus the sales of GTA, Madden and Halo will continue to grow in this territory while FF will decline.. DQ is not an issue in the western world imho.

FF will decline...heh...heheh...hehah...HAHAHHA..HAHAHAHAH

 

[mckmas8808]

Yeah I did the same thing. Laugh too hard actually. Everybody in the office started to look at me.