Japan's Semiannual Game Sales Report

[Switcher]

GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/07/12/news_6128889.html) is reporting on the state of the Japanese gaming industry 6 months into 2005. Not surprisingly, the PS2 is the dominant platform, having moved the most units. It was closely followed by the DS, the PSP, the Cube, and the Xbox.

The PS2 was responsible for 49 of the top 100 best selling games, the DS and PSP both sharing 14 titles, and the Cube with around 7. Things arn't looking as rosey in regards to Microsoft's presence in Japan, as they have yet crack the top 100 with Fable being their best seller at 12,000 units sold.

GameSpot is also reporting on a recent Japanese survey that gauged gamer's reactions to the next generation of consoles. A whopping 60 percent of those polled were interested in the PS3, 9 percent for Nintendo's Revolution, and 2 percent for the Xbox 360.

It looks like Microsoft needs to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square.

[Sinistar]

It looks like Microsoft needs to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square.

Nah, Japan doesn't matter that much.

[Paranoia]

The thing is Xbox has a bad reputation in Japan for not having enough games suited for the Japanese market, and so far the Japanese have not yet seen any 360 games that cater their taste.

Perhaps all that will change come this July 25th.

[Klade]

...... Ahh yes July 25th.. A Monday... everyone knows that Mondays bring great change.. why just this past monday I had juice instead of coffee in the morning

[Oddmaker]

Or because japan hates microsoft :P

[mkelehan]

I don't like how Gamespot reported that. The question wasn't which consoles they were interested in, but rather which they were MOST interested in. I'd imagine the vast majority of 360 and Rev owners in Japan will also have PS3s.

[Paltry]

question...

What is the amount of money spent on video games in America vs the amount spent in Japan?

[Achilles]

It looks like Microsoft needs to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square.Why do you say that? The games haven’t come out yet, so whatever affect they’d have on the acceptance of the 360 doesn’t exist at this point, kinda like the Xbox 360 itself. According to that Famitsu survey of Japanese developers a while back more of them were making games for the 360 than the PS3 at this point. I’d hope that Japanese gamers would go where the games are rather than just being loyal to one system.

[Paltry]

no games have come out for ps3 yet achilles but yet 60% back it... whys that?

By your reasoning marketing as a whole means nothing to anyone

[Groo]

Microsoft needs to pay Squenix to make Dragon Quest IX and/or Final Fantasy XIII on Xbox. Those two titles alone will put the Japanese market in their pocket, along with a sizable chunk of the US market.

[mister_slim]

Microsoft needs to pay Squenix to make Dragon Quest IX and/or Final Fantasy XIII on Xbox. Those two titles alone will put the Japanese market in their pocket, along with a sizable chunk of the US market.
Seems to me S-E is probably looking at the 360 and thinking 'Only 9 gigs? What the hell?'

[Zeal]

Japan is becoming increasingly irrelevant. If Microsoft can hold America and Europe, they WILL become irrelevant.

[Kefkataran]

...... Ahh yes July 25th.. A Monday... everyone knows that Mondays bring great change.. why just this past monday I had juice instead of coffee in the morning

haHA!

As for the XBox-Japan-question, I'm not getting into that one again.

[Deadend]

Japan hates Xbox for the same reason America hates Toyota.

I thought games in japan were fading some. I have noticed in the past few years that I have cared less and less about games coming from japan and cared more about American Games, since there are games now that are not sports or FPSs.

[Achilles]

no games have come out for ps3 yet achilles but yet 60% back it... whys that?What I’m sayen’ is that something can’t have failed to make a difference if people can’t buy it yet and have no concrete information on it. PS3 has more hype but hype dies out pretty fast when something that people want arrives on the scene. The games that Switcher talked about maybe failed to hype up the 360, but this survey will matter very little when people have games to decide between.

[Heretic Machine]

As I've -always- said, (and been made fun on on these forums for) the Japanese don't like the XBOX because it is American. I don't know why, I know they accept many other American things, but the gamers just seem to be completly xenophobic.

But whatever, within the next two generations the XBOX is going to dominate the US and European markets and it won't matter. Plus, by that time J-RPG's will just be pre-rendered movies on PS4 discs. Xenosaga V, look for it.

[AspectVoid]

Japan hates Xbox for the same reason America hates Toyota.

I thought games in japan were fading some. I have noticed in the past few years that I have cared less and less about games coming from japan and cared more about American Games, since there are games now that are not sports or FPSs.


Funny enough, when it comes to Console games, of the 23 I own right now, a whole 6 of them were made by Western Developers, and of those 6 games, three of them are sports games. It seems I'm completely opposite from you when it comes to buying Console games.

[Kefkataran]

As I've -always- said, (and been made fun on on these forums for) the Japanese don't like the XBOX because it is American. I don't know why, I know they accept many other American things, but the gamers just seem to be completly xenophobic.

And as I've always said in response to this, that's a ridiculous assumption that isn't true of ALL Japanese gamers, even if it is of the majority (which I still doubt).

ut whatever, within the next two generations the XBOX is going to dominate the US and European markets and it won't matter.

I'll believe it when I see it. So far I see nothing even remotely pointing me in that direction.

Japan hates Xbox for the same reason America hates Toyota.


Since when does America hate Toyota? Were they added to the Axis of Evil?

[MajSheppard]

Yeah Japan doesn't matter that much, you know because they only buy games at twice the rate that Americans do. Wise up people, Japan decides the market and America follows suit. Sony would not be in the game if it were not for them rolling RPGs out in high frequency in Japan. America is easy to win, you just have madden and some mature rated games. You need good games to win in Japan, which is why you see a completely different market. They have much more games and of better quality in Japan. Xbox is failing because they are not in taste there. If they want to be they should just pay SquareEnix to make FF games, much like Groo said. Watch out for Microsoft though, I have a feeling they are going to hit the DS hard with games and start to gain favor in Japan. Oh and by the way the only place in america where people hate asian cars is Detroit, because they are responsible for the great Detroit Depression.

[Heretic Machine]

And as I've always said in response to this, that's a ridiculous assumption that isn't true of ALL Japanese gamers, even if it is of the majority (which I still doubt).


Yes, exactly. The HUGE majority, which makes the XBOX a failure in Japan. Obviously -someone- has bought some XBOXs, kudos to them.

Since when does America hate Toyota? Were they added to the Axis of Evil?

...So, you've never even met someone who refuses to buy foreign cars? This would be another demonstration of your understanding of culture, eh?

[Heretic Machine]

You need good games to win in Japan

No, no, no... You need good LOOKING pre-rendered CGI to win Japan.

[Paranoia]

No, no, no... You need good LOOKING pre-rendered CGI to win Japan.

No no no, the pre-render CGI are specifically for reporters so they can publish a better PR.

[Zeal]

"When asked, :What kind of games would you like to play on your next generation console?" 70% wanted RPGs, while 50% wanted simulation games. Less than 5% were excited about action."

This is enough evidence to convince me that the Japanese videogame market is living in the past. The industry has outgrown the Japanese consumer's limited mindset and they refuse to evolve with it. Fuck'em.

[Borys]

Ugh not this thread again.

East vs West
PS3 vs 360

Can't you people enjoy both? Final Fantasy AND Halo?

[riposte101]

The difference between Japanese and Western games is huge.

Japanese games are allowed to get away with a lot more than Western games. Japanese game are recognizable by their terrible cameras (Metal Gear Solid 3) and controls (Resident Evil 4 - No sidestepping? wtf?). Western games are more obsessed with attaching big names (movie actors, sports stars) and they are interested in creating the most realistic game possible. Shit like shooting a bird to get ammo in Resident Evil 4 would never fly here. Not saying one is better, it is just preference.

I do have to agree that the importance of Japan, while strong, is fading. The emerging markets are Korea and China. The problem with China is actually forcing them to pay money for the games.

I believe that if you can capture Korean you win. Microsoft is making huge ground there with Xbox Live and with Phantagram, Web Zen and NC Soft on board with the X360. The proving ground in asia won't be in Japan it will be in Korea and China.

[Kefkataran]

...So, you've never even met someone who refuses to buy foreign cars? This would be another demonstration of your understanding of culture, eh?

He said AMERICA hates Toyota, not "a group of stupid fucking xenophobic Americans" hate Toyota. This would be another demonstration of your understanding of English, eh? Personal attacks aside, this argument is really old and boring, like I said. We should move on.

Ugh not this thread again.

East vs West
PS3 vs 360

Can't you people enjoy both? Final Fantasy AND Halo?

Agreed.

Japanese game are recognizable by their terrible cameras (Metal Gear Solid 3) and controls (Resident Evil 4 - No sidestepping? wtf?).

Okay, except both of those are great games when you could easily have listed some shitty Japanese titles with bad controls or cameras. Not to mention most people (myself included) loved RE4's controls. Anyways, there's PLENTY of American titles with shitty cameras and controls too. That's just a moot point.

Riposte makes a pretty interesting point. Korea is probably the biggest market of the east right now.

[Zeal]

I don't get people wanting to "move on". Arguments like this will only become more numerous and intensive as we get closer to the next-generation console launches. It has been this way since the days of Nintendo's NES VS Sega's Master System and before. These debates will never stop and should be encouraged. They are natural and shouldn't fall under the category of flame wars.

They don't call it a "Console War" for nothing.

Also, it goes well beyond choosing sides in terms of consoles and software. I myself buy every next-generation system, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to criticize either side. At this point, it has become much more of a battle of ideologies than systems. It's the Western entertainment mindset VS Japan's in a struggle for dominance in the international entertainment industry. It's truly a global market at this point.

[riposte101]

Okay, except both of those are great games when you could easily have listed some shitty Japanese titles with bad controls or cameras. Not to mention most people (myself included) loved RE4's controls. Anyways, there's PLENTY of American titles with shitty cameras and controls too. That's just a moot point.


The thing is that those games got away with it and got good reviews despite that. There's plenty of "American titles with shitty cameras and controls", but they get punished in reviews. I stated that Japanese games get away with more than Western ones. You've just proved my point.

[TrackZero]

It looks like Microsoft needs to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square.

Actually, it looks like you shouldn't comment on something that hasn't happened yet. No MS sponsored title for the 360 is out yet, how could it be? What kind of dumbass comment is that! Moron.

[Sinistar]

Japan hates Xbox for the same reason America hates Toyota.

Yeah, Americans hate Toyota so much we went out and made it the best selling car maker here. I can see your logic.

Silly, Japan hates Xbox because they can't take it on the train with them and also for the pure lack of Nurse/School Girl Anime Porn.

[TrackZero]

No, no, no... You need good LOOKING pre-rendered CGI to win Japan.

Yes, especially when said CGI uses european architecture for the setting and the characters have Japanese body types, yet with blond hair and other strangely placed western features, in a pseudo-fantasy world where they become stronger simply by doing repetitive tasks. This CGI will also only fit on blu-ray discs, as the developer will want to display it stretched across 2 HDTVs at once in all it's wanna-be Hollywood glory.

*cough*

Just saying is all.

[NACIONAL]

Actually, it looks like you shouldn't comment on something that hasn't happened yet. No MS sponsored title for the 360 is out yet, how could it be? What kind of dumbass comment is that! Moron.

the personal attacks on this site are increasing anormally this days....

I think this theme will be better commented after the MS event on July 25.

[TrackZero]

..... the DS and PSP both sharing 14 titles.

I found that bit cute. When you look at the top 20 games: 4 are DS games, 2 are GBA and only one is a PSP title. Love how Gamespot continued their Sony bias by dodging around THAT little nugget of info.

[TrackZero]

the personal attacks on this site are increasing anormally this days....

I like to put people in their place. It's one thing to express an opinion with your news submissions, but I prefer people actually think before posting them. If you say a comment that doesn't even make respective sense, expect it to be shot down.

BTW, "attacks" like that have always been this common on the site.

[Switcher]

Well, TrackZero. Microsoft is desperate to make some....ANY kind of impact in Japan, and thus far, for the 360, all they've managed to do is get some newborn developers that are run by ex-employees of the companies that SHOULD be announcing blockbuster games for the 360.

Despite most of these games being RPGs, Japanese gamers at this point, clearly couldn't give 2/3 of a rat's ass about what Microsoft has to offer. Yet they prefer, for example, the Revolution which doesn't have one game to it's name. If you read the friggin article (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/07/12/news_6128891.html) I mentioned, you'd understand.

So, thinking logically, Microsoft has to... "to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square"

It's really quite simple. Moron.

[Cha-Ka]

It looks like Microsoft needs to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square.

I'm pretty its standard policy at Microsoft to fire anyone who openly admits to the existance of problems that can't be solved by throwing enough money at them.

[riposte101]

I'm pretty its standard policy at Microsoft to fire anyone who openly admits to the existance of problems that can't be solved by throwing enough money at them.

What can't be solved through money? Just buy Square-Enix and you win.

[Borys]

Two threads next to each other: first one is PC vs consoles (CoD2), second is Japanese games (PS3) vs western games (360).

Feels like home again, good old EvilAvatar.com.

[Zeal]

I can gurantee you that the Japanese people would turn on Square in the event they went Microsoft exclusive. People don't realize that it is their brand loyalty to a Japanese firm. It's spite and false pride.

[EternalGamer]

At this point, it has become much more of a battle of ideologies than systems. It's the Western entertainment mindset VS Japan's in a struggle for dominance in the international entertainment industry. It's truly a global market at this point.


I started to laugh when I first read that statement. Then I read it again and it scared me too much to make me laugh. I don't want to be participatory in ANY globalized entertainment ideology. That's it. I give up videogames. I think I'm just going to go back to playing Yahtzee with my pet poodle instead. He always wins, but at least he doesn't try to market for control of my mind... I don't think.

Dan

[NACIONAL]

BTW, "attacks" like that have always been this common on the site.

I know that... in fact I've been lurking in this site since 1998 (if my mind is correct) and the "attacks" were allways there... but way back, the attacks were better written..... they could name you moron without saying the word at all.

[Deadend]

I live in Detroit area, everyone over the age of thirty gives you a dirty look if think a car from outside of the US can be good.

Also, Japan does not really seem to love Great games. GTA games sell poor.

Hell, looking at that list, I wonder why anyone even spends time on japanese versions of games, GT4 is the only game to sell over 1 mill? That is fucking SAD.

Dragon Warrior 7 sold less than 300,000? Pathetic, I thought that game had major hype for it.

Of course games are way more over there, as are DVDs.

Anyone know why the hell people in japan love paying so damn much money for games?

[TrackZero]

Well, TrackZero. Microsoft is desperate to make some....ANY kind of impact in Japan, and thus far, for the 360, all they've managed to do is get some newborn developers that are run by ex-employees of the companies that SHOULD be announcing blockbuster games for the 360.

Despite most of these games being RPGs, Japanese gamers at this point, clearly couldn't give 2/3 of a rat's ass about what Microsoft has to offer. Yet they prefer, for example, the Revolution which doesn't have one game to it's name. If you read the friggin article (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/07/12/news_6128891.html) I mentioned, you'd understand.

So, thinking logically, Microsoft has to... "to do more in Japan then throwing money at fledging development studios run by former employees of Sega and Square"

It's really quite simple. Moron.

Wow gee, that's for the edjumaction. Nice that you had to take that much space to properly re-form your argument instead of the original straight up "Microsoft will fail in Japan because all they do is throw money". Which is still just unfounded opinion at this point.

Of course Microsoft isn't currently winning any polls. They've yet to even show off the games in development in the first place! Fuck. Yes, they're new companies made from ex-employees, what does that have to do with anything? Call me crazy, I usually wait until people, oh, I don't know, try a game before I worry what they think about it.

The fact remains that Japan has yet to even experience the system or the games, so you really shouldn't be making unfounded statements just based off speculation and opinion.

[riposte101]

Anyone know why the hell people in japan love paying so damn much money for games?

You can read my comments for your answer.
http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2581

[Shadowmage952]

Dragon Warrior 7 sold less than 300,000? Pathetic, I thought that game had major hype for it.

First, I'm going to assume that you are referring to Dragon Quest 8, being how that is the one that is actually in the list with that number of sales.

You do realize that these numbers are the sales for the first 6 months of this year and that DQ8 came out last year. As of December of last year it had total sales of 3.3 million, and with this new report it puts it at 3.6 million. Does that match enough of the "hype" for you?

[Deadend]

Why yes, yes it does.

Still does not explain GT4 which DID come out this year selling only a million copies.

[Groo]

Also, Japan does not really seem to love Great games. GTA games sell poor.


Although I partially agree with the first part of your statement, I disagree with the second part. The GTA games are straight up ass. If it's true that the GTA games aren't selling well over there (which I think they are), then that's a sign that they have better taste than us Americans.

[Kelegacy]

Japan hates Xbox for the same reason America hates Toyota.

Actually, Toyotas are extremely reliable vehicles. The Camry is one of most solid cars on the road today. American stuff...it just doesnt turn me on. Japanese cars are getting better and better (well, they almost always have been better) and usually cheaper than the stuff produced right freakin' here.

Subaru, Toyota, Honda--3 premiere Japanese manufacturers. I've owned a Subaru Legacy, wanted to buy a Camry this past year but opted for a Saab instead, and my brother and I have owned Honda ATV's since we were fetuses. And Honda cars are some of the lowest-emissions vehicles you can get.

Americans like their cars huge, gas guzzling, and polluting. I don't, though.

[Kelegacy]

The GTA games are straight up ass. If it's true that the GTA games aren't selling well over there (which I think they are), then that's a sign that they have better taste than us Americans.

You're a meathead. Opinions are usually subjective. But yours is totally wrong.

Hang the interloper!

[Royal Fool]

Also, Japan does not really seem to love Great games. GTA games sell poor.

Hell, looking at that list, I wonder why anyone even spends time on japanese versions of games, GT4 is the only game to sell over 1 mill? That is fucking SAD.

Well... Grand Theft Auto, God of War and many other highly-rated games in the West are unlikely to sell big in Japan. But the same can be said for the games that sell big in Japan but then debut in America/Europe and don't really do too well (Sadly, I cannot find any examples off the top of my head right now, but they certainly exist).

It's just taste, culture and social views. And rampant fanboyism/patriotism/xenophobism, I guess. Which goes for both the East and West.

[Switcher]

Yes, well, the PS3 has a whopping 60% of the vote, and they have even less real games to show then Microsoft did. Remember MS's press conference in Japan just prior to E3? They showed games there, they announced games there, they bragged about how much Japanese support they were getting,

Did that do anything? No, clearly not according to this study.

So what's your reasoning now? "Gee durrr...that's because the PS3 is getting a new Final Fantasy, or Tekken, or Devil May Cry, or Gran Turismo"

And that's the problem you dolt, Microsoft WILL fail again in Japan without any of their games being shown, because they won't have a GT or DMC or Tekken or whatever. Sony has them.

So that's why they actually need to DO something about it and that's why I made my comment, because it's based on a pure fact. Sony has the games Japanese gamers want, MS doesn't. Do you honestly think a brand new RPG series started up by "Mistwalker" will do anything for the Xbox 360? Especially coming after one of the worst performing years the original Xbox has had in Japan? Hardly.

Of course, I might be dead wrong, and this new series will light the gaming community over there on fire.

But on second thought, no.

[Kelegacy]

Well... Grand Theft Auto, God of War and many other highly-rated games in the West are unlikely to sell big in Japan. But the same can be said for the games that sell big in Japan but then debut in America/Europe and don't really do too well (Sadly, I cannot find any examples off the top of my head right now, but they certainly exist).

It's just taste, culture and social views. And rampant fanboyism/patriotism/xenophobism, I guess. Which goes for both the East and West.

ICO maybe? Or the Shin Megami series? Panzer Dragoon Orta or Otogi? Or any of the SRPG's that come over (though to be fair, Disgaea started a cult following that has now infested nearly all Atlus/Nippon Ichi games--which is GREAT!) I'm not sure the American selling power of these, but they are just random things that popped into my head.

Really, though, if a Japanese game does well over there and can even remotely appeal to a western gamer, we'll almost always eat it up, too.

Oh, and this is where i spew my love for Atlus all over the place. They have guts, man. And huge feckin' bawls. I love when they bring quirky stuff over. Not many companies do that nowadays.

[Zeal]

Japan hates Xbox for the same reason America hates Toyota.

This should actually be regarded as a factual statement. It's the most accurate description of the truth.

[TrackZero]

Yes, well, the PS3 has a whopping 60% of the vote, and they have even less real games to show then Microsoft did. Remember MS's press conference in Japan just prior to E3? They showed games there, they announced games there, they bragged about how much Japanese support they were getting,

Did that do anything? No, clearly not according to this study.

So what's your reasoning now? "Gee durrr...that's because the PS3 is getting a new Final Fantasy, or Tekken, or Devil May Cry, or Gran Turismo"

And that's the problem you dolt, Microsoft WILL fail again in Japan without any of their games being shown, because they won't have a GT or DMC or Tekken or whatever. Sony has them.

So that's why they actually need to DO something about it and that's why I made my comment, because it's based on a pure fact. Sony has the games Japanese gamers want, MS doesn't. Do you honestly think a brand new RPG series started up by "Mistwalker" will do anything for the Xbox 360? Especially coming after one of the worst performing years the original Xbox has had in Japan? Hardly.

Of course, I might be dead wrong, and this new series will light the gaming community over there on fire.

But on second thought, no.

Well, I'll stand by my point that you're speculating once again, claiming to know what the Japanese want. I won't even bother replying to the "original Xbox failed in Japan" argument, as the 360 and the original are two different beasts. Comparing consoles merely as a line of successors is always a foolish idea. There's simply no hard data as of yet to prove whether their strategy for the 360 will work or not. So we'll just have to wait and see.

BTW, thanks for not actually replying to me (and getting me an e-mail notice), luckily I bothered to read the thread manually.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

question...

What is the amount of money spent on video games in America vs the amount spent in Japan?

Excellent question. Why does Japan matter so much?? As long as I can get a kick-a$$ game, I don't care where it comes from.

It the Japanese don't want to support an American system, that is fine. Americans are obviously not so xenophobic with our game systems. Many people say that the Xbox never catered to the tastes of the Japanese gamers...well, MS seems to have put forth that effort so far and it still has not garnered them any interest.

Good luck MS, but the Sony brand name is going to be the hardest thing for you to overcome anywhere...not just Japan.

[Kefkataran]

I don't get people wanting to "move on". Arguments like this will only become more numerous and intensive as we get closer to the next-generation console launches. It has been this way since the days of Nintendo's NES VS Sega's Master System and before. These debates will never stop and should be encouraged. They are natural and shouldn't fall under the category of flame wars.

Except, you know, those were both Japanese.

The thing is that those games got away with it and got good reviews despite that. There's plenty of "American titles with shitty cameras and controls", but they get punished in reviews. I stated that Japanese games get away with more than Western ones. You've just proved my point.

They don't "get away with it." Those are genuinely good games. MGS3 has camera problems -- it's a great game in spite of it. The RE series has had shitty controls (most would agrue until RE4) -- most of the games in the series are worth playing anyways. Saying people will give a game a better score if it has bad camera and controls just cause it's Japanese is nuts.

BTW, "attacks" like that have always been this common on the site.

Which is why the site tends to appear so sophomoric and stupid to outsiders. There's lots of people who are very smart and have some interesting opinions (including yourself), but they get too caught up in boring internet name-calling half the time in order to seem like they have "attitude."

I live in Detroit area, everyone over the age of thirty gives you a dirty look if think a car from outside of the US can be good.

Because you live in an area that's specifically known for car manufacturing. Makes sense. But to go as far as saying America or even a majority of Americans hate Toyota? Hyperbole.

Also, Japan does not really seem to love Great games. GTA games sell poor.

Opinion stated as fact. So a lot of Japanese people don't agree with you on what a great game is? Besides, a lot of GTA's charm comes from references to American pop culture. As obsessed with American culture as much of Japan is (that's right, not hateful!), I'm willing to bet some of it has to be lost in the translation.

But the same can be said for the games that sell big in Japan but then debut in America/Europe and don't really do too well (Sadly, I cannot find any examples off the top of my head right now, but they certainly exist).

The Dragon Warrior series. But I continue to attribute it less to xenophobia and more to differences in taste and culture (on BOTH sides).

[Twigz'N'Berries]

The difference between Japanese and Western games is huge.

Japanese games are allowed to get away with a lot more than Western games. Japanese game are recognizable by their terrible cameras (Metal Gear Solid 3) and controls (Resident Evil 4 - No sidestepping? wtf?). Western games are more obsessed with attaching big names (movie actors, sports stars) and they are interested in creating the most realistic game possible. Shit like shooting a bird to get ammo in Resident Evil 4 would never fly here. Not saying one is better, it is just preference.

I do have to agree that the importance of Japan, while strong, is fading. The emerging markets are Korea and China. The problem with China is actually forcing them to pay money for the games.

I believe that if you can capture Korean you win. Microsoft is making huge ground there with Xbox Live and with Phantagram, Web Zen and NC Soft on board with the X360. The proving ground in asia won't be in Japan it will be in Korea and China.

I hope you are right about Korea being the next big market for development. Hopefully they will show MS some love and make a few killer titles.

[kathode]

Hahaha, america hates Toyota. That must be why Camry is the #1 selling car in America.

/off to drive his 05 corolla.

[Deadend]

Wow, I love how many people jumped on me saying America hates Toyota.

But no one argued that Japan hates Xbox, it's the same statement. Xenophobia mixed with economics. Don't say its all about the games there, you know that is bull. GTA games are considered to be damn good games the world over, and Japan dislikes them.

Halo sells poorly there as well, Name a good Xbox game, and it will sell poor in japan, and it's not like people would not buy a Xbox for a killer app.

I think Japan in general hates the Xbox because it is an american product that is stepping into one of Japans areas of firece pride.

[VsSelf]

Microsoft has enough to money to outlast everybody else in the race. Xenophobia will not stop them. Nothing will stop them. Either Japan will suck it up and get an Xbox or Microsoft will take over the the rest of the civilized world first and shrink Sony's market share until the company evaporates or no longer has the capital to design and market new hardware on the scale necessary to turn a profit. Expect to see the 360 narrowly edge out the PS3 in the upcoming war in all Eastern territories and then blast everyone else out of the water by the time the 720 comes around.

When Microsoft enters a market, they don't aim for second place. By the way, would you recommend the '05 Corolla? I'm thinking of buying a new car.

[Heretic Machine]

Although I partially agree with the first part of your statement, I disagree with the second part. The GTA games are straight up ass. If it's true that the GTA games aren't selling well over there (which I think they are), then that's a sign that they have better taste than us Americans.

I NEED MORE CG MOVIES! XENOSAGA XXX DAMMIT! XENOSAGA XXX!

I mean seriously, who wants to PLAY games? Who wants to have FUN while PLAYING games? What I want, is lots of CG movies, and with little or no gameplay. If there does have to be gameplay, I want it to involve pressing the A button over and over again to scroll through badly written dialouge, and then I want to get back to the CG movies.

[Deadend]

Perigon, you notice that Japanese RPGs are alot like adventure games... but worse?

Lots of story, some puzzles, and the Japanese games have random encounters.

Remove the fighting and you got yourself a boring adventure game.

[Heretic Machine]

Well, I happen to like -comedic- adventure games (Monkey Island, Discworld...), though obviously the gameplay is lacking. Which is why that genre is dead and gone. As far as I'm concerned J-RPG's (CG anime that's even more over-priced than normal anime) should be next.

Now don't get me wrong, I like a lot of Japanese games. Their turn based strategy games are awesome, their platformers normally dwarf our own, and thier "gimmic" games also fly, stuff like Donkey Konga or DDR. But I think much of their industry has become even more stagnent than the American market, especially when it comes to J-RPG's and survival horror games.

[Adam Blue]

Japan might hate XBox, but I don't think Microsoft cares. They are doing small things about it, but if they really wanted to, they could grab Japan by the balls. We already have Guilty Gear, SNK, and SF games. As far as I'm concerned, If I need to play a good Japanese game, I already have a Dreamcast.

[Zeal]

I think it's safe to say that Microsoft's gonna get its ass kicked in Japan, but that is irrelevant. If it can hold America, Europe and possibly China and Korea, it's over.

I expect it to narrowly outsell the PS3 in America, outsell it in Europe, but I'm not sure about China and Korea.

[Heretic Machine]

China and Korea are still very unpredictable markets, though if they put out well made MMO's, you better believe the Koreans will eat it up.

[51|RandoM]

This is enough evidence to convince me that the Japanese videogame market is living in the past. The industry has outgrown the Japanese consumer's limited mindset and they refuse to evolve with it. Fuck'em.

This is a priceless gem of forum insanity, one that I'll treasure forever.

You realize that what you're saying is that instead of the game developers making games customers will like, instead they should make games the customers don't like and the customers should learn to like them?

You realize how completely backwards your point of view is? Maybe that is the xbox attitude, and why it does so poorly in Japan.

[51|RandoM]

I think it's safe to say that Microsoft's gonna get its ass kicked in Japan, but that is irrelevant. If it can hold America, Europe and possibly China and Korea, it's over.



What is over? Are you saying xbox will "win" and be the only console for the rest of time?

Do you think a win of the type for xbox would be a win for the consumer? You might want to think again---not that it'll every happen, but at least realize what you're dreaming of.

Competition is good, grasshopper.

[Deadend]

What is over? Are you saying xbox will "win" and be the only console for the rest of time?

Do you think a win of the type for xbox would be a win for the consumer? You might want to think again---not that it'll every happen, but at least realize what you're dreaming of.

Competition is good, grasshopper.

Yes, and in Japan, Sony has almost no competition, and the game sales for the first half well... look at them, kinda poor, aren't they?

The money for games IS NOT japan, for a single country, and for the population size, yes they are good, but compared to America or Europe.... jack shit.

Sony HAS to do good in Japan to survive, simple as that.

Oh, and the Industry is outgrowing Japan, games sell good here and in Europe, but not in Japan.

[Kefkataran]

But no one argued that Japan hates Xbox, it's the same statement. Xenophobia mixed with economics. Don't say its all about the games there, you know that is bull. GTA games are considered to be damn good games the world over, and Japan dislikes them.

Again, JAPAN does not hate Xbox and JAPAN does not dislike GTA. Some Japanese people do, but I think blaming it all on xenophobia is simple-minded at best. That may be the case for some, but I find it very hard to believe it is for all.

Remove the fighting and you got yourself a boring adventure game.

This is all a matter of taste, again. Personally, I don't play JRPGs much lately, but I used to love them. Likewise I always have and still do love adventure games (even if the genre is mostly shit right now). That's fine if you find it boring, but not everyone does.

[MasterKwan]

Well, that ANY of it is caused by Xenophobia is pretty damn significant. I'm in full agreement that some of Microsofts problems is Xenophobia, not all though. Another problem is that the Xbox is physically so damn big. Have you seen the size of Japanese houses? I love Japanese culture and japanese games but, there's no way in hell I'd want to live there. It's racist place pure and simple so, I'll just watch them from afar (I love them but, they wouldn't love me).

Most Toyota's in the US are built in the US by American workers. Honda's are built here and in Canada. I don't hate foreign cars but, I feel a twinge every time I buy one because the profits go east. I wish America made cars that appealed to me. My biggest issue is poor quality interiors. I hate a car that looks like the door handles or trim are going to fall off. My American truck has an interior that's as good as my Civic but, no US passenger car can match either one.

[Kefkataran]

Well, that ANY of it is caused by Xenophobia is pretty damn significant.

Significant only in that some people are morons. There's xenophobia on both sides, but only by idiots (in my opinion).

It's racist place pure and simple so, I'll just watch them from afar.

We've gone over this before, and that's a HUGE misconception. AS with anywhere, this is true of some people, but much of Japan is obsessed with American culture. This is why you see so many Japanese tourists in any 'tourist' place in America, and it's why Americans are very much accepted much of the time in Japan. Don't make me whip out the English-teacher example again. I'LL DO IT.

I don't hate foreign cars but, I feel a twinge every time I buy one because the profits go east.

So you tell us how bad xenophobia is and then tell us how it does affect you? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're able to overcome it, but even just that tinge of guilt could only come from xenophobic tendencies, even if they're way under the surface and (thankfully) not taking over your life.

[Kelegacy]

Perigon, i understand your disdain for JRPG's, but I think the games appeal to certain gamers. I've found that jRPG's with random encounters are like interactive story books, meaning you fight the random battles, (which can be extremely fun--look at Grandia) and such to futher the story. You are ever progressing to find out what happens next. And because it isnt truly a book, people that ordinarly dont read books can become enthralled. Many stories are hackneyed and cliched nowadays, but I still find it fun to play through them. Random encounters CAN be troublesome and often times are too numerous, but many developers are taking strides to change their purpose and increase the enjoyment of them.

Still, I do not enjoy boring games. I have no time for them. With that said, I'm still a fan of jRPG's and PC adventure games. They are not boring, they are just a slower paced gameplay experience that rewards you in wholly different ways than a conventional Western game. I've found that many people who are bookworms enjoy a great jRPG as well. There is a lot of reading, and many times you can be magnetized to the characters, much like a standard novel.

They are not for everyone, but they are in no way a flawed genre or subpar to American offerings. In many ways, they exceed American conventions for videogame fodder.

[Kefkataran]

I'm agreeing with Kelegacy here. Adventure and JRPGs are more story-focused than gameplay-focused, but if a gamer is looking more towards story than gameplay, that's not a bad thing.

[AspectVoid]

Kelegacy, you got it right. For me, the story is the most important part of a game. When I play a game, I want to feel compelled to play, to find out what's going to happen next. Frankly, a game could have the best gameplay in the world, but if there's no story attached to it, I normally won't play for more then a half hour.

I suppose what it comes down to is that I have never felt compelled to beat a game because of its gameplay. I have, far too many times to count, felt compelled to do so because of the story.

[Heretic Machine]

If I want a good story, I read a good book. Most games don't have stories that can even compete with a BAD book. Don't get me wrong, I like having interesting stories, but without good gameplay being the focus, it just doesn't interest me.

[Heretic Machine]

Again, JAPAN does not hate Xbox and JAPAN does not dislike GTA. Some Japanese people do, but I think blaming it all on xenophobia is simple-minded at best. That may be the case for some, but I find it very hard to believe it is for all.

Well, since you can't offer up any other explanation besides, "Durr, the Japanese have different culture than us... durr... They don't like teh violence, durr....", then we're pretty much going to have to go with the idea that the Japanese don't like American consoles. Now saying it's "xenophobia" is a step too far, they aren't afraid of Americans. They are just a very nationalist country, who ignore other people's products. Now this doesn't really apply to pop music or clothing because these things aren't really signs of American ingenuity. But the XBOX is, and this would probably seem either threatening or offensive to a country which is used to being the king of gaming.

But I see this view as ignorant, as they blatantly ignore the quality of the products, simply dismissing them out of hand. Unlike the American market, where Japanese games such as Final Fantasy are some of the highest selling games on the shelves. In the next two generations Japan is either going to have to suck it up and start looking at what the rest of the world has to offer, or their gamers are going to have to tighten their belt quite a bit and be prepared for many dry spots as the Playstation lines lose support.

Or at least I'd like to think so, I'm an optimist.

[Alexious]

I'm agreeing with Kelegacy here. Adventure and JRPGs are more story-focused than gameplay-focused, but if a gamer is looking more towards story than gameplay, that's not a bad thing.
I'm not trying to be a troll here, but since when do Japanese games have better stories? I mean it's not like FF X-2 was any great epic story... it was a freaking music video. This is the same place that produces endless variations on the same theme: self-improvement through violence. One could certainly make the argument that the stories in most Japanese games are lifted from the Dragonball cartoon. It probably goes even farther back than that, but I don't know the history of their culture that well.
American culture produces some of the best fiction out there. Perhaps we just need more video game companies who pursue that level of storytelling.

[mister_slim]

Also, Japan does not really seem to love Great games. GTA games sell poor.

Actually, they sell poorly compared to the US. Vice City, which Capcom released first (probably because of the better style), has sold about half a million copies. Only 10 or 15 PS2 games have managed to reach 1 million sold, by the way.

[Kefkataran]

Well, since you can't offer up any other explanation besides, "Durr, the Japanese have different culture than us... durr... They don't like teh violence, durr....", then we're pretty much going to have to go with the idea that the Japanese don't like American consoles.

I didn't say they don't like violence. Look at some Japanese anime and tell me they don't like violence. But A-FUCKING-GAIN, just because they have different tastes in games, does not mean they dislike a console or game just because it's American -- it means they dislike it because it's not appealing to their tastes. American games and consoles cna appeal to Japanese tastes, they just often do not.

But I see this view as ignorant, as they blatantly ignore the quality of the products, simply dismissing them out of hand.

And this is the reason I'm disagreeing with you: you're lumping all the Japanese together. You're saying "they" blatantly ignore products, "they" dismiss them. Regardless of the reason, it's not all Japanese doing it. And you call Xbox quality, but I wouldn't. I don't own an Xbox and am uninterested in owning one as it has very few games that I'm interested in playing. See, again, it comes down to one's personal taste.

I'm not trying to be a troll here, but since when do Japanese games have better stories? I mean it's not like FF X-2 was any great epic story... it was a freaking music video.

Like I said earlier, I've been less and less interested in JRPGs as of late. But looking back, there have been some amazing stories and epics to come out of JRPGs. FF6 remains on my top 3 games list and, in my opinion, has one of the best stories ever to be told in a videogame. I'm also a fan of the Metal Gear Solid series, though, which has proven fairly unpopular on this site. But I completely agree with you that more companies (American, Japanese, and any other nationality) need to pursue higher levels of storytelling in game. It's one of the next steps towards the real pursuit of games as art.

[Heretic Machine]

Regardless of the reason, it's not all Japanese doing it.

Yes, appearently 2% of Japanese gamers are educated consumers. Yay for them.

I don't own an Xbox and am uninterested in owning one

*cough* Your hand is showing *cough*

[Kefkataran]

What does me not owning or being interested in an Xbox have to do with me telling you it's dumb to say all Japanese people are xenophobes or racist for not buying them? Or that they only buy them because they aren't American? The thought that EVERY Japanese gamer who does not buy an Xbox does so just because it's an American system is fucking stupid. That's all there is to it. I'm sure that's the reason for some, and those Japanese gamers are dumb. But I don't believe that's the reason for most Japanese gamers.

[Crabby]

I'm not trying to be a troll here, but since when do Japanese games have better stories? I mean it's not like FF X-2 was any great epic story... it was a freaking music video. This is the same place that produces endless variations on the same theme: self-improvement through violence. One could certainly make the argument that the stories in most Japanese games are lifted from the Dragonball cartoon. It probably goes even farther back than that, but I don't know the history of their culture that well.
American culture produces some of the best fiction out there. Perhaps we just need more video game companies who pursue that level of storytelling.


Classifying FFX-2 as an actual RPG is the mark of an insane man. It's correct classification is of the "milked out honies on parade" genre.

Eh, I think the guy who made the comment concerning nurse and schoolgirl hentai had it right.

[Heretic Machine]

What does me not owning or being interested in an Xbox have to do with me telling you it's dumb to say all Japanese people are xenophobes or racist for not buying them? Or that they only buy them because they aren't American? The thought that EVERY Japanese gamer who does not buy an Xbox does so just because it's an American system is fucking stupid. That's all there is to it. I'm sure that's the reason for some, and those Japanese gamers are dumb. But I don't believe that's the reason for most Japanese gamers.

Because you're a PS2 fanboy. Most PS2 fanboys are also J-fans, meaning you have a -huge- bias.

[Kelegacy]

Because you're a PS2 fanboy. Most PS2 fanboys are also J-fans, meaning you have a -huge- bias.

Eek. I'm a PS2 fan, but I dont consider myself a fanboy. I also never saw the use in owning an Xbox until November/December of last year. I had/have a great PC and the "exclusive" games that intrigued me also came to the PC, and still are. I am not biased--at least i try not to be--but there is something about a jRPG that you cant get in other games. Yes, this year has produced some serious stinkers and disappointments, but so has any other genre. You COULD read a great book for a good story, and I always have a great book going, but you could also play a fun game with a fun story as well. It's basically the best of both worlds. While some people seem to hate FFX for one reason or another, I actually liked it. It was simply beautiful and artistically superb, the fighting actually was improved from previous PS incarnations, and the story was good. There were alot of cinematics, but i dont mind that--with that type of genre, I know what I am getting myself into. Xenosaga was the exception to the jRPG rule, with the longest cinemas ever in a jRPG.

But to get back to the main point, I think that Xbox fans like to call jRPG enthusiasts "Sony Fanboys" is a little unfair. You know why they are avid Sony fans? BECAUSE CANT GET A JAPANESE INSPIRED RPG ON XBOX. Sudeki tried, but failed. Lovers of this genre have been forced to exclusively use their PS2's for Japenese Role Playing Games. There are some seriously great jRPGs on the PS2, too. Also, it is a huge fanbase that eats these games up. Sony's PS1 started out horribly in the RPG department, but after Beyond the Beyond (the first RPG for the system) and Wild Arms and FF7 (the father of the modern J-RPG) Sony's system started to flourish with RPG's, and a great percentage of them were incredible. They havent done anything differently with the PS2, or the developers havent, I should say. For any person that needs that Eastern-influenced gaming fix, they need to own a PS2. Not just RPG's, but many other genres as well.

[Achilles]

BECAUSE CANT GET A JAPANESE INSPIRED RPG ON XBOX. Sudeki tried, but failed. Lovers of this genre have been forced to exclusively use their PS2's for Japenese Role Playing Games. Very true, hopefully this will change in the future. I own a PS2 but the only games I own for it are Japanese RPGs, everything else I get for Xbox. But even so I own about 11 PS2 games, and am currently playing through Growlanser. The Japanese have different tastes in games which haven’t really made it onto the Xbox in any tangible form. This is because the Xbox install base is so amazingly small in Japan that making a game for an audience that likes adult learning games and dog walking simulators would be a futile exercise.

I think we’re more receptive to Japanese games than they are to ours because there’s a huge anime following here, and frankly we’re a more diverse culture. If you disagree just look at their census statistics. We have people here who’ve come from all over the world, including millions from Asia. There are not millions of Europeans living in Japan, it’s a much more distilled society.

Some comparative statistics to take up more space:
American Ethnic Groups: white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2%
Japanese Ethnic Groups: Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914)

American Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
Japanese Religions: observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)

American Languages: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%
Japanese Languages: Japanese

[Heretic Machine]

I think we’re more receptive to Japanese games than they are to ours because there’s a huge anime following here, and frankly we’re a more diverse culture. If you disagree just look at their census statistics. We have people here who’ve come from all over the world, including millions from Asia. There are not millions of Europeans living in Japan, it’s a much more distilled society.

It is true that we are a melting pot here. But it's not as if our 4.2% Asian population is fueling the gameing industry's importing of Japanese games. Most of the people who buy J-RPG's in this country are white. Yes, most of them also watch anime. But as has already been pointed out, Japan accepts many pieces of our culture, such as our music, celebrities, movies, clothes... Just not games. Probably not cars either, but that's really not surprising considering how few American car companies there are. But I would say another reason is because these are big Japanese industries, and they feel they make a superior product. In some cases, this is very true, I've already proclaimed my love of Nintendo, Nippon Ichi, and many other Japanese developers. But Sony is who I have a problem with them blindly following, when there are better consoles out there.

Now it's obvious that they aren't -just- buying PS2's, the sales of Gamecubes are also good. Just hanging the XBOX out to dry. I can accept that the XBOX probably shouldn't have a lead on the PS2 or Gamecube, but the fact of the matter is that with only 2% of the market, something larger must be at work. I think it's nationalism.

Now, don't get me wrong, nationalism to some extent is a good thing. It helps your country's economy. But they seem to of taken this to a new level.

This is my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. I don't hate the Japanese, but I find that their view of gaming is quite stupid. My hope is that they lose influence on the market, I don't want them to disapear, but I'd rather have Microsoft leading the pack than Sony or Nintendo.

[Crabby]

Eek. I'm a PS2 fan, but I dont consider myself a fanboy. I also never saw the use in owning an Xbox until November/December of last year. I had/have a great PC and the "exclusive" games that intrigued me also came to the PC, and still are. I am not biased--at least i try not to be--but there is something about a jRPG that you cant get in other games. Yes, this year has produced some serious stinkers and disappointments, but so has any other genre. You COULD read a great book for a good story, and I always have a great book going, but you could also play a fun game with a fun story as well. It's basically the best of both worlds. While some people seem to hate FFX for one reason or another, I actually liked it. It was simply beautiful and artistically superb, the fighting actually was improved from previous PS incarnations, and the story was good. There were alot of cinematics, but i dont mind that--with that type of genre, I know what I am getting myself into. Xenosaga was the exception to the jRPG rule, with the longest cinemas ever in a jRPG.

But to get back to the main point, I think that Xbox fans like to call jRPG enthusiasts "Sony Fanboys" is a little unfair. You know why they are avid Sony fans? BECAUSE CANT GET A JAPANESE INSPIRED RPG ON XBOX. Sudeki tried, but failed. Lovers of this genre have been forced to exclusively use their PS2's for Japenese Role Playing Games. There are some seriously great jRPGs on the PS2, too. Also, it is a huge fanbase that eats these games up. Sony's PS1 started out horribly in the RPG department, but after Beyond the Beyond (the first RPG for the system) and Wild Arms and FF7 (the father of the modern J-RPG) Sony's system started to flourish with RPG's, and a great percentage of them were incredible. They havent done anything differently with the PS2, or the developers havent, I should say. For any person that needs that Eastern-influenced gaming fix, they need to own a PS2. Not just RPG's, but many other genres as well.


I'm putting all of my chips on Mistwalker turning out something halfway similar to a JRPG for the system. The fact that the XBox had zero was a major, major oversight.

In this light I feel the OP's comments concerning the company are a little ridiculous. We're not just talking about "Square and Sega" rejects here. Would any of you call someone like Nobou Uematsu a reject, or has-been? Not me. I think the company has a lot of raw power.

But, I would like to see a bit more information concerning Lost Odyssey. It is already a very safe bet that Blue Dragon will probably come as a turn-based battle system, but the angle being taken with Lost Odyssey thus far makes me wonder what sort of real-time action conventions might be used.

[Kelegacy]

While my love of JRPG's may be inherent, I still cringe at random battles at times. I definitely do enjoy games like Fable and Zelda almost more than I do random battled games. Because with random battles, you are ripped out of the game and plunged into an instant fight. Sometimes, for me, the feeling is not unlike being pushed into a frigid pool on a severly hot day. It's a shock to the system and disrupts your immersion in the environment. Still, Fable and Zelda and other Action-Oriented fighting setups are flawed as well. Too many games resemble the Diabloesque HACK HACK HACK until the enemy is dead. I like a little strategy or AI if a game is going to have a realtime battle system. Jade Empire sort of combined the two, but I didnt enjoy that either, even if it was sort of Chrono Trigger-inspired, meaning you see your enemies and you engage them in an invisible "arena" but you arent thrown out of the game and into a new battle screen.

A great style that should be copied is the PC's Blade of Darkness. You fight straightforward battles, but the enemies coudl be wearing shields or other weapons/equipment that make you have to maneuver and think in order to win a fight.

[Achilles]

But it's not as if our 4.2% Asian population is fueling the gameing industry's importing of Japanese games. Most of the people who buy J-RPG's in this country are white. Yes, most of them also watch anime. But as has already been pointed out, Japan accepts many pieces of our culture, such as our music, celebrities, movies, clothes... Just not games.You make good points. I would say that while it’s not the 4.2% of our population that is buying these games, them interacting with the rest of the population will cause most of the other 95.8% to be more accepting of their tastes and more willing to try Japanese things.

But you’re right that other forms of western entertainment do fly over there, but maybe they just take the stuff they like from those kinds of entertainment, and that stuff has nothing to do with what our games are based on. This would seem to be the case based on the Western inspired stuff that they make. So maybe they get something totally different from watching our movies and listening to our music than we do.

Maybe you’re right that it’s primarily nationalism though. Personally I’m a fan of cultural differences and nationalism. Nothing wrong with them being really into their own stuff in my opinion, it just makes the world more interesting. Unfortunately if this is true it may force me to buy a second system for J-RPGs, which would be a bummer.

And about Toyota, most people in the US like Toyota. Fristly their cars are made in the US as their commercials tell us... Ahem. Secondly their cars last a lot longer than American cars. I can see Detroit as a place that wouldn't share the American fondness for Toyota and Honda because they lost a lot of jobs when their companies couldn't compete, but I think the rest of the country holds Toyota in high regard.

/atoyot

[Kefkataran]

Because you're a PS2 fanboy. Most PS2 fanboys are also J-fans, meaning you have a -huge- bias.

Wait, wait, wait, WHAAAAAT? How the fuck does not liking Xbox instantly make me a PS2 fanboy? What huge leap of fucking logic is required to get there? Jesus. It's no wonder you think all Japanese gamers who don't buy Xbox are nationalist fuckheads -- you don't think reasonably, so you assume they don't. Keep jumping to conclusions. I'm going to be over here using logic.

In case anyone is wondering: as far as gaming, most of my time isn't spent on PS2; it's spent on PC. You can imagine (quite correctly) that most the games I play on PC are American or European. As if any of that even matters in this debate, but in case you think it did, there you go.

[Heretic Machine]

And about Toyota, most people in the US like Toyota. Fristly their cars are made in the US as their commercials tell us... Ahem. Secondly their cars last a lot longer than American cars. I can see Detroit as a place that wouldn't share the American fondness for Toyota and Honda because they lost a lot of jobs when their companies couldn't compete, but I think the rest of the country holds Toyota in high regard.


Most people yes, but it wasn't always that way. Not too long ago you'd be considered a communist for driving around in a foreign car, no matter who built it. Our population slides in and out of nationalism constantly (maybe because our populus is pretty easily manipulated?) so maybe in a few years you'll see a big boom for Ford or somthing.

Personally, I don't care where a car is made, as long as it looks good and it takes me from point-a to point-b for at least long enough that I want a new car.

[Lynxara]

As I've -always- said, (and been made fun on on these forums for) the Japanese don't like the XBOX because it is American. I don't know why, I know they accept many other American things, but the gamers just seem to be completly xenophobic.

Same reason they don't like foreign versions of a lot of goods the culture otherwise likes. To Japan, their video games are uniquely Japanese things. They have the sort of national pride for the game industry Americans once had for the auto industry; I believe the game industry is even subsidized by the government these days.

The idea of Americans making their own console for Americans? Fine, hell, they'll even develop for it if the money's good. Trying to sell Japanese consumers their own games on a barbarian pig-dog American console? Blasphemy. An assault on all things good and Japanese!

Really die-hard Japanese gamers do feel differently; they find the XBox pretty interesting and like the powerful hardware. But for the casual Japanese gamer, the fact that MS is even selling XBoxes in Japan is offensive. Nothing MS does will ever make the XBox line succeed over there, and the Japanese industry has nothing to lose by shutting MS out.

tl;dr: Japan is kinda racist about video gaming. They sure do like our movies, tho.

[kwillhan]

Well, I'll stand by my point that you're speculating once again, claiming to know what the Japanese want. I won't even bother replying to the "original Xbox failed in Japan" argument, as the 360 and the original are two different beasts. Comparing consoles merely as a line of successors is always a foolish idea.


You'd better call Nintendo, i believe the worlds second largest maker of gaming software, and let them know. Like 10 years ago.

that "relying on franchises and older systems" thing is failing them hard. Obviously.

kelly

[Alexious]

Classifying FFX-2 as an actual RPG is the mark of an insane man. It's correct classification is of the "milked out honies on parade" genre.
:D I don't care who you are, THAT'S FUNNY! Sigged.