XBox360 Given "Muted Hello" in Japan

[DeadlyDonkey]

BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/) has posted an article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4517362.stm) describing the XBox 360 launch in Japan, which almost completely contradicts an earlier story by Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6141063.html). The BBC news article states that the Xbox 360 didn't launch as well in Japan as Microsoft might have hoped.

Queues formed for its main launch event in Tokyo but early sales were reported to be slower than at other launches. One senior store official told AFP the customer reaction had been somewhat "subdued", with fewer than 50 consoles sold in the first two hours.

[Ervin]

Well, if you've followed any other news sites, it is pretty obvious that Gamespot's article was just hype, and xbox launch is probably quite a small deal in Japan. Especially since DOA didn't make it - they'll surely buy tens of thousands of consoles to play that, but that's later. I'm all for xbox360 success in Japan, but I don't think it has any chance of real success, it's PS3 and Revolution all the way...

And if you want to see a nice series of articles following the xbox launch in Osaka, check out Kotaku (http://www.kotaku.com).

[easi]

The people at the launch were all MS Japan employees, obviously. Nice to see the only market that matters haven't been taken in by hype.

[bean19]

The people at the launch were all MS Japan employees, obviously. Nice to see the only market that matters haven't been taken in by hype.

Well, I don't think it is THAT bad. :)

But I think Gamespot probably used a Microsoft press release to be first.

Ervin - I disagree. The Japanese are freaking nut jobs about Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior. Getting Mistwalker to do two exclusive RPGs will really help market penetration there next Christmas.

If you aren't aware already, Mistwalker has the creator of the Final Fantasy series, the composer for the Final Fantasy series, and the lead artist from Dragon Warrior. The Japanese will know that because these guys are at least as well known there as our famous American designers are known here.

[Borys]

Again, why do you people care :(

The funny thing is there are a LOT of 360s just lying there in Japan with nobody interested in buying them. And USofA got a shortage. Seems Gates failed logistic classes.

[KamaItachi]

Again, why do you people care :(

The funny thing is there are a LOT of 360s just lying there in Japan with nobody interested in buying them. And USofA got a shortage. Seems Gates failed logistic classes.

I care because the more systems sell, the more Japanese support the 360 will get and the more variety of games that will emerge.

Just because this initial release wasn't a fantastic success doesn't mean those remaining systems won't sell either. Wait and see how it does when in a week or so when D.O.A. and {EM} are released.

[MagicAlex]

Wouldn't it be really funny if someone bought an X-Box 360 and then video taped themselves throwing it out a window? They'd post it on the Internet, and everyone would think it was silly.

[Okamura_Takashi]

Again, why do you people care :(

The funny thing is there are a LOT of 360s just lying there in Japan with nobody interested in buying them. And USofA got a shortage. Seems Gates failed logistic classes.

Yeah, it's pretty ass... and I was all ready to import my 360 from the US and I can't find one anywhere... Here's hoping there will be one or two available around the 18th. Any of you wanna be nice enough to pick me one up at Best Buy? I'll send you some Pocky. :D

[makkura]

i saw a video once of some guys throwing a ps2 out the window and getting crushed by a car that was when it came out, i think it was a demo ps2 though.

[bean19]

i saw a video once of some guys throwing a ps2 out the window and getting crushed by a car that was when it came out, i think it was a demo ps2 though.

Or a broken one maybe?

I've owned 4 PS2's. . . my fourth is making frightening sounds during load screens. Obviously, I love the games enough to buy more systems, but I hope the next one is less buggy.

[bapenguin]

ouch....MS should have just ignored Japan altogether...not worth the effort.

Ya know...I'd be curious. What if Microsoft got some 3rd party Japanese company to distribute the 360. Say...the Samsung 360. Even though MS produced it...and everything else, Samsung get's it's name on all the consoles.

[lowlevel]

Again, why do you people care :(

The funny thing is there are a LOT of 360s just lying there in Japan with nobody interested in buying them. And USofA got a shortage. Seems Gates failed logistic classes.


Yes, good call. Bill Gates determined the allocation numbers to each territory.

In other news, Bill Gates writes all of the code for every release of the Windows operating system.

[makkura]

no

i forgot the name of the gaming site, i used to go there everyday, but it closed down
penny-arcade made a comic once about them, they visited their workplace and everyone had their head up their ass, funny stuff

[Kelegacy]

Again, why do you people care :(

The funny thing is there are a LOT of 360s just lying there in Japan with nobody interested in buying them. And USofA got a shortage. Seems Gates failed logistic classes.

Remember your beloved Grandia? Well, if the Xbox bombs in Japan they'll never have great RPGs on the system. Instead, they'll have to rely on Bioware to develop a PC game, add about three parts water, and voila!

In other news Grandia III is slated for release soon on the PS2. Can't wait!

[MasterKwan]

I want one but, the launch lineup really isn't that strong. DOA is MIA and PGR's been emasculated (for what I want from the franchise). I don't really mind not getting a launch unit anyway. Like Xbox 1, the later ones will have improved cooling to address the overblown overheating problems in the first run of 360's. So, until MS makes it easy for me to buy a unit, I'm pretty much just going to sit back and play other games.

Also, If any nation has "not invented here" issues, then Japan's the place.

This whole situation is a big nothing. It's not going to hurt the 360's acceptance in any way. If the PS3 was coming out next month, then it would be a problem for MS. It looks like they have at minimum 6 months to solve these problems before the PS3 becomes a competitor.

[Inglorion]

360 doing it big in Japan is like some Japanese music artist suddenly doing it big in the US. Not impossible, just very unlikely.

[mr. murphy]

In other news Grandia III is slated for release soon on the PS2. Can't wait!

Grandia II scared me away. Haven't been paying attention since. Grandia was fun because the main character had my name and the other characters said it out loud.

I think the 360 will do just fine in Japan, it will just take another year or so to buildup steam. Basically, how could it not? I'm not an XBOX fanboy, I don't even own one, but the 360 is a great system all around, and it will have some excellent RPGs on it. I wouldn't be surprised if XBOX Live is in large part responsible for turning Japan into a more action-game oriented little island over the next four years. Microsoft has a long term marketing strategy that takes into account the difference in Japanese culture.

[Vandenh]

>What if Microsoft got some 3rd party Japanese company to distribute the 360. Say...the Samsung 360

Dude! Samsung is Korean!!!!!!! NOBODY would buy that ;)

[Murmillo]

ouch....MS should have just ignored Japan altogether...not worth the effort.


Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

[Sion]

I dont care. Jap developers make games that feel so old I stoped caring what system they make games for. Only ones I care about are most of the Capcom dev houses, Hideo Kajima, Sega, and Nintendo.

With the tech we have now, and have had for the past 5 years you would think they would make games that give the player more freedom, but noooo. We are always told what to do, given few options, ect..., at liest, compaired to american developers.

[fushi]

ouch....MS should have just ignored Japan altogether...not worth the effort.
This thread has some of the most inane replies I've ever read on EvAv, mine included.

Japan is important, no matter which way you look at it. You cannot "dominate" the consoleworld without major backing from Japanese developers and you can be sure as hell that most Japanese devs would shy away from supporting a console that isn't even available in their local market.

And Sion: you make it seem as if freedom is one of the key points in making a good game. In my mind, it isn't. Sure, sandbox-type games are great (and there are quite a few of them made in Japan that don't end up here), but can often dilute the emotional experiences one seeks to find in games.

[AversionFX]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

You see. That is EXACTLY why I'm waiting on the Revolution, rather than being even remotely interested in the 360.

[ghost]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

Can I get an "Amen"?

[TrackZero]

I care because the more systems sell, the more Japanese support the 360 will get and the more variety of games that will emerge.

Just because this initial release wasn't a fantastic success doesn't mean those remaining systems won't sell either. Wait and see how it does when in a week or so when D.O.A. and {EM} are released.

Exactly. I remember the stories on how there were only a few lineups for the new Dragon Warrior in Japan, yet the game did end up selling like gangbusters. The whole "lineup" thing is what's dying off. People are buying things at their own pace now (in Japan at least).

[Arphahat]

A "muted hello" makes a whole hell of a lot more sense than the response it got here. I'd understand if there was a buttload of games that were all awesome and you couldn't get on a lesser console. However, a lot of the games are actually less complete ports that cost $10 more. Give me something worth the higher price.

Of course, I expect that there WILL be a buttload of games that are awesome later on, but it isn't the case right now.

[Sion]

This thread has some of the most inane replies I've ever read on EvAv, mine included.

Japan is important, no matter which way you look at it. You cannot "dominate" the consoleworld without major backing from Japanese developers and you can be sure as hell that most Japanese devs would shy away from supporting a console that isn't even available in their local market.

And Sion: you make it seem as if freedom is one of the key points in making a good game. In my mind, it isn't. Sure, sandbox-type games are great (and there are quite a few of them made in Japan that don't end up here), but can often dilute the emotional experiences one seeks to find in games.

I havent even gotten started on Japan! Online is another thing. Americans have been making and playing online games for years. Now everyone is able to be online but Japan is making so few online games(props to Nintendo for DS though), and the ones they do make they are making the same mistakes americans did back in 95. Ill even down on Korea for a bit. All of those gamers are online, but most of the online games they make are tedious and boring.

Back the emotional content, most people dont play games for that, and even if they did then thats something America still has and can make. You can have a great story and emotional content with freedom.

As I said there are alot of jap developers I like, but alot seem like they have their heads up their asses. So manny games I see coming from Japan feel old. Japan was the shit back with PS1 because then the tech only let the player do so much. Things have evolved and americans have evolved with it. Japan is still living in the late 90's. I want more games Nintendo like games, more Ico like games, and more MGS like games but see nothing.

As for people needing japanese devs, just look at the PC. Hell, look at the X-BOX for christ sake. You think that had Japanese support?

[bean19]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

lol. I enjoyed your comment, but you forgot to say "NOW IN HD!"

Honestly, back before my X360 self-destructed (I think it died in a fit of "awesomness") I was having a LOT of fun with Perfect Dark Zero, especially the multiplayer (being able to have private chat with your friends and play multiplayer is super fun).

Still, I didn't buy the system for the launch titles, but for some of the upcoming games like Gears of War (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/media.html), Lost Oddysey (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/lostodyssey/media.html), Huxley (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/huxley/media.html), Mass Effect (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/masseffect/media.html?mode=all), Too Human (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/toohuman/media.html?mode=all), Elder Scrolls: Oblvion (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/theelderscrollsivoblivion/media.html), Splinter Cell 4 (no videos for this yet), Halo 3 (no media yet), and Way of the Samurai Online (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/wayofthesamuraionline/news.html?sid=6133195). . . that is, if we get it here. . . I realize I'm the only American who liked that game. :)

There are 153 titles (http://www.gamespot.com/games.html?type=games&platform=1029&mode=all&sort=views&dlx_type=all&sortdir=desc) out or known to be in development for the X360. So, if you can get one, it is a pretty sure bet. . . that is, if it will keep working. *sigh*

I'm so going to be this excited for the other consoles as I'm happy to pimp them all on their merits. The PS3 scares me because of the expected high price and because they are so quiet right now. Also, I am scared that it won't support DVD in addition to Blu-Ray and I don't want super long load screens. The Revolution should be awesome if they support it as well as they do the DS, but I'm not going to buy another "budget" system this generation if I only get 3 games worth playing/year . I'm tired of cleaning dust off my Gamecube each rare time I get a new game for it.

[earthworm48]

I can't wait to play Lost Planet.

[bapenguin]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

I suppose...thinking back at the games I played last year...Only Ninja Gaiden comes on my list of games from a "Japanese" developer I really cared about.

Phantom Dust too I suppose...though I got bored with it pretty fast.

[mkelehan]

Did anyone... READ the article? They said that it sold well, just not as well as other consoles. 50 in the first 2 hours and 200 in the first 4 hours at once store is nothing to sneeze at. The fact that more people lined up for the PS2 than the 360 is hardly a shocker.

[bean19]

I suppose...thinking back at the games I played last year...Only Ninja Gaiden comes on my list of games from a "Japanese" developer I really cared about.

Phantom Dust too I suppose...though I got bored with it pretty fast.

Well, Squenix has been doing a shit job getting their games out. . . but I bet this list would be longer if Kingdom Hearts 2 and Final Fantasy XII weren't delayed.

I didn't care for Soul Calibur 3 (insane load times in the secondary mode of the game made it unplayable), but it won some hearts.

Still, one of the reasons I am excited about the X360 is that Microsoft seems to be pretty smart about which Japanese properties are very awesome and will sell systems. They seem to be going to great lengths to get quality J-RPGs made (Mistwalker's 2 RPGs, the FF XI port, and enchant Arm), plus, they are getting the popular Dynasty Warrior series, a great fighter with Dead or Alive 4. We are even getting Rumble Roses XX. . . which I think will help with the Japanese market (personally, I don't care), and Capcom is going to release Resident Evil 5 for both systems.

THAT is why I'm really happy with the X360. They really are getting a lot of the games I want made.

If the PS3 is $400 or less, I'll probably buy it at release too. I'm a fan of some of the Playstation exclusives like Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Solid, and Ratchet & Clank, but I won't buy it for more than that. There is no question that I'll eventually own the system, but it will need to be just expensive and not super-duper expensive. The Revolution might get a launch buy from me, but it will depend on the games in the launch lineup and also future games to be released on the system. If they keep their slow pace of releasing games, I'm going to try to save some money and just rent the system and the fun titles.

[Sion]

Dont expect much from RE5. No way it will be near as good as 4.

[Schnoogs]

Japan is far too secular for the 360 to have any real chance.

[Thenetcase]

The Japanese are rediculous. Who gives a crap what they buy. MS sold more XBox360's in a couple days over here than they have population in their puny little country (ok, so that's a gross exageration, but still...)

-TNC-

[thecrazyd]

Japan is far too secular for the 360 to have any real chance.
Maybe the real reason is that there are no games out at the time that appeal to the typical Japanese gamer?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

The Japanese are rediculous. Who gives a crap what they buy. MS sold more XBox360's in a couple days over here than they have population in their puny little country (ok, so that's a gross exageration, but still...)

-TNC-

Obviously being a xenophobic prick makes you soooo much better than the Japanese. :rolleyes:

[hd1]

Japan is far too secular for the 360 to have any real chance.
What does a lack of religion have to do with the 360? :confused:

[boratika]

What get's me is that MS could have skimmed a small fraction of those japanese 360s for the purpose of including Australia in their "worldwide" launch. They'd also be in a better position to claim the japanese launch was a lightning quick sell out success due to feverish demand.

Also not dropping HD support here would have been nice. Well guess I don't need to worry about the rev not having HD, since I won't know what I'm missing.

[Stryfe01]

Or a broken one maybe?

I've owned 4 PS2's. . . my fourth is making frightening sounds during load screens. Obviously, I love the games enough to buy more systems, but I hope the next one is less buggy.

Now that's just ridiculous...four ? Why ? I have all four systems, and if anyone of them broke...i'd probably only tolerate buying it one more time...Never four times. That to me is ripe for litigation. Unless of course each time it broke you were doing something careless and it broke as a result of that....

[Jacob Singer]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

Oh gimme a break. There are just as many great games coming from the West as there are out the East, easily. And Japan produces plenty, if not even more, crappy games as the West does. They just don't tend to make it over here.

[Tyrant]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.

Absolutely, because we need games like Turn Based RPG Starring Brooding Teen 17, Cinematics With Bits of Game Thrown in 30, and Gratuitous Tit and Ass Shots 50. I realize that once in a while, an original, highly enjoyable game comes out, but for the most part, it's sequel, sequel, sequel or a copy of another popular franchise loaded with sequels.

[Murmillo]

Absolutely, because we need games like Turn Based RPG Starring Brooding Teen 17, Cinematics With Bits of Game Thrown in 30, and Gratuitous Tit and Ass Shots 50. I realize that once in a while, an original, highly enjoyable game comes out, but for the most part, it's sequel, sequel, sequel or a copy of another popular franchise loaded with sequels.
While that may be true, I personally believe I have seen more new ideas (good and bad) come from Japan then from America. And now that I think about it, there have been some good talent come from Europe too - but then again, they don't have a home to a console either.

[Shifteh]

I can't think of a single good reason to buy a console when it launches.

[Shifteh]

Absolutely, because we need games like Turn Based RPG Starring Brooding Teen 17, Cinematics With Bits of Game Thrown in 30, and Gratuitous Tit and Ass Shots 50. I realize that once in a while, an original, highly enjoyable game comes out, but for the most part, it's sequel, sequel, sequel or a copy of another popular franchise loaded with sequels.

Katamari Damacy.

Now when was the last time a non-Japanese company made a game this different?

[Watership]

You see. That is EXACTLY why I'm waiting on the Revolution, rather than being even remotely interested in the 360.

It's amazing that Nintendo has so many people waiting on the "HOPE" of gaming. I think everyone is just setting yourself up for disapointment. The nature of games won't change. Just the controls.

Stop expecting a revolution from revolution.

[Watership]

Absolutely, because we need games like Turn Based RPG Starring Brooding Teen 17, Cinematics With Bits of Game Thrown in 30, and Gratuitous Tit and Ass Shots 50. I realize that once in a while, an original, highly enjoyable game comes out, but for the most part, it's sequel, sequel, sequel or a copy of another popular franchise loaded with sequels.

Japanese RPG's are, in my opinion, their weakest software. However if have games like Resident Evil 4, and Katamari Damacy, and CHU CHU rocket? Yes please. More.

I want Japanese Developers to make games for 360.

[Heretic Machine]

Well, if the Xbox bombs in Japan they'll never have great RPGs on the system.

As far as I know, there has never been even a single RPG to come out of Japan. They make movies/novels, with MINOR amounts of interaction. That is not an RPG, that's pretty much the polar opposite of an RPG.

I really don't give two shits about Japanese support for the 360. I can name the Japanese companies I care about on one hand, and one of them happens to be Nintendo. They can keep their gameless games, and cliche anime pseudo-plots.

[Borys]

Grandia 2 was pretty cool... in a totally non-Grandia way that is.

360 would fly off the shelves in Japan with DOA4, too bad MS JPN dealyed it.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

What does a lack of religion have to do with the 360? :confused:

I was wondering about this as well...

Japanese RPG's are, in my opinion, their weakest software. However if have games like Resident Evil 4, and Katamari Damacy, and CHU CHU rocket? Yes please. More.

I want Japanese Developers to make games for 360.

Oh man, Chu Chu Rocket kicks ass. I've really been debating whether I actually want to sell my Dreamcast or not. Practically giving the system plus 30 or so games to a friend for a measly $75 is starting to seem more and more stupid on my part. Luckily I haven't actually cemented the deal yet. Might have to haul that baby up to MPLS with me after all. Who can resist Chu Chu Rocket, Record of Lodoss War (aka Diablo with HELLISH difficulty), and Crazy Taxi??

As far as I know, there has never been even a single RPG to come out of Japan. They make movies/novels, with MINOR amounts of interaction. That is not an RPG, that's pretty much the polar opposite of an RPG.

I really don't give two shits about Japanese support for the 360. I can name the Japanese companies I care about on one hand, and one of them happens to be Nintendo. They can keep their gameless games, and cliche anime pseudo-plots.

Kind of interesting when you realize that Nintendo is one of the few major Japanese developers who doesn't fill their games with vast quantities of exposition. The two Nintendo IPs most filled with exposition are Metroid and Zelda, and neither of those has anywhere near the cinemas or dialogue of a Final Fantasy, Dragon's Quest, Tales, or their ilk. Nintendo and Capcom are probably the most "Western" of the big Japanese developers.

[Heretic Machine]

Kind of interesting when you realize that Nintendo is one of the few major Japanese developers who doesn't fill their games with vast quantities of exposition. The two Nintendo IPs most filled with exposition are Metroid and Zelda, and neither of those has anywhere near the cinemas or dialogue of a Final Fantasy, Dragon's Quest, Tales, or their ilk. Nintendo and Capcom are probably the most "Western" of the big Japanese developers.

And it should come as no surprise that Capcom is second on my list of good Japanese developers. They make GAMES, and that is a pretty key feature for me when it comes to Game Developers. It's not impossible to have a game with a story, but what most of the Japanese do is ditch the game and just deliver the story (which 99% of the time sucks), and their gaming public just eats it up, especially if it has a large helping of pre-teens with boobs.

The other day I was watching Grenadier, and I looked to my roomate as we watched the lead character's breasts wobble back and forth, and I said "You know, I have to wonder what anime would be like if the Japanese never saw Westerners. I can promise you this, it would not look like THAT."

[hotdrop]

If the 360's dont region protect the games the japaneese should have just bought them so they could sell em back to us on ebay for 2x the $$$

[Kelegacy]

As far as I know, there has never been even a single RPG to come out of Japan. They make movies/novels, with MINOR amounts of interaction. That is not an RPG, that's pretty much the polar opposite of an RPG.

I really don't give two shits about Japanese support for the 360. I can name the Japanese companies I care about on one hand, and one of them happens to be Nintendo. They can keep their gameless games, and cliche anime pseudo-plots.

We know you hate Japanese games, especially JRPGs, and apparently haven't played one since 1997, according to your outdated views on them.

[Heretic Machine]

We know you hate Japanese games, especially JRPGs, and apparently haven't played one since 1997, according to your outdated views on them.

Actually, I don't hate Japanese games. I hate Japanese CG movies that cost $50. Japanese games are awesome, but barely any are made, I wonder why?

[Rafer]

The other day I was watching Grenadier, and I looked to my roomate as we watched the lead character's breasts wobble back and forth, and I said "You know, I have to wonder what anime would be like if the Japanese never saw Westerners. I can promise you this, it would not look like THAT."

You know, your friend might have a point. I have a book of Japanese photos from the late 1800s, and it showed that some women would do housework topless on a warm day. The fetishizing of the breast in Japan occurred after they adopted the Western custom of having women hide their breasts.

[Kelegacy]

Actually, I don't hate Japanese games. I hate Japanese CG movies that cost $50. Japanese games are awesome, but barely any are made, I wonder why?
Can you think of any games recently that are mostly CG movies? I can't think of a single JRPG that was a CG fest other than FFX.

[Banacek]

Can you think of any games recently that are mostly CG movies? I can't think of a single JRPG that was a CG fest other than FFX.

Xenosaga? :)

/hey, I love JRPG's too

[Kelegacy]

Xenosaga? :)

/hey, I love JRPG's too

I initially included Xenosaga, but most cut-scenes are not CG. Still, Xenosaga is ALWAYS the exception to the norm.

[MasterKwan]

Rafer, I'd arque that until very recently, casual nudity has been accepted in Japan. After all, they have communal bath houses. Look at anime, topless anime chicks were very common until perhaps 5-7 years ago now, it's all censored. The sex trade is legal and fairly accepted (though I hear it's primarily foreign woman working it these days). I suspect the acceptance of nudity has more to do with pleasing the female population in Japan. From my reading, it seems as if the girls/women are now who call the shots when it comes to how popular a product gets over there.

OT. I watch a alot of anime and I'm seeing what I'd call "family values" propaganda anime being shown alot more these days. Anime that tries to convince woman that it's a good idea to get married and stay at home with the kids. I hear that many woman are avoiding the mommy track these day. Looks like someone's fighting back.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

The people at the launch were all MS Japan employees, obviously. Nice to see the only market that matters haven't been taken in by hype.
This is disappointing, but not unexpected. The 360 didn't have any RPGs or naked little anime chick dating sims, so it wouldn't garner much attention. Honestly, name 10 awesome games that came from Japan last year. If I was MS, I'd get in bed with the Koreans. They have been producing the best titles of late.

As for that shitty 'only market that matters' comment, I'd give you all of Japan if MS took all of America. Then we would see what market mattered more. By all reports, console gaming in Japan is on the decline.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.
Yes we get the few good games here and there from our state side developers, but you have to admit a lot of great games come from and only come from the minds and developers from Japan.
Damn Murm, just when your posts were starting to gain cred...
Korean based development houses are cranking out gems (Sun, upcoming Huxley, KUF)!! Look at what Starbreeze (Swedish I think) did with Riddick. If Japan opted not to put out one game for the 360, that would be a problem. But we have Mistwalker and Tecmo. Capcom is still making games for the 360 and Sega made a helluva good game with Condemned. Look at Saint's Row...it looks to be like a fun game, isn't japanese and it doesn't fit into your categories. Or maybe a game called Oblivion...

[bean19]

Now that's just ridiculous...four ? Why ? I have all four systems, and if anyone of them broke...i'd probably only tolerate buying it one more time...Never four times. That to me is ripe for litigation. Unless of course each time it broke you were doing something careless and it broke as a result of that....

Well. . . I play about 2 hours of Dance Dance Revolution every night no matter what else is going on in my life.

Basically, I run the machines really hard and their CD drives are ass. Also, I seem to be exceptional in this. I'm ON my fourth unit btw. . . so only 3 have broken in 5 years (not that this is a good number, but I think I'm an exception and that most people do not have this much trouble).

[danhoo]

Well. . . I play about 2 hours of Dance Dance Revolution every night no matter what else is going on in my life.

Basically, I run the machines really hard and their CD drives are ass. Also, I seem to be exceptional in this. I'm ON my fourth unit btw. . . so only 3 have broken in 5 years (not that this is a good number, but I think I'm an exception and that most people do not have this much trouble).

You know, you're not supposed to put the machine on the floor next to the pad while playing DDR, right? I kid, I kid.

Music games though -- there's an area where it seems like Japanese developers currently dominate? Besides Harmonix, I can't think of any non-Japanese developers making music games.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

DOA is MIA and PGR's been emasculated (for what I want from the franchise). I don't really mind not getting a launch unit anyway.
Well, DOA will be here in 5 days (hopefully). But wtf do you mean PGR has been emasculated?? That game rocks. I should know, I have it and I suck at it....yet I still play it

[MasterKwan]

When I drive driving games, I want car's I can afford and might buy some day. Evo's, STI's, Caymans, vette's and the like. From what I've read about the car choices, you have basically $100K plus cars in the game and not many (or any) of the cheap cars I might afford. It's what I liked about the last PGR and like about Forza too. For me a driving games is like practice for track days.

[easi]

It's funny watching the fragile egos of the "USA A-OK!" crowd whenever this topic comes up. The fact of the matter is your games are seen as dull and uninspired, with good reason. You aren't the best at everything, get over yourselves.

As for the 'name 10 awesome games that came out of Japan this year' comment, I could easily do twice that but I'm guessing your definition of 'awesome' involves generic sports franchises, FPSes and anything with the word 'X-TREME' in the title.

[Zeal]

It's funny watching the fragile egos of the "USA A-OK!" crowd whenever this topic comes up. The fact of the matter is your games are seen as dull and uninspired, with good reason. You aren't the best at everything, get over yourselves.

As for the 'name 10 awesome games that came out of Japan this year' comment, I could easily do twice that but I'm guessing your definition of 'awesome' involves generic sports franchises, FPSes and anything with the word 'X-TREME' in the title.

You mean besides the fact that Japanese developers have been getting owned by western developers for years now?

The only games they can be classified as innovative and inspired have not come from Japan this year.

The days of FF and Mario are over.

[Achilles]

In other news, Bill Gates writes all of the code for every release of the Windows operating system.I wondered why vista was taking so long. Thanks for clearing that up lowlevel. Hey, unless you are totaly happy playing "EA Generic Sports Title 2000+", "Generic Racing game 8", "20th version of WW II Shooter 7" and "Generic FPS Clone Type 4" we need Japanese develeopers.I did miss being able to play Generic RPG Clone 10 on the Xbox. And 10-2 for that matter.

I think hd1 meant insular instead of secular. Secular doesn’t make any sense.

Hopefully this will turn around when EM, DOA4, and N3 get released. I also hope they release EM over here. The guys may look fey (also gay, at least 2 of them), but it looks pretty good.

[MasterKwan]

I can't think of 10 "must have" games out of Japan and the US combined. Lots of OK games, a few good games. Maybe 3-4 that I would have missed not playing. Kind of depressing really. Luckily, I have a few other fun hobbies.

Most of the sequels to franchises I started with just haven't lived up my expectations, Silent Hill for instance, none of the sequals have held a candle to the first one, MGS, Doom, Quake, Deus Ex. RE4 was a wonderful surprise. One of my few must haves.

For me, there's not much difference between US and Japanese devs. The suck to good ratio's about the same. Japanese games tend to have more detail and better plots, US games feed my inner action hero. I don't count sports games at all. I'm completely indifferent to where the games come from as long as I enjoy them.

Easi, I suppose fighting racism with Racism's an OK tactic.

[Hellstorm]

Here are pics from the launch from various stores in Akihabara, decide for yourself how well the launch went:

Nintendo and Sony make a cameo (http://www.yukihime.com/board/360aki/yodobashi-635.jpg)

Peter Moore demands more security (http://www.yukihime.com/board/360aki/guess-we-wont-be-needing-these.jpg)

hmmm... (http://www.yukihime.com/board/360aki/private-show.jpg)

The line outside of Asobit (http://www.yukihime.com/board/360aki/asobit-line.jpg)

Another Asobit shot (http://www.yukihime.com/board/360aki/asobit-crew.jpg)

At the end of day stock. Could have been diverted to the States. (http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/xblyodostockeddeep-thumb.jpg)

[Kelegacy]

I wondered why vista was taking so long. Thanks for clearing that up lowlevel. I did miss being able to play Generic RPG Clone 10 on the Xbox. And 10-2 for that matter.

I think hd1 meant insular instead of secular. Secular doesn’t make any sense.

Hopefully this will turn around when EM, DOA4, and N3 get released. I also hope they release EM over here. The guys may look fey (also gay, at least 2 of them), but it looks pretty good.

This arguement always comes up when discussing the Xbox and Japan. But people start jacking off when Blue Dragon or whatever games are being made by Mistwalker pop up on the front page. It's hypocrisy and thinly veiled jealousy, I think. It's retarded.

[MasterKwan]

How many would I have to sell on ebay to cover a plane ticket and my own 360 purchase?

Nice pics.

[Kelegacy]

You mean besides the fact that Japanese developers have been getting owned by western developers for years now?

The only games they can be classified as innovative and inspired have not come from Japan this year.

The days of FF and Mario are over.

Killer7? Lumines? The throng of DS games? Innovation and inspiration are classified differently by different people.

I can't think of many innovative games off the top of my head, but games don't always have to be innovative to be good. Dragon Quest VIII is probably the least innovative and inspired game of the year, but it does all the old-school things so well that the game shines.

Shakespeare himself wasn't innovative. He took old stories and retold them to a new generation. Things can be old yet new at the same time.

[Achilles]

This arguement always comes up when discussing the Xbox and Japan. But people start jacking off when Blue Dragon or whatever games are being made by Mistwalker pop up on the front page. It's hypocrisy and thinly veiled jealousy, I think. It's retarded.What's hipocritical about that? I was serious. If he's going to boil Halo and Call of Duty down to Generic FPS 5, than I'm going to boil all of what I liked this generation out of Japan to Generic RPG 10. Because that and Generic Surival Horror Game 4 would have been really nice to play on the Xbox. Generic Survival Horror Game 4 of course being RE4 and Silent Hill 3 and 4. You seem to think I didn't like this gen’s RPGs and somehow I'm diminishing them by calling it Generic RPG 10, when in fact I'm pointing out how stupid his breakdown of western gaming is.

[Zeal]

Internationally, the quality of games has been on the decline for years now. I wouldn't care if the entire industry crashed again.

Everything is the same old crap, so why does it matter? We need another reboot.

[Zeal]

Shakespeare himself wasn't innovative. He took old stories and retold them to a new generation. Things can be old yet new at the same time.

And comparing Shakespeare to videogames is almost insulting.

[Sion]

Shakespeare himself wasn't innovative. He took old stories and retold them to a new generation. Things can be old yet new at the same time.

I want you to study his impact on english vocab and report back to me.

[Sion]

Also, I see no one could stand up to my bullet proof arguments. Im as invincible as always.

[JediSanf]

And comparing Shakespeare to videogames is almost insulting.

To whom? Much of Shakespeare's humor is considerably more risque than the "Hot Coffee" mod.

And Sion, at the time, I imagine that the "artists" would have said the Shakespeare's impact was a debasement of the language aimed at pleasing the peanut gallery.

I'm gonna go with Kelegacy on this one and say that one does not have to innovate to be brilliant.

[Kelegacy]

I want you to study his impact on english vocab and report back to me.
I was talking about his stories, not his vocabulary.

I was a lit major so I don't need to do any reporting.

And comparing Shakespeare to videogames is almost insulting.

Why's that? You're calling for a revolution of innovation and I gave an example of a how great something can be and NOT be entirely new.

[Zeal]

I wasn't calling for a 'revolution' of anything, I was responding to easi's claim that American videogames are somehow less innovative than Japan's.

[bapenguin]

As for the 'name 10 awesome games that came out of Japan this year' comment, I could easily do twice that but I'm guessing your definition of 'awesome' involves generic sports franchises, FPSes and anything with the word 'X-TREME' in the title.

Of course "generic sports franchises" sell almost as many copies as japanese tentacle rape porn and FPS have more players playing at any one time than a bunch of giant bikini women games....and X-Treme....that's just silly isn't it?

[buckfutter]

Ahh, what would a negative Xbox news story be without the thinly veiled xenophobic attacks?

A lot better, that's for sure.

[thecrazyd]

Internationally, the quality of games has been on the decline for years now. I wouldn't care if the entire industry crashed again.

Everything is the same old crap, so why does it matter? We need another reboot.
Yet you constantly insult something that could totally change the way we play games, and insult it for not being the same old crap its competitors are giving. Interesting.

[Manzy]

This is ridiculous! Comparing penis sizes of Japanese and Western games is lame. Both have their respective highs and lows, and both have been around just as long. For every Mario there was a X-Com, and for every Legend of Zelda there was a System Shock 2.

[Okamura_Takashi]

This is ridiculous! Comparing penis sizes of Japanese and Western games is lame. Both have their respective highs and lows, and both have been around just as long. For every Mario there was a X-Com, and for every Legend of Zelda there was a System Shock 2.

Weren't X-Com and System Shock 2 PC games? Just wondering... ;)

[Zeal]

Yet you constantly insult something that could totally change the way we play games, and insult it for not being the same old crap its competitors are giving. Interesting.

Nintendo's last two systems have essentially been identical failures, with virtually no third party support.

Both the N64 and Gamecube began and ended with Mario and Zelda, with very few quality third party titles inbetween.

The controller is simply a way to make up for not being able to provide technically competitive hardware. Nintendo realizes that it's impossible to compete with Microsoft and Sony at this point, so they're attempting to create a market exclusively for themselves. This is no different than what they tried with the Virtual Boy.

Did it change the way we played games? No.

Nintendo maintains its third place status for a reason, and I believe the Revolution will be their last home console.

And by the way, as someone previously pointed out, no matter what Nintendo labels the Revolution as, it WILL be classified as a home console in direct competition with the 360 and PS3.

[bean19]

It's funny watching the fragile egos of the "USA A-OK!" crowd whenever this topic comes up. The fact of the matter is your games are seen as dull and uninspired, with good reason. You aren't the best at everything, get over yourselves.

As for the 'name 10 awesome games that came out of Japan this year' comment, I could easily do twice that but I'm guessing your definition of 'awesome' involves generic sports franchises, FPSes and anything with the word 'X-TREME' in the title.

lol.

I completely disagree with your tone and with your answering a generalization with another generalization, but you did make me laugh. Funny stuff.

Okay, innovation and talent are NOT nationalistic. The U.S. makes some innovative games and so does Japan. . . but if anyone gets to toot the innovation horn it would be Europe. Not a whole lot of games come out of Europe, but just this last year we got to see The Movies and Indigo Prophecy. Two really innovative new games out of how many total titles? Less than 20. . . probably 10 to 15. That's 10 to 20% of their games being innovative. I'd say that Perfect Dark Zero is innovative too. . . but I could be wrong. . . it just does a whole lot of things really, really well and the things that I see as innovations, others might describe as minor tweaks.

Meanwhile, among U.S. developers innovation exists too. F.E.A.R., Psychonauts, God of War (the execution system was a huge innovation that will be copied by every M-rated adventure game from now on - HUGE gameplay impact), Civilization 4, and Stubbs the Zombie are all very innovative. We could even take credit for The Sims 2 because an expansion pack was released this year for it, but I think that's cheating.

Japan is also a very strong innovator, with a ton of innovative games for the DS really loading them up this year (it is not always such a bounty). Nintendogs, Animal Crossing, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, and Trauma Center: Under the Knife. Also, there was a sequel to Katamari Damacy, so they get credit for that too.

Honestly, it has been a very good year for video game innovation. We don't normally get this many innovative titles if you really think about it.

The important thing to note is that the whole world brings innovation to the table, and in addition to that, they bring different play experiences and expertise in genres or different takes on genres even in the not-as-innovative games.

Sure, I really love when games come out that offer completely new game experiences. I played the heck out of Psychonauts and was entertained thoroughly throughout the game, and I still spend at least one day/month completely absorbed with the task of rolling up stars for the King of the Cosmos.

But I also want to shoot up my friends in an FPS game with new weapons vehicles and team objectives. There is enough stuff to change around to keep improving or at least alter my play experience enough that I can have fun. I still want to play fighting games like Dead or Alive and Soul Calibur even though most of what has changed is the graphics. I want to feel like a god-like warrior plowing through mortal enemies in Dynasty Warrior, and I want to knock a tennis ball around, or crash cars into bits in hostile races.

Some people are fanboys, and some of the fanboys are nationalistic. . . but when it comes right down to it, I think everyone likes to play games that are fun.

I think the X360 will do better after it gets DoA 4 and Enchart Arm, and I think it will begin to pick up really good market share if Resident Evil 5 comes out for the X360 before the PS3 is released. It will also pick up a ton of gamers with Mistwalker's RPGs.

It's ALL about the games, and I want Japanese penetration for the X360 because I will own the system, and I want to play games made by Japanese people on it. The Xbox Live service ensures that I'll buy all multi-platform games for the X360. Don't get me wrong. I'll almost definitely own all three systems, but I can't help being excited for the next-gen system that is already released (if not obtainable) when it has so many great games lined up for it already.

When Sony and Revolution start talking software, expect me to gush over highly anticipated titles for those systems too. :)

[Manzy]

Weren't X-Com and System Shock 2 PC games? Just wondering... ;)

Haha, well, I wasn't aware it was only concerning console games. Goldeneye? Pong?

[MasterKwan]

Third place but, making money isn't a problem I'd wish away. There's nothing inherently wrong with being in 3rd place. When you're smaller than the big boys and you try to compete head to head, you get crushed. Look at Sega and the Dreamcast. If on the other hand, you play on your strengths, the pie's big enough for you as well as the big guys. Apple is a case in point. They make money, people know them and are fanatical about their products. I'm not sure I agree with what nintendo's doing but, they've been doing it for a long time and seem to be pretty successful.

Sony's the company I've come to hate. I don't like their attitude, their products are inferior and I can't see myself buying anything they make any more. At my house it's "anything but, Sony" when we go to Best Buy. Nintendo, I'm kind of fond of and Microsoft, well I'm kind of proud and distrustful of them at the same time. Like any big organization, they do evil from time to time.

[Zeal]

I just look at Microsoft as the next logical evolution of the game industry. I do, however, wish Sega had a console out.

All around, Sony simply isn't a good company. Faulty hardware and Japanese industry domination is never a positive.

As for Nintendo, they're still trapped in the year 1995. They just recently discovered the existence of the internet and the CD format.

[XenonCJ]

Maybe Microsoft needs to brand the 360 as a Sega product in Japan...

[KamaItachi]

That didnt help Sega any....

[saran_js]

Off topic as most of these replies go...

[Borys]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051210/tc_afp/afplifestyleusjapancomputermicrosoftxbox

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-360-japan-launch-guide/xbox-360-osaka-launch-shortage-halftruths-142315.php

That launch is nothing short of a little disaster.

Just look at those boxes :O

Meanwhile US people pay up to $1000 for a 360 on eBay.

[MasterKwan]

Man, if the Japanese want to feel superior about something, all they have to do is point out those Ebay idiots.

[*Legion*]

>> That launch is nothing short of a little disaster.

Because a picture of 20 or so Xbox 360 boxes is so meaningful.

Seriously, people are making such ridiculous mountains out of molehills with all this launch bullshit. Let it go. In a month or so, shelves will be filled with Xbox 360s. Christmas matters, but it's not life and death by any stretch.

[Balthasar]

Ervin - I disagree. The Japanese are freaking nut jobs about Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior.

Getting Mistwalker to do two exclusive RPGs will really help market penetration there next Christmas.
That's right, FF and DW. What has Mistwalker ever done?

If you aren't aware already, Mistwalker has the creator of the Final Fantasy series, the composer for the Final Fantasy series, and the lead artist from Dragon Warrior. The Japanese will know that because these guys are at least as well known there as our famous American designers are known here.
Completely overrated. Sakaguchi started the series, for sure, but he wasn't a principle in the plot writing, art direction, or anything else that makes the series typically stand out from others from a consumer standpoint. Uematsu has been burned out at least since he completed work on FF VII (some argue after FF VI). Almost all of the best pieces on the FF X soundtrack were done by other composers. Name Brand is a lot more important to the Japanese than Name.

[Player 1]

Dont expect much from RE5. No way it will be near as good as 4.

Sion, I was going to respond to your earlier posts but then you posted that comment and then this one:

Also, I see no one could stand up to my bullet proof arguments. Im as invincible as always.

I really don't need to add much. Your comment demonstrates everything I was going to criticise you for. Thanks for saving me the effort. :p

The only games they can be classified as innovative and inspired have not come from Japan this year.

The days of FF and Mario are over.

Dude, you need to play some We Love Katamari and Shadow of the Colossus..

This is ridiculous! Comparing penis sizes of Japanese and Western games is lame. Both have their respective highs and lows, and both have been around just as long. For every Mario there was a X-Com, and for every Legend of Zelda there was a System Shock 2.

Haha, well, I wasn't aware it was only concerning console games. Goldeneye? Pong?

X-com (UFO) is British produced and designed. As is Goldeneye..

Penis size +1 !!!!!!1

[Inglorion]

It's funny watching the fragile egos of the "USA A-OK!" crowd whenever this topic comes up. The fact of the matter is your games are seen as dull and uninspired, with good reason. You aren't the best at everything, get over yourselves.
I couldn't have put it better myself.

[Sion]

Criticise me for being invincible? Looks like someones jelous of how awsome I am.

[Player 1]

Criticise me for being invincible? Looks like someones jelous of how awsome I am.

Actually, it was the other stuff. :rolleyes:

I think a bullet to the head would be the best critic of your invincible qualities. But that's just me.

[Atrapas]

Gentlemen, priorities please.

You were going in the right direction about page 7, then we went off on a tangent again. Remember, it's all about the breasts. Korean vs Japanese vs Western..

Focus guys.. focus!

[Roc Ingersol]

This is the most pathetic thread I've ever read on EA.
Congratulations guys. You've got it about 3 posts away from being right at home on an ign site.

[Inglorion]

This is the most pathetic thread I've ever read on EA.
Congratulations guys. You've got it about 3 posts away from being right at home on an ign site.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2004/20040319h.jpg

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Actually, it was the other stuff. :rolleyes:

I think a bullet to the head would be the best critic of your invincible qualities. But that's just me.


Wow, for once we agree on something.

The end must be nigh...

[Manzy]

X-com (UFO) is British produced and designed. As is Goldeneye..

Penis size +1 !!!!!!1


Last time I checked, England was a part of Western Civilization. =P

[Player 1]

Did you check?

Really?

Be honest.

[Manzy]

Did you check?

Really?

Be honest.


No :(


The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

[XenonCJ]

Did you check?

Really?

Be honest.Yeah basically he's saying yer fucking stupid... I wouldn't take that if I were you... but hey

[mister_slim]

You mean besides the fact that Japanese developers have been getting owned by western developers for years now?
You know, that argument would be more plausible if more western developers could figure out how to use the DS well.