Topic: Xbox 2 getting Japanese developers

[mT3]

Hey guys,
Xbox 2 seems to be coming along well. they have already got that final fantasy guy with mistwalker or whatever it is. and now they also have a guy from Capcom Sega, all making exclusive titles.

So what do you think?

[jarob]

Good news for them.  How many more will they get?

[PaLaDiN]

They better, they're launching first.

If I didn't hear about some exclusive titles by now I'd be sure they were screwed.

[jarob]

Microsoft grabs more Xbox developers

[Caillan]

I've said before that this concerns me. Of the current console manufacturers, the last one I want to get an early foothold in Japan is Micrsosoft.

[couchmonkey]

I don't think we need to worry much about Xbox 2 controlling Japan.  First of all, Microsoft probably won't launch in Japan until well into next year.  Maybe they'll still be a few months ahead of Sony or Nintendo, but it won't be an insurmountable lead (see Genesis vs. Super NES).

As for building partnerships with Japanese developers, that's a smart move for Microsoft, but given the extreme failure of the Xbox over there, I don't think Xbox 2 will be an instant hit.  Look at N-Gage.  Nokia has released better-designed hardware with the QD (edit: better than the original N-Gage, not better than DS) and N-Gage arguably has a much better linueup than the DS, but nobody has faith in the product, so we're not buying it.

Besides the Xbox's reputation, Microsoft hasn't made any blockbuster deals here.  They've got a few key guys working on some new products.  That's cool very cool, but it's nothing like announcing an exclusive Dragon Quest game for Xbox 2.  Most Japanese gamers will see these announcements and keep on waiting for PS3 because it will have Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy and a hundred other RPGs.  

[KDR_11k]

I wouldn't want MS in the console or quite frankly any business. They're known for abusing their huge stashes of money to kill off competitors and then taking the whole market with an inferior product that is too pricy compared to superior alternatives. And I mean that not in the PS2 overpriced-crap way, MS will make us witness completely new extremes.

[Deguello]

The fact that they can't get real support from the companies (else they would have probably announced them by now) and have to settle for what appears to be table scraps from struggling or untested developers seems a little desperate. I mean heck, MS has troubles with established developers like Rare.

Maybe it will work out for them, but I seriously doubt this will help MS's image in Japan.  

[Savior]

These will probably be real good niche titles that wont sell at all... The guy behind Rez ? probably a great game that wont sell  

[Caillan]

Remember the potency of Microsoft's marketing division. If they could sell NT as anything, they can sell an average RPG as a great one. It also helps that Famitsu is in love with them. If they've choosen to target Japan, and it looks like they have, we'll be seeing a simultaneous launch worldwide with a strong advertising campaign. Sega's Master System came from much less than that to dominate Europe, Brazil and Australia.

[Savior]

Panzeer Dragoon, Ninja Gaiden, Jet Set Radio

All excelent titles. none helped Microsoft in Japan .  Most of the Sega Xbox titles which have been critically acclaimed have sold like crap.

Lets take a niche type game for example, Katamari Damashi, if it were released on the Xbox instead of PS2. it wouldnt have sold as well


Make no mistake its good for them, but not on the level of FF, Tekken, or a Metal Gear exclusive on the console

[ThePerm]

i still think that no matter what the japanese buying an xbox will feel to them like sucking bill gate's dick

[Ian Sane]

Even though MS isn't getting any major Japanese third parties with this deal the important thing is they're trying to fix mistakes and they've let everyone know it.  Xbox owners who felt there wasn't enough Japanese titles on the Xbox and most important of all not any Japanese RPGs have been given assurance that MS knows about these issues and is making an effort to correct them.  That's important.  It lets the fanbase know they care and it shows that they're going to try all they can to make the Xbox Next the best console they can.

Nintendo for example rarely gives any indication that they're addressing issues.  Rare leaves, third parties leave, games lose exclusivity, major third party games like GTA get released on every console but Gamecube, etc.  Nintendo doesn't let us know that they even care about these problems so we question them and there's mixed opinions about what the Revolution will be and if major Cube issues are going to be addressed.  MS is avoiding a scenario like that.  They're giving a clear message of "yes we know there were problems but we're going to fix them and the Xbox Next is going to be better than the Xbox because of it."  MS is removing doubt with deals like these.

[Caillan]

Ian just articulated part of what I was trying to say: even if these aren't massive hits, Japanese gamers will be more receptive to Microsoft because they're clearly indicating that they'll make an effort to meet their needs. Three games, one of which is a port, aren't as significant as a a strong launch selection.

[Bill Aurion]

Nintendo for example rarely gives any indication that they're addressing issues

"The GameCube as a system has taught us more about the home console market than nearly any other of our systems...As always, there are always lessons learned. One thing the GameCube taught us is the importance of pleasing as many different types of gamers in the market as possible. For example, the physical design of the hardware itself was a bold attempt by us to do this -- to make a system that is stylish in its own way and that will fit in well with a family living room. In hindsight, the color choice and box design may not have been as helpful in achieving that goal." ~Reggie

Not addressing issues, right?  

[Deguello]

Really, Ian.  Nintendo rebuilt most of the third party bridges they burnt with the N64.  And while a good criticism is that some third parties have dropped support, it is still better than the N64 which never had some to begin with.

And on an unrelated yet related note, When Steven Kent says Nintendo should "Americanize"  he forgets that it was the N64 which shunned Eastern developers in favor of Western developers and turned into a third-party quagmire.

Let MS continue to announce their tokens, and sit baffled while players still pick Square Enix over Square-Lite, Capcom over Capcom-Lite, and other games over Rez.

[Galford]

Deguello, you vastly over simplify the N64's third party situation.  As Ian said
this will shore up the XBox's few Japanese customers while addressing the
complaints of certain western customers.

When was the last time Nintendo did this?
That's right, never...

[vudu]

Bill - Ian didn't say Nintendo wasn't fixing its mistakes.  He said they aren't letting us know they are.  I sure hadn't read that quote from Reggie prior to your post.  And I sincerely doubt someone who doesn't frequent gaming websites on a daily basis has either.

[Bill Aurion]

"Ian didn't say Nintendo wasn't fixing its mistakes. He said they aren't letting us know they are."

Um, isn't that what I was addressing in that above quote?

[Don'tHate742]

Haha, I think King addressed the wrong person/kinda....no probably just read it wrong.

Anyways, HURRAY FOR XBOX! I can finally/maybe have more games than just 3! HURRAY!

As for Nintendo not addressing issues, or even addressing them and not making them public; that's Nintendo for you. They are the secretive company that likes to boast that they're fixing things by just mentioning general information and no key official statements, which really actually makes the problems worse. If you don't tell the people how your fixing things, they're going to assume your doing something lavish or nothing at all. Maybe it's paranioa to the point where giving out information, such as who's developing for them or what the future may hold, would hurt them bussiness wise, when really it's hurting them not release this type of information. Give that up Nintendo! Nobody is going to copy number #2 (or is it 3?)! Everybody's out to get numero UNO, so anything Nintendo sees as "secret" information, they should release with an official statement and video. This boasts consumer awareness and allows for hype to be generated. Also, the media can actually report on something worth reporting about regarding Nintendo, giving them more press love unlike what they've been receiving today (IGN?). And even if competing companies do try to copy the idea, they can't match Nintendo's game quality. This puts the game business back to where Nintendo wants it...the gameplay. If the other companies were to try, they would just lose valuable time and money. People would then play their final product and be like....hmm this doesn't play as great as Nintendo's action/adventure game; making Nintendo better in a way. People want...no scratch that...need to hear those kinds of improtant secret things. They are never as good, as what we  think they'll be. Really it's kind of our fualt, but Nintendo could easily solve it themselves. We need to have some sort of foundation to renew faith, because each time we hear Nintendo stating "Nintendo is doing some creative things and ...." it ends up sending us into a rut.

Nintendo should be like Microsoft in one respect: Listening to those who buy your hardware/software. I admit that most of the suggestions that Nintendo fans come up with are utter crap, and they really don't know what the hell they want. Still, putting in a new Nintendo feedback system that operates by weeding out the good suggestions from the bad ones could really help Nintendo. Market Research is key, as well as renewing faith, for people easily get weary, worried, impatient. Everytime I look at Nintendo and their products, I can see them going to the top of the charts; I just think they don't know how to get their themselves. They go the innovation route, which is great, but if you don't have something truly innovative that appeals to the masses, you end up being right back where you started or worse. Look at the Cube for crying out loud! Nintendo's own fans could help them succeed in the innovative ways they always boast about, if only Nintendo knew that.

Hopefully the E3 this year eases my woes.....  

[vudu]

A quote no one has heard (by someone most people aren't familiar with) doesn't really let the general public know Nintendo is fixing their past mistakes.

[Bill Aurion]

Do you really think anyone else besides those same gamers that check game sites everyday know that Xbox2 is getting 2 exclusive RPGs?  I think not...

[Don'tHate742]

I read that quote AWHILE ago...but again, I guess i'm the general public since i'm typing away here; but I like to think that I am .

Anyways, I undestand your point but like Bill said, do you think people who own an xbox and are viewed as "general public" really know that the Xbox 2 has some exclusives? Nope, no chance. Unless there is a commercial made, or it is featured on TV some how (G4tech) I don't see any "general public" knowing. Microsoft knows that...their announcement was for the fan base, which is actually great becuase when the fans buy these consoles, they have friends that will see those consoles and even play them. Microsoft is saying to the fanbase "Look, the xbox was....*looks around* Great, but I'm sure you had your dissapointments. Please don't leave us! You don't know how much money we lost with the Xbox, it was ridiculous! *Calms themself down* Ah-hem We are making moves to ensure the Xbox 2 is greater and an overall more fun gaming system by doing the following: _____. So no need to worry, we are listening." hehehe

[Caillan]

Quote
Do you really think anyone else besides those same gamers that check game sites everyday know that Xbox2 is getting 2 exclusive RPGs? I think not...

Closer to release Microsoft will capitalise on this and we'll be seeing it everywhere. As the guy at GameSpy put it, they're going to legally change Hironobu Sakaguchi's name to "The Creator of Final Fantasy" then introduce him to everyone. Microsoft have a competent marketing division and it will be used accordingly.

[Deguello]

Marketing can't save everything.  JSRF launched with the Xbox and had tons of ads and it still flopped.  And this was back when Sega Support mattered.