Microsoft Tries to Woo Japan

[erorororo]

from NextGeneration

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1079&Itemid=2

Microsoft Tries to Woo Japan
by Eric-Jon R

[Denamic]

"A: Customizability. Also, psychology; a "wide experience" is more important."
I'm not a woman, and I want that! Sexist bastard! No, wait.. that's not right..
Anyways, It's not just women who want more than just pretty lights and adrenaline pumping action.
Micro$oft is trying to snatch Japan from Sony, obviously.

[Shex]

who ever the **** he interviewed he raped the **** out of him the dude sounded scared to answer any of his questions the guy asking the questions is a dangerous man I'll tell you that

[cyress8]

Gears of War, looked, frankly, ridiculous. The frame rate ran at maybe an average sixteen per second, though it kept dropping to maybe around ten. Characters animate stiffly; although there was obviously some motion capture involved, no one thought about how to implement it, so the characters all move unnaturally, jerking from one animation to another. Brief cut-scenes keep activating, intruding into the gameplay and disorienting me even though I wasn't playing the thing. There were some nice special effects, though, with the "locust" beasts that terrorize the world in question. Aside from those effects, it just looked like a pretty advanced Xbox game. Only with more testosterone! XD stop making me laugh XD

[Zhenn Rodus]

I dunno. I have this feeling their strategy is a little flawed. Going online in Japan may not be a good idea especially for consoles. This is probably because most online gaming done in Asia is through the PC. To hit the Japanese market well, Microsoft need games that are not just fun, but absolutely awe-inspiring, even at the cost of gameplay, and in this aspect they probably could not beat PS3 in. So in taking this strategy I believe they should try to focus on MMORPGS. They should also try getting Anime licences and start working on games based on animes. Finally, they should not dump 2D completely out of the window yet. Leaving 2D as a niche market for Nintendo is too much for them. Microsoft needs to go back to 2D once in a while too, developing strategy RPGs with Anime cutscenes and great music probably featuring a KOTOKO theme song. Dwelve into Music games like Konami. Maybe even get them to do something to the 360. The Sony Eyetoy was fun, but with the 360's connectivity, how about making dancing friends online and coordinate your moves with someone more than 3000 miles away? Just some of the ways which I think microsoft can use they strategy to their advantage and probably further change the Japanese attitude to online gaming.

[hooshang]

I dunno. I have this feeling their strategy is a little flawed. Going online in Japan may not be a good idea especially for consoles. This is probably because most online gaming done in Asia is through the PC. To hit the Japanese market well, Microsoft need games that are not just fun, but absolutely awe-inspiring, even at the cost of gameplay, and in this aspect they probably could not beat PS3 in. So in taking this strategy I believe they should try to focus on MMORPGS. They should also try getting Anime licences and start working on games based on animes. Finally, they should not dump 2D completely out of the window yet. Leaving 2D as a niche market for Nintendo is too much for them. Microsoft needs to go back to 2D once in a while too, developing strategy RPGs with Anime cutscenes and great music probably featuring a KOTOKO theme song. Dwelve into Music games like Konami. Maybe even get them to do something to the 360. The Sony Eyetoy was fun, but with the 360's connectivity, how about making dancing friends online and coordinate your moves with someone more than 3000 miles away? Just some of the ways which I think microsoft can use they strategy to their advantage and probably further change the Japanese attitude to online gaming.

Also not a friggin' big as and ugly looking electronic box... Presentation is a very important feat for every product in Japan.

[orka]

Not a bad idea, really.

I personally could care less for anything other than Japanese games with few exception, so my respect goes to Microsoft. My current qualm is how many Japanese titles will actually be distributed in the United States. The problem with Xbox wasn't the lack of Japanese games (although the library was significantly small compared to PS2)... it was the lack of Japanese games released in the United States. Also, the only reason online multiplayer is still non-existant on the consoles in Asia is because Xbox was the only one out of the Big Three that pursued it in this generation. The situation will totally change with the new console generation.

And next-gen is not abandoning 2D. Neogeo Battle Colosseum is already confirmed for Xbox 360, and Senko no Ronde (which is actually 3D but in a old school kind of way) is planned to be ported as well.

[Grizzablo]

wow those questions are hella blunt @.@ eesh! might as well ask why they sucked last time stop beating around the bush lol

anyways Microsoft is building some mystery "Ring of Light" building in the Omotesando district that actually opens this month and is a special sampling lounge open to all public to go in and test games whenever they like... another tactic to try to grow in popularity in Japan... no plans on something cool like this in America though sadly :/