Blue Dragon flying high in Japan
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Dec 7th 2006 at 5:00PM }
Websites (including us) have been spouting Blue Dragon's significance for ages now -- just look at all these stories -- and it's finally time for the game to put up or shut up. The game released today -- both individually and in a spiffy bundle -- and Joystiq reports that it already looks to become the most popular 360 game in Japan by far. Of course, that's not really saying much, though it is important to note that the game is also driving hardware sales. If Microsoft has any hope in the Land of the Rising Sun, it rests in the arms (wings?) of Blue Dragon. After all, if the RPG dream team of Hironobu Sakaguchi, Akira Toriyama, and Nobuo Uematsu aren't enough to entice the Japanese, there just isn't much more that Microsoft can do. Hit the read link for more pictures.
We've asked this question before, but do you think Microsoft needs Japan in order to win the new-gen console war?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Adrien @ Dec 7th 2006 5:58PM
Yes M$ needs Japan and Blue Dragon is a good start, a bit late but still good. Bigger Japan share = bigger support from nippon game developers = more games for XBOX360 worldwide = SONY losing shares = M$ dominating console world = less good games.... D'OH!
Measure @ Dec 7th 2006 6:06PM
MS doesn't absolutely need to succeed in Japan to win the race this time around. Combined, the US and European markets are much larger.
Psychologically, MS needs to succeed in Japan to complete their legitimacy as a console manufacturer. Here in the US, the Xbox is a crazy success story, but in Japan, it's still seen as a minor player.
I think that in the short term, with Blue Dragon and other upcoming games, MS is set to begin building meaningful market share in Japan.
If the PS3 never catches up with the worldwide install base of the 360, the process will accelerate further as more and more Japanese developers are forced to take the 360 seriously.
icemorebutts @ Dec 7th 2006 8:11PM
If they just bought out Konami and SquarEnix they would be set. I garentee nobody would look twice at the PS3 without MGS4 and FFXIII.
Pixelantes Anonymous @ Dec 7th 2006 6:40PM
I suppose Microsoft doesn't need Japan to come out on top. But Microsoft completely bombing in Japan kinda indicates the XBox 360 is not the universal entertainment hub Microsoft designed it to be. Or that Microsoft is somehow unable to tailor their product (and/or marketing message) to fit different markets.
The Nintendo Wii doesn't seem to be having a problem with that at all. It's selling everywhere. Same thing with the Nintendo DS.
I don't know. It kinda looks like Nintendo might actually be the comeback kid.
Mr BoomStick XL @ Dec 7th 2006 6:42PM
They need this game but they will have to continue to push foward and this is an AWSOME start!!! Go MS!!!
Zim @ Dec 7th 2006 7:16PM
Nintendo isn't the comeback kid. They've screwed themselves buy building into a niche.
If their next console isn't a dual screened walkie talkie wiimote compatible gyrocopter hat then they're screwed. They can't do a 'real' console anymore.
Which isn't a bad thing, because they're on their own and they're going to make tons of money in their new market. I'm just saying Sony and Microsoft dont have to worry about them ever again.
Will @ Dec 7th 2006 8:16PM
When it comes down to it, the Xbox 360 is an American product trying to make strides in a country very loyal to its own products. Sorry to say, but it was doomed from the beginning. I really do hope that Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey help drive an increase in sales. I am so sick and tired of Sony B$.
Dave @ Dec 7th 2006 9:28PM
Wow blue dragon looks awesome, this is the first title I've seen that's actually excited* me.
Kelly Kamm @ Dec 7th 2006 10:04PM
Japan is not xenophobic when it comes to their consumerism.
iPod, Levis, Coke, and various fast food franchises litter the consumer landscape of Japan, and they love the products despite their American pedigree.
The reason the 360 is/was failing in Japan was because Microsoft was not catering to the populace they were selling to. Making the Halo and Ninja Gaiden games half of the 360 backwards compatible list? Cancelling japanocentric titles like TFLO? This is why the xbox had no loyalty there.
Blue Dragon is a good start. Lets see if they can keep with it and build a foundation for the gamers of that country.
Joe @ Dec 7th 2006 11:48PM
Learn Japanese
> Playstation three = "Prey-stray-shun-shree"
> XBOX three sixty = "Eggz-boks-shree-sixtee"
Jonah Falcon @ Dec 8th 2006 2:30PM
I don't think Microsoft needs Japan, but I really want Blue Dragon.
Jesse Hamlin @ Dec 11th 2006 6:12PM
As long as xbox 360 is big in North America and Europe, who cares about aisans? Let them play wii. If America likes a game, the game will be big around the world, thats the way it will always be.