Edge Online has posted an
article examining the Xbox 360's recent success in Japan. You may recall the console's recent sales surge, which saw it
surpass the Playstation 3 in sales for weeks on end.
Edge, unsurprisingly, points to the recent spate of games aimed at Japanese audiences as the reason for the sales spike. In particular, the article notes Microsoft's aggressive showing at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show, in which the company's booth was sandwhiched between the booths of Square Enix and
Capcom. Said booth also highlighted the many Japanese titles at the forefront while showing its western titles in the back in an "adults-only" section.
The article also mentions Microsoft's recent courtship of Square Enix and its attempts to secure major franchises,
Star Ocean 4 in particular, which will appear
exclusively on the Xbox 360. The major question that remains, according to
Edge, is whether or not Japanese gamers will abandon their Xbox when Sony catches up with major franchises of its own, especially
Final Fantasy XIII, which will not appear on the Xbox in Japan. The other question is whether or not Microsoft intends to maintain its push in the territory (beyond
a million units, anyway).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Curtis @ Nov 28th 2008 4:39PM
Is Final Fantasy 13 still only coming to 360 in North America? Or is that just what everyone is assuming. I know I've read that, but I've never heard them officially state that it was going to be available for 360 in Japan.
mgsrocks1 @ Nov 28th 2008 11:35PM
Because of how pissed PS3 owners were, the game is only coming out on PS3 in Japan. In North America it's coming out on both Xbox360 and PS3. It's probably going to be out in the U.S 6 months after the Japanese release.
Rock @ Nov 28th 2008 5:08PM
It's been stated by both the president of SE & the lead producer of the game multiple times now in various interviews. Could always change, but for now there will be no FF13 for 360 realeased in Japan.
saito ps3 @ Nov 29th 2008 4:30PM
lol, it wasnt because ps3fanboys were pissed, its that the xbox 360 usually sells more in america than ps3, so it would make sense to release final fantasy 13 there, and japan buys ps3 more than 360 so its self explanatory.
Tony @ Nov 30th 2008 11:40AM
It's a shame what Square Enix has been publishing for the 360 is sub par. I've not heard amazing things about Silpheed, Last Remnant or Infinite Undiscovery.