Will Microsoft launch the next Xbox in Japan?

EDGE - When Microsoft announced that the next Xbox will be unveiled on 21 May, the internet was quickly flooded with speculation from eager fans. In the west, that is – in Japan, where Xbox fans are few and far between, the reaction has so far been mixed.

[stonecold3]

it would get released there but I would expect it sell the same the 360 sold japan wont take xbox it would be a right off for Microsoft to launch there the Japanese gamers prefer sony and Nintendo

[JoGam]

I heard only five is being shipped to Japan. Not sure how many will sell....LOL. I kid I kid.

But seriously, it should ship in Japan.

[showtimefolks]

it will launch but it wont' sell

not hating just facts, MS's attention should be here in states and Europe

[AngelicIceDiamond]

True. I think MS will cater (for the third time) to Japanese by releasing original AAA Japanese games. But will probably pull out if they see no success like they did in previous gens.

I dunno about the Japanese market. I dunno if they even want a new Xbox console or a PS4. The Vita isn't doing much in Japan and the PS3 is just "there."

[Knushwood Butt]

Of course they will; they're not just going to roll over.

They are going to try a couple of big steals too, because they know that's all they can do.

Even so, they are going to have an even harder time selling their next console in Japan than the had with the 360.

[ABizzel1]

They have to. Regardless of if it sales or not, they have to have Japan on their checklist of places to sell the Nextbox. Now will it be there Day 1, that's something they might pass on, and focus on getting as many console in the US and Europe, and launch in Japan the following year. I see them shipping maybe 1 million consoles to Japan and calling it a year (or maybe a few years LOL).

On top of that they still need Japanese games developers to make games for their console, and if all the Japanese game developers jump shift to Sony only, it would be doomsday for MS. No Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Tekken, Monster Hunter Online, Dragon Quest etc...

[StrongMan]

No point in releasing it in Japan. That would be a complete waist of time.

[miyamoto]

"Finally, the mystery behind Xbox’s lack of popularity in Japan was solved once and for all by Twitter user Hanaemon, who wrote, “The reason is because its logo looks like a shiitake mushroom.” And you know what? It does."

M$ has so much money to loose anyway, so what the heck? "Release the Xraken in Japan!"

[BeZdaBest]

that the question of this generation... for real i wonder if they will..
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[boybato]

abandoning JP would mean abandoning possible JP games being developed for the xbox.

[pompombrum]

Seeing how almost every major Japanese console game developers these days are focusing more on the western audience than eastern, I doubt Microsoft would have to worry about them bringing JP games to the Xbox.

[badz149]

Wada is no more and Capcom is cutting back its western bond to go back to their roots (hopefully!). Lost Planet 3 marks the end of their westernization, they said.

[kreate]

Agreed w boybato
Microsoft will launch it in japan.
They must. Even if they launch it later.

@badz

Add namco bandai to that list

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

They have to at least try. Or at least come at Japan with a new strategy this time.

[Gamer-Z]

Would be a waste of resources as the next Xbox will be heavily integrated with western social and entertainment services that the Japanese are not into. Also Japanese consumers are not as gullible as US consumers they won't fall for all the extra fee's that inevitably come with owning an MS product.

[Bathyj]

They would have to wouldnt they?
Even if its a complete non territory for them again, totally ignoring it would send a bad message of cant win, dont try. Whatever wasted resources it cost them to launch in Japan its still worth it not to send that message.

And you have to hand it to MS, X360 has done remarkably well world wide considering that deficit that they cant overcome. Obviously the US made up for it but its like starting a foot race a from a mile behind the starting line.

And they did make a big effort in Japan early in the gen, it was just never meant to be, but still, hats off for the effort.

[Serjikal_Strike]

I don't think the Japanese care too much about a cable box that is voice activated

[Shadow Man]

they need exclusive jrpgs, and if that doesn't work throw in there some hentai kinect games.

[kreate]

I think the hentai kinect games is the answer to Microsoft japan.
But gold needs to be free in japan.

[Jek_Porkins]

Microsoft has the money to try again over in Japan, they should try and lock up some Japanese friendly games, get a Monster Hunter game or Lost Odyssey game going, anything will probably do better then the current Xbox is doing, but it isn't impossible to do better, they just need appealing software, I feel like Microsoft does a great job of giving American consumers what they want, not so over there.

[HmongAmerican]

Take the name XBOX of the console and maybe Japanese will buy it.

[RuleofOne343]

Me personally would tell them to walk off a high cliff, but seeing as how MS sale other items , it would be a big mistake to ignore them.

[josephayal]

In japan.... meh!

[ziggurcat]

does a bear **** in the woods?

[Agent_hitman]

I don't think japanese gamers will give a damn about MS's new machine.

[Iltapalanyymi]

nah, microshit wont do that. there is like 3 xbox users in japan.

[FrigidDARKNESS]

I seriously hope they dont. Japanese consumers has learly made their statemen that they hate the xbox brnd and MS. It will be Ms best intrest to exit hat market and put it resources into other tjings. Let the to japanese companies Sony and Nintendo do battle there.