MS Japan to cut price of Xbox 360 by 30%

TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - The Japanese unit of U.S. software giant Microsoft Corp plans to slash the price of its Xbox 360 home video game console by nearly 30 percent in a move that will undercut the more popular Wii machine from Nintendo Co, the Nikkei reported on Monday, without citing sources.

[MAR-TYR-DOM]

Microsoft was doing so well in Japan, why cut the price?

[cahill]

wii - 35k
PS3 -9k
x360 - 3k

what were u saying?

[MAR-TYR-DOM]

wow wth is wrong with you people oh wait, i forgot
/sarcasm
lol ma bad :)

[Daver]

even if the price is cut... when its not working, its not working

[mikeslemonade]

So it isn't soldout. Why would they drop the price when it's sold out it's basic economics?

[knife]

They still wont buy it . also anyone can make a 360, why buy one?

all u need is a pile of sh1t and a microwave . then put the pile of sh1t in the microwave and heat it up, and u got yourself a steaming pile of sh1t.

also known as an xbox 360

[PoSTedUP]

XD XD^

XD

funny sh*t dude, bubbles 4 you.

[DarK-SilV]

you can Look at it like this, EU bought a lot of 360 then the price cut came and nothing changed, now Japan rarely buy x360, so In my opinion it will not do that much at all, you might see a spike the first week ,that’s all you will see

[TOO PAWNED]

@knife

One of funniest comments i read on this site LOL Classic. Bubbles for you :)

[Shadow Man]

Pure Comedy here on N4G. I love this site.

[GameDev]

insult sh1t like that??

[Pain]

Cheap pile of crap.

[facepalm]

Why do a price cut on your console that was apparently "sold out" not even a month ago??

[CrazedFiend]

It probably IS out of desperation, but at the same time, how do we know these price cut plans weren't made BEFORE the XBOX had it's little sales spurt?

[Chris Hansen]

Desperation

[Bathyj]

..... is a stinky colonge.

[v1c1ous]

cut prices when you aint selling

[Bathyj]

We'll the only problem people had with PS3 in the early days were not enough games, and price. Sony fixed both those problems.

M$'s problem was never the price. Its RRoD, they dont have the variety of games Sony has, and Japan hates poorly built American crap anyway, but M$'s solution is too lower price buy exclusives cos they cant make their own and buy people off with 3 year RRoD warranties to avoid a full recall.

[power of Green]

After 3 years of not selling?.

I think lowering the price 2 or 3 times in the first year of a products life is desperation.

Trying to keep a brand ontop when they were kings last generation by dropping the PS3's price 3 or 4 times; with standard price drops and SKU swaps, up and down, back and forth in the first 2 years is desperation.

20gb-60gb-40gb-80gb-40gb-160g b-20gb-40gb--Like a chicken with its head cut off trying to keep from being shamed(king to loser in two generations), no real order which is the point I guess.

[Panthers]

They figure to strike while the iron is hot. Increase supply and drop the price while Tales is still pushing units.

I doubt it will help much.

[DJ]

How much cheaper can it get? "Trade in 5 sushi rolls for the Arcade SKU"

[gano]

Bad deal dude, bad deal.

[dericb11]

360 is hardly worth 5 sushi rolls. I would say 1 and 1/2 maybe.

[GameOn]

I've been looking for something to spend my sushi on.

[NanoGeekTech]

:)

[gano]

Is done for this year.

[MAR-TYR-DOM]

how do you delete a comment? Like this one?

[Blademask]

a mod will delete it for u ;)

[Shadow Man]

@DJ I must admit that was pretty good lol

@solidsnakus LOL meh whats are ya gonna do?

[solidsnakus]

wait ... theres mods here??!!?!?

edit well sorry for that mistake but english is a really fkd up language. if its paid then why isnt the present tense pai instead of pay

[bomboclaat_gamer]

i wouldnt pay you to spell for me lol "payed"

[bomboclaat_gamer]

if english is your first language then im sorry for u buddy. but if it's not then i'm sorry for insulting u. but if its your first language then you are dumb

[Whoooop]

MS gives every 360 in Japan for free.

[Chris Hansen]

I hope so. I might want to go to Japan just to pick one up for free. I need something to keep me warm for the upcoming Fall/Winter seasons.

[Max Power]

a spike in sales for a couple of weeks, then they will continue to ignore its existence, until a RPG comes out, repeat.

[CrippleH]

Spike in sales are 1 week.

I don't think 7k for week 2 after the 30k counts as a spike as the norm was 3k.

[gano]

Be honest i jus want them exposed for the cheating, stealing,
lying, garbage that they are.

Edit Below: Sorry, They can pimp u for your money and treat
u like B****, but not me.

[Shadow Man]

Who microsoft or Japan?

Chill the F' out OK. Bend down and take it like a man.

[Towers]

It's free now right?

[00]

they pay you to take an xbox.

[TOO PAWNED]

Even if 360 was free in Japan, and MS was giving it to the people walking down the streets, they still wouldnt care! Maybe someone would feel sorry and take it and on next corner dumb it into dumpster.

Dont get me wrong, i am not bashing 360, i actually RESPECT MS for how hard they fight to make it there, with so many JRPG being time exclusives and what not, but still it wont work.
Japans economy is in even worse state than USAs look at recent hardware and softare sales, all -% .

[Shadow Man]

LOL You gotta love the comedy this people come up with.

[rhood022]

As someone who monitors changing trends in culture and demographics for a living, I'm starting to believe that MS just doesn't get it.

In Japan, there is a very noticeable shift away from console gaming. Anyone can look at the number of DS and PSP's pushed per month to get that idea. Even the Wii, which is by definition a "console," presents itself as being nothing more than a home-based handheld.

The reason why these systems are so popular is that they offer people who want to play games the chance to play games without requiring them to devout countless hours to do so. We call this "casual" gaming and, whatever your feelings towards it, it has made significant inroads in gamer culture. The fact both MS and Sony are beginning to enter the arena makes my point.

Sure, MS can create a more casual gaming experience and, coupled with a price drop, seems poised to make inroads into the Japanese market but they won't for two reasons:

1) It's still an American made (and poorly made) console.

2) MS isn't focusing on handheld-like gameplay for the 360 in Japan. They are just trying to appeal to the RPG base and calling it a day. If this was the 1990s, I'd say MS was making a smart move. But instead of a sustained level of sales, for every rpg coming to the 360 you'll see a short spike, then a quick leveling off.

[Dyingduck]

What sucks is that even with the price cut, the crapbox will cost more overall ROFL

[bbelly9320_]

the comments on this page

hilarious lol

keep it up!

[Stryfeno2]

Oh hell yeah....The cheaper the better.

[juuken]

You really think so?

Then how come the 360 hasn't outsold the PS3 yet this year?

[Stryfeno2]

But you make it look like the PS3 is out selling the 360 by a huge margin...Remember the PS3 is still dead last.

[juuken]

Remember: The 360 sales are slowing down.

My proof?

Japan: Microsoft is dead last. Infinite Undiscovery and Tales of Vesperia did nothing for the sales. They shot up and went back down.

United States: Sony has been outselling it from left to right.

Do the Math idiot.

[Stryfeno2]

How are they slowing down? Where is your proof?

Edit: Wasn't MS always last in Japan...And didn't say they wont be stocking 360s until the month of Sept. You droids are so unaware of what is going on around you.
Wait until they stock some more and see how it will sell on from there...Stop jumping into conclusions.

As for America, Sony had 4 good months and MS had 2....I hardly call that something to worry about. Take your droid hand of MS panic button.

[juuken]

Patch, believe what you want to believe.

That's what's wrong with you 360 fanatics. You want to be right and yet you're wrong.

Microsoft is desperate.

[Jock]

How many price cuts can one console get in a life time and still sales are not improving.......360 ???

[DevastationEve]

i respect you as a gamer. but the hate against ms has to stop. i have owned an x360 now just a lil over 2yrs. nothing's wrong with it, haven't had any problems complaints or incidents of tossing the console out of a 10th story window...NOW THEN, ask me about being slaughtered in SC4 and I WILL say that my wireless controller has been known to fly:P

wherever the prejudice came from, leave it there. bring something constructive with you when you log in here on n4g, or least try to avoid the common pitfalls of fanboyisms. if i can say that i don't hate ps3, you can say that you don't hate x360. if you truly feel that strong about it you'll find nothing but constant strife with people who may not know you truly. these people could have been decent friends, if not for the barriers that we constantly put up every day.

if my words escaped a decent ear, then im sorry.

[juuken]

"i respect you as a gamer. but the hate against ms has to stop."

My hatred against Microsoft stems from the fact they can get away with every single little thing in this country and yet no one stands up and says 'enough is enough'. My hatred stems from the fact that these son of a b!tches rob people out of their hard earned money with secret price tags and the RROD. My hatred stems from the fact that 360 fanatics like Patchstation, and Mart can never admit that their system has faults when someone like me can admit even Sony has problems.

I will not pick up a 360 unless every single problem has been eradicated.

The Wii deserves my money, even if people call it a fad.

You don't have problems with your system, that's good. My brother hasn't have any problems so far but I don't like taking chances.

[DevastationEve]

Is it a real hatred or something that was instilled in you. By what means? By becoming an n4g member and seeing all the negativity? By reading other PS3 supporters negative comments about MS? By believing in every negative shred of information that you come across?

Where in all those suggestions is there any sort of "personal" resentment toward MS? Because what I see is the equivalent of "one mind for all, one though for all minds".

You say that MS "gets away" with some things. What has Sony gotten away with, that you and others that think like you have turned a blind eye towards? I don't see NPO anywhere in Sony's history, when did they become God fearing angels of majestic malevolent mercy? What efforts have they made to aid the situation in Africa, when the Gates foundation has much for them to measure up to? How about the scholarships given out to those who apply for it?

I can't really validate what you mean by "secret price tags". If you mean having buy extra accessories peripherals and equipment, maybe that's just the way they decided to do their thing. Do you have to buy it? If you want it, buy it, if not, then don't.

If you mean that the 360 somehow cheated you out of something, do tell. I'd love to hear the "personal" reasons you have for being THIS anti Microsoft.

I may have asked more questions than you may care to answer. Don't answer them if you don't feel a need to.

[juuken]

You have your standards, I have mine.

I bought the PS3, knowing very well it had some issues as well. I was very annoyed with Sony for touting stuff that wasn't even ready to begin with. I never implied nor denied that Sony is a faulty company as well. But when you don't do something about your faults, that's what sets you apart. I like the fact that Sony is working on their faults and they're trying to deliver a system that works.

My personal distaste with Microsoft lies with Vista. I didn't just jump on the Microsoft hate wagon for the sake of it. Vista is very faulty software and I refuse to touch it. I was going to upgrade to Vista when I heard it had so many issues. My personal distaste lies with the fact that Microsoft has this annoying habit of not working hard enough to ensure quality over quantity. Their PR talk is also annoying as well. You can say that Sony does the same thing with their PR's but I don't think it's any worse than what I've seen Microsoft do on a daily basis.

My preference is the Playstation brand and it will always remain that way. But I cannot support a corporation who doesn't try and at least release a product that doesn't have so many issues.

I would have gotten a 360 first if it wasn't for those hardware issues. I felt very sorry for those people who wanted to enjoy games but instead they were forced to call Microsoft to get their system fixed, only for it to break again.

I didn't want to fall into that same situation.

Like I said, you have your preferences and I have mine. Just because you can appreciate both systems, doesn't mean you should force people to appreciate both systems as well. Some people would prefer owning one console over the other or support one console over the other.

I'm one of those people.

There are certain games I like on the 360 and I wished they were on the PS3 but that will never come true. When Microsoft eventually fixed the RROD, the disk scratching, and all those other issues...I will eventually pick up a 360.

But not now.

Leave this conversation at that.

[GameDev]

apocalypse must be like 12 years old and knows NOTHING of the dark history MS has with consumers. They made their own bed of hate. stop being a naive idiot or are you really?

[DevastationEve]

Your distaste for MS has led you to posting in sections that you have no reason being in, in the first place. Especially if you don't want to read 360 news. If you're going to be as prejudiced as you are, leave it at the door when you come into an area where we 360 gamers come to discuss our console. Because I'm not going to stand for your intolerance if it comes without reason, and I think I speak for everyone else here that it's just plain not necessary.

The equivalent of what you're doing is hate speech. And if you haven't already done that, I'm sure you're not too far from it.

But I'll leave the conversation at that.

Same to you Game Dev. (and I'm 23)

[Death]

Why the price drop? The Xbox 360 has under performed in Japan for a long time. Currently the console is at the highest demand since launch. Low sales these last 2 weeks are a result of the system being sold out until next week when new shipments arrive. The best time for Microsoft to lower the price in a marketplace that has been hard to crack is while demand is very high. The idea is to try and sustain better sales by gaining maximum momentum while interest is at it's peak. The exposure they have gained with software combined with a lower price should encourage compulsive sales that will be sustainable.

-Death

[cahill]

x360s are available all over Japan

as for demand. TOV disappeared from charts after week 1. If there was any demand then TOV would have been selling atleast

It is just that x360 isnt popular outside North America (losing steam to ps3 there too). In europe u can get an x360 bundle arcade (1 controller + 2 games) for half the price of a ps3.

still u dont see anyone picking up an x360 there. In Japan the price cut wont have any impact

[robbo918]

The problem is what you lined out is sound business thinking but its flawed in this picture IMO. It would not be a good idea to lower the price while you don't have any on the market (which Microsoft claims and some sources dispute by citing numerous places X360's are able to be purchased currently). If MS wants to gain consistent increased sales volumes they would focus on getting as many units there as quickly as possible to fill the demand they state is there currently.

A business wants profits and selling at the higher price while the demand curve is at a peak point ensures higher profits over reducing the selling price while at peak. As you crest the peak and sales being to taper you either cut the price then or time it shortly after the peak to coordinate the price cut with a big game title release. This approach ensures your sales curve is extended to cover a larger time period than cutting prices at a "peak". Cutting at the peak is a good idea in many ways but it also can be dangerous as you have no idea how long that peak was going to last and you could have just cost valuable profits. If this was a market where X360 was more dominant (US for example) then your approach makes more sense, but X360 has never been dominant in Japan so milk the sales while you can then dump the price IMO (assuming the shortages are real).

Your approach isn't wrong but I think there is another approach that could also be taken.

[Death]

Why not back up your mouse click with something tangible? Traditionally, you do not lower the price of something in demand. Microsofts presence in Japan is anything but traditional. They have lowered the price and released good games separately in the past and not sustained interest or sales. Combining the two at this point is the next logical step.

If you are simply disagreeing because you don't think Microsoft stands a snowballs chance in hell in Japan, that is not what this article or my comment is about.

-Death

[Bladestar]

I personally do not believe people in japan deserve it... it's obviously not about the game for Japan... I mean seriously... if it was about the games... the PS3 would be selling like 2 consoles a month compared to the xbox 360... I do like Microsoft efforts to try to change people's mind... what I think they should do is drop the price like they are doing.. keep pumping games... and keep it scarce... I know they will lose some money doing that... but it will at least keep a few wanting to buy one unsuccessfully... Keep it that way until the next generation... they will probably be more interested on the xbox 360 by then... when they look back at all the trouble microsoft went in order to bring them games they like while Sony took them for granted...

I also think that Microsoft is trying to convince many developers (like square) that they are committed to the xbox 360 in japan.. in order to bring FFXIII to japan too... it is obvious that FFXIII being exclusive to the PS3 in japan is not due to Sony paying for it.. but simply because of installbase...

[kenshin22up]

"Keep it that way until the next generation... they will probably be more interested on the xbox 360 by then"
wtf? why would anyone care about the 360 by NEXT gen? Your logic is impregnable!

[Killjoy3000]

I don't care if it's 100 bucks.I'm not buying a system that has the chance of breaking down in a few months. If the 360 was faulty hardware free, it'd definitely would be worth $400 or so.

[Shadow Man]

What if they pay you to take a xbox would you take it?

[Killjoy3000]

Yes, definitely. Not for overhyped gears, but for fable and all my friends I know who have Xbox 360s.

[aiphanes]

Even if they spike for one week...it will not matter...Sony and Nintendo rule in Japan...and most other parts of the world too..

Microsoft should just be happy with North America...and they are about to lose that too.....its time for them to come out with the Xbox 720....

[DarK-SilV]

here is the link http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...
Spread the truth

[eagles1990]

lol poor Left for fail

[castdreams]

I'm sure all of those Japanese people who just lined up in the streets to buy a 360 will be thrilled about this...
*Edit*
Oops...

[TheColbertinator]

Watch what you say...or type

[juuken]

D.E.S.P.E.R.A.T.I.O.N!

Thaaaaaaat's right folks!

Microsoft is slowly losing this console war so when you're on the losing side, you have to cut prices like crazy. I don't understand Microsoft...I really don't.

BLOODY HELL, IF A PRICECUT DIDN'T STOP THE PS3, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THIS ONE WILL?????????????

Holy sh!t Microsoft...you don't get it do ya?

[Stryfeno2]

So when Sony had a price drop a couple of months after launch, what did you call that?

[juuken]

That wasn't desperation. That was a smart move. Microsoft is only dropping the price because their sales are slowing down.

[Draperc]

That was one price cut, whoop dee do! The 360 has had, what, 3 price cuts in the last month? Microsoft knows that the 360 sales are starting to slow down, so they cut the price, and introduce a new model in hopes to increase sales. What they really need is some new games. We have no idea when halo wars and alan wake will be out, and the only other games coming out this year that I can remember are gears 2 and banjo kazooie nut and bolts.

EDIT: Bah, juuken, ya beat me to it. =P

[pwnsause]

Sony- Added more value to their Hardware by replacing the 40gb sku to a 80gb and a limited edition 120gb sku

MS- Added more value to their hardware by swapping the 20gb to a 60gb HDD, then in a matter of weeks, possibly this september (all but confirmed) are going to drop their prices.

Whats more desperate?

click on agree is MS is desperate, click Disagree if Sony is more desperate. I click on agree.

[AIi_The_Brit]

I love the smell of desperation in the morning

[dkgshiz]

Whats the point of trying to sell a dead stump? Microsoft should just give up in japan. No one likes them.

[Aclay]

An Xbox 360 price drop in Japan will not matter. The Playstation 3 has been outselling the Xbox 360 Worldwide this entire year and in Europe the 360 is already cheaper than the Wii, yet the PS3 still dishes out damage left and right against the 360.

This is how Xbox 360 sales will go in Japan:

No JRPG's = VERY low Xbox 360 sales

Timed exclusive/exclusive JRPG's = much higher sales than the PS3 for a week or two then drops back to normal.

[edwineverready]

With a manga magazine. is up next

[sak500]

Throw in couple of bravias MS. That helped sony sell few units.

[cahill]

thanks to that Bravia deal

However for x360 that wont help in Japan or europe. It could help in US but certainly not elsewhere

[Serjikal_Strike]

Microsoft sell in Japan...Get 2 for the price of one, so that way they can play the other one while the first one gets shipped back to bill gates!RROD of course...

[cyclindk]

Microsoft stole my idea... http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-... they succeed in Japan, I should get a cut of the profits...

[DarkSniper]

Microsoft is on the brink of submission. Their desperate actions have shown their face in the year 2008. Their long term strategy only includes focusing on any and all Sony products. With the propaganda and lies that Microsoft has spread over the past year, 2009 will become even a worse year for the desperate press executives for Microsoft.

Since Microsoft does not have a single title that will make an impact in 2009, expect to hear about articles such as these.

Will Killzone 2 be ported to Xbox 360?

RUMOR: Little Big Planet may see Xbox 360 release.

God of War III technically possible on 360.

Microsoft offers 2 billion dollars to acquire Insomniac games.

Microsoft's desperate marketing tactics has no boundaries. It's safe for Dark Sniper to say that Xbox 360 is very close to reaching it's own deathbed.

$niper

[CaitSith]

As much as I dislike Microsoft, I just don't want them bailing out of the console war just yet. Plus, it would make me sad to see them go (even though I don't like their business tactics). I mean, their mainly one of the reasons why SONY gives us good and reliable hardware, good customer service, top notch quality games, and free online. It's all about competition; without it, no one would really try their best.

[Exia]

I don't think it would affect the competition that much in Japan. The 360 launched cheaper in Japan than the PS3 and the PS3 still outsold it.

[ICUP]

Dirt cheap and still can't sell, sad really.

[kenshin22up]

Japan is a 1 console country, this gen is the Wii, Microsoft can do nothing, not even Sony.

[Captain Tuttle]

So many PS3 fans

[bamyrick226]

noone cares, you could give that thing away here in japan and noone would play it.

[NanoGeekTech]

Have been taking your funny pills........or part taking in a little herbal therapy...

[jlemdon]

MS is trying too hard in Japan. but I think a price cut is neccesasary.:)

Lost Planet and Blue Dragon sold over 1 million copies and I bet tales of vesparia will giving time.

[Egzekutor]

if they are soo desperate why dont they give the consoles out for free to everyone in Japan.

[SmokingMonkey]

Funny story, of all the things Gamestop sells in it's store, there is only one item (in the entire store!) that it can't sell a Warranty for.

the xbox 360.

[redsnake]

i do think this is a desperation move but hopefully fir ms it will help there sales i doubt it tho even tho ipods and nike are popular i dont think theyll buy a system with a 33% failure rate with 2 hometown reliable systems to chose from