Japanese Retail Employee: Xbox 360 has been abandoned

Gamesthirst: Since the Xbox 360 was released in Japan, the the journey has been a rocky one to say the least. For some reason, the Japanese never gravitated to Microsoft's console like some thought they would. Even after four long years, only 1.1 million units have been sold. It's a tough outlook for the Xbox 360 in Japan and recently a Japanese retail employee echoed that same sentiment on his personal blog.

[droid and bot]

"Japanese Retail Employee: Xbox 360 has been abandoned"

wow thats bold
i don't think MS is happy

and the new FF and GT are not even OUT !!!!!!
those are killer apps in japan
just like mario and pokemon

WOW

[zeeshan]

It's GAME OVER for M$ in Japan already :)

[Darkeyes]

360 is dead in Japan... The sooner M$ accepts the fact and pulls out, the better. They might use the money used for marketing 360s in Japan for better purposes, like investing in more 3rd party... I feel M$ will try one last time to see if Natal does something for them there.... Other wise, expect them to pull out soon.

[AAACE5]

I hate to sound like one of those Ps3 fanboys, but MS needs to create some different games to attract more attention to themselves. As of right now, I only plan to pick up CoD MW 2 for the 360 this year... and maybe Forza 3. I honestly think I will be having too much fun playing Uncharted 2 for right now!

Halo will only get MS so far. They have RARE and those franchises, I don't understand why we haven't seen a Conker, Jet force gemini game from them yet! Instead they have them focusing on Natal, which isn't bad, but history has shown that you have to have one of those colorful kind of goofy characters as your mascot in order to draw in more attention. Nintendo has Mario and Sony has Ratchet and MS has...???

I thought this holiday season would be like last year, but with a bunch of games getting pushed into next year, I think it will be a pretty tame season. With most of the sales going to Modern warfare 2, Uncharted 2 and ODST.

[4Sh0w]

Microsoft will not even remotely consider giving up in Japan.

360 is already more successful than its predeccessor.

Just like any one retailer commenting on ps3 or psp's futuree here in the US things can change for any platform, 360 has had decent weeks in Japan from time to time, and consoles in general havent exactly blazed the charts in japan consistently.

360 is clearly has a uphill climb in Japan but its about more than sales, by showing the will to stick it out in japan encourages continued japanese dev support. Games like Magna Carta2 are still being released first on 360 in japan.

[ThanatosDMC]

Maybe more bashing and chest thumping would help... oh wait... they've been doing that.

[IaMs12]

Ok MS Stop investing SOO much in japan and start investing into games ALL around.

I see PS3 as Japan
as Xbox is to America

[Xiru]

@ 1.7

That would make sense if 360 were beating PS3 in America, but PS3 is beating 360 weekly in America as well.

[IaMs12]

the 360 was beating the PS3 in Japan for a month straight before, but look at it right now. The Xbox last i heard was 6-7 million units ahead in America just like the PS3 is in Japan. So i think i will stick with my statement. Im sure the numbers have shrunk down the gap but when you look at it the 360 dominates in America, because americans are stupid mindless gamers who know nothing about anything :) /sarcasm Im american i have the right to say that :)

Oh P.S. I guess we are pretty dumb we gave the Nobel prize to our president, im sorry but WHAT! He didnt do anything except talk! oh thats what he got it for. Give me the podium ill talk your ears off. See im doing it now

[spacetattoo82]

UNTIL NATAL, JAPAN LOVES THAT TYPE OF GAME PLAY..

NATAL IS THE GATEWAY INTO JAPAN...

@Xiru - NOT FOR LONG GUY. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT SINKS BACK INTO THIRD, JUST EXACTLY LIKE IT WAS BEFORE THE PRICE CUT. AMERICAN LIKE THE 360, FACT.. WE WILL SEE WEEKS COMING BACK INTO 360S FAVOR..
AFTER FORZA'S RELEASE...

[timzone]

Last time I checked, the Nobel prizes were not awarded by Americans. Better get a good proof reader before you step up to the podium.

[IaMs12]

Yah my mistake but that still doesnt make any difference in my statement. I could still get up there and talk like he talks, many people in the world have done more and they get NO recoginition. To be truthfully honest, i think they are giving him far too much credit just because he is the first black president. Im not racists but look at it, if America did not elect him our country would be labeled as racist and if we hate him racist or dont like our views. I freaking hate it how people think *racism* if a black man doesnt choose a mexican or a white man doesnt choose the black. Hell i dont care if he is freaking purple, elect the best of the best, and Obama im sorry is not. Neither is McCann But in MY opinion is the lesser of the 2 evils

[N4G king]

"Japanese Retail Employee: Xbox 360 has been abandoned"

i think maybe because heaters are cheaper now in Japan
or maybe its not cold in here

oh wait
i think its because they dont want ovens they already got them
Hmmmm
alot of possibilities

[Feral Gamer]

In other news, water is wet.

[Sarcasm]

And Paris Hilton isn't a virgin.

[zeeshan]

Nahhh.. you mean she IS a virgin followed by "/sarcasm" :)

[SupaPlaya]

is the most trusted news source, just like FOX.

To below
-----------
Hm... I was just trying to state the obvious like the OP...

[likedamaster]

Sarcasm, ironically screwed the joke up.

[Syronicus]

I think you missed the point here. This particular thread is about sarcasm. Your comment rings more truth than sarcasm. Sorry...

[IaMs12]

And were suppose to trust guys with avatar pictures like yours?

[cheapndirty]

In other news American burger flipper confirm confirms that the slim sold very well in September.

This is news?

Everyone that reads this is dumber now. Me included.

n4g.com is going downhill. I think I am done with this site.

[Syronicus]

If you can't trust the Joker... Who can you trust?

[loveexists]

well, what can one say? Hope things work out

[Syronicus]

How about pull out? Those are two words MS should accept and perform. Rather than putting money towards a dying region, they could pour that money into development for Europe and North America. Japan does not appreciate the 360 and for good reason. It is a western console that suffers from a huge failure rate. Sorry, but all the Lost Odysseys and Blue Dragons or FFXIII's in the world won't save them in Japan.

[loveexists]

no need to claim the system's been ababdoned

[Henry Cain]

Like I said its a wrap for the 360 in Japan

[gamesR4fun]

ahead of the rest of us

rip 360

[TheMART]

Well that 1.1 mln. consoles in Japan are still helping that 8 mln. lead the 360 has over the PS3 worldwide, so I don't see a problem at all there.

POS3 lost USA and won't win Europe, at best a draw there. As USA market has the higher sales compared to Japan, that'll keep PS3rd in its last spot.

Put me on ignore PS3 tard SDF fanclub, my goal is to reach 400 ignores before the end of this year, make it even before the end of this month, ignore me you stupid droid army!

Current stats

Tracked by: 128 users
Ignored by: 323 users

+ 2 ignores since I started my new rally to a new goal just some minutes ago. Nice droids, I say jump and you jump. Go go braindeads!

[The-Warranty]

Aint the PS3 leading in Europe?

[d0nT wOrrY]

wow
you need serious help.....

[topgeareasy]

general MLD from youtube because both fail the same way

[Doc Sony]

Wow, The Mart, long time no see, I thought you was dead.

What you been up to, don't say gaming cuz you only have a 360 and there was no games this year for it.

[gamesR4fun]

even the mart is giving up

this is the only part of the 3fixme's death im really enjoying XD

watching the last remnants of the rrod defenders crew fade away whimpering into the night.

ps Europe is ps3 country now m8 and the usa wont b far behind

[TheMART]

And the PS3 droids am cry again...

@ Doc Fony

I only own a 360, yes? Thats how I hosted a KZ2 N4G shootout some time ago on PSN, the one with the most notirious N4G members around?

http://forums.n4g.com/tm.as...

@ GamesR

So how long does it take or the PS3 to catch up with 8 mln. since its already trying for 2 years now while that 8 mln. has been about the same constantly as a gap? Tell me I am so curious when SOny will take the lead here... 2012? 2015?

Give me my ignores droids! I am on 324 ignores already

@ Zombie below

Dude we all know but... Does it matter? Actual situation is that its 8 mln. ahead it doesn't matter how. Fact is 8 mln. behind and that gap has constantly been around that the last two years. Thus we can say that the PS3 isn't able to close the gap, or even reduce it, thus getting on par during this lifecycle already is hard, surpassing the 360 will be impossible. One thing is for sure, its PS3rd al the way!

PUT ME ON IGNORE B1TCHES!!!

[ZombieAutopsy]

Mart in all fairness the Xbox360 released a year before the ps3 so of course it gonna have a years worth lead in sales.

IDK i mean it is a year and i dont think its 8mil lead anymore im pretty sure its like 6.5, and actual situation is it has a lead because it had a year head start...tell me in all honestly do you think it would have that big of a gap if they came out at the same time.

[gamesR4fun]

thats about a 4 mil lead now man

and a lot less if you count all the 360's in the dumpster and sitting in warehouses.

Really tho mart sry for your loss on the positive side soon you wont need to defend it anymore.

ps when you get a ps3 add me on psn n bring your friends esp POG man i miss him still shoot him bubs now n then. Dude was a fanboy sure but i always respected what he had ta say. Never saw him in the ps3 section trolling or making up bs stories or blogs. Too bad the fanatics on my side took his bubs.

[Tinted Eyes]

You keep saying 8 mil, when its not even 7 mil anymore.

its 6.5 and getting smaller, deal with it.

[rohail88]

dude get a life WTF is wrong with u? its video games its not ur life!

[NewZealander]

i own both consoles and im not a fanboy but even im gonna block you mart, you cant call people fanboys and act the way you do...

why all the hate for ps3 anyway? if you own one please inform us all why you hate it so much, be a gamer not a fanboy.

[NecrumSlavery]

Maybe Sony will forgive Square Enix for their betrayal. SE has dug itself ten miles below dookie with Japanese RPG lovers.

[Raoh]

Absolutely not.. I want to see SE grovel and squirm.. Kiss the Sony Ring

[Darkseider]

You would think it would have been common knowledge by now. 4 years and 1.1 million consoles doesn't scream massive uptake. As was mentioned before FF and GT haven't been released in Japan yet either. Seeing that FF is exclusive to the PS3 in Japan it will pretty much finish off whatever is left of the XBox 360 in Japan.

[Syronicus]

But given the fact that for a few years now, many MS fanboys have clamored that MS is making a dent in the market share over in Japan and how they have made progress since the first Xbox, this article certainly should be more of a wake up call to both MS and their silly fanbase and a call to face the reality of it all. The best option for MS is to pull the heck out of Japan and focus on the regions that they are successful in.

[jerocarson]

later than expected!

[UltimateIdiot911]

Is there any reasonn for them to get a 360. After all, they just have to wait a longer for a better version of (insert jrpg title). Also, it's pretty obvious online gaming isn't too hot compare to the US and Europe. Also, they seem to be bigger on handheld and adhoc play.

[SupaPlaya]

for their handhelds.

[SupaPlaya]

gamesthirstarticles.blogspot.c om.

An article on a blog about a retail employee's personal blog.

Fail IMO.

[Dipso]

Not disagreeing with the sentiment entirely, 360 is no doubt struggling in Japan. But a blog post about a blog from a guy who works in a game store being deemed as newsworthy is N4G at its best.

[Another One]

I could not agree more with the two of you. No matter how insignificant and moronic the news is, as long as it tears down one console or the other, it gets approved.

[OmegaSlayer]

It will be the same everywhere, just when people will realize that getting a 360 only means having a punch of crispier textures on multiplat games and nothing else.

[Kushan]

Don't forget, Microsoft seems determined to use Natal as some kind of console "relaunch" and the motion stuff is right up the Japanese's alley so who knows what might happen in the future. The Japanese are a bit unpredictable sometimes.

[Syronicus]

Sorry, but if motion controls are so important there than Sony beating MS to the punch will even further distance MS's reach on the Japanese market. They should have thought of NATAL a year sooner.

[Kushan]

You do realise that the Wii is little more than an overclocked gamecube with motion controls, right? It worked for Nintendo.

[Syronicus]

One, it was inexpensive. Two, Japan has always liked Nintendo. MS has a huge hurdle to get over and to be honest, they should not even bother. They will never penetrate Japan enough to make a difference when compared to the money they spend doing so. It's a lost cause.

[jojo319]

While this may be true, since when is a "retail employee" a good source? That has about as much credibility as a "Best Buy Employee" stating that they sell one console more than the other. and this is news?

[ZombieAutopsy]

yea but how many times do we see rumors started from kmart/bestbuy/gamestop employees and it gets approved...this is n4g anything can get approved here.

[likedamaster]

PS3 should take the lead any day now.

/sarcasm

[PimpHandHappy]

they are the world leaders in tech and the 360 with its dvd tray and fail rate would not be considered HIGH tech

[Syronicus]

Who else could bring us vending machines where you can purchase used womans panties to smell and actually make a profit from it? Japan, it is the place dreams are made from.

http://inventorspot.com/art...

[MetalGearBear]

wow, u pretty serious on video games than your life. SAD!!!

[Downandout]

Its called being passionate about something

[RowSand]

the doom of 360 has begun srarting with japan.

[Bobby Kotex]

The Japanese employee is pretty much right. There's not much for the xbox in 2010 that I can't buy for the PC. I'm dead serious, what is there? Halo Reach? Anything else?

[TheTeam06]

They would've have a chance if Final Fantasy would release for the 360 in Japan. Unfortunately for them, it's a PS3 exclusive over there. That looked like their last chance.

[Marty8370]

4 years to sell 1 million consoles speeaks for it's self.

Jump Out, PLAY B3YOND..........

[stuna1]

Sure it was his personal blog but, he is the one up and personal with the distribution of the xbox 360 and he's giving people an account of his own personal experiences.

[WIIIS1]

There's a reason why he's just an employee and staying that way. That's a very typically peasant mindset right there, thinking the game is over for 360 in Japan.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

xBox 360 = DEAD in Japan

xBox 360 = DYING in Europe

Only the U.S.of.A Left now!!! ;-D ;-D ;-D

[stuna1]

That was just japan testing the waters to see if there was a demand for them on the 360 IMO, and a reason why FFVlll was only exclusive to the ps3 in japan. The hype and demand for it in japan alone, being on a sony console would technically offset any negative sales of the xbox 360 version worldwide. IMO.

[Pekka]

Original XBox only sold around 500k in Japan in four years. So they doubled sales compared to XBox. Still bad sales but getting better.

[Tripl3seis]

well one thing is for sure they need to pull out because they are not doing good over there and i think in my opinion they need that money they are spending in japan and put it to good use here in the U.S. and Europe for new IPs.

[Nathan Drake2]

1.100.000:4=275.000 x360 units sold per year in japan
3.600.000:3=1.200.000 ps3 units sold per year in japan

[Tripl3seis]

gamesr4fun you seem like a cool dude bro give me your psn id and ill give you mine so that we could play some uncharted 2 if you want.Btw your rite about the 360 in japan to me is dead i dont see M$ doing much over there. my psn id is elflako25

[Another One]

"Retail employee says...." lol. Wow. So if I asked the guy at Walmart his opinion would it be worthy of a news post? No, no it would not.