As sales slump and its last great exclusive goes multiplatform, retailers confirm plans to phase out Microsoft's console.
The Xbox 360's life appears to be coming to an end in Japan, with hardware sales falling, retailers beginning to turn their back on the console, and the system's last high-profile Japanese exclusive headed to PlayStation 3.
In June, Microsoft announced that Japanese Xbox 360 sales had finally passed 1.5 million units since the system's release in 2005, but that should not be taken as a sign that its fortunes are improving. Media Create data for the year to date puts Xbox 360 hardware sales at just 72,721 units, a drop of 46.7 per cent on the same period last year. Sales of its rival, Sony's PlayStation 3, have also fallen year on year, but only by 17.1 per cent, to 735,637 units.
Bit-Tech: Perhaps the biggest surprise was that the tide of console gamers is a cultural phenomenon which does not appear to cross every border. According to NPD's research, while the UK has the highest incidence of console usage out of all the markets analysed Germany boasts the biggest number of PC gamers.
France, meanwhile, is clinging on to dedicated hand-held consoles like the Nintendo 3DS and Sony PlayStation Portable at a time when NPD's analysis shows that gamers in most other nations have ditched theirs in favour of getting their portable gaming fixes on smartphones and tablets.
"when NPD's analysis shows that gamers in most other nations have ditched theirs in favour of getting their portable gaming fixes on smartphones and tablets."
you mean like japan, europe or the US where the 3ds is breaking records?
People are ditching the 3DS so fast in the US, 3ds sales have doubled over ds first year sales and the year isnt even over.
No source, no truth
who approved this garbage?
but 250 million global online PC Gamers say other wise.
Everyone with a Gaming PC can play Wii Games so does that mean the world is a Wii Nation?
I think people just enjoy Games and it really doesn't matter the platform.
Console Nation, PC Universe, iPhone Realm, doesn't matter just enjoy your Games.
Considering most PC Gamers will own 1 or more consoles , declaring the UK as a "console nation" is complete and utter bollox.
owning a console and playing the occasional game once in a blue moon doesnt make you a console gamer. Just like owning a pc and maybe playing some random flash game doesnt make you a pc gamer. Alot of pc gamers bought ps3s, its a blu-ray player and media hub that plays games.
I'm from the UK and game on nearly every platform I can think of.
But yes in general I'm more thumbs than fingers when It comes to my games.
Remember in December of last year when Paul Christoforo became the pariah of the internet? Ocean Marketing was at the center of a scandal that took the internet by storm after Christoforo exchanged rude, angry emails with a customer of Avenge Controllers, for whom Christoforo was providing customer service. I recently had the chance to speak with Paul about the whole ordeal and what his life has been like since.
With the upcoming release of the Star Wars Themed Console, GameExchangeShop.com takes a look at reasons to get excited for the game and looks of the console.
That does look sick and the sound is even more awesome. Too bad the darn Xbox 360 is so expensive still.
When the Wii U drops the xbox prices will take a serious nose dive. Hopefully they still have that particular one floating around retail.
Last Xbox employee left in Japan, you want to turn out the lights when you leave?
Xbox never had a chance in Japan M$ knows that and so doesn't there hardcore fans.
Xbox 360: dead in Japan?
i dont know what microsoft is doing in japan but it sure in the hell isn't working thats for sure.
Wow i guess it was just a matter of time. I feel bad for the people it will put out of work though.