Gamingunion: To Bill Gates' credit, Microsoft continues to cling to the Japanese market with a bulldog grip, but word has started coming in about Japanese retailers phasing out the Xbox 360. It looks like the Xbox 360's time is up in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Though Microsoft did in fact move 1.5 million units by last June, that's still a pretty pitiful number when you take into account that the Xbox 360 has been available in Japan since 2005. Even the PlayStation Vita, which everyone has been making doomsday forecasts about, has sold approx 500-600k in just three months.
Paul Thurrott in a recent episode commented on the on-going Microsoft fiasco hinting at more job losses and that "there's more to come".
There won't be no more acquiring game publishers from Microsoft in the future . Xbox has to pay Microsoft back. It might take two decades to do that.
There really needs to be a class action lawsuit here. You buy these companies just to put people out of jobs. And it’s not like something happened to derail their plans this WAS the plan. Microsoft has no business in this space at all.
Ninja Theory, Perfect Dark, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Wolfenstein 3, Dishonored, Prey, Doom, Quake... something tells me that bad things are going to happen to these entities under Microsoft.
The Xbox brand is expanding, as an Xbox mobile game store is opening this coming July where Microsoft will brings its "first-party portfolio."
“Bond adds that they will start on the web”
This will go nowhere.
Nice knowing you Xbox. This is what happens when the house never gets cleaned.
The only this MS is expanding is the amount of feculence it sprays on everyone who just want to enjoy gaming and make games.
The best thing MS can do for the gaming industry is leave and never return.
It turns out that many moons ago, Microsoft once had its eye on the Sony published LittleBigPlanet series.
Microsoft in a nutshell. Always tried to poach Sony employees, games, 3rd party games and devices like the depth camera that was turned into Kinect but was running on PS2 before Xbox 360. Wouldn't be surprised they wanted LBP. Just like they worked behind the scenes pushing the MLB to bring Sony's baseball game to Xbox instead of making their own.
https://www.playstationlife...
They didn't spend years trying to develop their own baseball game. They wanted Sony's game.
They're scum.
"However, Healey said Media Molecule wouldn't have felt right doing that, adding it would have been "morally corrupt"."
Major kudos to Media Molecule for being an upright studio with principles.
Great, more stories like this please. Show the last of the zombies holding the line what we've been saying for years: Microsoft is anti competition, anti industry and has no interest in making games at all.
But hey, at least there's an Xbox Games Showcase to look forward to, right?
Well considering SONY just killed the series, LBP would've been dead by now either way. Though MM probably wouldn't exist by now either, so I'm glad they stayed with SONY, hopefully they don't get shut down any time soon or ever honestly.
The 360 died in Japan a long time ago to be honest, just took a while for anyone to notice. lol
yep i have to agree with article
yes, because there's no market for any form of 'adult' gaming ! it's all one big anime cartoon kiddie-fest !
It's hard to make games for the japanese. They like a certain style that Americans dont favor. Their style is different, that's all im saying.
It's easy for Sony because they are Japanese. It's a double edge sword, we (americans) like their story games, but they dont like our fps games. So, IMO, it's easier for Sony than MSFT. Japanese also have nation pride, so they want to see Sony succeed. Americans does too, that's why all these fps shooters are pro America.
But, i dont think the 360 is dead, if MSFT keeps trying they will get buyers. But, should they care about the east if they are moving enough units in the west? That's the question.
I think the answer is yes. Japanese have a unique style. They have brought us great games and will continue to. MSFT should not give up on the East, if they do, they have any common sense and should step aside and let Apple take over.
Both MSFT and Sony are great companies. They need to stay motivated and continue advancing. Better for us gamers in the end.
Gotta pay the troll-toll. :]