Microsoft Pushes Xbox One in Japan By Gifting Early Purchasers with 6 Free Months of Xbox Live Gold

Microsoft just launched Xbox One in Japan, and they’re already pushing quite hard to create a foothold in the difficult local market.

[98xpresent]

Thirsty . Smh

This is Embarrassing to me. Hopefully MS learns from this

[mixolydian_id]

To be honest, a charge of 11p per day is not such a big deal for an online service.

I spend more on my internet service provider.

It's known that eastern territories have become more smart phone oriented players/users.

Things'll look up in time. Bring the games and advertisements and try and put them on the map. They should open a store in Tokyo with a playable arcade... guaranteed buzz!

I mean... everyone has been into the Apple store for a peruse before?

[chobit_A5HL3Y]

you can't really compare internet service to an online gaming service...

[mixolydian_id]

@Chobit

Maybe so... I do think you can compare it because it adds to your household monthly expenditure.

What about comparing to a Mobile phone contract?
45-55£ per month... and the service is something you can't physically hold in your hand (Excluding the phone of course)

Or perhaps my bus ticket to work, 96£ per month

Or petrol in my car 25£ per week.

11p per day is still is a drop in the ocean in comparison to my other bills.

[Mr Pumblechook]

If I buy a new Xbox One this Christmas I want 6 months Live free.

There was a time it stood head and shoulders above PSN but now the online service landscape is markedly different. Sony now charge for PSN and for gamers on a budget they can't pay for two subscriptions so are having to go for the one that offers the best value.

[mixolydian_id]

Not to undermine your comment.

But if you can afford two consoles... you can afford 25p (Paying for both) per day on online services.

Not to mention the fact that when you purchase a console these days, you are essentially committing to online service payments to start with!

I don't want to bring up the differences in their services because it's a wash. XBL has always been solid, it's undeniable really.

[Manic2014]

It's gonna fail but at least they're trying.

[98xpresent]

For the 3rd time

[MonstaTruk]

This...

[patrik23]

sorry micro. it won't help

[TheTwelve]

Moneysink

[TongkatAli]

Get as many units sold even if it's just 12 units. It will add up to the total.

[Killzoner99]

Ha ha ha , too little too late.

[Gore-Content]

Good luck with that.............

[gamer4lifeyo]

My side hurts from laughing so hard! At least do 12 months and a free game. I doubt that would even work

[cyhm3112]

why would I buy a rubbish come with some free dust?

[TheSaint]

Isn't this just a massive cash drain for them? I appreciate they need to try but it's beyond a lost cause.

[Jdoki]

Yes, it probably is... But if MS abandon Japan it sends a clear sign to the industry, and would likely result in less Japanese developers / publishers putting games on to their platform.

When you look at Sony getting Disgaea, Persona and other niche titles it's clear they have the Japanese advantage (although a proper Dragons Quest and Monster Hunter on PS4 would be the biggest coups) - and MS can't be seen to not even try and compete.

[Loktai]

To be frank the small load added to their network by the relatively low amount of consoles they will sell in the first six months is probably absolutely unnoticeable.

[mixelon]

I almost feel sorry for them. It looks like japanese development is getting a huge uptick at the moment with an absolute ton of JRPGs and other Jstuff. If they don't get any of the market they won't get the developers.

Thinking back to the ps1 era more than half my favourite games were from Japan. If they've got their mojo back *and* the ps4 is the lead for western devs.. MS have a lot of work ahead of them.

[Inzo]

I saw photos of the xbone launch, I could feel the awkwardness all the way here in SA.

[dansdooz]

console is in the top ten on amazon jp

[Revengeance]

And your point is...

[Kayant]

*hourly charts*

Monthly - http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/...

One sku in top 100 position 80.

Also it's not in the top 10 hourly it's in top 20.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/...

[mhunterjr]

Cool. There may not be many people that buy an xb1 in japan, but for those that do, good deal.

[Bathyj]

Go easy guys. One actually admire MS for Not giving up in Japan. They know it won't be so big hit , but they're doing it anyway. wish they had that attitude with their games instead of churning out their predictable blockbuster franchises.

The alternative is to admit defeat and show weakness and they don't want that especially now, nor do they want to alienate Japanese developers who seem to be having a resurgence of their own.

They'll never be the hit if the party, but they still need to turn up and drink some sake.

[Bhuahahaha]

japan did a boob touch for charity

soooooo hehehhehe maybe it might work with the xbone too

[KirbysDump]

The Order game play is funnier than this. Broken game

[PR_FROM_OHIO]

Damn bro you must be really #Salty LMFAO!!!!!

[Steptoe]

Maybe they should've given an xb1 away with every purchase of Live.

[Dread]

lol

good one.

However, I for one have to give them some credit to MS for trying and not alienating one of the most historicaly important game markets. I hope at the end of the day they can make some profit and compel more Japanese developers to make games for the xbox one.

As gamers I do not see how it benefits us to pound on MS for trying to reach more markets.

[RosweeSon]

It's always nice to see a company support brand new customers who really really don't care better than the people who have supported it since day one or even last gen? Nice one Microsoft nice one ;)

[inf3cted1]

Only 6 months? lol

[EverydayGuy]

I rather have a $25 gift card.

[Loktai]

Its not like they could just not try.
As Jdoki said if they dont at least try it will only
hurt them worse in the end. Its not like 360 Had zero japanese games even though it sold terribly there. <trolling>At least they will get some original japanese games we can look forward to upgraded/improved ports of a year or two after</trolling>

[crosstrigger]

If they really wanted to make a push for gaining some ground on the Japanese market, they needed to develop some decent first party (or buy some third party) JRPG's and music games. They software catalog currently just isn't interesting over there. Ahhhhh well nice try Phil.

[nigelp520]

Microsoft should make a deal with Japanese developers such as Mistwalker, Capcom, Duda 51 to make exclusive games for the Xbox One

[Dread]

yep.

In fact they should have had a good Japanese excluisve game for launch. I think that was the biggest mistake of all.

[bloodybutcher]

I wonder why all women call me'' micro soft''...