Microsoft dev: 'Japan not most important'

Despite its own efforts, Microsoft is still seeing disappointing Xbox and Xbox 360 sales in the Land of the Rising Sun. MS Game Studios boss Shane Kim has said previously that Microsoft is "committed to success in the region," but today one of Microsoft's own developers played down the importance of the territory.

Speaking to website Ars Technica, Microsoft's Matt Lee, a developer in Microsoft's Game Technology Group, said that "Japan is not necessarily the most important market for gaming these days," adding, "it is also not quite as large as the US and European markets."

[OutLaw]

I know it is not necessarily the most important. But they still would like to see some turn around for their efforts over there.

[Anerythristic26]

It is actually been considered a declining market since the launch of last generation consoles. North America was at that time called " the only market that matters " by industry execs. I guess we pass the torch to Europe , enjoy.

[ken6271]

Its unfortunate that Japan continues not to support US products, while we continue to heavily support Japan products here in the US. When the PS3 hits Japan, it will win because they like the Sony name....Even in the US, us americans don't support our own products...look at how many ps2's sold vs xbox....I don't get it...

[andy capps]

They import American products (Xbox 360s) in Japan, it's just that no one likes them. Like it or not, the Japanese are loyal to their own countries products and they don't like FPS's. But the reason that the PS2 and PS1 sold more than Xbox over here was because it had better, and more games. Gamecube is another reason entirely.. :)

[The BS Police]

The Halo franchise is better than any franchise to hit the PS2!

[LK]

I DONT UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. MOST OF THE XBOX360'S PARTS ARE MADE FROM OVERSEA ANYWAYS.

[Xtrm L1481L1TY]

Well most of the parts are designed here then sub-contracted off over seas to fabricate the parts. What you really need to look at is who is making the big profit. It doesnt matter where the parts are built, but who designed them. Take the PS3 for example, IBM had the biggest part in designing "cell". Well IBM is headquartered in New York U.S.. Look at "RSX". NVIDIA designed it and is Headquarter in California U.S.. PS3's lightning fast ram is designed by Rambus headquartered in California U.S.. Some of them japs are ignorant as hell because they are oblivious to the fact that the PS3's main parts are designed by American companies and guess where the profit goes? It's actually a smart idea... Throw a Japanese name on an American product and they'll buy it. LOL

[LK]

WELL, NOW I KNOW AND KNOWING IS POWER. GO JOE. COOL

[joemutt]

Its Half the Battle, go joemutt!

[The Real Deal]

I have a friend that lives in Japan in the Army. He told me that in Japan most people WILL NOT buy an american product. They basically only support their own. Sony, Nintendo, regardless of whether they would enjoy it or not. They have a lot of discipline. Now there are a small few that go against the grain and give in to enjoy an American Made product. I'm not talking about food chains. I'm talking about American Made products. Cars, electronics, ect. Maybe we should give them a taste of their own medicine. The video game market in Japan is already declining. They make all their money off of us open minded Westerners. They look at us a stupid Americans. If we don't buy Sony PS3 it will give them a taste of what they have been doing. The only difference is we won't be stupid Americans anymore. Most people don't get it. America is the home of the free. But its not like that in other countries. They stick together and for the most part don't like us. But they sure will sell broke ps2's to us and laugh all the way to the bank when we keep replacing them like the stupid Americans they think we are. Think about it. I have inside info on this. This comes from a guy stationed in Japan folks.

[The Real Deal]

Meanwhile Sony gets all the money and credit. Lets Support the real American created product. xbox 360. Sure parts made in other countries but The Profit goes to the American Company Microsoft.

[Unknownunknown]

Also ignore that rubbish about him saying Japan isn't important that isn't at all the focus of the article. The guy focused alot on the 360's capabilities and what Microsoft is doing to make it easier for developers to make games on the console. THAT was the focus of the article not this nonsense.

[billybob]

the reason the 360 is not getting any support is because most of the Japanese don't like the same games that we like. that’s why that "they don't like American products" line is BS, hell if that was true they would be buying sony mp3 players like they buy ipods. The ipod is huge over there, why can't people understand that if the games don't apeal to them they won't buy the system? would you buy a 360 if all it had were rpg's and dating sims?

[Xtrm L1481L1TY]

The Sims is designed by an American (or European I could be wrong). It's the same guy who is developing Spore.

[billybob]

i said dateing sims not the Sims

[The BS Police]

The Japanese support there own technology and call ours crap because they think their technology is superior to everyone else... Isn't that in a way Racism???

Remember back when Hitler was in power the germans thought there were the supperior race and everyone else should be killed... though they are both two different subjects it's rrally at all not that different!

Except the Japanese don't wanna kill us!

[shotty]

The Germans still make one hell of a car. i.e BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Voltzwagon, Mayback, Rollsroyce

[PS360PCROCKS]

I could care less about Japan, lol, and if they hate our products does it hurt me? Nope, because I hate their products as well

[sonyISgod]

All of you 360 fans are a bunch of Ignorance fool. So what are you saying is that every country have to buy your products in order to not be racis? WOW that is one ignorance comment I had ever heard. Just like christianity claiming others belief to be obsolete and everyone that dosn't follow there belief is all going to hell none the less. You peoples are all the same when it come to belief and your country products.

If you think Japanese dosn't like the 360 simply because of racism than you should consider of why do they buy into Ipod, McDarnal, Levis, Tommy and so on. The Japanese love lots of american products and bought a load of them every years. When they choose not to buy one or two American Company Product, all of you American peoples start calling them racis. How could you even come to that conclusion without educating yourself first about the industry. You wanted to know why does the Japnese peoples dosn't like the 360? Simply because Bill Gate had try to take over every market that they had gone into (monopolize), and they once try to buy out Nintendo. You peoples should be ashame of youself for claiming such ignorance statment, when you known no truth to the reality of marketing and the industry.

[The BS Police]

The Japanese support there own technology and call ours crap because they think their technology is superior to everyone else!

I'm not saying they are racists but in a way could it be Racism!

Get an IQ!

And that whole Monopolizing theory is what every Corparation does... Including Sony.

Except Sony lies all the time!

[The Real Deal]

Now I know you are a little kid. Do you know what the trade market is? Check into it and get back with us on how Japan buys american products. They DON'T. Its a shame. They buy their own products at a much much higher rate than ours. Us....Americans...we buy anything. Most of the time it has to do with price. We don't care if its made in Japan or Mexico. If the price is right. We will buy it. Japanese don't think that way and the Trade Market Reflects that clearly Son.

[sonyISgod]

Didn't I tell your stupid ass to get fact first before stating any more comment. So when the japanese bought an Ipod, Levis, or gone to McDornal, Startbuck and many others American products as well. They doing it because they hate American Product? They choose to buy these American Products because they hate American? They keep buying it every years just to spice and show the American of how much anger they have against the U.S?

You the one that need to get an IQ.

[The BS Police]

You need an IQ son!

Atleast I know how to spell!

[billybob]

LOL you need to learn some grammer "get an IQ" LOL what a tard....

[Phytonadione]

"I'm talking about American Made products. Cars, electronics, ect."?? Are you kidding me? U.S. made cars are considered imports over there, so when you calculate the cost of the car after taxes, you are close to the Audi/Volkswagon range. U.S. consumers can't even get over the (forget about the) past reliability of U.S. cars, how do you expect the Japanese to? And name me as many U.S. electronics makers (commercial) as you can. The only ones that I can name off the top of my head are either Japanese, Korean, or Chinese. Of course there are the high-end German and U.S. audio makers....but other than the super, ultra luxerious brands, there aren't a whole lot of U.S. brands to choose from. And your whole argument is based on a single person's view (a soldier who probably is required to stay on base). My friend is an English teacher over there and he is actually studying Japanese (he's been there for 3 years now) in order to work in the import/export business, soley based on the fact that Japanese people like U.S. products (mostly clothing/accessories, ipod/accessories, Harley's, and other iconic stuff. Japanese people have always looked to the U.S. for fasion/culture/life trends. The only things the Japanese could be accused of is being slightly nationalistic in regards to Korean and Chinese competition and even that is usually only with the older generation.

[TMoney]

I doubt the 360 is failing in Japan because of Japanese racism toward American products. Although Japan is an openly homogeneous society their love of American products is evident with their support of American clothing, electronics, software, etc.

I also don't doubt that racism is prevalent in Japan. But what country doesn't have its share of racists? Does racism not exist in America or England or France or Africa, or Russia etc? Please, let's keep this discussion honest and intelligent without resorting to name calling.

Microsoft is keenly aware of the reasons why their consoles do not have a larger following. The main reason is: GAMES. The Madden franchise and the Tom Clancy games and Halo and other FPS's just do not play well abroad. And to make matters worse, Japanese developers weren't willing to develop for Microsoft for various reasons such as exclusivity contracts with Sony and Nintendo.

However, the tide is turning. Microsoft is getting even more aggressive in Japan with incentives to such developers to avoid exclusives with Sony and/or Nintendo.

MS is in it for the long haul. They've spent too much money and time to concede Japan to Sony.

[JPomper]

F#ck 'em, I say. Consentrate on the majority of gamers that will purchase your product and appreciate updates/support.

Good to know.

[Bhai]

Ha Ha Ha !!! After over half an year of continuous saying that Japan is the most important territory, MS is stepping back. They've known it Hah they can't bring it to Japan. MS is such liars, first they say japan is the most important, then they say Europe is the one, check back again when PS3 comes out, they'll say America is THE most important region and in the end they'll say "yeah ! its the second time we've learned a lot from the console business, next time we'll rock ". hey MS ! enough already ? !!!