At some point we had over 200 scrapped PS1 consoles and almost 100 failed PS2 consoles on the shop I worked at during the early 2000s. 95% of the consoles were US models. So you could easily tell that easily at least a THIRD PART of ALL SONY CONSOLES made and sold for the USA region ended here through smuggling. Microsoft and SONY only were able to realize that reality when the first true online generation of consoles (PS3 and XBOX360) which had some sort of central network outlet capable of Geo-localization of incoming connections made them realize that a ridiculous amount of units meant to be running in USA were actually running on Latin America (not only Brazil but all Spanish talking America too) which made them drive into setting up offices at these countries. Why you think Microsoft was the first company to realize that ? They were the first ones with a centralized network and probably they were also the first ones to make use of Geo-IP systems to poll where the systems were connecting from. Anyway, the people managing Microsoft operations in Japan need to be fired. Well, that is the point of this conversation, huh ?
Well, honestly, Xbox One doesn't compete against PS4. It's bulky (looks like a low budget VHS deck), it isn't able to do 1080p at 60fps and it's price tag is higher. Well, Microsoft tried to change that, and all their bullshit around how they want to control stuff we bought and own, but too late.
There are 1080p/60 fps games on Xbone, not that many, but you're still technically wrong. Besides, this whole resolution obsession has gotten out of hand: Killzone Shadow Fall may be 1080p at 60 fps, but that doesn't mean it's not a shitty and tedious game.
I know you're joking but a lot of people went to Miami only to buy a PS4. The cost of flying to Miami, staying one day on a 3 star hotel, buying a PS4 + taxes and then fly back to Brazil was cheaper than going to a store and get the "official" Sony Brazil PS4. Insane, but true.
First, it's the same price without the Kinect as the PS4 sans whatever their camera is called, and honestly I like the look of it, and the enormous fan (if you watch a teardown, the thing has like a jet fan in it, which will make the redesign a lot smaller) means it won't overheat. Also, let's be completely honest, this console generation is probably going to last at least 8 years, both the PS4 and XB1 are about to finish year 1 in North America. There's plenty of time for anything to happen. Good lord that's messed up.
This. Microsoft from day 1 is designing the console from a U.S perspective. Trying to mold it to appeal to the Japan market after the final design is already too late. They end up doing damage control every time instead of actual research and marketing to appeal to this market. For example, here are some things that lower the marketability of the Xbox One: - The console size is bigger than the PS4 and Wii U. In Japan space is at a premium, the smaller the better. - Kinect requires too much open space to work. Again, space is at a premium in Japan. (Kinect looks like it's being abandoned so probably not a big deal anymore) - It's more expensive than the PS4 and Wii U consoles, of which are made by Japanese companies. - Lack of games catered to the Japanese market (bc of lack of developers due to slow sales.) - Microsoft has no portable console to develop brand loyalty in Japan.
Who said anything about selling a console? The point was that there was an exclusive title. Doesn't matter what it is. Besides there's already two shooters on the way for the Japanese, one being a new Raiden. Anyway, from someone who has been in Japan since 1998 I can tell you that the amount of effort put in to this release on behalf of retailers is truly pathetic. I've seen loads of crap come and go and nothing was given such hard treatment as the Xbone. Even from a merchandising point of view stores are taking the piss. I mean, why are the games spine on? Why isn't there a shelf full of face on boxes? Where's the Forza Horizons 2 promotion stuff? Basically they don't give a shit because it's Xbox. It's really sad that Japanese stores have this attitude. And let's not forget, this console hasn't even been on store shelves a month so people can't blame poor sales for the state of that display. I worked and took a course in retail management so I know all about store promotion and displaying merchandise and this store and others do too (or should do) but they just don't care. It's no wonder sales are so bad when nobody knows about the system. Microsoft are also to blame to a point as well. They've had no TV adds, no running up to release promotion stuff and only started to shout about the system the day before it's release. So in all, a complete fuck up. Still, as I've said before, I couldn't care less if the console bombs here since it's region free and imports are very easy to get hold of.
This is indeed shameful. Both Forza and Forza Horizon have been two of the best console racing games since the last gen. Like i said before, Microsoft still hasn't understood how to "work" in Japan. When the own company doesn't bother...
Not actually true in this day and age. I've lived in Japan for 15 odd years and I can tell you that the size of a consoles isn't going to make any difference in my home. The old Kinect was a bit of an issue but it was still usable even in my small games room. The new one is much better though. Still a load of crap IMO as is the PS4 camera. Not true. The stock PS4 with controller is 41'210 yen. The stock Xbox One with controller and Titan Fall is 41,010 yen. This is true. They needed more Japanese developed exclusives for launch. There are some on the way which should help the system but they really needed more for launch. Could be a factor although nobody really gives a shit about the Vita. Every kid has a 3DS as do many adults. Other none gamers play on their phones.
Interesting, I did not know that MS was selling it Kinectless in Japan. I'm glad they went that route, makes much more sense. Esp in Japan. Yea, I couldn't quantifiably justify that last point, it was mainly just an opinion, but I wouldn't be surprised if it played a role in console purchases. In Japan both Vita and 3DS are selling very well. If the consumers like the portable product, they might develop a soft spot for the company when they look for a home console.
I've said it from the original Xbox on that Microsoft should have partnered up with Sega in Japan either by buying them outright, licensing it to them, or signing an exclusive game deal and hiring them to market it. I think they would have made a hell of a lot more headway in Japan then they have by going it alone.
I think the Xbox One is doing pretty poorly everywhere, not just in Japan. I think the stuff surrounding its announcement gave people a bad impression about it. I also think a lot of people (myself included) don't really like the design of the console. That said, my local Best Buy has a better selection of Xbox One stuff than what you showed in that picture. They have a whole section as well as a kiosk (which wasn't working when I was there). The amount of PS4 and Xbox One stuff is about equal.
I know Sega was involved in the development of the Xbox. The Xbox took a lot of inspiration from the Dreamcast, and was even supposed to be able to play Dreamcast games at one point. Sega made quite a few great games on all of the consoles of that generation, though the Xbox probably got the most attention.
Involved with development? Not really, no, not significantly from what Ive been told and read about. And supposed to play Dreamcast games is a bit of a stretch too, as it was never close to happening, though it was certainly discussed. SEGA seemed like a more likely bet than some of the other companies they would have considered buying if given a chance, like, say, Nintendo, which did humor them at one point.
I read that somewhere, I can't remember where. Sega and Microsoft already had a relationship, since Microsoft developed the Windows CE SDK for the DC.
The XB1 isn't really doing that poorly in the US, it's only about a million short of the PS4 (which could be from a number of factors, like the higher price tag until June, or as Johnny mentioned earlier, Brazilians buying PS4s in Miami) (http://www.vgchartz.com/analysis/platform_totals/Hardware/NA/) It's improving in Europe (hitching onto the FIFA train was a smart business move, since supposedly 80% of all games sold in the UK during its launch week were copies of FIFA 15 (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/fifa-15-dominates-uk-chart/1100-6422620/)). Supposedly the sticking point that I've heard is that Sega wanted the Xbox to be able to play Dreamcast games online right out of the box, but Microsoft didn't have Xbox Live ready for launch (I don't think it launched until 2003). I think I know what Microsoft needs to do to get Xbox Ones moving in Japan. Pay for Sega to make Shenmue 3.
It's improving in UK. UK buying habits aligns with USA much more than Europe. UK is the only place in Europe where Xbox 360 beat PS3 afaik. If piracy won't be on Xbox One, it is dead outside USA and UK.
Isn't it widely known that Microsoft put little to no effort into marketing this thing in Japan? The response from stores hardly seems all that surprising.
